There’s hot weather forecast again this weekend and lots of family fun around London. I’ve found 14 thrilling things for kids to experience in London, and as always that includes stuff that’s entertaining for grownups too (see World Cup screenings). Father’s Day is coming next weekend and I’ll have a bumper edition of the Weekend Scoop. In the meantime, take a look at everything happening over the next couple of days. Enjoy!
14 Thrilling Things for Kids to Experience in London this Weekend
Thu: Empathy Day Festival, nationwide
Thursday June 11 is Empathy Day and the last day the Empathy Day festival. This broad initiative uses the power of books to invite empathy, curiosity and connection for kids of diverse identities and backgrounds. To coincide with the National Year of Reading, Empathy Lab is going ALL IN on literary activities in schools, libraries, bookshops and communities. Find author talks, reading challenges and other ways to get involved: https://empathylab.uk/empathy-day/ (until Jun 11)
Thu-Sat: High Society at Barbican Theatre, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Swoon to Cole Porter’s songbook in this musical revival featuring a 28-strong cast. Helen George (Call the Midwife, The King and I) plays bride-to-be Tracy Lord, who finds herself in a tug between her ex and fiancé and a tabloid journalist on the prowl. Ages 8+. 7.30pm (Mon & Wed-Sat) & 2.30pm (Tue, Thu & Sat); £35-£150 (until Jul 11)
Thu-Sun: Harry Styles’ Meltdown at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
The world’s longest-running artist-curated music festival enters its 75th year with pop icon Harry Styles at the helm. He’s put together a banging mix of artist performances, family events, talks and workshops. Some highlights: Warpaint (Jun 11), Simmer Down x Meltdown (Jun 13), Dad Dancing and Riverside Boogie (Jun 13), Midnight Train (Jun 13), Kamasi Washington (Jun 14), Harry Styles & Jules Buckley Orchestra (Jun 16), The Guilty Feminist and Tracey Emin in Conversation (Jun 17), Choose Love x Jon Hopkins (Jun 19-21), Yussef Dayes (Jun 20), James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem). Various ages, times and prices, some FREE – book asap as gigs will sell out! (Jun 11-21)
Thu-Sun: Julio Le Parc: Light. Colour. Action. at Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG (Southwark tube, Blackfriars tube/rail)
Visit Tate to marvel at the visionary geometric paintings, shimmering light sculptures, and kinetic installations of the Argentinian artist. Become an active participant in Le Parc’s work at this playful show that celebrates 7 decades of joy and innovation. All ages welcome. 10am-6pm daily, last entry 5.30pm (9pm Fri & Sat, last entry 8.30pm), relaxed hours 10am-11am (every 3rd Tuesday); adult £15/concs £13/under 12 and members FREE (Jun 11-May 3, 2027)
Thu-Sun: The River of Life: Schools Design Challenge (online/at home)
Groundwork London, on behalf of the Mayor of London, is inviting primary school pupils aged 4 to 11 to take part in the Clean and Healthy Waterways Schools Design Challenge 2026. Kids can create colourful, creative designs around the theme The River of Life, inspired by life on or beside London’s canals, rivers and wetlands. Winning designs will feature on eight benches in four London boroughs, and the top entry will win a free workshop for their class at school! Ages 4-11 for entrants, applications must be in my Jun 26. Contact Molly at waterways@groundwork.org.uk for more (until Jun 26)
Thu-Sun: A Life in Four Seasons at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, Queen Mary’s Garden within Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
Three friends, one city, four seasons. Experience Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons in an electric and pulsating new version, taking us through the changing faces of the metropolis. A stunning piece of dance theatre created by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Associate Artistic Director Tinuke Craig (Noughts & Crosses; A Raisin in the Sun, UK Tour) with choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento (Starter For Ten; 42 Balloons) and a recorded score by award-winning composer DJ Walde (The Importance of Being Earnest; Sylvia). Ages 8+. 7.45pm (Thu-Sat), 12.30pm (Sat & Sun), 5pm (Sun); from £15 (Jul 11-14)
Sat-Sun: The Music is Black Festival from East Bank, live stages at Sadler’s Wells East and Stratford Waterfront, E20 (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
This live weekend festival series runs in tandem with The Music is Black exhibition at V&A Museum East. Kicking off on Saturday with The Music is Ours, a block party hailing London’s soundsystem legacy in the birthplace of Grime. Curated by Grime legend Footsie and double MOBO award winning artist YolanDa Brown OBE DL and Soul Mama plus My Runway Group, The Music is Ours serves up east London and the UK’s top artists and MCs to a lively audience. Food and drinks stalls and family fun too e.g. Fly-Kid rave (12pm-3pm) & Breakin’ Convention street dance. All ages. Sat 12-7pm music stages (7pm-late at Sadler’s Wells East) & Sun 12-5pm; FREE entry (Jun 13-14, Jul 11-12, Aug 22-23 & Sep 12-13)
Sat-Sun: Hot Mess: A New Musical at The Other Palace, 12 Palace Street, SW1E 5JA (Victoria tube/rail, St James’ Park tube)
From the creators of 42 Balloons (Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote) comes an original pop musical that has swept multiple awards and taken Edinburgh Festival by storm. The climate action storyline involves Earth falling for Humanity after a billion years of bad dates. It all starts beautifully but it’s turning into a hot mess. Can love and hope win? Ages 10+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Thu & Sat), 3pm (Sun), 5pm (Sun Jun 14); £25-£60
Sat-Sun: Independent Bookshop Week, multiple locations across London and UK
Celebrate the brilliance of independent booksellers: the people who help champion authors and make the book industry work. There’s nothing like browsing in a real bookshop and this week-long festival offers in-store readings, author talks, workshops for all ages, and of course books worth adding to your collection. Follow @booksaremybag across social media and visit my bookshop on Bookshop.org for book recommendations (proceeds from all sales support indie bookstores). (Jun 13-20)
Sat: Cyrano de Bergerac at Noel Coward Theatre, 85-88 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4AU (Leicester Square tube)
Prepare to be swept away by this critically-acclaimed production starring Olivier Award-winner Adrian Lester as Cyrano de Bergerac, the poet/soldier/philosopher with questions over his own looks. When the handsome but tongue-tied Christian plans to woo Roxanne, he turns to Cyrano not knowing she’s the woman of his dreams. PG for themes and stage effects, children under 3 not admitted. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2pm (Wed & Sat); £15-£185 (Jun 13-Sep 5)
Sat-Sun: Ferreira Weekend at Cutty Sark, King William Walk, West Greenwich, SE10 9HT (Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich rail)
Families are invited on board Cutty Sark for a weekend of activities marking a time in the ship’s history when it was named Ferreira. Hear costumed actors tell tales of its period of Portuguese ownership, attend a talk, get crafty with hands-on activities, and sample tasty pasties de nata and other Portuguese treats in the cafe. Ages 5+. 11am-4pm; included in regular admission: adult £22/child £11 (Jun 13-14)
Sat: Big Fish Little Fish Fulham Pirate Family Rave at Fulham Pier, Stevenage Rd, Fulham, SW6 6HH (Putney Bridge tube, Putney rail)
Big Fish Little Fish are back with their world-famous family rave. DJ Mandy keeps the dance floor bumping while adults and kids can take part in arts and crafts, face painting (separate fee), bubbles, balloons, foam and parachute dance finale. Pirate fancy dress encouraged. One lucky family can WIN a family guest pass to Camp Bestival (worth over £1,000)! Best for ages 0-8 but all ages welcome. 2pm-4pm; adult from £12/child £9/pre-walkers FREE (Jun 13)
Sun: Marylebone Summer Festival at Marylebone Village, W1 (Baker St/Regent’s Park tube, Marylebone rail)
The annual summer fete returns for its 21st season. Enjoy a day filled with live music, arts and crafts, artisan, food and drinks stalls, wellness zone, funfair rides and more. Families with pups can take part in the Bark in the Park activities too. All ages. 11am-5pm (live music until 8pm in Paddington Street Gardens); FREE (Jun 14)
Sun: The Bubble Show at Woolwich Works, The Fireworks Factory, 11 No. 1 Street, SE18 6HD (Woolwich tube, Woolwich Arsenal rail/DLR)
Mr Bubbles is ready to blow up the spot with his dazzling, interactive show blending storytelling, science and magic. The Guinness World Record Holder, renowned as one of the world’s top bubble artists, will enchant families of all ages with everything from bubble volcanoes to the spiralling fire tornado! Ages 3-12+. 2pm; £16.50 (Jun 14)
World Cup 2026: Where to Watch the Football
NB: Most World Cup matches are on late for the 2026 US/Mexico/Canada tournament so majority of venues are 18+ only! Kids might be welcome up to a certain time for pre-game buzz, do check ahead.
- Tuck into street food, drinks and 4 screens at Pop Brixton
- You can see all England fixtures at Boxpark venues, book ahead (Shoreditch, Wembley, Camden and Croydon)
- It’s game on at Bounce for ping pong, pizza and football screenings (Battersea Power Station)
- Watch all the England games with pre-match build-up at Clapham Grand
- Kick back at Rae’s Summer Sports Lounge in SE1
- Head to TOCA Social at the O2 for shootout games and full match screenings (North Greenwich, Westfield London)
- Enjoy foosball, food and drinks and screenings at Bar Kick on Shoreditch High St. Also check Cafe Kick in Exmouth Market (Shoreditch/Islington)
- Browse the food hall and view England matches at Market Halls (Victoria, Canary Wharf, Oxford St, Paddington)
- Big Penny Social hosts World Cup screenings for the England group stages and more (Walthamstow)
- Visit Between the Bridges for a mix of fun but best to pre-book for World Cup games (South Bank)
- Football paired with drinks and tasty jerk wings sounds like a plan at KERB Sports Bar (Old Spitalfields Market)
- Get in the zone at one of 3 Kick Off Club destinations for World Cup screenings (Soho, Brixton, Hackney Wick)
We also like
Kids Week is now booking for discounted West End family tickets (performances Jul 20-Aug 31); Mini Masterpieces at Dulwich Picture Gallery offers playful creative fun for under 5s (every 1st Fri); the Ice Cream Project at Anya Hindmarch is back in SW1 (daily until Aug 16); expect big crowds in central London for Trooping the Colour, the King’s Birthday Parade (Sat); there’s music, skating, food and workshops at Wanna Play? in Ally Pally, part of London Festival of Architecture’s closing weekend (Sat); the LFA is also hosting a Thames Rd Summer Street Party in Barking (Sat); the annual Highgate Fair in the Square brings the party to N6 (Sat); swing your babes around at a Folky Family Ceilidh at Stanley Hall in South Norwood (Sun); Shakespeare in the Squares performs the Bard’s works in squares and gardens around London (until Jul 12)
Booking Ahead
- Summer Exhibition at Royal Academy, W1 (Jun 16-Aug 23)
- Anish Kapoor at Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre SE1 (Jun 16-Oct 18)
- Jesse Hein: Appearing Rooms fountains at Southbank Centre (Jun 17-Aug 31)
- Kew the Movies at Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 (Jun 18-21)
- Wall-E Science Party at Rooftop Cinema Club, Stratford E20 (Jun 20)
- Summer in Battersea Park, SW11 (Jun 20-21)
- Arthur at Polka Theatre, SW19 (Jun 20-Aug 9)
- Summer Family Festival at Dulwich Picture Gallery, SE21 (Jun 21)
- The Windrush Suite & Echo in the Bones concerts at Kings Place, N1 (Jun 25)
- Just Vibez Windrush Family Fete: Big Caribbean Lunch at Windrush Square, Brixton SW9 (Jun 28)
- Family Bake Club at Brixton Windmill, SW2 (Jun 28-Jul 5)
- BST Hyde Park Open House in Hyde Park, W2 (Jun 29-Jul 8)
- Everyman on the Canal at Granary Square, King’s Cross (Jun 29-Aug 16)
- London Children’s Ballet: Anne of Green Gables at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre, Holborn (Jul 3-5)
- Romeo and Juliet at Greenwich Theatre, SE10 (Jul 3-25)
- Pride in London parade, central London (Jul 4)
- The Gruffalo Live on Stage at Lyric Theatre, W1 (Jul 17-Sep 6)
- Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Lightroom, King’s Cross (Jul 18-Sep 1)
- I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical at Troubadour Wembley Park (Jul 22-Sep 27)
- Little Angel Theatre Children’s Puppet Festival, N1 (Jul 28-Aug 30)
- Dog Man the Musical UK tour hits London at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Jul 29-Aug 16)
- Death Note: The Musical at Barbican Theatre, EC2 (Jul 30-Sep 12)
- The Little Mermaid at Greenwich Theatre, SE10 (Jul 31-Aug 23)
- Legendary Joust at Eltham Palace and Gardens, Greenwich SE9 (Aug 1-2)
- Baby Broadway’s Family Sing & Play Day at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden (Aug 14)
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**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue before making a trip!**
London Kids Weekend Scoop (Jun 4-7, 2026)
