Raising children in London is an expensive business, even more so when it’s the summer holidays and you need to try and find things to entertain , engage or maybe even educate.
We’ve pulled together a list of some of the best things that we could find to do over those long 6 weeks or so that are free or cost very little.
Have a happy-and stress free summer!
Museums-
SO much more than huge old buildings full of things you can’t touch. Many if not all museums run classes or events year round. Here’s a rundown of the best:
- Be amazed at the Natural History Museum: Meet a roaring T-Rex and feel the ground shake on the earthquake simulator.
- Step into the past at the Ragged School Museum: See what life was like for the poor and destitute children of London’s East End during the late 1800s.
- Enjoy seafaring tales at the National Maritime Museum: Stoke the boiler of a steamship in the AHOY! Children’s gallery.
- Spend hours at the British Museum: Be wowed by the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.
- Get interactive at the Science Museum: Spot space rockets and giant steam engines, and enjoy hands-on activities.
- Explore the collections at the newly refurbished Young V&A: See childhood objects and take part in daily activities, including storytelling and crafting.
- Learn about London’s trade at the Museum of London Docklands: Step into Sailortown, a reconstruction of 19th-century London.
- Find quirky exhibits at the Wellcome Collection: Discover Napoleon’s toothbrush and Darwin’s walking stick.
- Explore the Horniman Museum and Gardens: Meet the gigantic overstuffed walrus and more weird and wonderful exhibits.
- Taylor Swift trail at the V&A Visiting London with any Swifties over the summer? Check out the new Songbook Trail at the V&A in South Kensington, opening on July 27 and running to September 8 – free to visit (a relief versus the cost of tickets to actually see her!)
- The National Portrait Gallery has its own Summer Family Festival events during August, including one inspired by the Tudors.
- Museum of the Home -Their purpose is to reveal and rethink the ways we live, in order to live better together. Open Tuesday to Sunday & Bank Holidays 10am to 5pm Free entry | No booking is required.
Art and Creativity
- Join free workshops at Tate Modern: Get messy with clay or engage in a drawing session at one of the many classes.
- Settle down for the National Gallery’s storytelling sessions: Fly away on a magic carpet and more in sessions for families with under-fives.
- Get creative at the Royal Academy of Arts: Encourage budding young artists to get creative with a free Art Detectives pack.
- Join us for this pilot programme that encourages invention and creativity in kids, providing them with the skills they need to succeed in a world that is changing quickly. Enrol your kid in the Creators Club Kids now, and you’ll see their imagination blossom!Join us at Kids Creators Club for a fun-filled afternoon of imagination and creativity on Aug 1st from 1:30 PM! Cost £8.83 register via eventbrite
- Time and Talents- Running one of their uper popular kids clubs over the summer holidays. Specifically for children aged 6-11 years old who live in Southwark and receive benefit-related free school meals or are part of Pupil Premium.Lunch is provided and kids are sent home with weekly food packs. Send an email to register to children@timeandtalents.og.uk
Out and about with animals
- Meet animals at Mudchute Farm and Park: Feed the cows and more at London’s largest urban park.
- Head to Vauxhall City Farm: Marvel at the funky hairstyles of its three famous alpacas, Tom, Jerry and Ben.
- Say hi to the residents at Deen City Farm and Riding School: Take home some farm produce after the little ones have played with the animals.
- Time your visit to St James’s Park: Watch the pelicans being fed every day at 2.30pm, while keeping your eyes peeled for water birds, owls, pelicans and bats too.
- Go pond dipping at Camley Street Natural Park: You can also spot birds and butterflies at this King’s Cross wildlife haven.
- Surrey Docks Farm
Council activities:
Southwark’s food and fun holiday programme:
This year, children and young people can look forward to enjoying social, active, creative activities such as mural painting, graffiti art, cooking, jewellery design, boxing, yoga, football and other sports; providing exercise, stimulation, better wellbeing, learning through play and challenging activities that teenagers will love.
Meanwhile, parents are able to work, attend appointments, or have a break from finding entertaining things for them to do. As well as this, children will have all food provided, for free.
Activities will be offered by 34 providers, running 59 programmes, meaning there are 39,780 funded places over the entire summer period (an average of 2,100 per day).These are aimed at children and young people aged between four and 16 years.
All are fully safeguarded providers, so parents can be assured of a high-quality experience for their children. There are also activities which specifically cater for children with SEND.
Find out how to register for the Southwark summer holiday childcare and food programme hereor go ahead and book via this link
Each programme will provide:
- free, nutritious and tasty food
- fun physical activity sessions
- a wide range of other exciting activities to suit different ages and personalities
- opportunities to learn more about food and nutrition for children and their families
Southwark activities for all the family:
Enjoy some active fun this summer across our leisure centres. Get involved in the holiday club at the Castle Leisure Centre or take advantage of all the great facilities available on your doorstep. There’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Find out more here
Playschemes:
Holiday playschemes provide childcare for children and young people aged between four years and 14 years (some cater to children from specific age groups within this range). You can find a full list of holiday playschemes in SOuthwark here
Just stuff-
- Free family film viewings and music events – Summer By The River What’s on | London Bridge City
- Summer reading challenge in Southwark libraries for 4 – 11 year old
- Join us at the Holborn Library (Camden) for a fun-filled day of shopping and bargains at the Pre-Loved Kids Market! Discover a treasure trove of pre-owned children’s items. At our market, you’ll find a variety of pre-loved items that are still in great condition. From adorable outfits, educational toys, books, accessories and more, there is something for every child! Get ready to browse through a treasure trove of bargains and maybe even discover some hidden gems! Whether you’re a Parent, Grandparent, Carer, or just love all things kids, this event is not to be missed. Find Out more here
Eventbrite– Maybe you’re already familiar with eventbrite- if you’ve ever booked a workshop with us you certainly will be! Well it’s actually a really good place to find a huge amount of activities in and around London (and beyond). There is a filter section so you can choose location dates and prices. Here’s one where we’ve filtered it to Free kids events next month in London
