The long sunny days of the school holidays have arrived; these are some of the best outdoor activities for children in London this summer.
Including al fresco swimming pools in the heart of the city, exciting playgrounds for all ages, and plenty of cultural experiences, these are some of the best open-air and family friendly fun things to do in London over the next few months.
Summer Splash At The Royal Docks
Summer in the city can get pretty stifling on hot days – but the good news is that you can enjoy beach vibes in central London at Royal Docks Summer Splash. Take a dip with the iconic London skyline in the background, as Royal Victoria Dock is transformed into one of London’s most unique lidos this July and August. And it’s ideal for children, with a family friendly set up that has a shallow section, sandy play areas, relaxing deckchairs and a lifeguard on duty. Those aged 10 and over might like to have a go at wakeboarding at the neighbouring water sports centre, WakeUp Docklands, too. Pack a picnic for when hunger calls, or try out one of the many cafés and restaurants nearby. And the best bit? Summer Splash is completely free. An excellent way for everyone to cool down on a hot sunny day.
The Battersea Park Children's Zoo
This wonderful children’s zoo celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and it’s not hard to see why the much-loved outdoor attraction on the south bank of the Thames is as popular as ever. Designed with inquisitive little explorers in mind, animals range from meerkats, monkeys, crocodiles and chameleons to farmyard favourites. Kids will be most enthralled by the animal experiences which offer the opportunity to get up close to donkeys, goats and armadillos, all under the watchful eye of the trained zookeepers. You’ll also learn about the natural habitat of the zoo’s inhabitants and its conservation programme, with everything tailored to engage and be understood by a young audience. There’s a vast adventure playground on site too, with diggers, sand pits, a grand wooden fort, and even a life-sized helicopter – and be sure to pop to the lovely onsite café for an ice-cream too.
LEGO Play Pavilion At The Serpentine
Arriving just in time for the school holidays, the Play Pavilion is a delightful new interactive installation in London’s Kensington Gardens – and a must-visit for LEGO fans this summer. Created by the LEGO Group, the exciting new outdoor structure is covered in millions of the famous bricks, and offers kids the chance to get hands on and creative with them (as well as to play on the slide). There are several free workshops with music curated by NTS Radio and pre-bookable sessions running throughout the summer, including fashion labs, nature walks and sports days. Once you’re done, explore all the wonderful family friendly activities in Kensington Gardens too, like the Princess Diana Memorial Playground or the Serpentine Lido which is open for public swimming.
Regents Park Open Air Theatre
Sunshine comes with a side of family friendly culture (and some ice-cream) at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. One of London’s most popular summer attractions, this glorious open air auditorium is picture perfect for sunny afternoons. Every summer they put on creative productions; this year The Enormous Crocodile returns for a second season. Based on the famous Roald Dahl tale, this toe-tapping musical has all the elements kids love in a show – puppets, music, comedy and a great story – in a relaxed child-focused environment where little ones are very much encouraged to laugh out loud. There’s a buggy park, baby changing and a great café. Afterwards, head into the Royal Park’s beautiful gardens for a run around.
Gripped London
Older kids and teens will love Gripped London, the super-cool adventure park where kids can try out high-rope courses, zip wires, speed slides and more. Set in the countryside, but just a 10-minute drive from Heathrow Airport, this adrenaline park is a great place to let of lots of steam. The high ropes course is a whopping 650-metres long, and a real highlight of the park with lots of swinging, crawling and balancing required. Or have a go at Bag Jump, where you free jump from platforms of different heights onto giant inflatable bags, taking trampoline fun to a whole new level. If that sounds a bit too challenging then opt for the treetop Net Adventure Park instead, which is for the over-fours. The minim age for a lot of the activities is seven, but participants under the age of 15 require an adult to participate with them (one adult can accompany up to four under 15s).
The Cutty Sark
Climb aboard one of the world’s most famous ships, the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. Built in 1869, this ship has led a dramatic life on the seas – it was an integral part of the tea trade and used to fend off pirates. The Victorian-era ship is now resident in London, and you can walk all around (including underneath!) it to see every part of the vessel – be sure to visit the Captain’s Cabin. Part of the Royal Museums Greenwich, there’s a whole programme of fun dedicated to families such as the Toddler Time 45-minute sessions packed with storytelling and musical activities, and the family-trail map to guide you to the key parts of the ship and explain the history of them. Afterwards, head to the nearby National Maritime Museum to uncover even more about the UK’s sea fairing history.
The Magic Garden Playground At Hampton Court Palace
Opened by the Duchess of Cambridge in 2016, The Magic Garden playground, designed with all the theatre of a medieval court in mind, is a huge hit with families. Located on the London-Surrey border, kids will love all the usual playground winners – climbing frames, slides and aerial walkways – but there are also water fountains and sandpits making this an ideal spot for hot sunny days. The most exciting feature, though, must be the 25-foot-long dragon, whose eyes turn red every hour, and steam starts to appear from its mouth. If you want to explore further, Henry VIII’s former home is a great place to learn about the Tudors and has beautiful gardens to play in, alongside its famous maze. From 25 July to 7 September, Peter Rabbit and friends will be hopping over to Hampton Court Palace too, taking families through the mischievous tales of Beatrix Potter’s characters across the sweeping gardens.
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