Looking for ways to keep kids and teenagers entertained during the school holidays? There’s plenty to do in London over the summer, whatever your budget. This is just a selection of events happening this week — for further inspiration, including ongoing family-friendly exhibitions, take a look at our summer holidays page.
FAMILY DAYS OUT: Bored of trudging round the same old museums and parks? Try one of these 7 alternative family days out in London, featuring caves, windmills and more.
BUDGET SIGHTSEEING: Dodge those over-visited rip-off destinations with our guide to free and cheap(er) alternative ways to see the city with your family.
WHERE TO EAT: Finding somewhere to eat out with kids can be tricky, but these child-friendly restaurants in London offer more options that just pizza and chips.
CULTURE VULTURES: You may think art galleries and theatres are a no-go when you’ve got little ones in tow, but these London theatres are great for kids’ shows, and these family-friendly art galleries will keep children happy - with plenty for mum and dad too.
Monday 27 July
PLAGUE WORKSHOP: To mark 350 years since the Great Plague, explore a variety of original sources and contemporary accounts of the 1665 event at Guildhall Library, in this family workshop. There's also an atmospheric plague storytelling session. Age 10+. Free, prebook, 11am-12.30pm
ART WORKSHOP: Lauderdale House on Highgate Hill holds week-long drawing and painting workshops with creative tutors. Choose from the sessions for 5-7 year olds or 8-11 year olds. £85 (for the week), prebook, daily 2pm-4pm
OUTDOOR THEATRE: Join Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny in the rose garden at Morden Hall Park for an afternoon of outdoor family entertainment. £12/£8, prebook, 3pm-5pm
Tuesday 28 July
SUMMER ORIENTEERING: Learn how to use a compass then explore the corners of Greenwich Park. If you collect all the clues on the way round, you'll recieve a prize. £15 per family, prebook, 10am-12.30pm
WILDCAT DAY: Scottish wildcats are the focus today at Battersea Park Zoo. There are wildcat keeper talks, storytime, craft activities and face painting. Included in zoo admission (extra charge for some activities), just turn up, 11am
Wednesday 29 July
SHAUN THE SHEEP: Foyles on Charing Cross Road has teamed up with Aardman for these model-making workshops with Aardman model-maker Will Harding. £8, prebook, 12pm/2pm
CURVES AND LINES: The Royal Institution's summer school hosts a workshop where children can investigate curves both mathematically and creatively, discovering some of the hidden beauty within the geometry. Age 10-12 years. £30, prebook, 1.30pm-4pm
SPACE EXPLORER: Alfie White Space Explorer is a one-day only show at ArtsDepot in North Finchley. Alfie's dad has disappeared — he's told his friends he's training to be the first man on the moon — so Alfie sets off to find him. Age 5+. £5, prebook, 4.30pm
Thursday 30 July
ORIENTEERING: Discover the unknown corners of the Nature Trail in Bushy Park - mater your compass then use it to find your way round, collect all the clues and claim your prize. £15 per family, prebook, 10am-12.30pm
AUSSIE ANIMALS: Learn all about Australian animals at Battersea Park Zoo. Watch the emus take a shower, meet a bearded dragon lizard, or make your own emu mask. Included in zoo admission (extra charge for some activities), from 11am
Friday 31 July
LITTLE CREATURES: London Zoo in Regent's Park holds its annual Little Creatures family festival with animal talks, feeds and arts and crafts workshops. Children's TV Presenter Andy Day will be hosting special shows. Included in zoo admission. Shows are free but need to be booked in advance. 31 July-2 August
MEET THE ROMANS: It's a Roman-themed summer at Museum of London. Today, have fun collaging your own Roman family portrait at this art drop-in. Age 5+, 12.30pm/2.30pm
Saturday 1 August
AIRFIX: Head to the RAF Museum in Hendon to have a go at building the Red Baron's Albatros or British Sopwith Pup from an Airfix kit. Age 7+. £3, 1-7 August
ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOP: Lonely Planet Kids illustrator Kremena Dimitrova is at the Jewish Museum in Camden to lead an illustration workshop for under 10s. £10, prebook, 11am
BUG HUNT: Make a beautiful bug then join the big bug hunt and discover bold and bashful mini-beasts at Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham. Age 3+. £2, just turn up, 12.30pm
ANIMAL SCIENCE: Former presenter of the BBC’s The Really Wild Show, Nicola Davies is at Foyles on Charing Cross Road to offer kids an introduction to animal science. £3, prebook, 2pm
Sunday 2 August
TRAIN THE TROOPS: The recently renovated Eltham Palace is putting kids through their paces, letting them experience what life was like for a soldier on the front line. Standard admission +£1, 2-4 August
FAMILY FUN DAY: Forty Hall Park in Enfield hosts a Children's Family Fun Day in the beautiful parkland surrounding the Hall. Expect games on the lawn and a children's talent contest (for ages 5 - 11 years). Bring a picnic and make a day of it. Free, just turn up, 11am-4pm
COMMUNITY HAYSTACKS: Head to Walthamstow and Leyton Marshes for a family day creating haystacks. Bring a picnic and take the chance to join a Ranger Ramble walk and talk with the site ranger. Free, just turn up, 12pm-4pm
See also:
- Things to do in London in the summer holidays: 20-26 July
- We'll be publishing our listings for later in the summer holidays soon - keep checking back.
