Tips for Autumn

Let's go fly a kite in London. Copyright iStock

With the lingering sunshine of summer and beautiful red, yellow and bronze leaves in the trees, autumn is the time to enjoy London outdoors before the winter cold bites.

Tempt your kids into the fresh air with our guide to family-friendly events and activities in London this autumn. From sparkling fireworks to colourful festivals, there's plenty of ways to beat those back-to-school blues!

Halloween in London

Pumpkin carving at Halloween. Image courtesy of www.istockphoto.com

Fancy dress, trick or treat, cauldrons of sweets… no wonder kids love Halloween! Give your little monsters a thrill with a spooky day out in London. There are lots of events to suit all ages, from scary witch trials at London Dungeon to pumpkin carving.

For more Halloween ideas, visit Halloween in London 2009.

Be Dazzled by Fireworks

Bonfire Night makes a magical evening out for all the family. You can gasp at the fireworks, huddle round a roaring bonfire and sip on a steaming hot chocolate. Take along some sparklers too and put your name in lights! Find out what firework displays are happening in your local area with the help of our guide to Bonfire Night 2009.

Get Onboard the London Thames Festival

Summer may be over, but there's no stopping London's festival spirit! The Mayor's Thames Festival is a free, annual celebration along the river Thames. Keep the kids entertained all day at the amazing fire garden, feast on Southwark Bridge, boat pageant and colourful night procession – all topped off with a spectacular fireworks display.

Keep Up the Tradition at the Lord Mayor's Show

London's famous Lord Mayor's Show dates back to 1215 and the colourful procession is just as popular with all generations today. Make a date with history and pop along to this year's show on 14 November to see the newly elected Lord Mayor's diverse parade of Chinese acrobats, military marching bands and community floats. Stick around until 5pm to see the riverside fireworks display.

Skip Through Autumn Leaves

There's nothing better than skipping through a park in autumn, kicking colourful leaves into the air. Indulge your inner child or take your little ones on a walk through one of London's many green spaces. One of the best places to see beautiful autumnal leaves is Kew Gardens. Just make sure you don't kick gardener's carefully collected pile of leaves!

Go On an Autumn Wildlife Walk

Get your walking boots on and discover the flora and fauna of London in autumn. If you've got an insect-enthusiast, tree-devotee or wildlife-know-it all in the family, treat them to a fascinating guided walk. There are lots to choose from, such as:

Autumnal Equinox Walk in Hainault Forest Country Park, 20 Sep
My Garden in Autumn at Myddelton House Gardens, 26 Sep
Guided Walk – Autumn in Hyde Park, 9 Oct
Autumn Dawn Walk & Early Garden Opening at Claremont Landscape Garden, 17 Oct
Autumn Colour at Claremont Landscape Garden, 18 Oct
Guided Walk – Autumn in Kensington Gardens, 22 Oct
Autumn Tree Walk at Holland Park, 31 Oct
Autumn Nature Walk of Claybury Woods, 7 Nov

Weather the Storm

Be prepared whatever the weather and wrap kids with layers of clothes that you can add to or remove. And, as every Londoner knows, no matter how blue the sky is it's always worth carrying an umbrella! London's visitor attractions are a great place to find unusual umbrellas or stylish sunshades, so make a beeline for the gift shops and see what you can find!