Looking for things to do in London in the summer holidays? We've got you covered, from family days out in the capital to free, family-friendly activities if you're on a budget — and even some day drips out of London that the kids will love.
Family days out in London
THEATRE SHOWS: A trip to the theatre is always a treat. Whether your family is into all-singing, all dancing-musicals, stage adaptations of classic kids' books, or interactive shows for younger children, you'll find something in our guide to London's best family-friendly theatre shows this summer. We're particularly excited about the new Disney's Hercules musical, and for older kids and teens, the Globe's Western take on Romeo and Juliet.
SWIMMING: A kiddie favourite, London has an ocean of options for swimming, whatever the weather. From an Olympic venue to local leisure centres, these are some of London's best indoor pools. Also dive into London's outdoor pools and lidos for summer 2025 (depending how the weather's looking).
ICE SKATING: London also has year-round ice rinks, including one slap bang in the middle of the Central line — so no need to wait for the festive season to get your fill of twirls and whirls.
BOATING: Few things excite kids more than boats, especially if you tell them they can have a go at rowing/pedalling themselves. With that in mind, pick one of our favourite boating lakes in London, chock full of swans, dragons and other fantastical vessels waiting to be hired out. Not up for doing the work yourselves? Kick back on one of London's best boat trips and watch the scenery roll by.
BEACHES: Craving the sand between your toes? Head to one of London's urban beaches, which pop up across the capital complete with sand, water features, deckchairs and all manner of entertainment. They're not all family-friendly, but there are options if you've got little ones to entertain.
OUTDOOR CINEMA: Kids still singing about Bruno? Take them to a family-friendly screening at one of London's outdoor cinemas (some of which are free!) and replace their Encanto obsession with something new.
TEENAGERS: Older kids and teenagers can be trickier to entertain, but have a read of our things to do in London with teenagers, covering everything from museums and exhibitions to shopping trips, a little-known neon art gallery, street art and more adventurous days out.
AUTISTIC KIDS: Looking for things to do in the school holidays with autistic children? Check out our guide, which includes museums, theatres, sensory rooms and more.
Summer holiday events in London
PREHISTORIC PLANET: Lightroom in King's Cross opens its latest immersive exhibition, Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs, taking you inside scenes from seasons one and two of Apple TV+'s Prehistoric Planet series. Surrounded by 360-degree visuals of dinosaurs, find out what the planet was like 66 million years ago. 9 July-2 November
VISIT BUCKINGHAM PALACE: Got kids who are interested in all things Royal? Take them inside Buckingham Palace at the annual opening of the State Rooms. It's open to all ages, though has more of interest for older kids and teenagers. 10 July-28 September
This is a sponsored inclusion on behalf of the UK Parliament.
Take your family on a unique day out at the Palace of Westminster
Did you know you can go inside the home of the UK Parliament? Palace of Westminster tours run on weekdays and Saturdays throughout August, suitable for anyone aged five+, making for a memorable summer holiday activity.
Book a self-guided audio tour and explore at your own pace using a multimedia device with audio and visual content, clueing you in on how Parliament works. A children's audio guide is available too, sprinkled with fascinating stories of the Palace’s history and offering engaging learning opportunities for visitors up to age 11. Exploring the building this way means you can spend more time in the areas that interest you. Perhaps your kids will love the Central Lobby, which they may have seen on the news. Maybe they'll be fascinated by the throne from which King Charles delivers his speech at the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords Chamber. Other stops on the tour include the famous green benches in the House of Commons Chamber, and Westminster Hall — the oldest building on the parliamentary estate.
Opt for this self-guided audio tour to get a free child ticket (age 5-15) with every full-paying adult ticket purchased.
Alternatively, guided tours are suitable for age 11+, taking the form of a 90-minute trip around the historic site led by a knowledgeable guide, with a chance to ask questions as you go. Whichever way you choose to explore the Palace of Westminster, make a day of it with a range of hot and cold snacks and drinks available at the Jubilee Café (situated just off Westminster Hall) after your tour. Next door, the Jubilee shop offers a range of gifts, souvenirs, children’s toys and other unique merchandise, reminding them of this special day for years to come.
PUPPET FESTIVAL: For the third summer, Little Angel Theatre in Islington runs a Children's Puppet Festival throughout the holidays, with puppet shows from eight different companies, as well as workshops for adults and children, and playcation days, with activities on a set theme. 28 July-31 August
SUMMER CYCLE: One evening a year, Kew Gardens allows the public to ride bicycles through its grounds, for the Summer Cycle event. Cycle through the Elizabeth Gate, into the grounds, and explore Kew via the power of the pedal, with live entertainment dotted around. It's open to all ages, but note that all children aged four and over must be able to ride independently to take part, and under-fours must be secured in a BS standard child seat or trailer. 7 August
Family-friendly exhibitions in the summer holidays
MAKING EGYPT: The Young V&A's second major exhibition is Making Egypt, telling the story of the north African country from Ancient Egypt to the modern day. Objects on display range from a 3,000-year-old wooden funerary boat to a Lego model of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Naturally given its location, it's child-friendly. Until 2 November
ROBOT ZOO: A robotic rhino, a squid with 18-foot tentacles and a huge housefly with a vacuum cleaner for a mouth are among the oversized, mechanical animals on display at Horniman Museum's Robot Zoo. The animals are made from familiar machine parts and gadgets, to show how animals are adapted to live their lives, such as how a chameleon changes colour, what makes grasshoppers leap so high and why a platypus looks so strange. Until 2 November
PIRATES: Get ye to the National Maritime Museum for an exhibition about pirates, and sail through their depictions in pop culture (Long John Silver, Captain Jack Sparrow...) before getting stuck into the story of real-life pirates. It's recommended ages seven+, and with plenty of artefacts to view and some tough issues such as the slave trade tackled, it's more suitable for older kids and teens. Until January 2026
SPACE: The Natural History Museum's current blockbuster exhibition, Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth? asks whether there could be life on other planets, gives you the opportunity to touch a piece of Mars, wrap your hands around a fragment of the Moon and snap a selfie with the Allende meteorite — which is older than Earth itself. Recommended age eight+. Until February 2026
Free things to do in London in the summer holidays
PLAYGROUNDS: If the weather's playing ball, you can count on a playground to bring a smile to children's faces — and they're usually free! Check out our map of playgrounds in central London: there are more than you might think, and many are located handily near tourist attractions so you can burn off some excess energy on a day out.
TUSK TURTLE TRAIL: Barely a school holiday goes by in London without a free sculpture or art trail popping up, and this time it's the Tusk Turtle Trail. 16 sculptures of the aquatic reptiles are dotted around locations including Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and Carnaby, each individually designed by artists and celebrities, including musician and Tusk ambassador Ronnie Wood and photographer Rankin. Exact dates and details TBC at time of writing. FREE, July-August 2025
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL: On first glance, the crowds and noise of Notting Hill Carnival don't seem all that kid-friendly. But don't forget that the Sunday is normally family day, with a children's carnival and parade, before things ramp up on bank holiday Monday. Though it's the calmer day of Carnival, it can still be a fairly intense experience, with crowds, lots of noise, and often queues for toilets, food and drink, so may not be suitable for all kiddies, particularly younger ones. FREE, 24 August
GDIF: Greenwich+Docklands International Festival is back towards the end of the school holidays, with two weeks of free outdoor theatre and performing arts. Though the programme isn't specifically designed for kids, there are usually plenty of family-friendly events to enjoy. FREE, 22 August-6 September
MUSEUMS: Plenty of London's museums are free entry all year round, and while you may have to pay for temporary exhibitions, there's generally plenty to entertain all ages in the permanent collections. Try the Science Museum for aeroplanes, Natural History Museum for animals, and London Museum Docklands for the Mudlarks interactive gallery. Check booking requirements before you go, and be aware that you may have to queue during school holidays.
FREE MAZE: Ever been to the Brent Lodge Park Millennium Maze? It's constructed of 2,000 yew trees, has been around for more than two decades, and is free to visit. It's a 10-minute walk from Hanwell station on the Elizabeth line, and there's a free playground and Hanwell Zoo (small entry fee) right next door.
Family-friendly day trips from London this summer
Fancy getting out of London for a day or two? Take a look at our Beyond London section for inspiration. Particularly family-friendly ideas include:.
- SEASIDE: A classic day trip for all ages, find yourself a classic seaside resort or beach near London to visit in either Kent, Sussex or Essex.
- WINNIE THE POOH: A visit to the real-life Hundred Acre Wood in East Sussex as featured in AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh books.
- SLIDES, GOATS, AND A MINI RAILWAY: Find them all at Wellington Country Park, an excellent bet for energetic kids, located near Reading.
- CASTLES: We've got them by the countyful, in Kent, Sussex and Essex. Hever Castle is a particular favourite with families.
- PYO FRUIT: Somehow, it always tastes so much better when you pick it yourself. Strawberry season tails off by the time the summer holidays come around, but have a look at our guide to PYO farms near London to see what else is ready for picking, and when.
- SUNFLOWER FARMS: Alternatively, take the whole family for a day of sunflower bothering at one of these dazzling sunflower farms near London.
