We’re right in the middle of the long summer holidays, and finding fun activities to keep the kids entertained can be a real challenge. Here are some of the best school holiday activities for children in London.
School holidays are great. A time free from the constraints of early mornings, homework and general rushing around. But for parents, they can pose the dilemma of how to entertain their children for weeks on end; inquisitive little people who are full of energy need to keep busy during the holidays. Thankfully there are tons of fun and engaging ways to do that all over London.
Including fascinating new exhibitions designed especially for kids, creative workshops that tap into their artistic or musical talents, state-of-the-art sports classes, soft-play adventures and outdoor exploring, there are so many marvellous experiences to see, book and try with children of all ages. And don’t forget the excellent holiday camps that offer childcare as well as plenty of fun for when mum and dad need to do that annoying (but necessary) thing called ‘grown up work’.
These are our recommendations to make the school holidays full of memories – whatever your child’s interests.
Exhibitions and Museums
Mars interactive at Space Could Life Exist Beyond Earth. CREDIT Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London.jpg
Natural History Museum
Touch an actual piece of Mars, grasp a fragment of the Moon and see the Allende meteorite (which – at 4.567 billion years old – is even older than Earth) when you visit the Natural History Museum’s newly opened exhibit Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth? Discover planets and the solar system as you question if we are alone in the universe while designing your very own space mission. Perfect for those aged eight and up.
The British Library
Younger children will love the new Story Explorers: A Journey Through Imaginary Worlds at the British Library. Running all the way to January 2026, this free exhibition invites families to explore three fantastic worlds as they head deep into the jungle, dive under the ocean and blast off into space while uncovering not just stories and books, but the many wonderful objects the library is also home to on this clever, interactive activity trail. While you are there, pop into the Family Station (on the last Sunday of every month), located on the upper ground floor, which has plenty of creative resources – be sure to find a cosy corner to settle down and read with your little ones.
Popcorn! at Whitechapel Gallery. Jenny Pengilly, Film for Foley workshop 2025
Photo: Anne Tetzlaff
Whitechapel Gallery
For many years the Whitechapel Gallery has been making contemporary art accessible and engaging to a diverse audience through its unique programme, and the latest new participatory exhibition, Popcorn!, encourages all ages to explore the sonic world through their voices, bodies and props. This unusual exhibition is inspired by sound designers who produce the sounds we hear in films, television programmes and video games that can’t be recorded live on set, often using surprising objects and inventive methods such as bubble wrap in place of popcorn, shaking leather gloves to mimic flapping wings, and snapping celery to replicate the sound of breaking bones. Get hands on with a range of cool props to make your very own acoustic adventure and record it in the onsite studio.
Moco Museum
For a day out that will appeal to teens (and their parents) check out the Robbie Williams Solo Exhibition: Radical Honesty at Moco Museum in Marble Arch. Taking an in-depth look at the singer’s life, expect never-before-seen work that he has been creating for nearly two decades. From his early career in Take That through to the present day, this exhibition charts the ups and downs of the pop star’s life and his remarkable art of reinvention.
Creative Workshops and Classes
The V&A
It’s hard to beat the V&A when it comes to wonderful family-friendly workshops. The museum runs extensive school holiday programmes with a host of hands-on experiences inspired by joy and storytelling. Over one Saturday in August and one in September, Make it: Party Accessories explores what it means to be a designer, as well as a special sensory storytelling session inspired by the Young V&A collection objects, for children with sensory differences or SEND and their families throughout August. The museum itself provides a great selection of drop-in and bookable sessions for all ages of kids throughout the year.
Mini Picassos
Mini Picassos, based in North London, has a fantastic timetable of art classes for children as young as one. They run sessions throughout all the school holidays where kids can find themselves painting abstract self-portraits, making cardboard robots or sculpting clay dinosaurs. They offer private art tuition too, and can work with complete beginners right through to those studying A-level art.
Blackheath Conservatoire
For more artistic inspiration check out the Blackheath Conservatoire. A magical creative hub, they put on art and music classes for children aged 0 to six. During the summer, they have courses from three to 14 year olds. This year’s art themes include exploring the oceans (Let’s Visit the Bahamas!) to Groovy Californian Tie Dye, and many many more where travel tie in with art. Music classes spread across instruments from Brass to Guitar as well as a Make a Musical! Workshop. Plenty of fun for plenty of ages.
Young Film Academy
Budding Steven Spielbergs will love the Young Film Academy workshops and camps. From one-day classes to week-long residentials, the YFA is the UKʼs leading provider of filmmaking courses for children. Based in central London, the expert team of professionals will teach kids everything from editing and production to lighting and directing. Get in touch to book into their school holiday sessions. Prices start at £165 for a day course.
Sports and Exercise
Tennis
Summer is the perfect time to get kids into tennis and there are so many clubs and classes for children all over London. For very little ones Teddy Tennis is a great option. They run fun and engaging lessons that are specifically designed to keep those as young as three interested by using props and music. Get older kids and teens on the court with the LTA Youth Courses that operate all over the country, with many in and around London. This junior tennis programme is designed for kids aged four to 18 and each lesson is packed with dynamic games and skill-building activities to help improve balance, agility and coordination. From complete beginners to more advanced players, there is a coaching session to suit everyone.
Fitness and Wellness Classes
For truly inspiring kid’s fitness and wellbeing classes that even toddlers can join, look to TARKA. Founded in 2016 by a former soldier, the company aims to develop children’s physical, emotional and social skills by championing military values in their classes which focus on teaching respect, confidence, independence and teamwork through incredibly fun exercises and games. Kids from 18 months to seven years can take part in 45-minute sessions. Guardians have to stay with younger age groups, but older kids can be dropped off to enjoy a diverse range of activities that will help with their coordination, balance and strength. There’s a weekly timetable but also school holiday camps that run at locations in Chelsea, Clapham, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill, Marylebone, Fulham and Daylesford in the Cotswolds.
Indoor Fun
Battersea Power Station
Jurassic World: The Experience is the immersive indoor adventure to have with kids this summer. Located within the brand-new NEON at Battersea Power Station this state-of-the-art entertainment experience brings one of the biggest blockbuster franchises in cinema history to life for dinosaur fans. Walk amongst prehistoric giants and get a (scarily) close look at countless different species across two floors packed with iconic images and interactive displays and giant models inspired by the movies. Kids will love exploring the lab of genetic development, coming face to face with Blue the famous velociraptor and even getting to meet the most vicious dinosaur of them all, the tyrannosaurus rex. There is also the opportunity to interact with baby dinosaurs as well as studying actual fossilised dinosaur bones.
Soft Play
If the weather isn’t looking good, but your kids need to burn off some energy, jump in the car and head to Kidspace. With two enormous venues (either Croydon or Romford) these award-winning soft play areas are the crème de la crème of indoor fun and – as you would imagine – suitably packed with kids charging around exploring the many different play zones. Climbing walls, mini-golf, go-karts, ball pits and enormous slides and tunnels are all in the mix. Billed as suitable for anyone under 13, there is also a multi-sensory area for toddlers so it is possible to take a range of ages, but it’s older kids who will get the most out of this action packed place.
Crazy Boules
You’ve no doubt heard of crazy golf but the latest funky sport to open in London is Crazy Boules, combining traditional boules with obstacles, themed lanes, and interactive challenges. All set against the backdrop of a 1980s arcade, players work their way around a cleverly designed course filled with ramps and jumps. It’s ideally best suited to those aged over five, but kids under 18 are welcome until 9pm. It’s also worth noting that Crazy Boules is located within the excellent Mercato Metropolitano food market where you’ll find over 40 independent food stalls and many child-friendly restaurants.
Play Cafe
For an indoor spot that is both entertaining for very little ones and aesthetically pleasing to parents, check out Macaroni Penguin, a space that hails itself as being designed for children to have fun, and for adults to relax – the holy grail of soft play. Scandi-chic design combined with high-quality play structures and a focus on sensory experiences make this café and play area a hit. Located on two sites, one within Battersea Power Station and the other at East London’s Royal Wharf, there are classes such as baby yoga to book into or just enjoy a cuppa while your toddlers safely potter around.
The Great Outdoors
Gardening
Gardening is a pastime that little children love – all that mud and messy play. So book them into the wonderful Little Green Fingers classes at Fulham Palace where they can have a go at planting seeds, picking veggies and learning more about what flowers need to grow. Set in a beautiful walled garden, the hands-on sessions run throughout the summer for those aged three and up and you can also enjoy the 13-acre garden and new play area too. Growing Space also offers gardening classes for older children in central London locations, helping them to have a deeper appreciation of nature while enjoying transforming an urban garden. They run classes throughout the school holidays.
Go Ape
Swing through the trees at Go Ape, an elevated adventure playground that thrill-seeking children will love. With a variety of tree-top and forest-based activities, a day out here involves high ropes courses, zip lines and soft play. While older kids will make the most of the more daring challenges – some of which will require them to be accompanied by an adult depending on their age – little ones are not left out as those as young as four can take part in activities on the ground. There are 37 Go Ape sites in the UK and several in and around London.
A Guided Tour of London
Warm, sunny days are perfect for outdoor adventures and exploring. Get to know London and its history better with a family friendly guided walking tour. Book a private three hour outing with Pinocchio Tours and set off along the capital’s streets, uncovering hidden secrets, stories and thrilling facts with a knowledgable guide who will answer questions and engage with youngsters as you go along. From Big Ben and Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, expect to cover all the most iconic landmarks. Or if you have a little (or big) wizarding fan ask for the Magic of Harry Potter Tour which takes you to the many famous locations used in the much-loved movies.
Theatre
Cubic Theatre
As part of the new Transported by Culture initiative, the Transport Explorers: A Live Show runs throughout the holidays at the museum’s very own on-site Cubic Theatre in the heart of Covent Garden. A high-energy, hilarious adventure, this comedy features science demos and audience interaction during a 60-minute show that takes kids on a journey through amazing moments in London’s transport history, from world-changing innovation in the 1800s to smart solutions for modern-day transport problems.
The West End
Throughout August, make the most of the West End and hundreds of shows with Kids Theatre Week where a child aged 17 and under goes free when accompanied by an adult paying full price. Plus, an additional two children can attend for half price. Kids Week performances run throughout the summer holidays and select shows are offering tickets for September performances too (but you need to book before 31 August 2025.) From 101 Dalmations to Back To The Future, its a great way to engage the best of London’s theatre while they’re on holidays.
Holiday Camps
Camp Beaumont
Activity camps that run throughout the school holidays are a godsend for working and busy parents. Offering a plethora of organised fun – from swimming lessons and den building to arts and crafts, fitness challenges and mindfulness sessions – this well thought out and excellently delivered childcare provision is useful for mums and dads and jolly good fun for their kids. Many also offer the option to book for single days instead of full weeks so you can dip in and out depending on your needs. Camp Beaumont has locations all over the UK, many in and around London, that have been running for decades. All staff are trained and fully DBS checked so you can be sure your kids are in good hands. With drop off from 8am and collection as late as 6pm, they run daily programmes for those aged three up to teens. Think your kids will fancy Mini Olympics or Spy School? At Camp Beaumont they can do both – and a whole lot more as well.
Supercamps
SuperCamps has been running school holiday camps for over 20 years and operates in some excellent venues such as independent schools like Wimbledon High, Putney High and Brighton College Prep, making the most of their fantastic facilities. There’s LEGO play, cookery classes, multi sports and the chance to train with coaches from top football clubs like Chelsea. The age range is from four to 14 and you can simply select the sessions and days that suit when booking.
Sharky & George
Sharky & George really are in a league of their own when it comes to entertaining kids. The legendary children’s party planners instinctively know what makes youngsters tick and how to ensure they get the very most from every activity. With highly skilled staff who clearly love working with children, they have created a school holiday club that children pester their parents to book them into. The camp is for those aged five and over and is located in CAS Halls in Parsons Green – so it means if the sun is shining everyone heads outside for some fresh air and games on the green. Expect a super-cool themed timetable with things like ‘Survival Day’ which is an action-packed adventure where the children will learn essential survival skills, with fire making, den building and marshmallow roasting. Or ‘Festival Fever’ where the crew bring Glastonbury-esque vibes to Fulham with flower headband making, mega dance offs, music video making and sing alongs.
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