Looking for ways to keep kids and teenagers entertained during 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.
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, and have plenty for mum and dad too.
Monday 10 August
GLADIATOR GAMES: Londonist is media partner to Museum of London's live-action Gladiator Games. Go back to Roman Londinium with an epic re-enactment of London’s gladiatorial games. Performers take to the stage for battle, an Emperor presides and the crowd picks its side. £15/£10, prebook, various times until 16 August
DRAWING AND PAINTING: Lauderdale House on Highgate Hill has a week-long morning art course for 8-11 year olds, where they can develop their drawing and painting while using acrylics, watercolours, poster paints, inks and oil pastels. £85, prebook, 10-14 August
Tuesday 11 August
PIGGY DAY: Battersea Park Zoo has a day of pig-themed activities. Help the zookeepers feed the two hairy Kune Kune pigs, listen to a pig story, or make a pig badge. Included in admission charge (extra charge for some activities), 11am
MOTHS AND MAMMALS: Meet the moths and mammals of Greenwich Park up close and find out what has been caught in the moth trap. Learn to identify the different moths and see if you can spot any other flying creatures. £15 per family, prebook, 10am-12.30pm
Wednesday 12 August
RIVER WILDLIFE: Head to Morden Hall Park for a walk to spot some of the river wildlife and have a go at river dipping to discover what lives below the surface. Age 5-11. £2, 10am-1pm
DOLLS HOUSE COLOURING: Meet illustrator Emily Sutton at the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green and join a creative colouring workshop inspired by her Dolls' House colouring book, which is themed around the museum's exhibits. Age 4-12. Free, sign up on the day, 1pm/3pm
Thursday 13 August
MEADOW MINIBEASTS: Head to Bushy Park to catch some of the crickets, grasshoppers, spiders — and maybe some stripy caterpillars — that live in the area, and see them up close with the video microscope. £15 per family, prebook, 1pm
Friday 14 August
MEET THE WHITE RABBIT: Celebrate the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland at Foyles in Waterloo. The White Rabbit will be there, and you're encouraged to dress up as your favourite book character to take home an Alice in Wonderland activity pack. Free, just turn up, 11am-12pm
Saturday 15 August
DEN BUILDING: Have a go at building a den in the woods of Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham. Age 3+. £2, just turn up, 12.30pm
Sunday 16 August
FAMILY DAY: Keats House in Hampstead has an animal themed family day. From travellers’ tales of far-away lands to trips to the zoo, find out about some of the wildest and strangest creatures on our planet. Free, just turn up, 1pm-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.
