The Ultimate Guide to Summer in London with Kids: 50 Brilliant Things to Do (2026)
Introduction
The summer holidays are one of our favourite times of year in London. The city comes alive with family festivals, open-air theatre, immersive experiences and brilliant days out, making it the perfect time to explore somewhere new.
Whether you're entertaining toddlers, planning adventures with school-aged children or looking for memorable family experiences during the holidays, we've rounded up 50 of the very best things to do in London with kids this summer.
Some are family favourites we've loved ourselves, while others are firmly on our own summer bucket list. Wherever possible, we've shared our honest thoughts to help you decide what's really worth booking.
🎭 Theatre & Live Shows
1. Alice in Wonderland
📍 Riverside Studios (16 July–2 August) & Soho Theatre Walthamstow (5–16 August)
👶 Ages 4+
Back by popular demand after previous sell-out seasons, this magical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic returns to London this summer. With colourful costumes, enchanting puppets and larger-than-life characters, it's a wonderful introduction to theatre for younger children.
We saw this previously and both of my daughters absolutely loved it. It was imaginative, funny and one of those shows that keeps the whole family entertained from beginning to end.
2. Arthur
📍 Polka Theatre, Wimbledon
📅 20 June–9 August
👶 Ages 6+
A brand-new musical adventure inspired by the legend of King Arthur, following Grace as she's transported back to Camelot to help Merlin on an unforgettable quest. Polka Theatre consistently produces excellent children's theatre, making this one well worth considering.
3. Brainiac Live
📍 Garrick Theatre
📅 26 July–30 August
👶 Ages 6+
Science has never been so entertaining. Following its Olivier Award-winning success, Brainiac Live returns to the West End with explosive experiments, audience participation and spectacular demonstrations that children (and adults) won't forget in a hurry.
This looks like one of the most interactive family shows of the summer.
4. Zog Live
📍 Cadogan Hall
📅 Summer 2026
👶 Ages 3–7
We're so excited to see this ourselves. We've loved every Julia Donaldson stage adaptation we've watched, and they're always brilliantly pitched for younger children with familiar stories, catchy songs and lots of laughs.
If your little one adores Zog, we'd definitely have this on your shortlist.
5. Dog Man: The Musical
📍 Southbank Centre
📅 30 July–16 August
👶 Ages 5+
Firmly on our family's summer bucket list. My seven-year-old is already counting down the days!
Based on Dav Pilkey's bestselling books, Dog Man promises music, comedy and plenty of action, making it one of the biggest family theatre shows arriving in London this summer.
6. Horrible Histories: Awesome Egyptians
📍 NEON at Battersea Power Station
📅 27 July–13 September
👶 Ages 5+
History comes to life at Battersea Power Station this summer as the hilarious Horrible Histories team joins the spectacular Ramses and the Pharaohs' Gold exhibition.
Families can explore more than 180 ancient Egyptian artefacts before enjoying a laugh-out-loud interactive show featuring gruesome facts, audience participation and the legendary Mummy Rap. It's a brilliant combination of theatre and history.
7. The Enormous Crocodile
📍 Lyric Hammersmith
📅 Summer 2026
👶 Ages 4+
Roald Dahl's famously greedy crocodile arrives on stage in this colourful family production. Packed with music, humour and larger-than-life characters, it's a fantastic choice for younger primary-aged children.
8. British Library: Fairy Tales
📍 British Library
📅 Throughout summer
👶 Ages 4+
A beautifully curated exhibition celebrating fairy tales from around the world through original manuscripts, illustrations and interactive displays. It's a lovely option for children who enjoy stories and imagination.
9. Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape
📍 Little Angel Studios
📅 Until 19 July
👶 Ages 5+
Dermot O'Leary's much-loved children's book makes its stage debut in this charming production from Little Angel Theatre. Expect puppetry, music and plenty of adventure.
10. Little Angel Theatre Children's Puppet Festival
📍 Little Angel Theatre
📅 28 July–30 August
👶 Various ages
Returning for its fourth year, Little Angel Theatre's much-loved Puppet Festival brings together an exciting programme of performances, including The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Club Origami, Puffling Percy and more.
If you've never visited Little Angel Theatre before, summer is a wonderful time to discover it.
11. Whatever the Weather
📍 Unicorn Theatre, London Bridge
📅 3 July – 16 August
👶 Best for: Ages 2–6
Designed especially for younger children, Whatever the Weather is a beautifully created immersive playscape where little ones are encouraged to explore, imagine and play alongside their grown-ups. Inspired by ideas from local children, the interactive space celebrates sunshine, rain, snow and everything in between through creative play.
Unlike a traditional theatre performance, children are free to move around, discover the different environments and engage at their own pace. It's a lovely introduction to theatre for toddlers and preschoolers, making it a wonderful choice for younger families this summer.
🏛️Museums Worth Visiting with Kids
London is home to some of the best museums in the world, and many of them are completely free to visit. While the thought of spending a day in a museum with children might not immediately appeal, these are far from quiet galleries where little ones have to tiptoe around.
From climbing aboard historic ships and riding London's underground Mail Rail to hands-on science experiments and interactive storytelling, these are museums where children can play, explore and learn without even realising it.
Whether you're looking for a brilliant rainy-day activity or somewhere to escape the summer heat for a few hours, these are the museums we'd happily recommend to other families.
12. Science Museum
📍 South Kensington
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: All ages
One of London's best free family days out, the Science Museum is somewhere we've visited time and time again as our children have grown. There's genuinely something for every age, from hands-on play for little ones to fascinating galleries and interactive exhibits for older children.
If you're visiting with younger children, don't miss The Garden, the museum's brilliant interactive gallery for children aged 3–6, where they can explore water, light, sound and construction through play. It's incredibly popular, so we'd recommend booking a timed slot in advance. Older children will also love Wonderlab, where live demonstrations and interactive exhibits make science feel genuinely exciting.
13. Natural History Museum
📍 South Kensington
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: All ages
The Natural History Museum has been a firm favourite in our family since the children were toddlers. They've always loved seeing the dinosaurs, and even now it's still one of the first places they ask to visit whenever we're in South Kensington.
From the moment you step into the spectacular Hintze Hall beneath the iconic blue whale skeleton, it's easy to see why it's one of London's most-loved museums. Best of all, it's completely free, making it a brilliant family day out whatever the weather.
14. The Postal Museum
📍 Clerkenwell
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: Ages 3–10
One of London's hidden gems for families, The Postal Museum offers so much more than you might expect. Climb aboard Mail Rail, the miniature underground railway that once transported letters beneath the streets of London, before exploring the museum's interactive galleries.
This summer, don't miss The Jolly Postman, a charming exhibition celebrating 40 years of Janet and Allan Ahlberg's much-loved children's book. Families can step inside the story and follow the Jolly Postman's delivery route as they meet familiar fairy-tale characters along the way.
If you're visiting with younger children, it's also worth booking Sorted!, the museum's fantastic indoor postal-themed play space. Sessions are timed and very popular during the school holidays.
15. Young V&A
📍 Bethnal Green
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: Babies to 12 years
Designed entirely with children in mind, the Young V&A is one of London's most inspiring museums for families. Interactive galleries encourage children to design, build, create and play, making it feel more like an adventure than a traditional museum.
Whether your child loves dressing up, getting creative or building their own inventions, there's plenty to keep curious minds entertained.
16. National Maritime Museum
📍 Greenwich
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: All ages
Perfect for little explorers, the National Maritime Museum brings Britain's seafaring history to life through interactive galleries, family trails and hands-on exhibits.
One of the highlights for younger children is Ahoy!, the museum's fantastic interactive gallery where little ones can climb aboard a ship, load cargo and immerse themselves in life at sea through imaginative play. My girls absolutely loved it, and we'd definitely recommend booking a timed slot in advance to guarantee entry—it's well worth it and one of the best children's spaces in any London museum.
17. Cutty Sark
📍 Greenwich
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: Ages 5+
Step aboard one of the world's most famous historic sailing ships and discover what life was really like for the sailors who travelled across the globe. Children love exploring the decks, standing beneath the ship's magnificent copper hull and hearing stories about its incredible voyages.
It's easy to combine with the National Maritime Museum for a brilliant family day out in Greenwich.
18. Discover Children's Story Centre
📍 Stratford
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: Ages 2–8
If your children love books, this is somewhere they won't want to leave. Discover Children's Story Centre combines imaginative play spaces, storytelling sessions and interactive exhibitions inspired by much-loved children's books.
It's one of London's best places to nurture a love of reading while letting imaginations run wild.
19. Horniman Museum & Gardens
📍 Forest Hill
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: All ages
A brilliant family day out that combines a museum, aquarium, gardens and outdoor adventure all in one place. The Horniman has always been a favourite in South London, and this summer there's even more to explore thanks to the brand-new Kusuma Nature Play, an imaginative outdoor play space inspired by the natural world.
Alongside the aquarium and fascinating natural history collections, there are family trails, seasonal activities and plenty of space for children to explore outdoors. If you're looking for somewhere that feels a little different from the larger central London museums, this is well worth the trip.
20. London Transport Museum
📍 Covent Garden
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: Ages 3+
If you have a child who loves buses, trains or anything with wheels, the London Transport Museum is hard to beat. Little ones can climb aboard historic vehicles, take the controls of interactive exhibits and discover how London has moved through the decades.
It's one of those museums that's just as enjoyable for adults as it is for children.
21. Museum of London Docklands
📍 Canary Wharf
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: Ages 4+
Often overlooked by visitors, the Museum of London Docklands tells the fascinating story of London's historic docks through immersive galleries and family-friendly displays.
The museum runs an excellent programme of workshops and activities during the school holidays, making it well worth checking what's on before your visit. It's also a great excuse to explore Canary Wharf afterwards, where you'll find waterside walks, public art and plenty of family-friendly places to eat.
✨ Experiences
Looking for something a little different this summer? From stepping into Paddington's world and wandering through colourful dreamscapes to solving mind-bending optical illusions and exploring the ocean's depths, these experiences offer something beyond a traditional family day out.
Whether you're planning a special treat or looking for a brilliant rainy-day activity, these are the experiences we'd happily recommend.
22. The Paddington Bear™ Experience
📍 County Hall, South Bank
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: Ages 3+
One of our children's favourite experiences in London. From the moment you step inside, you're transported into Paddington's world as you help prepare for the Marmalade Day Festival, travelling through beautifully themed rooms inspired by the much-loved stories.
It's immersive without ever feeling overwhelming for younger children, and our three absolutely loved it. If your little ones are Paddington fans, this is one we'd happily recommend.
23. Bubble Planet
📍 Wembley Park
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: Ages 3+
Bubble Planet is exactly what it sounds like—colourful, playful and packed with interactive experiences that children can explore at their own pace. Expect giant bubble rooms, immersive projections, ball pits and plenty of opportunities to climb, crawl and play.
We had such a fun time here as a family. Our favourite room was the giant bubble bath, which the children absolutely loved. It's one of those attractions that's full of little moments of surprise, making it just as enjoyable for adults as it is for children.
24. Twist Museum
📍 Oxford Street
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: Ages 5+
If your children love optical illusions and interactive experiences, Twist Museum is a brilliant addition to your London itinerary. Home to more than 80 exhibits exploring the science behind illusion, every room encourages you to get involved, making it just as much fun for adults as it is for children.
Don't forget your camera—you'll leave with some brilliant family photos and plenty of "how did that happen?" moments.
25. House of Dreamers
📍 Immerse LDN, ExCeL Waterfront
📅 Until 30 September 2026
👶 Best for: All ages
One of London's newest immersive attractions, House of Dreamers invites families to wander through a series of beautifully designed dream-like worlds filled with colour, light, music and interactive installations. Every room is completely different, making it an experience that encourages children to explore with curiosity and imagination.
If you're looking for something a little different this summer, this is one of the capital's most talked-about new experiences.
26. SEA LIFE London
📍 County Hall, South Bank
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: All ages
Home to thousands of incredible sea creatures, SEA LIFE London is always a hit with younger children. From sharks and stingrays to playful penguins and colourful tropical fish, there's plenty to keep little explorers entertained.
Interactive displays, feeding talks and the spectacular Ocean Tunnel make it a brilliant family day out whatever the weather, particularly if you're already spending the day exploring the South Bank.
27. Shrek's Adventure! London
📍 County Hall, South Bank
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: Ages 4+
Hop aboard Donkey's magical 4D flying bus before stepping into the world of Far Far Away, where you'll meet favourite DreamWorks characters including Shrek, Princess Fiona and Puss in Boots.
Packed with live actors, interactive storytelling and plenty of laughs along the way, it's a great choice for younger primary school children.
28. Timewalk at Immerse LDN
📍 ExCeL Waterfront
📅 Open daily
👶 Best for: Ages 8+
If you've got older children or teenagers, Timewalk offers a completely different type of family day out. Combining storytelling, live actors, virtual reality and impressive special effects, it takes visitors on a journey through some of history's most fascinating moments.
It's immersive, educational and unlike a traditional museum, making it a great option for families looking for something a little different.
🌳 Outdoor Adventures
When the sun is shining, there's nowhere quite like London. From world-famous gardens and wildlife encounters to adventure playgrounds and hidden green spaces, these outdoor days out are perfect for making the most of the summer holidays.
Whether you're planning a full day out or simply looking for somewhere to let little ones burn off some energy, these are some of our favourite places to enjoy the great outdoors.
29. London Zoo
📍 Regent's Park
👶 Best for: All ages
London Zoo has been one of our favourite family days out for years and somewhere we return to time and time again. From the lions and gorillas to Penguin Beach, there's so much to see that you can easily spend an entire day here.
If you're visiting with younger children, don't miss ZooTown. Our children absolutely loved it and could easily have spent hours there. We'd definitely recommend pre-booking your ZooTown session during the summer holidays as it's incredibly popular.
30. Kew Gardens
📍 Kew Gardens
📅 Theatre on Kew: 18 July – 23 August 2026
👶 Best for: Ages 4+
Kew Gardens is always a wonderful family day out, but this summer there's even more reason to visit with Theatre on Kew returning with a family-friendly production of The Wind in the Willows.
We visited Kew's open-air theatre last summer and it was genuinely one of our favourite evenings of the holidays. Sitting on a picnic blanket surrounded by the gardens while watching live theatre felt incredibly special, and we're sure this year's production will be just as magical.
Even if you're not visiting for the theatre, Kew is one of our favourite outdoor days out in London, with beautiful gardens to explore, a fantastic children's play area and plenty of space for little ones to run around.
31. Diana Memorial Playground
📍 Kensington Gardens
👶 Best for: Ages 2–10
Inspired by the adventures of Peter Pan, the Diana Memorial Playground has long been one of London's best-loved playgrounds. With its enormous wooden pirate ship, sensory trail, teepees and plenty of space to climb and explore, it's somewhere children can happily spend hours.
It's free to visit and easy to combine with a walk through Kensington Gardens or a visit to Kensington Palace.
32. Battersea Park Children's Zoo
📍 Battersea Park
👶 Best for: Toddlers & younger children
If you're looking for a smaller, more relaxed alternative to London Zoo, Battersea Park Children's Zoo is a lovely choice. Home to monkeys, meerkats, otters and farm animals, it's perfectly sized for younger children and easy to explore in a couple of hours.
Its location within Battersea Park also makes it easy to combine with the adventure playground, boating lake or simply a stroll through one of London's loveliest parks.
33. Coram's Fields
📍 Bloomsbury
👶 Best for: Ages 2–11
A true hidden gem in central London, Coram's Fields is a seven-acre park designed exclusively for children and families. With adventure playgrounds, sand pits, sports pitches, a small city farm and plenty of open space, it's the perfect place to let little ones run free.
One of the things we love most is that adults can only enter if they're accompanied by a child, so it always feels incredibly family-friendly.
34. Holland Park Adventure Playground
📍 Holland Park
👶 Best for: Ages 3+
One of London's best adventure playgrounds, this huge play space features climbing frames, giant slides, zip wires and plenty of equipment for children of all ages.
Afterwards, take time to explore Holland Park's beautiful Kyoto Garden—it's one of London's most peaceful hidden corners and a lovely place to slow the pace after a busy morning of play.
35. Crystal Palace Dinosaurs
📍 Crystal Palace Park
👶 Best for: All ages
Travel back in time as you discover the famous Victorian dinosaur sculptures hidden around Crystal Palace Park. Although they may not be scientifically accurate by today's standards, they're full of charm and always capture children's imaginations.
It's a fantastic free day out, especially for dinosaur-loving little ones, with plenty of open space to explore afterwards.
36. Little Venice & Puppet Theatre Barge
📍 Little Venice
👶 Best for: Ages 4+
One of London's most charming hidden gems, the Puppet Theatre Barge offers magical puppet performances aboard a converted barge moored in Little Venice.
Before or after the show, take a stroll along Regent's Canal or hop on a canal boat to Camden to turn it into a full family adventure.
37. Richmond Park
📍 Richmond
👶 Best for: All ages
Famous for its free-roaming deer and ancient woodlands, Richmond Park feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of central London. One of the best parts of a visit is spotting the deer from a safe distance as they roam freely across the park – it's always a magical moment for children.
With miles of walking and cycling trails, beautiful picnic spots and plenty of open space to explore, it's the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a day outdoors together as a family.
38. Greenwich Park & Royal Observatory
📍 Greenwich
👶 Best for: All ages
With its sweeping views across London's skyline, Greenwich Park is one of the capital's most beautiful green spaces. Families can climb to the Royal Observatory, stand on the Prime Meridian and then spend the afternoon exploring the park's wide open spaces.
It's easy to combine with the National Maritime Museum and Cutty Sark to create a brilliant family day out in Greenwich.
39. Vauxhall City Farm
📍 Vauxhall
👶 Best for: Toddlers and younger children
A little slice of the countryside in the heart of London, Vauxhall City Farm is home to friendly goats, alpacas, sheep, rabbits and guinea pigs, making it a brilliant day out for younger animal lovers. Entry is donation-based, making it one of London's best-value family attractions.
Alongside meeting the animals, little ones can explore the gardens and enjoy one of London's oldest city farms, just a short walk from the River Thames. It's a lovely, more relaxed alternative to a larger zoo and perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
☀️ Summer Holiday Events
One of the best things about summer in London is that the city comes alive with pop-up events, outdoor performances and family experiences that are only here for a few weeks. If you're visiting during the school holidays, these are the seasonal highlights we'd recommend adding to your diary.
Many are free to enjoy, while others are well worth booking in advance.
40. Buckingham Palace Summer Opening
📍 Buckingham Palace
📅 10 July – 27 September 2026
👶 Best for: Ages 6+
For just a few weeks each year, visitors have the rare opportunity to step inside Buckingham Palace and explore the magnificent State Rooms used by the Royal Family for official occasions.
If your children are fascinated by kings, queens and castles, it's a memorable way to experience one of London's most iconic landmarks and one that's only possible during the summer months.
41. Summer in Battersea Park
📍 Battersea Park
📅 Summer 2026
👶 Best for: All ages
One of South London's biggest family events of the summer, Summer in Battersea Park brings together live entertainment, family performances, creative workshops and plenty of activities for children to enjoy. It's a brilliant excuse to spend the day exploring one of London's most beautiful parks.
If you're already planning to visit Battersea Park Children's Zoo, it's well worth checking whether your visit coincides with the festival.
42. Summer at the Southbank
📍 South Bank
📅 Throughout the summer holidays
👶 Best for: All ages
The South Bank is one of our favourite places to spend a summer's day in London. Along the riverside you'll find street performers, pop-up food stalls, family-friendly restaurants and plenty of places to stop for an ice cream.
Tucked beneath Waterloo Bridge is the famous Southbank Book Market, where I love rummaging through the shelves for second-hand books, while my older two can happily spend ages watching the incredibly talented skateboarders practising tricks in the graffiti-covered skate park opposite.
This summer, don't miss Jeppe Hein's Appearing Rooms (17 June – 31 August), an interactive water installation where walls of water appear and disappear to create ever-changing "rooms". It's part artwork, part splash park and one of London's most iconic summer experiences.
43. Dinosaur World Live
📍 Wembley Park Theatre
📅 28 July – 6 September 2026
👶 Best for: Ages 3+
Enter a prehistoric world filled with remarkably lifelike dinosaurs, including a Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops and Giraffatitan. With plenty of audience participation and interactive moments, it's guaranteed to delight little dinosaur fans.
44. Tower of London
📍 Tower Hill
👶 Best for: Ages 5+
Summer is a wonderful time to visit the Tower of London. Join a famous Yeoman Warder tour, marvel at the Crown Jewels, spot the legendary ravens and uncover almost 1,000 years of fascinating history.
Children will love the stories of kings, queens and prisoners, making this one of London's most memorable historic days out.
45. Hampton Court Palace
📍 East Molesey
📅 Summer holidays 2026
👶 Best for: Ages 4+
Hampton Court Palace always puts on a fantastic family programme during the school holidays. This summer, families can enjoy Beano's Summer Havoc, alongside interactive trails, games and activities inspired by the palace's incredible history.
It's a brilliant way to bring history to life while keeping little ones entertained.
46. Serpentine Family Days
📍 Kensington Gardens
📅 June – August 2026
👶 Best for: All ages
If your family enjoys getting creative, the Serpentine Family Days are well worth adding to your summer plans. Expect free workshops, artist-led activities, performances and hands-on experiences inspired by the gallery's latest exhibitions.
It's a lovely opportunity to introduce children to contemporary art in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
47. Summer Splash at Royal Victoria Dock
📍 Royal Victoria Dock
📅 Summer holidays 2026
👶 Best for: All ages
When temperatures rise, Summer Splash is one of London's best places to cool off. Families can enjoy the supervised lido, children's paddling area and sandy urban beach, creating a holiday atmosphere without leaving the city.
Perfect for a hot summer's day.
48. Granary Square Fountains
📍 King's Cross
👶 Best for: All ages
With more than 1,000 choreographed fountains, Granary Square is one of London's best places for children to cool off on a warm summer's day. Bring a towel and a change of clothes—you'll almost certainly need them.
Once everyone has dried off, Coal Drops Yard is just a short stroll away with plenty of family-friendly cafés and restaurants. Looking for even more places to cool off? Don't miss our guide to the best splash parks in London.
49. Wandsworth's Big Play Out
📍 Battersea Park
📅 27–31 July 2026
👶 Best for: Ages 5–11
Designed especially for primary school-aged children, Wandsworth's Big Play Out is five days of hands-on activities, live performances and creative play in the heart of Battersea Park. Expect everything from dinosaur walkabouts and animal encounters to Nerf battles, dance workshops, storytelling and silent discos, with all activities included in your ticket.
50. V&A Madejski Garden
📍 V&A South Kensington – John Madejski Garden
📅 Throughout Summer 2026
👶 Best for: All ages
Tucked away in the V&A's peaceful courtyard, the John Madejski Garden is a hidden gem for families looking to escape the bustle of London. Children can paddle in the shallow water feature on warm days, while parents relax among the greenery or enjoy a coffee from the café overlooking the garden. With free entry and plenty of space to unwind, it's the perfect stop between museum galleries or after exploring nearby South Kensington.
Whether you're planning a weekend in the capital, entertaining the children over the school holidays or simply looking for a new family adventure, we hope this guide has inspired you to discover somewhere new.
From world-class museums and spectacular theatre shows to outdoor adventures, immersive experiences and seasonal events, London is packed with brilliant things to do with children whatever their age.
