Rain or shine, I’ve found 14 fabulous family friendly London activities for the weekend. Read on for my pick of things to do in London with kids of all ages, from babies and toddlers to big kids and grownups only. Whether you’re into dancing in the open air, watching monster trucks battle it out, free street parties or art exhibitions, there’s something for you in the Weekend Scoop. Enjoy!
14 Fabulous Family Friendly London Activities this Weekend
Thu-Sat: Blippi: the Wonderful World Tour at Harold Pinter Theatre, SW1Y 4DN (Piccadilly/Leicester Square tube)
The popular children’s character is back on the West End stage. Come and dance, learn and sing along with Blippi and special guest Meekah as they find out what makes different cities unique. OJ Twist and shake through this brand new musical party filled with excavators, monster trucks and garbage trucks galore. Ages 2+, babies welcome on grownup’s lap. Post-show photo Meet and Greet with Blippi (£12.50pp, subject to availability). 10.30am & 1pm (Mon-Fri) & 10am (Sat); from £15 + £3.95 fee (Jul 8-Sep 7)
Thu-Sun: Barbie at Design Museum at Design Museum, 224–238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG (High St Kensington tube)
She’s a Barbie girl in her Barbie world and this blockbuster show marks her 65th anniversary. Go behind the scenes from Barbie’s inception to present day, with access to California archives, fashion, cars, accessories and the many faces (and races) of Barbie through the decades. All ages. 10am-5pm (6pm Fri-Sun, 8pm select Fris); adult from £14.38/child 6-15 from £7.19/concs & students £10.77/under 6s & members FREE (Jul 5-Feb 23, 2025)
Thu-Sun: Fuerza Bruta: AVEN at Roundhouse at Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH (Chalk Farm tube)
The fantastic Fuerza Bruta are back at the Roundhouse after a 10 year break. Smashing through boundaries of space, form and imagination, their theatre shows blend circus, live music and immersive visuals. Age guidance from 8+ (confirm with theatre). Various showings at 7.30pm (Tue-Thu), 5.30pm & 10pm (Fri), 1pm, 5.30pm & 9pm (Sat), 3pm (Sun); from £20-£49 (Jul 9-Sep 1)
Thu-Sun: Somerset House Summer Series at the Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
Pray for better weather as the beloved annual concert series returns to the courtyard. The lineup is excellent as always, with acts from around the world including the Patti Smith Quartet (SOLD OUT, returns only). This weekend kicks off with Pip Millett + Nia Smith (Thu), rising Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara + legends Amadou and Miriam (Fri), Amapiano DJ producer DBN Gogo (Sat), & Corinne Bailey Rae (Sun). Doors 7.30pm (& 4pm Sat Jul 13); from £28.50 (Jul 11-21)
Thu-Sun: Kew the Music at Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
Back for 2024, Kew the Music offers another eclectic lineup of live acts from a talk by popular gardener Monty Don, to music from Ronan Keating, Mika, Passenger, JLS, Beverley Knight and Richard Ashcroft. Enjoy with a picnic and your favourite bunch of music lovers. All ages welcome, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Hurry, some gigs are selling out fast! Doors 5pm; adult from £64.25/child (1-15yrs) from £37.88 (Jul 8-14)
Fri-Sun: Milkshake! Live on Holiday! with Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol at Rose Theatre Kingston, 24-26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL (Kingston/Surbiton rail)
Meet the Milkshake! gang on holiday in this brand new adventure for young ones. Grab your suitcases and hop aboard the Milkshake! train for an all singing, all dancing family show that includes Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol, Dora, Pip and Posy, Blue from Blues Clues and You!, Milo, Milkshake! Monkey and two presenters. All ages welcome, best for younger audiences. 11am & 4.30pm (Fri), 10.30am & 1.30pm (Sat-Sun); £20-£25 (Jul 12-14)
Sat: Mums That Rave Summer Party at Trailer Happiness, 177 Portobello Road London W11 2DY (Ladbroke Grove/Notting Hill Gate tube)
Ready to go raving with your mama crew? Slip on your dancing shoes and head for another Mums That Rave summer party, hosted by global DJ/producer Nikki Beatnik (Glastonbury, Kelis Tour DJ, Beatnik Records, British Fashion Awards). Listen to empowering mums on a panel chat (past guests range from Lisa Mafia from So Solid to the Scummy Mummies), then groove the afternoon away to old school, hip hop, R&B, garage, drum & bass and more floor fillers. Friendly vibes and a great way to let your hair down WITHOUT the kids! Ages 18+. 2pm-6pm; £24.54 (Jul 13)
Sat: Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY (Wood Green tube)
Head up to Ally Pally for another all-day festival with sweeping views across the capital. This time, live music acts include Ministry of Sound Classical, Soul II Soul, The Go! Team and Artful Dodger. You can also take part in family activities e.g. Tootles + Nibs, The Wave, School of Beatbox and Silly Science workshops. Plus there’s tasty street food and drinks on offer. All ages (under 16s must be accompanied by adults). 1pm-10.30pm; adult £70.30/child 5-15 £37.30/child under 5 £13.10 (Jul 13)
Sat: Young V&A First Birthday Festival at Young V&A, Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green tube/Cambridge Heath overground)
Can you believe it’s been a whole year since the Young V&A opened to the general public? Come and celebrate with this 1st birthday festival, featuring performances from local creatives and workshops e.g. with fashion accessory designer Clara Chu and cartoonist and puppet animator Zoom Rockman. This event launches their summer programme too! All ages welcome. 11am-3.30pm; FREE (Jul 13)
Sat: National Youth Dance Company 23/24 Oona Doherty: Wall at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
What do the youth think about Britain today? Follow NYDC, England’s flagship youth dance company, and groundbreaking choreographer Oona Doherty as they examine England up close — the good, the bad and the ugly. This stirring performance is a testament to strength, beauty, stamina and resistance. Ages 5+, younger ones not admitted. 7.30pm; from £15 (Jul 13)
Sat: Monster Jam at London Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Marshgate Lane, Stratford E20 2ST (Stratford tube/rail/DLR/overground)
The monster trucks are back! Experience high-octane motorsport demonstrations at this popular show, where trucks are designed to represent characters like Thor, Iron Man and Black Panther. Watch them battle it out with plenty of stunts and freestyle motocross. Ages 2+ (no babes in arms allowed). Pit party 10am, doors 1.30pm, shows from 3pm; adult from £38.50/child under 16 from £27.50 (Jul 13)
Sat-Sun: Ian Berry: The Secret Garden at The Garden Museum, Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 7LB (Waterloo/Vauxhall tube/rail, Lambeth North tube)
Enter Ian Berry’s enchanting urban garden and discover its secrets. You’ll wander down a secret garden path and discover cacti, wisteria, roses, and dangling vines all crafted from layers of recycled denim jeans. A thought-provoking exhibition that explores themes of textiles, sustainability and access to green spaces. All ages. 10am-5pm daily, last entry 4pm (exc. Bank Holidays); FREE (Jul 13-Sep 8)
Sat-Sun: Whitecross Street Party, Whitecross St and Fortune St, EC1Y 8QJ (Barbican/Old St Tube)
Come out for another weekend of family fun, live music, street art, food stalls, spoken word, puppet making, film screenings, dance showcase and more. The annual two-day street festival celebrates the best of the neighbourhood and beyond, with a non-conformist edge. All ages welcome. 12pm-6pm; FREE (Jul 13-14)
Sat-Sun: Henry VIII’s Joust at Hampton Court Palace, East Molesley KT8 9AU (Hampton Court rail)
Visit the historic home of Henry VIII for a weekend of pure spectacle. Watch knights of the realm battle each other on horseback as the famous jousts of the past are brought to life. Cheer and jeer for the winners and losers and look closely to spot the King himself taking part. There are also falconry displays, as well as the Maze and the Magic Garden to keep families entertained. Jousts 11am, 1.30pm & 4.30pm, falconry 12.30pm & 3pm (Sat-Sun); adult ages 16+ from £27.20/child 5-15 £13.60/under 5s & members FREE. (Jul 13-14 & 20-21)
We also like
Wireless festival takes over Finsbury Park with a banging’ lineup for teens and grownups (Fri-Sun); the annual Waterloo Festival showcases live music and storytelling on the South Bank (Fri-Sun); tuck into afternoon tea and Wimbledon tennis at Ham Yard Hotel’s “Centre Court-Yard” (until Sun); pick up sensational artworks (and mouthwatering street food) at Urban Art Brixton, 10am-6pm, FREE (Sat-Sun);take the family along for a Family Fun Cycling event for all ages at Arena Square in Wembley Park, 11am-3pm, FREE (Sun); or join in a Family Sports and Games Day at Brixton Windmill, 1pm-5pm, FREE (Sun); and of course it’s the Euros and Wimbledon finals on Sunday, check out past Weekend Scoop guides for where to watch with a crowd (Sun)
Booking Ahead
- Hyper Japan Festival at Olympia London (Jul 19-21)
- Theatre on Kew at Kew Gardens (Jul 19-Sep 1)
- Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World at The Other Palace (Jul 20-Sep 8)
- Summer Postcard Trail at WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes (Jul 25-Sep 1)
- Official Team GB Fanzone at King’s Cross (Jul 26-Aug 11)
- Fiddler on the Roof at Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park (Jul 27-Sep 21)
- Family Celebration Day: A Museum Takeover at Museum of the Home, Hoxton (Jul 28)
- Little Angel Theatre’s Puppet Festival, Angel N1 (Aug 2-Sep 1)
- Family Night Voyage at The Golden Hinde, SE1 (Aug 3)
- Hip Hop Games at Stratford Waterfront (Aug 3)
- Astro Nights Sleepovers at Science Museum, SW7 (Aug 10)
- The Wizard of Oz at Gillian Lynne Theatre (Aug 15-Sep 8)
- Family Festival: Generations of Play at Dulwich Picture Gallery (Aug 10)
Summer Holidays guide will be out next week!
**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue (or the latest government guidelines) before making a trip!**
London Kids Weekend Scoop (July 4-7, 2024)
