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.
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.
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 little ones happy — while offering plenty for parents too.
Monday 20 July
TRAMPOLINING: London's first trampoline park opens today in West Acton, perfectly timed to coincide with the first day of the holidays. It's all indoors, so great for those rainy days, and the 150 trampolines are the perfect way for little ones to let off steam if they're (literally) bouncing off the walls.
Tuesday 21 July
SNAKE DAY: Battersea Park Zoo celebrates all things slithery with a Snake Day. Make a snake puppet, or a badge (£), hear a snake story, or meet a real snake. Included in entrance fee (extra charge for some activities), just turn up, 11am-12.30pm/1.30pm-3.30pm
EXPLORE AFRICA: Join Jo Hatton, keeper of natural history at Horniman Museum, to find out more about the animals of Africa. Free, just turn up, 2pm. Horniman Museum has a curated event every Tuesday throughout the holidays.
Wednesday 22 July
WINNIE THE POOH: Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham has a Winnie The Pooh themed day for under 5s. Enjoy a Pooh tale, then get your paws busy with a craft activity. £7, prebook, 11am
QUEEN VICTORIA: The Ragged School Museum in Mile End celebrates the 63 years that Queen Victoria spent on the throne, with free arts and crafts based around the major events, fashions, and inventions of the Victorian era. Free, just turn up, every Wednesday and Thursday throughout the holidays
Thursday 23 July
MEERKATS: The cheeky little peepers are the subject of a day of special activities at Battersea Park Zoo. Make a meerkat puppet, or a badge (£), hear a meerkat story, or meet a real meerkat. Included in entrance fee (extra charge for some activities), just turn up, 11am-12.30pm/1.30pm-3.30pm
POND DIPPING: Try your hand (or net) at pond dipping in Horniman Museum's Nature Trail Pond and discover the variety of life to be found here during the summer. Age 5+. £2, buy tickets on the day, 12pm-3pm. Repeated every Thursday throughout the holidays.
Friday 24 July
3 LITTLE PIGS: For three days only, artsdepot in North Finchley puts on a musical production of The 3 Little Pigs, starring Simon Webbe from Blue. Get ready to huff and puff until you blow that house down. Age 3+. £8-£14, prebook, 24-26 July
Saturday 25 July
WHERE'S WALLY: Foyles bookstores in Westfield Stratford, Royal Festival Hall and Charing Cross Road host Where's Wally characters. Find them hidden around the stores to receive a free Where's Wally poster and some stickers. Free, prebook for Charing Cross Road, 11am/2pm
TEDDY BEARS PICNIC: Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham hosts a teddy bear's picnic. Bring your favourite teddy and some sarnies and join the storyteller for some takes while you eat. Age 3+. £2 per child, just turn up, 12.30pm-3pm
FLY A KITE: Join kite specialist Stephen King at House of Illustration in King's Cross for an afternoon of kite-making. Learn about the history of kites from around the world and create your own to take away. Age 5+. £7/£4, prebook, 2pm
SKIP GARDEN: Global Generation invites all families with under 5s for gardening, cooking and crafts at The Skip Garden in King's Cross. Free, prebook, 10am-1pm
Sunday 26 July
SUMMER FESTIVAL: The Museum of Childhood's Summer Festival features live music, a samba band, dance, walkabout acts, food, designer stalls, henna, face-painting, games and lots of crafty make and do. Free, just turn up, 11.30am-4.30pm
LEGO NINJAS: At Foyles bookstore in Charing Cross Road, there's a day of Lego construction workshops, to tie in with the release of the new Lego Ninjago book. £20, prebook, 12pm/3pm
JUDITH KERR: Children's author Judith Kerr is at the Jewish Museum in Camden to talk about her life and work in conversation with Nicolette Jones of The Sunday Times. The event is linked to the current Judith Kerr exhibition. £15, prebook, 2pm-3pm
See also:
- Things to do in London in the summer holidays: 27 July - 2 August
- We'll be publishing our listings for later in the summer holidays soon - keep checking back.