London Kids Weekend Scoop (July 9-12, 2026)

Hello! This is the last London Kids Weekend Scoop of the summer term believe it or not. My summer holiday guide will be winging its way to you next week. In the meantime, check out all the lovely London weekend activities for families I’ve rounded up. From West End theatre to outdoor Shakespeare, family cinema, toddler play sessions, a jousting tournament, festival fun and afternoon raving with (and without) the kids. Have fun!

PS Want to find World Cup screenings? Check out the previous Weekend Scoop!

12 Lovely London Weekend Activities for Families

Thu-Sat: Heathers the Musical at The Arts at Marble Arch, W1H 7DX (Marble Arch tube)
As a teen, I was obsessed by this dark 90s comedy starring Wynona Ryder and Christian Slater. It’s like a cross between Clueless, Cry Baby, Mean Girls and The Shining! I missed its stage premiere in London so it’s a thrill to hear Heathers is back. At Westerberg High School, Victoria Sawyer gets taken under the wing of three popular girls named Heather… and all hell breaks loose. Expect laughter and some wicked twists. Best for ages 14+, under 4s not admitted (check content warnings). 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Sat), select shows at 4.30pm & 8pm (Fri); from £35 (Jul 9-Aug 22)

Thu-Sat: To Kill a Mockingbird at Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0DA (Leicester Square tube/Charing Cross rail)
Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel is a generational bestseller and also a regular feature on banned books lists. Aaron Sorkin’s smash hit adaptation of the literary classic is back in London for a limited run only. In 1934 Alabama, lawyer Atticus Finch (Richard Coyle) wrestles with a case that tests societal norms and his personal values. A powerful tale of small town America, childhood innocence and racial injustice. Suitable for ages 12+ (PG for some content, under 3s not admitted). 7pm (Mon-Sat) & 2pm (Wed-Sat); from £20 (until Sep 12)

Thu-Sat: Last Goal Wins, Broadway Theatre, Rushey Green, Catford, SE6 4RU (Catford/Catford Bridge rail)
LAST CHANCE to catch Justice Eze’s funny and thought-provoking drama. Footballing friends Victory and Youssef compete for a spot on Nigeria’s World Cup team. But a last-minute recruit threatens to scupper their plans. Selected for the Ryan Calais Cameron Season by the award-winning playwright of Retrograde and For Black Boys, Last Goal Wins is directed by award-winner Kalungi Ssebandeke. Ages 12+. 7.30pm (Wed-Sat) & 2.30pm (Wed-Sat + Sun Jul 12); £12-£15 (Jul 1-12) 

Read my review of Last Goal Wins

Thu-Sun: Shakespeare in the Squares, multiple London locations
These outdoor Shakespeare plays are a delightful way to engage with his work for families of all ages. Watch Love’s Labour’s Lost, a sparkling comedy of romance, flirtation and foolishness at one of several venues. Pack a picnic to enjoy ahead of the show. You can book for performances in St James’ Square SW1 (Thu, gates 5.30pm, show 7pm), South Park Fulham SW6 (Fri, gates 5.30pm, show 7pm), Chiswick House & Gardens W4 (Sat, gates 3.30pm, show 5pm), and Fortune Green NW6 (Sun, gates 3.30pm, show 5pm). Adult from £34/child from £15/student from £20 – no age guidance but probably suitable for ages 7+. (until Jul 12)

Thu-Sun: Watch Wimbledon on a Big Screen in London (multiple locations)

It’s the Wimbledon finals this weekend. Grab a picnic blanket (or a deck chair, if available) and watch the tennis via a public screen:

Wimbledon in Covent Garden Piazza (until Jul 12)
Big Screen Tennis at the Piazza in Wimbledon (until Jul 12)
Wimbledon at Lyric Square, Hammersmith (until Jul 12)
Wimbledon at One New Change, St Paul’s EC4 (until Jul 12)
Summer in the Square at Portman Square Gardens, Baker St (Jul 7-12)
Wimbledon at Hawley Wharf, Camden Market (until Jul 12)
Strawberries & Screen at Duke of York Square, Chelsea (Jul 10-12)
Everyman Presents: Screen on the Canal at Granary Square, King’s Cross (until Jul 12)
Wimbledon in the Yards at Eccleston Yards, Belgravia (until Jul 12)
Summer Screens at Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf (until Jul 12)
Summer by the River at The Scoop, London Bridge City (until Jul 12)

Fri: Moana at cinemas in London and nationwide
The joyful Disney animated musical gets its live-action adaptation from Thomas Kail (Hamilton). Our young heroine Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) hears the call of the ocean and goes on a bold adventure to help revive her island. Dwayne Johnson who voiced Maui in the animation returns to play the lively demigod. Rated PG. (out Jul 10) 

Fri: Planet Play at Chickenshed, Rayne Theatre, Chase Side, Southgate N14 4PE (Cockfosters tube)
There’s still time to bring the little ones along for the popular Planet Play series. Boundaries between stages and audience disappear in this playful session of songs, rhyming and baby-friendly activities. Ages 0-3 and parent/carer. 10am (Fris weekly); adult £10/child FREE but ages 6 months plus must have ticket (until Jul 17)

Sat: Mums That Rave Summer Party at Embargo Republica, 533b King’s Road, SW10 0TZ (Sloane Square tube)
Get on the floor with Mums That Rave for another hot summer session. Global DJ/producer Nikki Beatnik (Glastonbury, Ministry of Sound, Kelis Tour, Beatnik Records, British Fashion Awards) returns with another banging set. Hear a live performance by garage star Kele Le Roc and dance the afternoon away to old school hip hop, R&B, garage and floor fillers. Let your hair down with likeminded mamas and leave the kids at home! Ages 18+. 2pm-6pm; £27.80 (Jul 11)

Sat: Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY (Wood Green tube)
The annual all-day party takes over Ally Pally once more. Headline acts include: Rudimental, Groove Armada, Roni Size, The Amy Winehouse Band,MJ Cole, Black Grape, Cookie, Russell Kane and more. There’s also plenty of street food and drink, fringe entertainment, World Cup screenings and family fun e.g. family disco yoga, African Acrobatics Circus, bubbleology, Circus Sensible, Silly Science, Punch & Judy. All ages (under 16s must be accompanied by adults). 1pm-10.30pm (last entry 8pm); adult from £70/child 5-15 from £35/child under 5 from £13 — NB: Tickets are now Waiting List only, do confirm availability at venue! (Jul 11)

Sat-Sun: Henry VIII’s Joust at Hampton Court Palace, East Molesley KT8 9AU (Hampton Court rail)
Pack a picnic and head to Henry VIII’s former haunt for this annual festival. Cheer for knights jousting on horseback (perhaps you’ll see King Henry himself). Also look out for falconry displays and stalls and have a wander through the Maze and the Magic Garden. Jousts 11am, 1.30pm & 4pm; falconry 12.30pm & 3pm (Sat-Sun); free with palace admission: adult ages 16+ from £29-£32/child under 17 £14.50-£16/under 5s & members FREE. (Jul 11-12 & 18-19)

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)
The second weekend of the festival series, in association with The Music is Black exhibition at V&A Museum East. Jamz Supernova and Yazmin Lacey x TYSON are on the line-up at Stratford Waterfront. And there’s all day grooving in The Dance Floor is Black at Sadler’s Wells East, with a family dance session hosted by BORN N BREAD (12pm-1.30pm). All ages. Sat 12-7pm music stages (7pm-midnight dancing at Sadler’s Wells East) & Sun 12-6pm; FREE entry (Jul 11-12, Aug 22-23 & Sep 12-13)

Sun: Big Fish Little Fish Greenwich Outdoor Family Rave at Shrewsbury House Gardens, Bushmoor Crescent, Shooters Hill SE18 3EG (Woolwich Arsenal tube/rail)
The original family rave crew are tearing things up in the stately gardens with the historic home as your backdrop this weekend. Jungle legend DJ Aphrodite brings the good tunes and you and your kids brings the atmosphere. These legendary family parties serve up club DJs, great venues, craft tables, licensed bar & food offers, face painting (separate fee), baby chill out, buggy parking and baby changing, bubbles, balloons, foam and parachute dance finale. Best for ages 0-8 but all ages welcome. 2pm-4.30pm; adult £13.09/child £10.96/pre-walkers FREE (Jul 12)

Sun: Boy Blue in the Park at Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, Queen Mary’s Garden within Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
Celebrate 25 years of the hip hop dance theatre company at this jam-packed event. You’ll see Boy Blue’s adult companies throwing their best shapes on stage. And visitors can join earlier for a taster workshop (ticket-holders only, strictly limited, workshop details sent after ticket purchase). To add to the party atmosphere, a DJ will play before and after the show. Open to all ages (parental discretion), everyone aged 2 and over requires a ticket. Lawns open 6pm, DJ set 6.15pm-7pm & 8.30pm-10pm, performance 7pm-8.30pm; from £19/under 2s FREE

We also like
Hurry hurry, November cinema tickets for screenings of the hit play Giant (starring John Lithgow as Roald Dahl) are on sale NOW (from Thu Jul 9); State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open again for the summer (from Thu, until Sep 27); Streetz Ahead in N17 are hosting another Street Fest, a free day of dance, inflatables, rollerskating, silent disco, food trucks and a giant flash mob (Sat); as Moana hits cinemas, come and celebrate Matariki, the Pacific and Māori New Year, at National Maritime Museum (Sat); meet storyteller Luke Saydon at Vestry House Museum’s Family Day, part of Waltham Forest Pride (Sat); enjoy community fun including live music and art at the Garden Museum’s Neighbours Day  (Sun); love chess? Have a go at Chess Fest in Trafalgar Square (Sun); and there’s one last chance to catch Black is the Color of My Voice, the acclaimed play inspired by Nina Simone, at Garrick Theatre WC2 (Sun)

Booking Ahead

• Alice in Wonderland at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith W6 (Jul 16-Aug 2)
• The Gruffalo Live on Stage at Lyric Theatre, W1 (Jul 17-Sep 6)
• Tom Gates EPIC Adventure at Kew Gardens, Richmond (Jul 18-Aug 31)
• Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Lightroom, King’s Cross (Jul 18-Sep 1)
• School’s Out Beach Party at Big Penny Social, E17 (Jul 22)
• 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)
• Maya & Marley Storytelling with Laura Henry Allain at Horniman Museum & Gardens, SE23 (Aug 17)

The Summer Holiday Guide will be out next week. Don’t miss it.

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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!**