Things to Do in Summer Holidays in London with Kids 2024

Looking for things to do during the summer holidays in London with kids? Find ideas for things to do in London with kids in summer 2024.

Table of Contents

What’s On Summer Holidays in London with Kids

This list is currently being updated with summer activities for kids in London 2024. I will continue to add to the list as more family events and activities are announced over the coming weeks.

Return to Azkaban at WB Studio Tour London

1 May – 4 September 2024

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, with a brand new special feature through the summer holidays.

The Divination classroom set will be on display at the Studio Tour, as seen when when Harry, Ron and Hermione attended their first lesson with Professor Trelawney. Discover the classroom details up close and look out for the original Grim teacup!

During the Return to Azkaban feature, there will be a new section of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom to see, complete with the Boggart wardrobe and sinister Boggart jack-in-the-box.

Book tickets to visit WB Studio Tour London

The Moat in Bloom at Tower of London

23 May – 9 September 2024

Experience the Tower of London Moat from a fresh perspective this summer as this unique and historic space blooms into life once more.

Access to the moat will be included in your Tower of London ticket between May and September.

Book tickets to visit Tower of London

The Joust at Hampton Court Palace

13 – 14 and 20 – 21 July 2024

Be dazzled by a real Tudor joust at the home of Henry VII and experience the pomp, ceremony and splendour of what it took to be in a joust.

Between shows, spectacular falconry displays will offer visitors the chance to learn more about the birds and their hunting techniques.

The Joust is included in Hampton Court Palace admission (members go free). All performances are open-air and seated directly on grass.

Buy tickets to visit Hampton Court Palace

Medieval Season at Eltham Palace and Gardens

20 July – 1 September 2024

Eltham Palace will be running activities throughout the summer holidays for families to learn what life was like in medieval times.

From jester workshops, have-a-go archery, storytelling, squire training to lessons in courtly etiquette there will be a different activity each week for children to take part in. Check their Facebook page for the full list of activities running each week. Book online and save 15%.

Book your visit to Eltham Palace and Gardens

Poo at the London Zoo

25 July – 1 September 2024

Discover the science behind scat at the London Zoo over the summer hoildays. Visit a unique poo exhibition created by one of ZSL’s zookeepers, former artist Tracey Lee, which features over 100 preserved specimens from a wide range of creatures.

Following the theme, family favourite games on over the summer holidays at London Zoo will be focused on animal feeding and digestion, such as Poo Bingo and Poo or False.

A live stage adaptation of the Poo in the Zoo: The Great Poo Mystery will be on at 1130, 1430 and 1630 each day. Storytelling sessions with Poo in the Zoo author Steve Smallman will also be running on selected dates over the summer!

Read more and book tickets to visit London Zoo

Kids Summer Splash at the Royal Docks

27 July – 18 August 2024

Located at Royal Victoria Dock, Kids Summer Splash brings you delightful dock swimming, super sandpits, tasty food, cooling drinks, and more. Take a swim in the lido which also includes a shallow end for younger children.

Kids Summer Splash is free and open to all ages. Tuesdays to Saturdays, expect a packed programme of family activities at Royal Docks Summer Splash. Activities include performances, arts and crafts, storytelling and more.

Read latest details about Kids Summer Splash at the Royal Docks

Summer Activities at the National Maritime Museum

28 July – 1 September 2024, selected dates

The National Maritime Museum Greenwich will be running a full programme of maritime-themed, indoor and outdoor activities over the summer. Free drop-in sessions will take place in the Learning Space, located on the ground floor.

Summer holiday activities include art workshops, cyanotype printing and musical sessions.

On 5 August, the National Maritime Museum will be running a unique activity where families can design and explore an immersive art gallery on the grounds of the Queen’s House.

See the full summer programme at the National Maritime Museum

Eco Adventures at Greenwich Park

30 July and 8, 14, 20 August 2024

Join the Field Study Council at their Greenwich Park centre for fun and educational discovery days on selected dates over the school holidays. The free sessions are based outdoors exploring the natural world, with a mix of games and activities.

On each day there is a morning session from 10am to 12pm and an afternoon session from 1pm to 3pm. Suitable for children of any age and children must be accompanied by an adult. Events are free to attend but please book your place in advance.

Butterflies (30 July) – Join the team to catch butterflies and other insects, learn to identify them and find out some fun facts. Be inspired by nature and create your own artwork.

Summer Nature Walk (8 August) – Join the Field Study Countil on a Nature Walk and explore the woods and grassland at Greenwich Park. You will use identification guides to name the creatures and plants you find, and learn more about them.

Archaeology (14 August) – Step back in time at Greenwich Park and explore the rich archaeology the park has to offer. Discovery how we find out about the past and learn about local historical events, people and places.

Pond Dipping (20 August) – Find out about the wonderful world of ponds on this session for all the family. Use nets to discover what is living under the surface and find out about the strange creatures that make the pond their home.

Book your place for Eco Adventures with Field Study Council

Nature Roadshow at the Royal Parks

31 July – 22 August 2024, selected dates

London’s Royal Parks will be running free Nature Roadshows over the summer holidays. Drop-in activities will be on selected dates at Richmond Park, The Regents Park, Bushy Park, Kensington Gardens, Greenwich Park and St James’s Park.

Drop in from 11am to 3pm to discover facts about the wildlife that can be found in London’s Royal Parks. Family activities will include scavenger natural trails, nature crafts and interactive games.

Dates and locations for the Royal Parks Nature Roadshow are as follows;

Regents Park (31 July) – The Broad Walk Café

Green Park (1 August) – Near Green Park station

Greenwich Park (6 – 7 August) – Next to the Boating Pond

Kensington Gardens (8 August) – Next to Italian Gardens

Bushy Park (14 – 15 August) – Pheasantry Gardens

Richmond Park (20 August) – Roehampton Gate Gardens and (21 August) – Isabella Plantation

St James’s Park (22 August) – Marlborough Gate Lawn

Register your interest and find latest details about the Summer Nature Roadshow at The Royal Parks

Discovery Days at Hyde Park Learning Centre

6 – 8, 13 – 15 August 2024

Hyde Park Learning Centre will be running their free Discovery Days over the summer holidays on selected dates in August. Drop-in activities are open between 11am and 3pm. All visitors are welcomed on a first come, first served basis.

Meadow Madness (6 – 8 August): Explore the beautiful meadows at Hyde Park and take part in a variety of activities including meeting minibeasts, make your own seedballs to take home and experiment with different seed dispersal methods.

Peter Pan (13 – 15 August): Uncover the treasure in the centre of Hyde Park and get involved in fun Peter Pan themed activities, from a pirate orienteering challenge to building a home for elves and fairies.

Life Underground (20 – 22 August): Explore life underground in the Royal Parks with various activities that include a minibeast hunt, creating clay animals and building a fox or badger den.

Register your interest for the Discovery Days at Hyde Park Learning Centre

Family Theatre in London Summer Holidays 2024

Here’s a list of what’s on for kids at London Theatres and outdoor theatre venues during the summer holidays in London 2024.

Theatre at Kew Gardens

19 July – 1 September 2024, selected dates

Over the 2024 summer holidays in London, the Theatre on Kew programme at Kew Gardens London includes The Dream Fairies – Adventure to Bubble Land and The Wind in the Willows.

Related: Summer in Kew Gardens London

The Dream Fairies – Adventure to Bubble Land (19 July – 1 September 2024, selected dates)

The Dream Fairies – Adventure to Bubble Land is a magical adventure for the whole family. Join the magical fairies as they go on an exciting musical adventure!

Performance times are 10:30am Tuesday to Sunday and 2pm on Friday to Saturday.

Book tickets for the Dream Fairies at Kew Gardens

The Wind in the Willows (20 July – 1 September 2024, selected dates)

This critically acclaimed, outdoor theatre production set against the magical backdrop of the stunning Lake, is packed with much-loved colourful characters, music, song and laughter.

A favourite of children everywhere, this is interactive theatre at its best. Come along and be part of the adventure this summer at Kew Gardens!

Performance times are 11am Tuesday to Sunday and 2:30pm on Thursday to Saturday.

Book tickets for The Wind in the Willows at Kew Gardens

Tickets include entry to Kew Gardens and cost £18.90 for adult members and £23.75 for adult non-members; £13.90 for child members and £17.90 for child non-members. Suitable for all ages.

Peter Pan at Morden Hall Park

28 and 30 July 2024

Filled with catchy music, heaps of audience interaction, and a laugh-a-minute script, this hilarious and exciting musical of the boy who never grew up promises to have every member of the family entertained throughout.

Bring a blanket and a picnic and join Peter Pan and his friends on their summer adventures in the picturesque Rose Garden at Morden Hall Park.

Running time: 100 minutes including interval. Performances are 1pm to 2:40pm (matinee) and 4pm to 5:40pm (evening). Tickets cost £15 for adults and £11 for children. Recommended for ages 4+

Book tickets for Peter Pan at Morden Hall Park

London Theatre Kids Week

1 – 31 August 2024

With the London Theatre Kids Week summer promotion, a child 17 and under goes free to selected West End shows when accompanied by an adult paying full price, plus an additional two children can attend for half price.

Kids Week tickets go on sale at 10am on Tuesday 11 June, with a wide variety of London musicals, plays, comedies and children’s shows to choose from.

Check latest updates for London Theatre’s Kids Week

Beauty and the Beast at Greenwich Theatre

2 – 25 August 2024

The ‘tale as old as time’, Beauty and the Beast, gets a fresh makeover with an astonishing cast of actor-musicians in a magical, musical, laugh-out-loud new adaptation.

Running time: 2 hours. Recommended for ages 3+. Tickets from £28 for adults and £14.50 for children (under 16).

Book tickets for Beauty and the Beast at Greenwich Theatre

Summer Holidays in London 2024 Map

I am pinning the top places in London for things to do during the school holidays in my “Summer Holidays in London 2024” Google Map Guide. For a direct link to the map to bookmark, click here. To explore the map, click on the door sign with an arrow just before the map title.

Read on for more things to do over the school holidays, from outdoor family theatre shows to inspiration for days trips outside of London.

More Summer in London Inspiration

Find more ideas for days out during the summer holidays in London with kids with our round-up posts and reviews.

Play Fountains and Padding Pools in London

The Best Play Fountains in London – find a spot to cool down at one of these public play fountains in central London

Read on for more ideas of where to cool down this summer in London at these free city playgrounds;

Dukes Meadows Chiswick Paddling Pool

Diana Memorial Playground Kensington

Water Play Areas at London Attractions

Discover more days out ideas with these reviews on top London attactions that have great water play areas and activities;

Family Day Out at London Wetland Centre Barnes

Family Day Out at London Zoo

Children’s Garden at Kew Gardens

Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace

London Museum of Water and Steam with Kids

Museums in London for Kids

Top Museums in London for Kids – plan a visit to one of London’s top family-friendly museums

Read on for more family days out inspiration with our reviews on top museums in London for kids;

Family Day Out at the British Museum

Visiting the Horniman Museum and Gardens with Kids

Wonderlab at the Science Museum London

London Transport Museum with Kids

Day Out at the National Maritime Museum

Dino Snores for Kids at the Natural History Museum

Royal Air Force Museum London with Kids

Cutty Sark Activities for Kids

London Museum of Water and Steam with Kids

National Portrait Gallery London with Kids

Here is a list of family-friendly exhibitions that are running at the top London museums for kids during the 2024 summer holidays;

Dinosaur rEvolution at the Horniman Museum

10 February – 3 November 2024

Explore the relationship between dinosaurs and birds at the first UK showing of Dinosaur rEvolution at Horniman Museum and Gardens.

This fascinating, family-friendly exhibition will feature five large animatronic models, many accurate cast fossil skeletons and skulls – some touchable, detailed graphics by the acclaimed artist Luis V Rey, dress up, games, and more.

Exhibition tickets cost £9 for adults, £4.50 for children. Free for under 3s.

Book exhibition tickets at the Horniman Museum