October Half Term 2026 • Ages 8 to 13
Real questions. Bigger ideas.
Two weeks of hands-on investigation for 8 to 13 year olds. One goes deep inside the human body. The other heads out across the solar system and beyond.
- Question
- Explore
- Test
- Discover
Hands on experiments.
Real materials
Real questions
Bigger ideas
Test it. Then test it again.
Little House of Science is running two packed weeks of discovery, adventure and hands-on learning this October half term, and our 8 to 13 year olds have their own group, so the science can go further.
In Week 1, Junior Medical Explorers dive inside the human body, uncovering the secrets of the skeleton, the brain, the immune system and much more, while meeting the brilliant scientists who changed medicine forever.
Week 2 takes things out of this world with our Astrogeology camp, where budding geologists and space explorers investigate rocks, volcanoes, moon missions and the search for alien life across our solar system and beyond.
Whether your child dreams of becoming a doctor or an astronaut (or both!), these camps are designed to spark curiosity, build real scientific knowledge and make the school holidays unforgettable.
My boys (11 and 9 years) were just blown away! I booked initially 3 days and we extended it both times. I guess no more to say right, when kids ask to stay longer?
A. Dantas, parent
At a glance:
- Who: young scientists aged 8 to 13, in their own group
- Week 1: Junior Medical Explorers, Mon 19 to Fri 23 October
- Week 2: Astrogeology, Mon 26 to Fri 30 October
- Where: Hampstead, South Kensington and Pont Street (SW1)
- Times: 9.30am to 3.30pm, free drop-off from 8.30am
- Price: £585 for the full week, or £122 per day
Week 01
Junior Medical Explorers
Mon 19 to Fri 23 October
Dive inside the human body to explore the skeleton, brain and immune system, and meet the scientists who changed medicine forever.
Questions we will investigate
- How do bones, muscles and tendons work together to move us, and what do red and white blood cells actually do?
- How does the eye turn light into vision, and how does medical imaging let doctors see inside the body?
- How does the brain send messages? Meet Santiago Ramón y Cajal, who showed it is built from individual nerve cells.
- What did Rosalind Franklin, Francis Crick and James Watson discover about DNA?
- How did John Snow, Alexander Fleming, Edward Jenner and Jonas Salk change the fight against disease?
- What can immortal jellyfish and self-repairing frogs teach us about healing, and could robots ever replace doctors?
Where: UCS Senior School, Hampstead, or More House School, Pont Street
What is really going on inside?
Week 02
Astrogeology
Mon 26 to Fri 30 October
Investigate rocks, volcanoes, moon missions and the search for alien life across our solar system and beyond.
Questions we will investigate
- What is astrogeology? Meet Eugene Shoemaker, the scientist who helped found it.
- How do we know what is inside the Earth? Discover how Inge Lehmann found its inner core.
- What can crystals and minerals tell us about other worlds?
- What causes earthquakes and volcanoes, and how do scientists measure them?
- How will the Artemis missions take astronauts back to the Moon, and could we build a home on Mars?
- How do scientists find planets around other stars, and are we alone in the universe?
Plus: landing on a comet with the Rosetta mission, and the hidden world beneath the Antarctic ice sheet.
Where: UCS Senior School, Hampstead, or MPW School London, South Kensington
Same moon, different questions.
How we work
Observe. Compare. Measure. Record. Repeat.
- Hands-on experiments
- Real scientists, real stories
- Creative problem solving
- Real-world connections
Everything you need to know
Our 8 to 13 year olds are taught in their own group, separate from the younger children, so the science can go further. Groups are small, with up to 6 children per teacher, and every session is led by qualified teachers.
Times
- Optional free drop-off from 8.30am
- Camp runs 9.30am to 3.30pm
- Late pick-up until 4.30pm, booked separately
Prices
- £585 for the full week
- £122 per day if you only need some days
- Sibling discount available
Lunch & what to bring
- A packed lunch, or book the hot lunch add-on
- Two snacks and a refillable water bottle
- A warm coat
Venues
- UCS Senior School, Frognal, Hampstead, London NW3 6XH (Weeks 1 & 2)
- More House School, 22-24 Pont Street, London SW1X 0AA (Week 1)
- MPW School London, 65-67 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 5JS (Week 2)
Questions parents ask
Will it be challenging enough for an older child?
Yes. Children aged 8 to 13 are taught in their own group, separate from our 5 to 7 year olds, so the science is pitched at the right level for them.
Can I book single days?
Yes. You can book individual days at £122 per day, or the full week for £585.
Can my child come to both weeks?
Absolutely. Week 1 (Junior Medical Explorers) and Week 2 (Astrogeology) cover completely different topics, so children who join both get two very different investigations.
Which venue runs which week?
UCS Senior School in Hampstead runs both weeks. More House School on Pont Street runs Week 1, and MPW School London in South Kensington runs Week 2.
What are the camp times?
Camp runs from 9.30am to 3.30pm. There is an optional free drop-off from 8.30am, and late pick-up until 4.30pm can be booked separately.
What does my child need to bring?
A packed lunch (unless you book the hot lunch add-on), two snacks, a refillable water bottle and a warm coat.
Is there a sibling discount?
Yes, a sibling discount is available when you book for more than one child, including a younger brother or sister in our 5 to 7 group.