London Kids Weekend Scoop (Jun 4-7, 2026)

Well, I guess that’s summer over? After last month’s heatwave, I’m back in my jumper and it’s pelting down outside. Have no fear, the weekend is here and I’ve got 12 Fantastic Kid-Friendly London Weekend Activities to enjoy, rain or shine. Sinatra the Musical, Marilyn Monroe at National Portrait Gallery, Zoo Nights, Barnet Medieval Festival, a STEM extravaganza on Exhibition Rd, Open Gardens Weekend, and the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration is ready for visitors!

News Alert: The Week Junior Book Awards 2026: Meet the Shortlist

It was such a pleasure being a judge for The Week Junior Book Awards last year and the 2026 shortlist has just been announced. With 73 books up for consideration across multiple categories, the shortlist includes hilarious audiobooks like Teachers vs Aliens vs the Kids!by author and comedian Steve Williams and Jamie Smart’s latestBunny vs Monkey graphic novel. Jack Mackay’s Gloam leads with nominations for both the Audiobook and Breakthrough categories. This year’s judges (pictured) include pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor, fitness coach Joe Wicks (aka The Body Coach), and Youtuber and parenting influencer Louise Pentland. Learn more about the shortlist and how you can vote for the Children’s Choice HERE. 

12 Fantastic Kid-Friendly London Weekend Activities

Thu-Sat: Sinatra the Musical at Aldwych Theatre, Aldwych Theatre, 49 Aldwych, WC2B 4DF (High Holborn/Covent Garden tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
Sinatra The Musical is now playing in the West End, brought to the stage by a world class creative team including two-time Tony Award-winning writer Joe DiPietro (What’s New Pussycat? and Memphis) and Olivier Award-winning and three-time Tony Award-winning director & choreographer, Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes and Top Hat). 7.30pm (Tue-Sat) & 2.30pm (Tue, Thu & Sat); from £30 (opens Jun 3)

Thu-Sat: Sherlock Holmes at Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, Queen Mary’s Garden within Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
It’s your LAST CHANCE to see the great Baker St detective in a thrilling live mystery, as Sherlock Holmes wraps up this weekend. Watch Holmes and his trusty sidekick Watson try to crack a case that takes them into the heart of Regent’s Park. Ages 12+. 7.45pm (Mon-Sat), 2pm (Thu & Sat); from £15 (until Jun 6)

Thu-Sun: Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait at National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, WC2H 0HE (Charing Cross tube/rail)
Expect to be dazzled at this exhibition marking Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday. See portraits of the Hollywood icon, actress and model captured by legendary photographers e.g. Andy Warhol, Pauline Boty, Cecil Beaton, Eve Arnold, Richard Avedon and more. All ages. 10.30am-5pm daily (9pm Fri & Sat); tickets tba (Jun 4-Sep 6) 

Thu-Sun: Planet Omar at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube/rail)
LAST CHANCE: Omar is an 8-year-old boy who’s new in town and he has to deal with a multitude of challenges. This award-winning show (adapted by Asif Khan and director Sameena Hussain from the bestselling books by Zanib Mian) handles bullying and identity with a focus on resilience, empathy, humour and imagination. Ages 7+. Various shows 11am, 2pm & 3pm (Tue-Sun); from £10-£18.50 + fees (until Jun 7)

Fri: Zoo Nights at London Zoo, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube)
No kids are allowed at Zoo Nights but it’s perfect for a Dates with Dads evening out (or book ahead for Father’s Day weekend). Or just swing by with your adult mates to experience a Naughty Nature tour, pop-up acts from The Lion King, street food, animal talks and more. Ages 18+. 6pm-10pm (Fri); adult £23.50 (Jun 6-Jul 25)

Fri-Sun: Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration at New River Head, 173 Rosebery Ave, Clerkenwell EC1R 4TY (Angel tube)
After weeks of anticipation, House of Illustration opens this vast centre as the UK’s only permanent venue for illustration. This former waterworks will host events, workshops and exhibitions including original art from Quentin Blake’s archive. Join in activities, explore the cafe or gardens, or browse the gift shop. Quentin Blake himself unveiled a brand new mural ahead of opening day. And the Centre is giving free exhibition tickets to the first 50 people to illustrate an official voucher collected on-site on opening day! All ages. 10am-5pm (last entry 4.30pm); adult £16.50/child 5-17 £6.60 (prices incl. donations)/under 5s FREE (opens Jun 5)

Fri: Turn Up Truck at Coal Drops Yard, Stable St, N1C 4LW (King’s Cross/St Pancras tube/rail)
Experience startup food businesses and rising stars at this rotating series of chef takeovers. The debut line-up has Toklas Bakery, Dudu Eats, Lil Wong Bakes, Rachel Ama and others serving up yummy treats from the truck in Coal Drops Yard with weekday residences and special guest weekenders. On the launch weekend, you can try the viral Tiramisu from plant-based chef, author, and founder of the pop-up ‘Giuseppe’s Kitchen’, Giuseppe Federici (Sepps). All ages. 8am-6pm (Mon-Thu) & 11am-6pm (Fri-Sun); FREE entry (Jun 5-Aug 27)

Sat: Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, Greenwich SE10 8ES (Greenwich tube/rail, Cutty Sark DLR)
Bring your teddy along for a picnic packed with entertainment and education. Ben Owora and Jude Spooner star in this lively show filled with songs, dancing and interaction.  Younger kids can learn themes like numbers, colours and shapes too. Ages 2-6. 11am & 2pm; £13.50/concs £9.50 (Jun 6)

Sat: Marmalade and Masquerades at St Anne’s Church, 31 Kew Green, Richmond TW9 3AA (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
Settle in with your little ones for a morning concert from the Zoffany Ensemble. You’ll hear Herbert Chappell’s Paddington Bear’s First Concert blended with André Caplet’s Conte Fantastique, inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death. These pieces are played side by side to teach kids how music can tell stories with different moods. 11am-12pm; adult £16/child £12.50/family £49 (Jun 6)

Sat-Sun: The Great Exhibition Rd Festival, along Exhibition Rd SW7 2AZ (South Kensington tube)
Head to Exhibition Road for the annual edition of this free STEM festival. It serves up a feast of science and exploration with cutting-edge experiments, kid-friendly demos, live music, futuristic food and more. Try everything from RoboFootball to Cosmic Chalk Drawing to Giant DNA Paper Modelling! All ages welcome. 12pm-6pm; FREE but register to find out about timed and ticketed events (Jun 6-7)

Sat-Sun: London Square Open Gardens Weekend, multiple London locations
Wander through more than 120 gorgeous green spaces across the city, including hidden gardens, rooftop sites, community allotments and more. This popular open weekend lets you have a sneak peek into the thriving greeneries of some of London’s best-known venues, from Battersea Park Centre’s roof gardens to Kensington Square. Ticket sales support London Gardens Trust. All ages welcome – NB: entry to some gardens is by ballot or rebooking only. Various times from 10am; adult £26.16/child £11.31/under 12s FREE (Jun 6-7)

Sat-Sun: Barnet Medieval Festival, Lewis of London Ice Cream Farm, Fold Farm, Galley Lane, Barnet EN5 4RA (High Barnet rail and shuttle bus from The Spires)
Back for 2026 at the picturesque grounds of Lewis of London, this year marks the 555th anniversary of the Battle of Barnet, fought on Easter Sunday 1471. The festival team and the War of the Roses Federation are going all out to create an immersive experience with 40 households attending this year. Look out for exciting falconry, equestrian, artillery and jousting displays along with fancy dress fashion show, medieval music and dancing, and a Knight School (ages 6-14). All ages welcome. NB: Various travel options, pre-booking for shuttle bus by 6pm on Jun 5: email festivalbusbooking@yahoo.com stating name, number in group, day and approximate preferred departure time. 10.30am-5pm; adult £10/child 12-17 £5/under 12s FREE – adv. sales end Fri Jun 5 at 6pm (Jun 6-7)

We also like
SXSW London is at Rich Mix (Jun 1-6); get ready for the Mayfield Lavender Farm 20th Anniversary opening, in Banstead & Epsom (from Sat); enjoy whimsical Vaudevillian comedy in Rabbits Out of the Hat at The Exchange in Twickenham (Sat); there’s still time to catch Giffords Circus’ latest show at Chiswick House and Gardens (until Sun); as the World Cup kicks off, search for gear at Big Penny Social’s Retro Football Fair (Sun); there’s lots happening around town at London Festival of Architecture (ongoing until Jun 30); bring your crew for a FREE game of French boules at King’s Cross Pétanque (ongoing-Sep 30) 

Booking Ahead

• Kids Week, discount West End tickets (on sale from Jun 9, performances Jul 20-Aug 31)
• Harry Styles’ Meltdown at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Jun 11-21)
• Marylebone Summer Festival (Jun 14)
• Summer Exhibition at Royal Academy, W1 (Jun 16-Aug 23)
• Anish Kapoor at Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre SE1 (Jun 16-Oct 18)
• Kew the Movies at Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 (Jun 18-21)
• Family Bake Club at Brixton Windmill, SW2 (Jun 28-Jul 5)
• 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)
• 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)
• 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)
• Legendary Joust at Eltham Palace and Gardens, Greenwich SE9 (Aug 1-2)

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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!**