London Kids Weekend Scoop (June 25-28, 2026)

Phew, if it’s not pelting down with rain, it’s blasting us with impossible heat. London in a heatwave can be fun (if you know where to hang) but do make sure you stay as cool as you can. My London weekend family activity guide has indoor and outdoor picks for all ages. Highlights: Shakespeare in the park, Frida Kahlo at Tate Modern, Horniman’s 125th Birthday Weekend, Barnes Children’s Literature Festival, and Just Vibez Windrush Family Fete. Enjoy!

London Weekend Family Activity Guide: 12 Cool Things to Do

Thu: The Windrush Suite & Echo in the Bones at Kings Place, 90 York Way, N1 9AG (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
See the first ever presentations of Artist in Residence Renelle Shaw’s Ivor Novello Award-winning The Windrush Suite and its follow up Echo in the Bones with a full live ensemble. These moving performances blend music, history and storytelling in tribute to the trailblazing Windrush generation of 1948 and also to their descendants, exploring what it means to be Black British. Shaw directs award winning instrumentalists and vocalists in a double bill as part of the Memory Unwrapped season. No age guidance but probably suitable for ages 7+. 7.30pm; £20-£25 (Jun 25)

Thu-Sat: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, Queen Mary’s Garden within Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
I have wonderful childhood memories of watching A Midsummer Night’s Dream at an open air performance in Regent’s Park with my late mum. Seeing Shakespeare in ‘the wilds’ left a lasting impression and it’s sure to enchant you and your kids. This ‘blissful new production’ directed by Atri Banerjee (The Glass Menagerie, Julius Caesar) brings the enchantment and confusion of fairytale characters, fleeing lovers and a player called Bottom to life with Maimuna Memon’s musical accompaniment. Ages 10+. 7.45pm (Mon-Sat), 12.30pm (Thu & Sat); from £15 (until Ju; 18)

Thu-Sat: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind at Soho Place, Charing Cross Road, W1D 3BG (Tottenham Court Rd tube)
Learn the remarkable true story of William Kamkwamba, a teenage boy whose idea to build a windmill (from library books and scraps of old machinery) helped save his Malawi village. Adapted from his autobiography and the 2019 film by Chiwetel Ejiofor (Executive Producer of the stage play). Ages 11+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Thu-Sat); from £25 (until Jul 18)

Thu-Sun: Frida: The Making of an Icon at Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG (Southwark tube, Blackfriars tube/rail) 
I was invited to the press preview of this stunning exhibition and it was absolutely worth the trip (read my full review). Discover the many faces and identities of Frida Kahlo as seen through the artist’s own eyes and through the lens of her lovers, friends, admirers and lifelong fans across generations. There are 130+ works at this landmark exhibition including rarely seen material. All ages. 10am-6pm daily (9pm Fri-Sat), open until 8pm Suns Jun 28-Aug 30 & Mon Aug 31, Relaxed Hours 10am-11am (every 3rd Tue); adult £25/child age 12-18 £5/FREE for members and under 12s (Jun 25-Jan 3)

Thu-Sun: Summer Exhibition at Royal Academy, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Once again, it’s time to gawp at incredible art pieces by emerging and well-known artists at this annual showcase. See everything from fine art to film and digital, photography, sculpture and architecture. Hang out until late (Fris & Sats), enjoy the in-gallery gin bar (Thu-Sun), and live DJs every Friday in July for 5pm. All ages welcome, PG for some content and themes. 10am-6pm (Tue-Sun) & 10am-9pm (Fri & Sat); from £23.50-£25.50/free for Friends of RA (until Aug 23)

Thu-Sun: Mundo Pixar Experience at Wembley Park, Fulton Road, Wembley, HA9 0TF (Wembley Park tube)
Extended through summer! Stroll into Andy’s room, experience being a toy like Woody and Buzz, or race around a track with Lightning McQueen! Immersive delights for Pixar fans. 9am-7pm or 10am-7pm (Mon & Wed-Sun, closed Tues except school holidays); adult from £34/child under 16 from £22/family of 4 from £28pp/under 3s FREE (until Nov 1)

Thu-Sun: Flamenco Festival 2026 at Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
The annual 10-day festival wraps up this weekend with more stunning performances. Coming up: Night of the Guitar (Thu), Ballet Flamenco de Andalucia (Fri-Sat), Maria Moreno’s Magnificat (Sun), and Marco Flores (Mon). Ages 5+ (PG for some shows). 7.30pm; from £20 – times and dates vary by performance, check ahead (until Ju 29)

Sat-Sun: Barnes Children’s Literature Festival, multiple locations in Barnes SW13 (Barnes rail)
Big names abound at the UK’s biggest kid lit festival: Lauren Child, Maz Evans, Michael Sheen, Axel Scheffler, SF Said, Michael Rosen & MC Grammar, Roopa Farooki, The Week Junior workshops, You Choose with Nick Sharratt & Pippa Goodhart, Liz Pichon, Aardman Animations model making, manga illustration, The Jolly Postman, Tweedy the Clown and more. Book in person or online (recommended) for individual events. Various ages and timings; price average £10-£12 (Jun 27-28)

Sat-Sun: Horniman’s 125th Birthday Party at Horniman Museum Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
Who’s turning 125? Horniman Museum, that’s who! Join the free party on Saturday with activities in every corner of the gardens, from DJ sets to arts and crafts, family trails, Smallympics, bandstand stage and more. Tickets are flying and if you miss out, you can still attend Sunday’s bumper 125th Birthday Market with 50+ traders, bouncy castles and other goodies. All ages. 12pm-5pm (Sat party) & 10am-3pm (Sun market); FREE but booking required for Sat party (Jun 27-28)

Sat-Sun: James Campbell’s Comedy 4 Kids: Reducks at Museum of Comedy, The Undercroft, St Georges Church, Bloomsbury Way, WC1A 2SR (Holborn/Tottenham Court Rd tube)
James Campbell is back with his kid-friendly jokes: this month’s theme is The Funny Side of Pets. The creator of family standup series Comedy Club 4 Kids, James’ solo show serves up age-appropriate laughs, songs, and an exploding penguin or two! Ages 6+. 2.30pm (Sat & Sun); £12 + booking fee (until Jun 28)

Sun: Just Vibez Windrush Family Fete: Big Caribbean Lunch at St Matthew’s Church Gardens, Windrush Square, Brixton SW2 1JF (Brixton tube)
The whole family is welcome at this inclusive celebration for the Windrush Generation, as part of the Big Caribbean Lunch. Connect with other families, wear your colours and bring your flags, come with picnic blankets and games, invite friends of all generations/races/faces, party to reggae, kompa, zouk, soca, chutney and more. And of course, enjoy delicious Caribbean food! All ages. 12pm-6pm; FREE (Jun 28)

Sun: Pop-Kid Family Rave at SetList, Somerset House (Charing Cross tube/rail) and Pop Brixton (Brixton tube)
Move and groove to the sounds of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars and other pop hitmakers. The Supa Dupa Fly collective are back with DJ spun tunes to get the whole family on the dance floor. Fancy dress encouraged and there’s free face painting, glow sticks, props and dance prizes. Open to families with kids and babies of all ages. 12pm-3pm; adult from £12/child from £7/family from £29.90/babies under 1 FREE (Jun 28)

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
Aaron Sorkin’s acclaimed production of To Kill a Mockingbird for ages 12+ is back at Wyndham Theatre (Thu-Sat); the annual Royal Wharf Summer Fete offers live music, waterfront market, street food and family fun (Sat); the BST Hyde Park summer concert series kicks off with country star Garth Brooks and K-Pop stars Ateez (from Sat); meet industry types and watch micro movies at Little Flix Film Festival at BFI (Sat); and it’s your last chance to tuck into a Toy Story brunch at Dotty’s Tea House in Carshalton (until Sun)

Booking Ahead

• 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) 
• Romeo & Juliet at Brixton Windmill, SW2 (Jul 3)
• 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)
• Tots at the Docks at London Museum Docklands, E14 (Jul 29, Aug 26)
• 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)
• Fly-Kid Family Rave at Kerb Spitalfields, E1 (Aug 3)
• Baby Broadway’s Family Sing & Play Day at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden (Aug 14)

Enjoyed this guide? Subscribe to Babes About Town and get the London Kids Weekend Scoop straight to your inbox weekly! 

**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!**