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 24 August
KINGS AND QUEENS: Budding royal fans can learn to produce the ultimate curtsey, or bow like a pro at Eltham Palace's school for novice nobles. They'll learn what it takes to be the King’s right-hand man or the Queen’s favourite lady in waiting. Standard admission +£1, 23-25 August,
Tuesday 25 August
MODEL A SPITFIRE: Build a Spitfire from an Airfix kit at the RAF Museum in Hendon. £3, 25-31 August
TREASURE HUNT: Head to Greenwich Park to hear a story of ancient hidden treasure. Then, work in teams to find the missing pirate treasure somewhere in the park. £15 per family, prebook, 10am-12pm
Wednesday 26 August
QUACKY RACES: Head to Morden Hall Park for a morning of rubber duck races down the River Wandle. £1.50, 1oam-1pm
PONY DAY: Does your little one dream of owning a pony? Take them along to Vauxhall City Farm's Pony Day, where they can learn the ins and outs of taking care of one, and spend plenty of time riding it too. £60, prebook, 1oam-3.30pm
CLAY: Join ceramics resident Amy Jayne Hughes at the V&A Museum to make a pinch pot inspired by designs, patterns and textures in the museum's collection. £7.50, prebook, 10.30pm/2.30pm
Thursday 27 August
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 major events, fashions, and inventions of the Victorian era. Free, just turn up, every Wednesday and Thursday throughout the holidays (last day today)
Friday 28 August
STATISTICS OF SPORT: The Royal Institution's Summer School holds a course for 10-12 year olds about world–beating performance data from different sports. They'll learn how fixtures can be arranged for league competitions and knockout tournaments of different sizes using rotating number rings and powers of 2. £30, prebook, 1pm
Saturday 29 August
DANCING: It's the final weekend of Southbank Centre's Festival of Love, and there's a day of dancing on the Riverside Terrace. Expect quirky fusions of folk and hip hop, along with ballroom dancing displays and workshops. Free, just turn up, 11am-10pm
Sunday 30 August
POETS WORKSHOP: Keats House in Hampstead hosts a workshop about writing for children, aimed at both adults and young people. Free, prebook, 2pm-4pm
BABY DISCO: Monski Mouse's Baby Disco Dance Hall is at Southbank Centre, giving toddlers and their parents/carers a chance to take to the dance floor together in a fun and safe environment. £8, prebook, 3pm. Find out about other family-friendly discos.
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.
