London in Summer 2026: A Family Friendly Holiday Guide

School’s out (at last). I read a report that kids will ask for more than 1 billion snacks over the summer holidays (averaging 3.9 requests per day/168 per child). One solution? Get them out of the house! Babes About Town’s London in Summer: A Family Friendly Holiday Guide is your curated guide to the most creative, playful and enriching things to do for kids (and grownups) of all ages over the next 6 weeks. Bookmark it, download it, save it and share it! Wishing you and your crew the best summer yet.

London in Summer 2026: A Family Friendly Holiday Guide

BABES CHOICE

Tom Gates EPIC Adventure at Kew Gardens (Brentford Gate), Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
Liz Pichon’s character takeover with hands-on fun, giant doodle wall, code-cracking tree trail, and epic live music by Tom’s band DogZombies. 10am-4.30pm; included with admission: adult from £21.85 (£8.75 after 4pm)/child 4-15yrs from £1.75/under 4s FREE (Jul 18-Aug 31)

Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Lightroom King’s Cross, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4DY (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Back by popular demand, a multi-sensory experience with Damian Lewis narrating from the award-winning Apple TV+ doc. Marvel as giant CGI creatures move on screens around you. 9.30am-12pm (50 minute slots); adult from £25/child 3-18 from £13/under 3s FREE before 6pm but require ticket/family discounts available (Jul 18-Sep 1)

*Also at Lightroom, don’t miss the spectacular David Bowie: You’re Not Alone. Read my review

Malory Towers at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY (Wood Green tube)
Nostalgia trip with Emma Rice Company’s musical of Enid Blyton’s novel. New girl Darrell Rivers deals with Gwendoline Lacey, kind Sally Hope, a raging storm, and a school play in peril. For anyone who’s dreamed of Cornish cliffs and midnight feasts. Ages 8+. 6pm doors, 7pm start (Tue-Fri), 1pm doors, 2pm start (Sat), 12pm doors, 1pm start (Sun); from £30 (Jul 22-Aug 2)

Beano Havoc at Hampton Court Palace,  East Molesley KT8 9AU (Hampton Court rail)
Help the Beano gang find scattered pieces of Dennis’ crashed go-kart/time machine. Get tips from a Beano comic strip and history-makers on site. All ages. included in regular admission prices: 10am-5.30pm daily; adult ages 16+ from £29-£32/child under 17 £14.50-£16/under 5s & members FREE (Jul 25-Aug 23)

UNIQLO Tate Play: Lina Lapelytė at Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG (Blackfriars tube/rail)
Artist Lina Lapelytė transforms the Turbine Hall into a maze-like stage. Music, art, play and improv collide as visitors become part of the performance. All ages. 10.30am-6pm (last entry 5.30pm); FREE (Jul 25-Aug 31)

Death Note: The Musical at Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
For fans of the manga (30 million+ copies sold), anime and movie. Follow student Light Yagami in a cat and mouse hunt with detective L for a notebook that can reshape the world. Ages 12+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Thu & Sat); from £29 (Jul 30-Sep 12)

We Also Like

FAMILY THEATRE

Alice in Wonderland at Riverside Studios, 101 Queen Caroline Street, W6 9BN (Hammersmith tube/overground) & at Soho Theatre, 186 Hoe Street, E17 4QH (Walthamstow tube/rail)
Tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice this summer as she encounters a grinning cat, a White rabbit, and other quirky characters. But will the Queen of Hearts make her lose her head? Catch it in Hammersmith (Jul 16-Aug 2) or Walthamstow (Aug 5-16)! Ages 5+. 12pm & 3pm; from £20 (Hammersmith) or various showings (Walthamstow) e.g. 2pm & 4.30pm, 11am & 2pm, 12pm & 3pm (Tue-Sun); from £25 (Jul 16-Aug 2 & Aug 5-16)

War Horse at National Theatre (Olivier Theatre), South Bank, SE1 9PX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Michael Morpurgo’s bestselling tale about Albert and his WW1 mission to rescue his horse Joey. Breathtaking life-sized puppets and action. Ages 10+. 2.15pm (Sat) & 7.30pm (Mon-Sat, no Thu shows over May half term), from £61/child half-price (until Jul 30)

Dog Man the Musical at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Meet the crime-biting sensation from the brains behind Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club (Dav Pilkey). He’s part dog, part man, ALL HERO. Ages 5+. Various times: 11am, 2pm, 2.30pm, 4.30pm & 6pm (Tue-Sun); from £27 + £3.50 booking fee (Jul 30-Aug 16)

Zog at Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ (Sloane Square tube)
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s accident-prone dragon roars onto stage with Little Angel puppets and Joe Stilgoe’s songs. Zog visitors get discounts on a Royal Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace. Ages 3+. 10.30am (Mon/Wed), 10.30am & 1pm (Thu & Fri), 10.30am, 1pm & 3.30pm (Sat & Sun); from £19.50 (Aug 2-23)

Heathers the Musical at The Arts at Marble Arch, W1H 7DX (Marble Arch tube)
Before Mean Girls, there was Heathers. Watch high schoolers duke it out in a tale of big characters and deadly 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 (until Aug 22)

To Kill a Mockingbird at Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0DA (Leicester Square tube/Charing Cross rail)
Aaron Sorkin’s smash hit staging of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel about small town America and racial injustice. Limited run only. Suitable for ages 12+ (PG for some content, under 3s not admitted). 7pm (Mon-Sat) & 2pm (Wed-Sat); from £20 (until Sep 12)

More Family Theatre

• Polka Theatre: There’s a Tiger in the Garden, Arthur, and Blub (6-18 months) (Jul 16-Aug 23)
• Love’s Labour’s Lost puts a flamenco spin on Shakespeare at The Globe (Jul 17-Sep 13)
• Theatre on Kew: Twelfth Night, Wind in the Willows & Jack and the Beanstalk (Jul 18-Aug 30)
• Kids Week gives FREE child tickets for every paying adult at top West End shows (Jul 20-Aug 31)
• I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical premieres at Troubadour Wembley Park (Jul 22-Sep 27)
• Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre features Cats (Jul 25-Sep 19) & Anansi the Spider (Aug 15-Sep 6)
• Brainiac Live: Britain’s favourite science show explodes at Garrick Theatre (Jul 26-Aug 30)
• Little Angel Theatre Children’s Puppet Festival: shows and family workshops (Jul 28-Aug 30)
• Dinosaur World Live stomps back at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre (Jul 28-Sep 6)
• The Comedy About Spies creates more hijinks and mayhem at Adelphi Theatre  (Aug 1-Sep 26)
• Be Like Blippi tour lands at The Arts, Marble Arch with singalong fun for ages 2+ (Aug 5-23)
• Baby Broadway hosts a Family Sing and Play mini festival in Covent Garden (Aug 14) 
• The Little Mermaid: Song of the Sea brings panto feels to Greenwich Theatre (Jul 31-Aug 23)
• Hot Mess turns the climate emergency into a musical rom-com at The Other Palace (until Sep 6)

SPECIAL EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS

Henry VIII’s Joust at Hampton Court Palace, East Molesley KT8 9AU (Hampton Court rail)
Watch knights (and King Henry) jousting as well as falconry displays and stalls. Explore the Maze and the Magic Garden too. 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 18-19)

Bring Your Baby Guided London Walks and Pub Quizzes, various London locations
Go on a themed walk with your whole family. Upcoming routes: Women from Hackney’s History (Jul 23), Canary Wharf & Docklands (Aug 6), Women in the City (Aug 11 & 27), Secrets of Islington Squares (Aug 19), and Bank Holiday in Newington Green (Aug 31). Too hot (or rainy) to walk? Book one of the Bring Your Baby Pub Quizzes, which take place in bottle, breastfeeding, baby-changing and pushchair-friendly venues around London. Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd places and free sweet treats for each table. Team sizes max 6 (baby-free friends welcome too). Guided walks 11am-2pm/£20; pub quizzes 12pm-2.30pm/from £10 pp (ongoing)

The Golden Hinde Family Sleepover, St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Street, Borough SE1 9DE (London Bridge tube/rail)
Spend the night on a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s ship with immersive role play and storytelling. Best for ages 5-10 and adult (no kids without adults or vice versa). 5pm-9am; adult/child £47pp (Aug 14)

First Year at Hogwarts at WB Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
Marking 25 years of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, see iconic props, sets and memories: from the Golden Snitch to Gryffindor banners. All ages welcome. Open daily: first bus 9.20am, first tour 9.30am/last tour begins 4pm, last bus/studio closes 8pm; adult from £58.50/child from £47/family discounts available/under 4s or carers FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (until Sep 7)

Luminescence at Westminster Cathedral, Victoria St, SW1P 1LT (Victoria tube/rail)
Captivating audio and stunning video projection with music by Tim Whitnall and the Lux Aeterna choir. 9pm; adult from £41/child from £31/under 5s FREE but need a ticket (until Sep 26)

The Last Princesses of Punjab at Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX (High St Kensington tube)
Learn the fascinating true story of Punjabi princess and suffragette icon, Sophia Duleep Singh and 5 women who shaped her life. Rarely known history of South Asian feminism, empire and resistance. 10am-6pm daily (last entry 5pm); adult from £24.70/child from £12.40/under 5s FREE (until Nov 8)

The Paddington Bear Experience at Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB (Waterloo/Charing Cross tube/rail, Westminster tube)
An immersive day of video, live acts and multi-sensory fun e.g. train carriage rides, a trip to Peru, marmalade sandwiches, gift shop, and photos! Best for ages 4+. Entry times 10am-3.30pm (Mon-Fri & Sun), 10am-4.45pm (Sat); adult £39-£49/child £29-£39/under 2s FREE (ongoing)

More Special Events

• Jude’s Ice Cream at The Den serves up delicious treats at Sea Containers London (all summer) 
• Legendary Joust at Eltham Palace and Gardens hosts knights, falconry and jesters (Aug 1-2)
• Burger & Lobster offers Kids Eat Free for under 12s across all restaurants (until Sep 1)
• National Trust’s Summer of Play offers archery, treasure hunts and more (until Sep 6)
• Buckingham Palace opens its State Rooms every summer for public viewing (until Sep 27)

MUSEUMS, WORKSHOPS AND CREATIVE PLAY

Family Workshops at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube)
Summertime, artist-led family workshops on creating giant flowers (Jul 22), stop-motion animation (Jul 28), nature-inspired printing (Jul 29) and crafting tissue paper blooms (Jul 30). Ages 5-12. 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm; adult £5/child £7/concs FREE – all tickets include free entry to the museum. (Jul 22-30)

V&A Family Festival: Make at Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 2RL (South Kensington tube)
Come for installations, dance and costumes (Big Just Vibez Family Fete), film, storytelling, circus, and workshops focused on sustainability, nature, and repair. All ages. 11am-4pm; FREE (Jul 25-26)

Tots at the Docks at London Museum Docklands, No. 1 Warehouse, West India Quay E14 4AL (Canary Wharf tube/DLR, West India Quay DLR)
Dive into a river, stack cargo, throw a puppet show or build a mighty tower! Sessions every last Wednesday + themed dates. This summer join a Street Party (Jul 29) or a Seaside activity (Aug 26). 10am-5pm; FREE (Jul 29 & Aug 26)

Maya & Marley Storytelling with Laura Henry Allain at Horniman Museum & Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
Award-winning storyteller Laura Henry Allain MBE (JoJo and Gran Gran) reads from her latest picture book. Stay for author Q&A and signing + craft activities. 10am & 2pm; child £10 (Aug 17)

The Sistine Chapel at Frameless at 6 Marble Arch, W1H 7AP (Marble Arch tube)
See Michaelangelo’s frescoes in a whole new light amidst Frameless galleries’ dazzling, multi-sensory showcase of 40+ art masterworks. All ages. Summer opening hours (Jul 26-Aug 31, 2026): 10am-7pm (Sun-Thu) & 10am-10pm (Fri-Sat). Adult £31.50/child 3-15 £22/family £21.50pp/under 3s FREE. (ongoing) – Read my review of Frameless

Power Up at Science Museum (Basement Gallery, Level -1), Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD (South Kensington tube)
Play on 160 consoles e.g. Pong, PacMan, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and VR headsets Ages 5+ (all ages welcome). Best for ages 5+. Daily 10am-5.30pm; day passes adult from £11-£13/child 4-16 from £9.60-£11.30/annual £21/family discounts from £2 off per ticket/under 4s FREE (ongoing)

More Museums and Workshops

• Circus Camp at Jacksons Lane teaches circus skills to ages 8-14 (Jul 21-23)
• NMITE RoboAcademy is a free day of robotics for ages 14-18 in Hereford (Jul 28-29)
• London Canal Museum has crafts, ice cream role play, and canalboat rides (Jul 4 & Aug 11, 18 & 25)
• Wes Anderson: The Archives wraps up the retrospective of the iconic filmmaker (until Aug 16)
• Whatever the Weather is Unicorn Theatre’s play space for grownups and kids 0-7 (until Aug 16)
• Family Summer Cookery Workshops are on the menu at Garden Museum (until Aug 27)
• Museum of Architecture exhibits bonsai treehouses + workshops for ages 8+ (until Aug 31)
• Jurassic Oceans at NHM and Voyage to the Deep at Horniman are great for water babes (ongoing)
• Cutty Sark Big Rig Climb is a physical and educational challenge for ages 8+ (ongoing)

NATURE AND OUTDOORS

Hobbledown Hullabaloo, Hobbledown Heath, Staines Road, Hounslow, TW14 0HH (Hounslow Central rail)
Dodge moans of “I’m bored!” with a day trip to the giant play arena of 4 themed villages, acres of woodland and meadow, towers, tunnels, farm creatures, foam pits and games. Best for ages 2-13. 9am-6pm; adult or child from £16.50 (all day), £24.50 (one month/flexible entry) or £29.50 (unlimited Jun 25-Sep 1)/under 2s FREE (from Jul 18-Sep 1)

Horrible Science at London Zoo, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube)
Wildlife pioneers, time-travelling scientists, experiments and laughs galore. All ages welcome. Also check out the zoo’s new roleplaying space for under 8s, ZooTown (separate fees). 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm, until Sep 2); adult from £27.70 (online/weekday/off peak)-£40 (at gate/weekend/peak)/child from £19.40 (online/weekday/off peak)-£28(at gate/weekend/peak)/under 3s FREE (Jul 18-Sep 2)

Royal Docks Summer Splash at Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1AG (Royal Victoria Dock DLR)
Bring the whole family to this giant lido with sandy areas and a shallow end for little ones. Live entertainment, workshops and Swim Safe sessions included (various timings). All ages, kids under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. 11am-5pm daily (last entry 4.30pm); FREE (Jul 24-Aug 16)

Dragonfly Courtyard Adventures at WWT London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT (Barnes rail/Hammersmith tube and overground)
Join Pip Pondskimmer and the dragonflies for this rolling festival of games, bubble play, storytelling, discovery and circus acts. All ages. 10am (Mon-Fri); included in admission fee: (Jul 27-Aug 28)

Everyman on the Canal at Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Watch top films with canalside snacks. Catch Grease, Some Like it Hot, Paddington in Peru, Dune: Part One and more. All ages (check films for age guidance). 12pm, 2.30pm, 5pm & 7.30pm daily; FREE but bookings/early arrivals advised (until Aug 16)

Heritage Rides on the Epping Ongar Railway, from Ongar station CM5 9AB or North Weald station CM16 6BT (via Epping tube)
Hop on a heritage steam or diesel train, winding through Epping Forest. Why not book an Afternoon Cream Tea too (Aug 16 & Sep 6, £35pp)? All ages. Various trains Fri-Sun and Bank Holidays from 9.30am; adult standard/all day rover from £19.50/child 3-15 from £3/family £43/under 3s FREE (ongoing)

More Outdoor Fun

• Rooftop Cinema has family friendly films in Peckham (Jul 19-Aug 29) and Stratford (Jul 18-Aug 30)
• Chelsea Physic Garden hosts family activities + Buzz in the Garden outdoor show (Aug 16)
• Summer Screens brings outdoor movies, public gaming and more to Canary Wharf (until Sep 1)
• Club Pétanque lets friends and family play FREE all summer at King’s Cross, N1C (until Sep 30)
• Sea Lanes Canary Wharf invites open water swimming, sauna and social hangouts (ongoing)
• London Lidos are open for a dip, find pools everywhere from Tooting to Bushy Park (ongoing)
  

FESTIVALS AND PARTIES

Riverside Sessions + Steel Scenes at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Steel Scenes weekend (Jul 24-26) marks 75 years of steel pan in the UK with talks, exhibitions & bands. In July and August, dance into the evenings at Riverside Sessions (Jul 16-Aug 30), a free party series curated by the youth collectives e.g. Kinetica Bloco and ZooNation. Various times & prices, mostly FREE (Jul 16-Aug 30)

Big Fish Little Fish Family Raves at Canary Wharf and Uptown Festival (Blackheath), multiple locations
Our favourite family ravers bring the party to Canary Wharf’s Summer Daze Festival (Jul 25, details tba) and to the free Uptown Festival (Jul 26; redeemable tickets – adult from £13.75/child up to age 14 from £11.75/babies under 1 £3.75; timing tba). Best for ages 0-8 but all ages welcome (Jul 25 & 26)

Pop-Kid Family Rave at SetList, Somerset House (Charing Cross tube/rail) and Pop Brixton (Brixton tube)
Get down to the sounds of MJ, Madonna, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift and more. Fancy dress encouraged + 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 (Jul 26 & Aug 30)

Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, multiple locations around Greenwich
Another joyous fortnight of free outdoor arts and theatre. Highlights: Greenwich Fair (Aug 22-23), Caspian’s Storm (Aug 22-23), Skate Jam (Aug 22), The Aunties: House of Masks (Aug 30), Dancing City 2026 (Sep 25). All ages unless otherwise stated (check ahead). Various times; FREE (Aug 21-Sep 6) 

All Points East in the Neighbourhood, Victoria Park (Crown Gate), Grove Road, Bow, E3 5TB (Mile End/Bethnal Green tube)
DJ Yoda’s 90s Mixtape Live, DJ Kizzi, Rich Mix Stage takeover, Grand Union Orchestra, Baby Sensory Hackney are on the lineup at this family friendly event, in association with All Points East festival. All ages welcome. From 12pm (Mon) & 10am (Tue-Thu); FREE (Aug 24-27)

Notting Hill Carnival, Notting Hill and surrounding areas (Westbourne Park tube exit only, see TFL web site closer to date for transport advice)
Spend Bank Holiday weekend at Europe’s biggest street party with floats, sound systems, steel bands and street food. Sunday is Children’s Day. All ages. From around 9.30am daily, FREE (Aug 30-31)

More Festival Fun

• Ensemble Festival is a free outdoor showcase of circus, dance, theatre and waterfront activities at Royal Victoria Dock (Jul 25-26)
• King’s Cross Summer Sounds offers free music, dance and musical theatre live in Granary Square (Aug 13-23)
• The Music is Black Festival from East Bank mixes live music, queer culture and family activities at Stratford waterfront (Aug 22-23)
• Summer by the River serves up free live music, cinema, shows and entertainment at London Bridge City (until Sep 27)

Need Even More Ideas?!

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A 15 year old’s tips for London for teenagers
A 15 year old’s tips for free attractions in London

**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!**