School might be out, but there’s plenty going on in London this summer to keep little ones entertained. Here’s our top picks to keep your minis busy…

Playhaus | Until 27 August

Lifestyle store Cissy Wears has teamed up with London’s creative childcare agency CocoRio on a summertime creative club for kids aged 4-8. Held at Cissy Wears’ stylish Coal Drops Yard store, sessions will run from 2-4pm every Tuesday. There will be a DBS-certified childcare provider with a second childcare assistant present, so you can drop off your little ones and have some childfree time nearby. Each session will Each session will follow a unique creative learning framework.

cissywears.com

Twist Museum | Ongoing

You might have spotted this on Instagram, and if you haven’t made it to this museum of illusions yet, it’s a good one to bookmark for a rainy day. Developed in collaboration with artists, neuroscientists and philosophers, it’s an immersive and sensory experience that little ones will love.

twistmuseum.com

Theatre on Kew: The Dream Fairies – Adventure to Bubble Land | Until 1 SeptemberSeptember

Theatre on Kew has teamed up with the Australian Shakespeare Company for this magical daytime production. Little ones are invited to dress up, as they join Tinkerbell and the fairies from A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream on their adventure to ‘Bubble Land’, surrounded by the stunning scenery at Kew Gardens.

kew.org

Enchanted breakfast with Ariel | Saturday July 27th

The perfect way to kick off the summer holiday for princess-mad little ones, Dreami Play Cafe in Hackney will be hosting a magical breakfast with Ariel from the Little Mermaid on Saturday July 27th. As well as breakfast, there will glitter face paint, lots of one-on-one time with the princess, and also a show with signing and dancing.

dreami.uk

Pond Dipping | Every day in summer holidays

Nature-mad little ones will love the London Wetland Centre’s pond dipping sessions this summer. Free and on every day, the centre has everything you’ll need for mini-beast hunting – from nets and trays to identification charts.

wwt.org.uk

Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms | Until 8 September

A summer favourite at the Southbank Centre is back. Running over the school holidays, Jeppe Hein’s water fountain installation can be found on the Riverside Terrace, Level 2. Shooting jets of water create ‘rooms’ that disappear as quickly as they pop up.

southbankcentre.co.uk

Create! Studio for familes: Squeeze | Ongoing

Create! Studio at the Young V&A is holding family workshops over the summer with different monthly themes. i July’s session, ‘Squeeze’, invites families to make and play with salt dough, creating squishy sculptures using a variety of materials.

vam.ac.uk

Children’s Puppet Festival 2024 | 2 August – 1st September

The Little Angel Theatre’s OFFIE Award Winning Children’s Puppet Festival returns this summer. The programme will feature a wide range of puppetry for young audiences.

littleangeltheatre.com

Playday | 7 August

In a celebration of playfulness, The Design Museum will host a day of immersive activities for all ages and abilities. The event is suitable for ages 3+ and there will be drop-in activities from 11am – 4pm.

designmuseum.org

Yayoi Kusama: Pumpkin | Until 3 November

Yayoi Kusama’s tallest bronze pumpkin sculpture to date will be standing proud at the Round Pond in Kensington Gardens this summer. A visual feast for little ones, it also makes a great starting point to talk about environment with older kids. Make sure you swing by the Diana Memorial Playground whilst you’re there.

serpentinegalleries.org

Family Celebration Day: A Museum Takeover | 28 July

Museum of the Home is hosting a Family Celebration Day to celebrate the opening weekend of their new gallery, ‘Rooms Through Time 1878-2049’. There will be lots of activities for little ones to enjoy, including live music and performances throughout the day.

museumofthehome.org.uk

Fish and Chips by Jellycat | From 15 July

A playful pop up at Selfridges, visit Jellycat’s ‘Fish and Chip’ shop featuring four brand new and globally exclusive culinary characters inspired by the British dish.

selfridges.com

Barbie^®: The Exhibition | Until 23 February 2025

Celebrating the 65th anniversary of the iconic doll, this major exhibition features 250 remarkable objects, with rare dolls dating from 1959 to the present day. Dreamhouses, vehicles, and furniture all feature in the show, which will delight fans big and small.

designmuseum.org

Festival of Fairytales | 4 August

For children aged 4-10, this new event at the Garden Museum will feature pop-up performers, craft workshops, storytelling, music, and circus performances. There’s a dress code of ‘Woodland Creatures’, and there will also be a BBQ from the Garden Café.

gardenmuseum.org.uk

Family Festival: Generations of Play | 10 August

Dulwich Picture Gallery are hosting this family-friendly event on August 10th. There will be printmaking, glitter face painting, badge making, origami, and more.

dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

Terrible Thames | Until 16 August

Departing from Tower Bridge Quay (beside the Tower of London), this immersive theatre experience delivers a unique take on London. Horrible Histories will take you on a journey of the history of the Thames, with gruesome stories of King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Julius Caesar, Queen Boudicca, and many more.

terriblethames.com

Pavilion Family Day | Sunday 21 July

Designed by Minsuk Cho, Mass Studies, this free event for families will have hands-on activities throughout the day. Creative workshops include a K Pop dance class, experimental drawing, and paper folding.

serpentinegalleries.org

Monster Funfair | From 20 July

Created by author Nadia Shireen, this immersive adventure at the Discover Children’s Story Centre takes you through a magical fairground of attractions – from a dinosaur laser maze, to a rollercoaster slide. For little ones aged 0-8.

discover.org.uk

Music Jerk n’ Tings | 10 August

This celebration of Caribbean culture will take place across the Horniman Museum and Gardens Bandstand on 10 August. As well as music and entertainment, there will be a bouncy castle, carnival headdress making workshop, animal walk, and children’s crafts and activities.

horniman.ac.uk