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Things to do in Canary Wharf this half term
With half term just around the corner it’s time to start planning for a week of entertainment that embraces the best of the school break. Fun and festivities for the whole family are all part of the experience in Canary Wharf as we sip on hot chocolate, start seasonal shopping, and wrap up warm for winter activities. Here are some of the top things to do in London this half term.
share Fun-filled family adventures
Get out and about with activities and entertainment across the Wharf to suit all ages and abilities this half term with a world of entertainment to explore. From ice skating to obstacle courses, burn off a little energy and work up an appetite with something for every age group.
Active adventure
Flip Out Canary Wharf takes the crown as London’s biggest and best indoor adventure park. Discover active entertainment including Laser Quest, interactive football, bumper cars, a roller rink, Soft Play, a ninja playground, slides, trampolines, obstacle courses, and foam pits. There’s something for everyone at the Canary Wharf Flip Out.
Adrenaline boost at Capital Karts
For an adrenaline-pumping experience, you can’t beat Capital Karts Canary Wharf, where families can enjoy high-speed electric go-karting at the UK’s fastest indoor track. Buy a race balaclava and gloves, or bring your own, then it’s game on with sprint sessions or a Grand Prix, including kids sessions dedicated to ages seven to nine and 10 to 13 from £29pp. There are also family sessions for those aged seven years and over. Minimum height restrictions apply and there’s space for refreshments afterwards.
Sparkling entertainment
The Canary Wharf Ice Rink is back by popular demand from 26 October. Skate into the season and settle into the festive spirit in an iconic location at Canada Square Park. The picture-perfect winter experience invites you to enjoy ice skating whatever the weather thanks to the covered rink, with 13 daily sessions from 9am until 9pm. Children between the ages of four and 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and skate aids are available for little ones to help them find their feet on the ice.
Explore nature and open spaces
One of Canary Wharf’s greatest assets is its green and open spaces, bringing you closer to nature in the heart of the metropolis. There are more than 16.5 acres of green spaces and 5km of waterfront boardwalks to enjoy, all cultivating biodiversity and enabling you to experience London in harmony with the environment.
Plant power
One of our latest additions is the Canary Wharf farm offering education, entertainment and excitement for budding agricultural enthusiasts. Inviting children to learn about sustainable agriculture while experiencing the incredible physical and mental wellbeing benefits of plants, Wharf Farm delights and fascinates children of all ages. A vertical indoor farm, the space is welcoming visitors until Friday 1 November, from 10am until 2pm Tuesday to Friday. Hosted in partnership with Square Mile Farms, they grow an array of herbs and greenery using innovative hydroponic technology, and offer a series of events, workshops and tasting sessions so you can learn and interact. It’s a wholesome, educational experience for all, guaranteed to spark a new hobby at home as well.
Tropical paradise
For a walk in the park without worrying about the weather, Canary Wharf’s Crossrail Place Roof Garden is a perennial favourite. One of the most impressive green spaces in Canary Wharf, it sits almost exactly on the Meridian line and is open until 9pm. It’s filled with exotic plants and hidden paths making it an ideal spot for a family stroll or a mini adventure where children can explore unique plant life from around the world.
Waterfront oasis
A new addition to the Wharf, Eden Dock Canary Wharf is newly open and ready for exploration. Formerly known as Middle Dock, the outdoor hub is a water-adjacent haven of pontoons and aquatic islands brimming with verdant plant life. It’s an environmental oasis where marine habitats exist alongside architectural excellence, offering escapism in the city, and space to unwind in the open air.
Family-friendly entertainment
Enquiring minds delight in family-friendly entertainment at all hours of the day, from art to cinema complete with interactive activities and plenty of snacks to keep energy levels up and interests engaged.
Movie magic
Enjoy movie magic at the Canary Wharf Everyman Cinema in Crossrail Place, where three screens and ultra comfy seats offer the perfect place for entertainment. Tuck into kid-friendly snacks and cosy up with friends and family to enjoy a host of films, from ET to The Nightmare Before Christmas, Joker: Folie à Deux, Lee, and a throwback to Hocus Pocus. You can also join them every Friday or Saturday for their toddler-friendly cinema screenings for ages one to five with their Toddler Club. They show childhood favourites, such as The Addams Family, as well as new releases, complete with a warm drink and a slice of cake or a small popcorn included in your ticket price.
Creative inspiration
For fresh air and free entertainment combined, the Children’s Art Trail Canary Wharf is an ideal opportunity to go on a treasure hunt of imagination-expanding proportions. Budget-friendly, it’s complete with 12 pieces of art dotted around the estate both inside and out, you can even stop at Crossrail Place Roof Garden for a spot of lunch amongst the trees.
Family-friendly places to eat in Canary Wharf
With all that entertainment, family-friendly eats Canary Wharf to rest, recharge and refuel are essential. Across Canary Wharf, family-friendly dining is available in abundance, from a stylish setting with a diverse menu at The Ivy in the Park, to contemporary Mexican fare at Wahaca.
Diverse dining
Head to Canada Square where you will find The Ivy in the Park, offering casual refinement and all-day dining. Fusing British classics with an Asian twist, the popular eatery offers family-friendly feasts, complete with a children’s menu – The Ivy Chocolate Bombe with honeycomb and hot caramel sauce is always a crowd pleaser.
Mexican marvels joys
A vibrant, feel-good, family-friendly favourite, Wahaca at The Park Pavilion is known for bringing a taste of Mexico to Canary Wharf. Small plates and big flavours abound in an easy going environment serving superb tacos, cocktails, quesadillas, sides, churros and desserts, mocktails and more. There’s also a dedicated kids menu for little ‘Mexi-fans’ up to the age of eight, with the chance to build your own taco, and finish up with a babychino!
Comfort food
Warm and comforting, Emilia’s Crafted Pasta offers an authentic Italian experience that’s perfect for bringing families together over wholesome meals. Generous, warm and relaxing, it’s pasta that offers the comfort of home.
Zizzi’s pizza and pasta
Laid back and lots of fun, Zizzi’s is famous for its rustic pizzas, mozzarella garlic bread, sharing boards and more. Their Cabot Place location is a family-friendly haven offering a warm welcome and a convivial environment for quality time together. Wholesome and heartwarming, they even have a ‘Bambini’ menu with flavourful fare from a Kids Pasta Penne Pomodoro to Sweet Potato Fries.
Mediterranean mezze
Meet a Mediterranean welcome at Gallio Canary Wharf, where a warm and convivial greeting awaits alongside a menu of excellent mezze platters, pizza, wraps or their signature bowl food. Naturally, the experience is complete with plenty of gelato as well.
Soul food at Seoul Bird
Korean American chef Judy Joo brings her particular brand of soul food to Canary Wharf to Canary Wharf at Seoul Bird on Jubilee Place. Making the experience even more special this half term is their Kids Eat Free offer from 26th October to 3rd November. Tuck into marinated chicken cooked over charcoal, Korean fried chicken burgers with fluffy potato buns, mixed and grilled buckets and more.
Shop for children’s clothes in Canary Wharf
Not only is Canary Wharf a hub of entertainment, it also offers plenty of retail therapy and shopping opportunities. Stock up on winter coats and comfy jumpers, from affordable high street brands to luxury favourites. Be prepared for any weather and occasion, with children’s clothes shops in Canary Wharf.
Swedish style
A Swedish lifestyle brand for little ones, shop at Newbie Canary Wharf to find Hygge in abundance. Sustainability is at the heart of what they offer, with comfy, nostalgic style and timeless design featuring natural shades and hand-drawn prints.
High street favourites
Always popular and reliably fashionable, Zara Canary Wharf is the perfect place for trendy, affordable, children’s clothes for every occasion. Their wide range of clothing and accessories is both practical and party-ready as we head towards the holiday season.
Luxury style
The White Company Canary Wharf is known for its high quality and relaxed elegance. Soft fabrics and contemporary design offer classic good taste for parents seeking both comfort and style for their children. Located at Jubilee Place, head over for everything from baby-grows to woolly jumpers and winter socks.
Quality comfort
A family favourite for its eternal quality and good taste, John Lewis Canary Wharf offers a wide selection of children’s clothing, from baby essentials to stylish outfits for older kids. Explore in-house brands and famous children’s fashion labels, as well as gifts and trinkets guaranteed to entertain.
The best burger joints in town
For cosy comfort there’s nothing quite like a burger and fries, and whether you’re looking for fast food or the ultimate American-style experience, Canary Wharf is home to the best burger joints in town. Rock up with friends and family for fun, flavour and plenty of fries.
Fast food favourite
Grab a quick bite at Burger King, which arrived at the Atrium Kitchen on Cabot Place this summer. Globally renowned for their hamburgers since 1954, it’s the home of the classic Whopper, signature recipes and skinny fries.
Shake things up
Open from breakfast and all the way through the day, Shake Shack at The Park Pavilion offers fun and plenty of flair when it comes to food and drink, serving up burgers, hot dogs, crinkle-cut fries, hand-spun shakes and more. Start the day with a Brazilian coffee, and at lunch tuck into quality fare from the best farmers, bakers and artisan producers.
Five Guys Canary Wharf
Five Guys Canary Wharf takes the cake for the greatest variety of topping combinations around. Priding themselves on their high-quality Scottish beef, they boast more than 250,000 possible combinations of fresh toppings, and if that doesn’t take your fancy there’s also their hot dogs and sandwiches to choose from. The reputation of their famous ‘boardwalk style’ fries, hand-cut on site each day and cooked in 100% peanut oil, precedes them, and you can even spice things up with their Cajun fries. Top it all off by creating your own flavoured shakes with a range of over 1,000 different mix-ins.
Make this half term unforgettable
From adrenaline-fuelled fun to relaxing with your favourite people, whatever you want to do this half term, Canary Wharf has it all. For fun with the whole family, entertainment with friends, shopping for essentials or watching the world go by, spend time inside, outside and enjoying the bits in between.
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