Looking for some London family friendly activities for the weekend? Check out the London Kids Weekend Scoop! It’s a big weekend for voters and also for lovers of sports, outdoor cinema, family fun and London cultural activities. Pray for sunshine and for better days ahead for the country.
On Saturday, there’s another national march for a ceasefire and it’s an excellent time to remind whoever is in No. 10 that every life is precious and Palestinian Lives Matter too. On Sunday, look up and you might just spot balloons floating above the city, powered by the breath of our politicians.
Seriously though, stay hopeful and make your voices count. Happy weekend!
Top 12 London family friendly activities for the weekend
Thu: UK General Elections, multiple locations
In case you’ve been asleep for the past month, you might have noticed there’s an election happening today (Thursday). Perhaps the words ‘sh!t’ and ‘show’ have been uttered from your lips more than a few times with respect to our current choice of leaders. I don’t blame you. Still, I do urge you to go out and exercise your constitutional right. Head to your local polling station and cast your vote before time runs out. Wishing us all the best of luck in these unhinged times. Voting open 7am-10pm (Thu); FREE (Jul 4)
Thu-Sun: Everyman Screen on the Canal at Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Everyman Cinema are throwing another canal-side festival of film this summer. Settle along the big green steps or deckchairs to watch movies like Back to the Future, The Little Mermaid, Top Gun Maverick and Singing In the Rain. You can also catch all the main action from Wimbledon. It’s first come, first seated, so get there in time. Food offers are in the vicinity and Granary Square fountains for cooling off in hot weather. Screenings at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7.30pm. Daily, FREE – just turn up, arrive early to avoid disappointment! (Jul 1-Aug 18)
Thu-Sun: Watch Wimbledon on a Big Screen in London (multiple locations)
Wimbledon is on again. Settle on a picnic blanket (or a deck chair, if available) and watch live tennis on a public screen. Various showings at:
- Summer by the River: Wimbledon Live Screening at The Scoop, London Bridge City (Jul 1-14)
- Everyman Screen on the Canal at Granary Square, King’s Cross (Jul 1-14)
- Wimbledon at Big Penny Social, Walthamstow (Jul 1-14)
- Summer Screens at Canary Wharf (Jul 1-14 & ongoing until Sep 8)
- Euros 2024 and Wimbledon at Vinegar Yard, London Bridge (Jul 1-14)
- Wimbledon at One New Change, St Paul’s EC4 (Jul 1-14)
- Wimbledon on the Roof Garden at Cardinal Place, Victoria (Jul 1-14)
- Screen on the Water at St Katharine Docks (Tue-Sun, Jul 1-14)
- Wimbledon Screenings at BST Open House, Hyde Park (Jul 8-11)
- Summer in the Square, Portman Square, Marylebone (Jul 9-14)
- Strawberries & Screen at Duke of York Square, Chelsea (Jul 12-14)
Thu-Sun: RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival at Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU
Experience the vibes of an English summer garden party at this popular festival. Wander through the gorgeous gardens, find plant inspiration, listen to talks and take home a basket full of ideas and tips. For kids, there’s the maze and Magic Garden to explore too. with gardens to admire, talks to inspire, food to enjoy and lots of plants, ideas and tips to take home. 10am-6.30pm (Thu-Sat), 10am-5.30pm (Sun); from £35.85/discounts for children and members (Jul 2-7)
Fri-Sun: London Children’s Ballet: The Secret Garden at Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Every year, the London Children’s Ballet takes on a classic kids’ story, performed by their company of dancers aged 9 to 16. This year, the production is adapted from them popular tale by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It follows Mary Lennox who travels from India to England to live at her Uncle’s, where she discovers an enchanted garden among other secrets. Ages 3+, younger ones not admitted. 7pm (Fri), 1.30pm & 5.30pm (Sat) & 12.30pm & 4.30pm (Sun); from £18 (Jul 5-7)
Fri-Sun: River Stage at National Theatre, Upper Ground, SE1 9PX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
The River Stage is back outside National Theatre for another summer of outdoor theatre, family workshops and live music. This year, they’re partnering with Rambert dance company, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival and opening weekend launches with drag and cabaret favourites, The Glory. Throughout, hungry ones can also munch their way through a selection from KERB’s open-air street food market. All ages welcome – PG for some acts. 6.30pm-11pm (Fri), 12pm-11pm (Sat), 12pm-6pm (Sun); FREE (Jul 5-28)
Sat: Hetty Feather Day: Art Workshop at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube)
Dame Jacqueline Wilson is in the museum but her talk and book signing are SOLD OUT. If you’re on the waiting list or just want to celebrate Hetty Feather Day anyway, come along to this creative workshop. Led by artist Isobel Manning, it’s inspired by the adventures of Hetty and friends at the Foundling Hospital. Make beads and charms then create your own Hetty-inspired jewellery piece! Drop in any time 11am-4pm; free (Jul 6)
Sat: Wandsworth Family Pride at Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ Queenstown rail/Battersea Park tube)
Missed out on Pride in London? You can enjoy a smaller but equally colourful day of celebration and support for the LGBTQ+ community in Wandsworth. Head down for live music stage, poetry recitals, quiet tent, community stalls, bouncy castle, soft play and fairground rides. All ages welcome. From around 11am-5pm; FREE (Jul 6)
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish Outdoor Family Rave at Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Road, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
The family rave brigade bring the joy to Museum of the Home. Resident DJs Baker & Beale spin club classics to get your whole family grooving in the gardens. Join the Glastonbury playing, globally loved collective for big tunes, bubbles, balloons, crafts, foam and parachute dance finale. 2pm-4pm; adult £12/child £10/pre-walking infant FREE (Jul 7)
Sun: Family Concert: Strum, Pick and Slide at Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore St, W1U 2BP (Bond St/Oxford Circus tube)
Music making is the way with Miyabi Duo and presenter Tim Keasley in this inventive workshop. With a guitar on your back, you’ll be strumming, picking and sliding on an a global adventure taking you from Argentina to Japan. 2pm; adult £12/child £10 (Jul 6)
Sun: Summer Shipyard Tours at The Golden Hinde, St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Street, SE1 9DE (London Bridge tube/rail, Monument/Borough tube)
Ahoy matjes. Go beyond the scenes of a shipyard in this family friendly tour. Learn about the restoration and rebirth of a historic vessel and satisfy all your maritime questions. Perfect for young mariners and their grownups. NB: wear appropriate clothing and comfortable, closed-toe footwear for touring an active industrial environment. Ages 5+, not suitable for younger ones. 11am, £10 (Jul 7, Aug 4, Sep 1)
Sun: Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta, central London
Eyes on the skies for the fabulous sight of 50+ dazzling hot air balloons floating over the city. This annual event helps raise funds and awareness for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. If the weather’s not right for it, the event might be postponed, so fingers crossed for fair conditions. From 5.30am; FREE (Jul 7, standby dates 21 or 28)
Booking Ahead
- London Clown Festival, various locations (Jul 8-26)
- Blippi: the Wonderful World Tour at Harold Pinter Theatre (Jul 8-Sep 7)
- Astro Nights Sleepovers at Science Museum, SW7 (Jul 12)
- Mums That Rave Summer Party at Trailer Happiness, Portobello Rd (Jul 13)
- Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace, N22 (Jul 13)
- Family Day: Beyond the Bassline at British Library (Jul 13)
- Monster Jam at London Stadium (Jul 13)
- Whitecross Street Party, EC1 (Jul 13-14)
- The Gruffalo at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue (Jul 13-Sep 8)
- 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)
- The Wizard of Oz at Gillian Lynne Theatre (Aug 15-Sep 8)
- Family Festival: Generations of Play at Dulwich Picture Gallery (Aug 10)
**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 (June 27-30, 2024)
