Looking for things to do during the summer holidays in London with kids? Find ideas for what to do in the school holidays and what’s on this summer in London for kids. I will continue to add to this summer 2022 list as more family events and activities are announced. Check back for more updates over the coming weeks.
What’s On Summer Holidays in London with Kids
Superbloom at Tower of London
1 June – 18 September 2022
See the Tower of London’s moat covered in a spectacular vibrant field of flowers throughout the summer to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen. Visitors can also grab a mat and slide down into the moat on a four lane Superbloom slide.
Buy tickets for the Superbloom at Tower of London
Mandrakes and Magical Creatures at WB Studio Tour London
1 July – 12 September 2022
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London will have a new feature this summer that shines a spotlight on creature effects were brought to life on screen. Magical creatures to keep an eye out for on the Studio Tour include the Cornish Pixies and the animatronic Monster Book of Monsters.
Visitors will also learn how Thestrals and Mandrakes were brought to life using a mixture of scale models and CGI in the Creatures Workshop.
Book tickets to visit WB Studio Tour London
Summer Holiday Fun at Hamleys
2 July – 30 September 2022
During the summer break, take a trip to Hamleys Regent Street, London, for a day out for all the family. Brand new fun experiences include up close and personal dino encounters with a Velociraptor, digging for bones at Jungle Grove and Jedi Knight training in Deep Space.
The world famous Hamleys Entertainment Team will be on hand all summer long hosting Puppet Shows, Special Opening Ceremonies, Hamley Bear meet & greets and more. Whether your family are Star Wars fans or Frozen fanatics, the Hamleys summer programme has something for everyone.
See the full list of what’s on this summer at Hamleys
Summer in the Square at Mayfair
21 – 31 July 2022
Mayfair’s Grosvenor Square will be transformed into one of the city’s culture hubs over the summer holidays, with three weeks of cultural entertainment and performances. Free family entertainment will be on offer from 12pm till 8pm, with live jazz performances, interactive opera tutorials, ukelele workshops and dance classes.
On 25 and 27-28 between 2pm to 3pm, Mercato will be running 45 minute opera workshops to introduce children to opera songwriting, improvisation and performance. Two singers and one pianist will run the sessions which are aimed at children aged between 5 and 10.
On 30 July, Wildcard Theatre will be performing a celebration of Shakespeare’s most passionate writing. A quartet of traveling actors will be performing free half an hour Shakespeare acts throughout the afternoon.
See the full event programme for Summer in the Square Mayfair
Dear Zoo at Postal Museum
22 July – 31 August 2022
This summer, Postal Museum is partnering with Macmillan Children’s Books to celebrate 40 years of the best-selling book Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell. Family activities over the summer holidays include an interactive storytelling session, the opportunity to meet the author at a special book signing, animal-themed arts and crafts and a new family trail.
All activities are included with a museum ticket and are drop-in or first come first served. Play sessions at Sorted! Postal Play Space are not included in a museum ticket and booking is essential to guarantee entry.
Book your visit to the Postal Museum
Medieval Season at Eltham Palace and Gardens
23 July – 12 August & 15 August – 4 September 2022
Eltham Palace will be running activities throughout the summer holidays 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 the website for the full list of activities running each week.
Book your visit to Eltham Palace and Gardens
Junior Wetland Ranger at WWT Wetland Centre
23 July to 2 September 2022
Throughout the summer holidays, children can take part in the Junior Wetland Ranger program, a fun, interactive family session learning about how to care for the different species of birds and mammals that call London Wetland Centre their home.
The Junior Wetland Rangers sessions will be on daily between 23 July to 2 September, at 1130, 1230, 1330 and 1500. Each session is 30 minutes and free to take part on a first come, first served basis. Suitable for children ages 5 to 11.
Book your visit to the WWT London Wetland Centre
Make sure to also pack a change of clothes and towel. The London Wetland Centre Barnes has one of the best adventure playgrounds for summer water play, with a splash pad and water pad.
Read more: Day Out at London Wetland Centre Barnes
Summer of Colour at ZSL London Zoo
23 July – 31 August 2022
From the emerald tree boa to scarlet ibis, golden lion tamarins to blue throated macaws, discover nature in all its full technicolour beauty at London during the summer holidays.
Enjoy a fun, educational day out exploring how camouflage keeps animals hidden, the role of colour in animal communication and how some animals see the world very differently to humans. Visitors will even discover which animals have the surprising – and incredibly beautiful – ability to emit their own light!
Book tickets to visit the London Zoo
And again, make sure to pack a change of clothes and towel for the kids! London Zoo is another top attraction with a great splash pad area to cool down at during the summer holidays.
Read more: Family Day Out at London Zoo
Yayoi Kusama’s Obliteration Room at Tate Modern
23 July to 29 August 2022
Everyone is invited to transform a completely white domestic apartment into a sea of colourful dots: UNIQLO Tate Play: Kusama’s Obliteration Room is an interactive artwork for all ages.
In this free workshop on daily from 10am to 6pm at Tate Modern, visitors will be given a sheet of colourful ‘dot’ stickers to help bring the space to life.
Families will be able to create their own work of art to add to an ever-growing garden in the Turbine Hall.
Read more details about Kusama’s Obliteration Room at Tate Modern
Hidden Beneath Our Feet at London Museum of Water & Steam
23 July to 29 August 2022
Did you know under the Museum there is a network of pipes which still supply water to London? Discover more about the hidden world underneath our feet with crafts, hands-on activities, and trails at the London Museum of Water & Steam.
London Museum of Water & Steam is a small museum in Brentford, West London, and is a great place to visit with toddlers. The museum runs storytelling and play sessions during term time, and there’s a fun interactive water play area in the back courtyard.
Book tickets to visit the London Museum of Water & Steam
Family Activities at Chelsea Physic Garden
27 July to 29 August 2022 (selected dates)
Chelsea Physic Garden are running several family activity workshops during the summer holidays. Workshop tickets include entry to the Garden that day. Children must be accompanied by at least one ticket-holding adult.
Chocolate Workshops (27 July, 2, 29 August): Learn facts about the cacao tree and how cacao beans are made into chocolate. Make your own chocolate treats to take home with you, with a provided selection of herbs, flavourings and spices. Tickets cost £22 per adult and £18 per child. This workshop is designed for children ages 5 and up. Workshop times: 10:3oam to 12:30pm or 2pm to 4pm.
Botanical Soap Making (1, 4 August): Learn about the powers of fragrant plants and aromatherapy in Chelsea Physic Garden’s child-friendly learning space. Materials will be provided for participants to design two bars of personalised botanical soap. Tickets cost £22 per adult and £18 per child. This workshop is designed for children ages 8 and up. Workshops times are at 10:30am to 12:30pm or 2pm to 4pm.
Design Your Own Plant Pot (4, 18 August): Take inspiration from a peaceful walk around the Garden before designing a terracotta plant pot at the learning space. Plant a seed of your choice in the pot to take home with you. All materials will be provided. Tickets cost £20 per adult and £15 per child. Workshop times: 10:30am to 11:30am.
Family Seed Excavation Adventure (8, 24 August): In this workshop, join in on a dinosaur-themed morning hunting for seedheads and excavating them from the plants. Participants will then grow their own mini dinosaur environment. This workshop is designed for children ages 5 and up. Tickets cost £10 per adult and £5 per child.Workshop times: 10:30am to 11:30am
Make Your Own Paint with Plants! (10, 15, 25 August): Learn about the plants that are used to make dyes, paints and pigments. Participants will learn to make their own paint using plants in this child-friendly workshop. Test your concoctions on different types of paper. Tickets cost £20 per adult and £15 per child and all materials will be provided. Workshop times: 10am to 11:30am
Make Your Own Plant Puppets (11, 16 August): In this family summer workshop, you will learn to make your own personalised puppet using foraged plant materials and plant-based materials. Participants will have an opportunity to practice puppeteering skills amongst the plants. Tickets are £22 per adult and £18 per child. Workshop times: 10:30am to 11:30am
Book a summer family activity workshop at Chelsea Physic Garden
Family Festival of Flight at RAF Museum
30 – 31 July 2022
Join in on free family fun at the start of the summer holidays at the Royal Air Force Museum in North London. A variety of drop-in and timed activities will include challenging your coding skills, test flying a paper rocket, making and releasing your own parachute and discovering materials included in RAF clothing.
There will also be storytelling sessions for the under-5s. Some activities are more appropriate for older children, but the Family Festival of Flight as a whole is suitable for ages 3+
Book free tickets to visit the RAF Museum London
Kids Summer Splash at the Royal Docks
1 – 21 August 2022
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.
Read latest details about Kids Summer Splash at the Royal Docks
This Bright Land at Somerset House
1 – 29 August 2022
Somerset House are transforming their courtyard into This Bright Land during August. This Bright Land will feature free day-and-night performances, music, dance, talks, workshops and more, platforming established creatives and grassroots communities. Bold attractions include a 35m observation wheel offering breath-taking views of London’s skyline.
Free family-friendly daytime activities at This Bright Land will include a site-wide treasure hunt, outdoor games and pop-up creative activities. The courtyard fountains will be on during this event for children to splash about in. Booking required – tickets are free for weekday time slots between 12pm to 6pm. Tickets for evenings and Sunday cost £5 to £22. Check the event programme for full details.
Book free tickets for This Bright Land at Somerset House
Minibeast Safari and Pond Dipping at Gunnersbury Park
2, 9 and 23 August 2022
Grab your minibeast spotting equipment, head out into the park and discover the hidden world of insects in this fascinating workshop at Gunnersbury Park in West London.
Tickets cost £7 per child. Suitable for children aged 5+, Children must be accompanied by an adult. Workshop times available are 11am – 12.30pm and 1.30 – 3pm on the 2nd, 9th and 23rd of August.
Book your tickets for this activity at Gunnersbury Park
Discovery Days at Hyde Park
2 – 4, 9 – 11, August 2022
The Royal Parks are welcoming families to the LookOut Discovery Centre in Hyde Park for several free drop-in Discovery Days this summer holidays. Throughout August, a variety of themed outdoor activities will be on every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11am to 3pm.
Wild Water (2 – 4 August): This first Discovery Days will be themed on “Wild Water”, taking a closer look at the incredible variety of life in the Royal Parks’ water bodies. Family activities will include pond dipping, creating water animals and working on a massive pond mural.
Peter Pan (9 – 11 August): Uncover treasure in the centre of Hyde Park during the Peter Pan themed Discovery Days. There will be a pirate orienteering challenge and plenty of arts and crafts, including building a tree home for elves and fairies, and activities exploring the magic of the Royal Parks.
Meadow Madness (16 – 17 August): Explore the beautiful meadows in Hyde Park and meet the critters surrounding them in a sweep netting session. Visitors can try their artistic hand with a massive meadow mural and make their own seed animal to take home.
Life Underground (23 – 25 August): Learn about the critters living around the hidden garden at the LookOut Discovery Centre. Family activities will include exploring how rabbits and other creatures live underground, building badger and fox dens, creating clay animals and doing a worm survey of their park.
The activities are suitable for the whole family to enjoy. Storytelling sessions will take place at 12, 1, and 2pm with all other activities ongoing through the day.
Register your interest for the Discovery Days at the Royal Parks
Family Drop-in Workshops at Sir John Soane’s Museum
4, 11, 18 25 August 2022
Sir John Soane’s Museum in Holborn are running free family drop-in workshops during the summer holidays. Tickets are available to book in advance but you can also drop-in on the day as part of your museum visit. The family workshops are on between 2pm to 4pm and are suitable for ages 4+.
Cork Temples (4 August): Sir John Soane was greatly inspired by classical ruins and collected cork models of his favourite sites, including Pompeii. Families can drop-in to the Art Room at the Soane to make their own cork models of ancient temples, both real and imagined.
Lego City (11 August): Join in on this family workshop to help create a Lego City with buildings inspired by architecture from across the globe.
Stained Glass Designs (18 August): In this workshop, children can create their own illuminating architectural designs with a colourful array of markers.
Terracotta Pot Painting (25 August): Inspired by Sir John Soane’s love of ancient Greek and Roman objects, in this workshop, families can design and paint decorations for a mini terracotta pot to take home.
Book a free family workshop at Sir John Soane’s Museum
Family Workshop: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare’s Globe
4 – 19 August 2022
Using a range of activities and games designed to draw out elements of the play’s language, characters and themes, this family workshop will bring you together with other families to discover the joy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Be introduced to the Mechanicals – a band of craftspeople-turned-actors caught up in the magic and mayhem.
There are workshops on from 4 – 19 August for ages 5 to 8. As of this writing, there are limited tickets available on Saturday 6 August and Monday 8 August. There are also workshops on from 4 – 20 August for ages 9 to 12, however, those tickets are now sold out.
Tickets cost £10 and a ticket is required for everyone attending over 3 years. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Book a A Midsummer Night’s Dream family workshop at Shakespeare’s Globe
Summer on the Square at the National Gallery
11 – 29 August 2022
National Gallery are running a free festival of art programme open to all ages, outside on Trafalgar Square, from 11 to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm daily. Join in on creative sessions and activities to inspire you to create your own masterpieces, from taking part in a live drawing session to creating a piece of collage art.
All studio sessions are drop-in and open to all ages and abilities. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis – you may be asked to wait during busy times.
View the free programme for Summer on the Square at the National Gallery
BRICKLIVE at Battersea Park
20 – 28 August 2022
Discover a world of giant brick sculptures this summer at BRICKLIVE in the Park. Tour through a land of mythical beasts, navigate through an Animal Safari and build your own creations in multiple themed zones.
Book tickets to BRICKLIVE in the Park
Make Your Own Toy Theatre at Strawberry Hill House
24 August 2022
Create a 3D theatre in a workshop led by artist Jack Fawdry Tatham, Head of Education at Pollocks Toy Museum. You will have fun using colouring pencils, pens and collage to colour and decorate your own toy theatre, with backgrounds and characters. There are two workshops, at 10.30am – 12.30pm and at 1.30pm – 3.30pm. Recommended for ages 7 and up.
Tickets include all materials and cost £12 for Standard Adult or Child; £10 for Members and Patrons.
Book your tickets for this workshop at the Strawberry Hill House
Food Festival at Hampton Court Palace
27 – 29 August 2022
Feast on delicious street food, sip on cocktails and pick up tasty treats from artisan producers and companies at Hampton Court Palace’s Food Festival. With everything from cheese to sausages, brownies to churros, there’s something for everyone. Family fun activities going on during the festival include face painting and a circus school.
Book tickets to visit Hampton Court Palace
Family Theatre Summer 2022
Theatre on Kew: The Jungle Book
23 July to 21 August 2022, Tuesdays to Sundays
Over the summer holidays, the Theatre on Kew programme at Kew Gardens includes The Jungle Book, an enchanting show for children and adults of all ages, based on Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale. Join Mowgli on her journey through the jungle as she meets Bagheera and Baloo, tricks sneaky grey apes and escapes the clutches of Shere Khan.
Performance times are 11am and 2pm. Please note that the show runs for 70 minutes with no interval.
Tickets include entry to Kew Gardens and cost £19.90 for adult members and £22.90 for adult non-members; £12.90 for child members and £15.90 for child non-members. £15.90. Children under 2 years old go free.
Book tickets for Theatre on Kew: The Jungle Book
Midsummer Mechanicals at Shakespeare’s Globe
28 July – 21 August 2022
The famous acting troupe from A Midsummer Night’s Dream take to the stage this summer in a hilarious new play for families, packed with silly props, sillier costumes and an eye-popping finale.
Ticket prices range from £5 (standing) to £15 – £25 for seating. Recommended for ages 5+. Running time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, including an interval.
Book theatre tickets for Midsummer Mechanicals at Shakespeare’s Globe
London Theatre Kids Week
1 – 31 August
The London Theatre Kids Week summer promotion is back this August! 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 for August 2022 are on sale from Tuesday 14 June. It is worth checking in the coming weeks since more tickets will be added throughout the promotion. London shows that are participating in Kids’ Week include Disney’s Frozen, Wicked and Mamma Mia!
Book theatre tickets for London Theatre’s Kids Week
Outdoor Theatre: The Jungle Book at Osterley Park and House
5 August 2022
DOT Productions present their own adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’ at the National Trust Osterley Park and House. Join Mowgli as Bagheera and Baloo help him on his journey through the jungle back to the man- village. Brought to the stage by a cast of five actors, watch as they encounter the monkeys, run from Shere Khan the tiger and get hypnotised by Kaa the snake.
Tickets cost £9 per individual; £32 for group.
Book tickets for Outdoor Theatre: The Jungle Book by DOT Productions at Osterley Park and House
Summer Theatre Performance at Hampton Court Palace
6 August – 21 August 2022
Join Bottom and the Mechanicals this summer as they make their long-awaited return to Hampton Court Palace – the original home of A Midsummer’s Night Dream – to host a half-hour extravaganza of sketches, games and interactive family fun! The Wheel of Merriment will decide what the buffoonish Mechanicals get up to next, with segments on the wheel representing an artefact, person, or story unique to Hampton Court Palace.
Each performance is an all inclusive, invigorating thirty minutes designed to entertain the whole family by offering a new lens on the palace’s rich history and – because the wheel holds more content than the Mechanicals can perform in thirty minutes – every show will be different. This is an outdoor event on the East Front Gardens. Included in palace admission. Performance times are 11.30, 13.30, 15.30.
Book tickets to visit Hampton Court Palace
Dr Dolittle at Chelsea Physic Garden
8 – 18 August 2022 (selected dates)
Join Wild Immersive Theatre and embark on a journey into the animal kingdom at Chelsea Physic Garden. Along the way you’ll get up to all kinds of mischief, learn how to speak the language of animals, discover the world of bird mail and carry a special message to Dr Dolittle himself.
Tickets cost £25 for adults and £18 for children and includes entry to Chelsea Physic Garden. Suitable for all ages. Shows are on Mondays to Thursdays, between 8 – 18 August, with time slots available for 2pm, 2:20pm, 2:40pm, 3pm, 3:20pm & 3:40pm. Performance are one hour long.
Book tickets for Family Theatre: Dr Dolittle at Chelsea Physic Garden
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at Lyric Hammersmith
16 August – 4 September 2022
Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, the critically acclaimed The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is a vibrant celebration of Eric Carle’s adored classics, using a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets and charming music. In addition to The Very Hungry Caterpillar, favourite titles by Eric Carle featured include Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks and The Very Lonely Firefly.
Tickets cost from £15
Book tickets for The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at Lyric
The Wonderland Adventure at Strawberry Hill House
21 August 2022
The award-winning Walking Theatre Company will be performing a magical outdoor adventure through Wonderland, featuring some of your favourite characters, in the enchanting grounds of Strawberry Hill House & Garden. Suitable for all ages. Performance time is 60 – 90 minutes.
Tickets cost £10 for Standard Adult, £7 for Members and Patrons and £5 for under 14’s.
Book tickets for The Wonderland Adventure at Strawberry Hill House
The Gruffalo at Rose Theatre Kingston
24 August – 3 September 2022
Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Songs, laughs and monstrous fun for children aged 3 and up in the much-loved show that’s toured Britain and the world.
Tickets cost from £15 for standard seats.
Book tickets for The Gruffalo at Rose Theatre
This post was updated on 26 July 2022 with latest photos, plus more family workshops, children’s theatre and things to do during the summer holidays in London with kids.
More Summer in London Inspiration
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London Family Day Out Reviews
Read on for our reviews on family days out at London’s top attractions and museums;
Family Day Out at London Wetland Centre Barnes
Visiting the Horniman Museum and Gardens with Kids
Visiting the Museum of London with Kids
Wonderlab at the Science Museum London
London Transport Museum with Kids
Day Out at the National Maritime Museum
Visiting Osterley Park National Trust with Kids
Gruffalo Adventure Trail at Horsenden Hill
Dinosaur Adventure Golf West London
Princess Diana Memorial Playground, Kensington Gardens
Day Trips from London with Kids
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Pick Your Own Farms near London
Pin for later – Inspiration for Summer Holidays in London with Kids
