July 2025: What's on London with kids

Forget just ice cream and paddling pools. For true London cool, the city’s serving a smorgasbord of unexpected fun to keep you and the kids curious this summer.

Party with a neon leopard, play speed chess with Grand Masters, race Lego spy cars, whirl through a Bollywood ceilidh or charm dragons at Tate. Roar with digital dinosaurs, see swords clash inside a Saxon camp, or step into a pirate mutiny, complete with cannon fire. Meet Dame Jacqueline Wilson, witness street artists in action, and admire masterpieces by kids.

Read on for my pick of the quirkiest, most playful adventures from London’s cultural and community gems this July.

June was one big exhale. I took the month off Instagram, and ended up watching 29 films instead! We snuck in some comfort hits too: a birthday snuggle at the kitten lounge at Java Whiskers Cafe, more button-mashing in Power Up at the Science Museum (which was blissfully quiet on a sunny day), and our annual pilgrimage to Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum (now closed). I even squeezed in a solo visit to see new works by longtime fave artist at Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur at the Wallace Collection. Now, on with newsletter!

London’s best family-friendly museum days, theatre shows, and cultural outings -curated for busy parents. If you love this newsletter, so will your friends.

Universal Credit Days Out Update!

I’ve given my Universal Credit Days Out guide a big glow-up. It’s the UK’s most detailed round-up of £1 tickets and big discounts, from castle ramparts to zoo treetops. Please share it with your school or nursery newsletter so more families can have a super summer, on a shoestring budget.

Click here 🔗 Universal Credit Days Out from £1 (2025 + UK map) to find out how to save (with discounts for even those not on benefits).

The newest additions include:

• Free entry to Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse;

• £1 annual ticket for Henry Moore Studios & Gardens;

• £1 tickets for Hillsborough Castle and Gardens;

• £3 tickets to HMS Belfast and Eureka! Science + Discovery;

• £4 tickets for BFI Southbank;

• £5 adult / £1 child tickets to Weald & Downland Living Museum;

• £7 tickets for Dudley Zoo; and

• £10 Standby tickets for weekday performances at Chichester Festival Theatre.

And if you stumble across a hidden gem I’ve missed, holler! I’m always hungry for new treasures to share.

July 2025: What’s on London with kids

Feeling that summer holiday panic creeping in? Don’t fret. I’ll be sending out even more ideas soon, but for now check out my big roundup of 100+ epic things to do with kids in London. I’m still adding new gems, so keep checking back.

On with all of this month’s delights:

1. Young V&A Summer Festival, E2: Watch Mimbre’s acrobatics, hula hoop magic from The Majorettes and dance by Do Things Different. Create giant tactile sculptures with Look Then Leap, build big blue block structures, design bold costumes or craft paper bead jewellery. 5 July 2025. Free, drop in. SEND Festival on 6 July 2025.

2. Family & Youth Area at Pride in London, Victoria Embankment Gardens, WC2: A joyful space for LGBTQ+ families, packed with stage shows, Olly N Pop, stilt walkers, roaming magicians, Lego play, face painting, badge-making, Scouts activities and mindfulness tents. 5 July 2025. Free, drop in. The best place to catch the parade with kids is at the very start (the north side of where Piccadilly meets Old Park Lane).

3. I Want My Hat Back Trilogy at Polka Theatre, SW19: Three hilarious hat-based tales come to life with ingenious cardboard sets and Jon Klassen’s beloved characters. Join Bear, Little Fish and the turtles for a wildly funny, imaginative adventure. A Little Angel Theatre production, with Ian Nicholson and Sam Wilde. 9 July-10 August 2025. Paid, book. Ages 3-8.

4. Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Lightroom, N1: Be transported in this 360° digital immersive experience. From scorching deserts to soaring skies and deep oceans, encounter life-size dinosaurs at the most dramatic moments of their lives. 9 July-2 November 2025. Paid, book. Find out how to get £5 Universal Credit tickets. Ages 3+.

5. Hetty Feather Day at Foundling Museum, WC1: Celebrate Hetty Feather with Dame Jacqueline Wilson herself at this special talk and book signing. Hear excerpts, get your books signed, and join a drop-in art workshop. 12 July 2025. Paid, book. Ages 7-13. My 22 year old still remembers this annual event fondly!

6. Golden Age of Piracy Living History Weekend at Old Royal Naval College, SE10: Sail back to the 18th century for a weekend of pirate life. Meet costumed rogues, hear sea shanties, watch sword fights and cannon fire, explore encampments and join in mutiny tales. 12-13 July 2025. Paid, book. Universal Credit discounts available.

7. Summer in the Park at Greenwich Park, SE10: Live music, circus workshops, immersive theatre, and hands-on art. Enjoy She’Koyokh’s vibrant Middle Eastern sounds, sketching and clay at Sally McKay’s Free Drawing Project, whimsical deep-sea storytelling and Bollywood ceilidhs. 12-13 July 2025. Free, drop in.

8. Whitecross Street Party, EC1: Watch live street artists transform the street with bold murals, enjoy music, dance and spoken word across multiple stages, and dive into activities for all ages - last year’s included free film screenings and space-hopper racing. 12-13 July 2025. Free, drop in. 

9. Henry VIII’s Joust at Hampton Court Palace, KT8: Cheer on gallant knights as they clash in epic horseback battles, spot falconry displays, and maybe even catch Henry VIII himself. Includes palace entry, the maze, Great Hall and Magic Garden. 12-13 & 19-20 July 2025. Paid, book. Find out how to get £1 Universal Credit tickets.

10. ChessFest in Trafalgar Square, WC2: We love this annual event! Aimed at families, with free lessons, giant boards, speed chess battles, blindfold matches, live game re-enactments and appearances from top grandmasters including Nikita Vitiugov and Harriet Hunt. 13 July 2025. Free, drop in.

11. I Spy Family Day at the National Archives, TW9: Calling all mini agents! Create ciphers and disguises, fold secret origami, race Lego spy cars, meet WWII agents and more in this action-packed day inspired by MI5. 13 July 2025. Paid, book. Ages 6+.

11. Play Make Do at the Barbican Centre, EC2: Join this joyful summer festival of creativity with sari kite making, circus skills, salsa dancing and a giant paper playground. Expect aerial shows in the conservatory, storytelling, drama camps and playful drop-ins. Select dates 13 July-16 August 2025. Mixture of paid/free. Book.

12. Young Artists’ Summer Show 2025 at the Royal Academy of Arts, W1: Back for its seventh year, inspire your little ones with brilliant works by young creatives aged 4-18, selected by artists and arts pros. 15 July-10 August 2025, closed Mondays. Free, drop in.

13. Pavilion Family Day at Serpentine Pavilion, W2: Create, play and explore at this joyful day of hands-on activities and performances, set in Marina Tabassum’s stunning pavilion. Bring a picnic and soak up the summer vibes on the lawn. 19 July 2025. Free, drop in. Full programme to be announced.

14. Family Dance Day at Coram’s Fields, WC1: The Place’s dance extravaganza features maypole and hip hop mash-ups, juggling ballet, and high-energy routines from SAY’s the album: skool edition. Plus interactive storytelling with ShayShay and creative dance workshops. 19 July 2025. Free, drop in.

15. Thunder, Crackle and Magic at Tate Modern, SE1: Step onto Monster Chetwynd’s wild Turbine Hall sets, from beast-charming on Dragon Island to facing wind, fire and water in Tested by the Elements. Costumes, puppets and playful stagecraft await. 19 July-25 August 2025. Free, drop in. Ages 5+.

16. Future of Food at Science Museum, SW7: Explore the past, present and future of what we eat. From a 3,500-year-old loaf to lab-grown steaks and cricket burgers, discover how science is shaping tomorrow’s meals to protect the planet. 24 July 2025-4 January 2026. Free, book. Ages 7+.

17. The Triumph of Art in Trafalgar Square, WC2: Join artist Jeremy Deller for a joyful finale to the National Gallery’s Bicentenary. Expect a Bacchanalian procession, live music, playful performances, creative workshops and a big birthday tea party celebrating art’s power to bring us together. 26 July 2025. Free, some parts ticketed.

18. Æthel's Town: Saxon Encampment and Reenactment at Canbury Gardens, KT2: Smell the forge fires, hear swords clash and falcons cry as you roam a lively Saxon camp. Meet farm animals, join river parades, watch live battle reenactments, and see blacksmiths at work. 26-27 July 2025. Free, drop in. Part of Kingston 2025.

19. Dreamstate by Ministry of Stories at Shoreditch Town Hall, EC1: Party with a neon leopard, uncover strange plants and get lost in tiny nostalgic worlds in this choose-your-own adventure installation, created with 112 young imaginations. 28 July-2 August 2025. Free, book.

The following events are on my book ahead radar:

1. East Summer School at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20: Free masterclasses from the cultural powerhouses in East Village. Includes ABBA Voyage stage production, photography and printing at V&A East, roller skating, radio production, hip hop dance, and game design. For 12 to 17-year-olds from Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest. 28 July-8 August 2025. Free, book. Booking closes 11 July 2025.

2. Summer Family Days at Westminster Abbey, SW1: Go on a space adventure, solve top-secret missions, or discover wild creatures hidden in the Abbey in their free family days. Dates are Stars and Planets (29 & 31 July 2025); Covert and Classified (12 & 14 August 2025); and Wild Westminster (26 & 28 August 2025). Free, book. Tickets released 9 July 2025. Ages 3+.

3. Summer Cycle at Kew Gardens, TW9: For just a few hours a year, you can pedal through Kew Gardens on this magical evening ride. Explore themed trails, join expert tours, try a scavenger hunt with prizes, and refuel at pop-up food hubs. Bikes available to hire (pre-book advised). 7 August 2025. Paid, book.

4. Battle of Britain Air Show at IWM Duxford, CB22: Step back to summer 1940 and watch Spitfires, Hurricanes and more soar over historic Duxford. Enjoy vintage music, dancing, living history groups and family activities, all marking the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. 6-7 September 2025. Paid, book.

And if you’re looking for arts without the ankle biters, here’s my picks for culturally curious grown-ups this month:

1. The Power of Drawing at the Royal Drawing School, EC2: See drawings by Tracey Emin, Tim Burton, Es Devlin, Thomas Heatherwick, Norman Foster, and even His Majesty the King, celebrating 25 years of the Royal Drawing School. 1-26 July 2025. Free, book. I’ll be popping to this one in my next free lunch break!

2. More than Human at the Design Museum, W8: Rethink design beyond human needs in this major exhibition exploring how we can live and thrive alongside other species. Featuring over 140 works, from octopus art by Shimabuku to Julia Lohmann’s immersive seaweed world and pollinator-inspired tapestries. 11 July-5 October 2025. Paid, book.

3. Virtual Beauty at Somerset House, WC2: Explore how AI, social media and virtual worlds shape our self-image and redefine beauty. Featuring 20+ artists including ORLAN, Amalia Ulman and Minnie Atairu, with interactive installations, avatars and AI portraits that challenge traditional ideals. 23 July-28 September 2025. Pay What You Can. Not suitable for under 15s.

Tempted by anything from this list? Hit reply and let me know what you think of these recommendations! I use all feedback to help me select events for future newsletters.

July 2025: What’s On for Under 5s

Tiny trailblazers, this one’s for you - here’s June’s best picks for under fives!

1. Play Studio - Dream Worlds at Tate Britain, SW1: Inspired by surrealist ways of thinking and making, create costume collages, note down your dreams and explore life lessons hidden in tarot cards based on artworks on view at Tate Britain. Opens 5 July 2025. Free, drop in.

2. Wigs and Wiggles at Handel Hendrix House, W1: Wiggle, sing and dance to Baroque beats in this playful concert for under 5s. Featuring Francesca Ter-Berg (cello) and Flora Curzon (violin) with soulful Yiddish tunes and sing-along fun. 6 July 2025. Paid, book. Under 5s.

3. Tuesday Tots - Toddle Waddle Storytelling at the Garden Museum, SE1: The last Tuesday Tots of the term! Hear Julia Donaldson’s Toddle Waddle, then head outdoors to gather leaves for nature-inspired crowns and bracelets. 8 July 2025. Free, drop in on first-come, first-served basis. Under 5s.

4. Storytelling with Margaret Bateson-Hill at Museum of the Order of St John, EC1: Dance, sing and dive into enchanting stories at this super-friendly museum. 9 July 2025. Free, book. Under 3s and Under 5s sessions.

5. Little Feet: Ancient India Animal Adventure at British Museum, WC1: Craft floral headdresses, sculpt lotus flowers, meet elephant-headed Ganesha and roar with lion-faced Simhamukha. 10 July 2025. Free, book museum entry. Under 5s. Might be the final session before the programme is cancelled.

6. Mini Mondays: Food adventures at London Museum Docklands, E14: Discover the sights, sounds and smells of foods from across the world in these sensory musical adventures combining nursery rhymes, music and storytelling. 14 July 2025. Free, book. Tickets go on sale on 7 July 2025 at 10:00. For Babies (8 weeks-crawling) and Toddlers (walking-age 4).

7. Baby & Toddler Fairy & Pixie Meet and Greet at Whippersnappers’ Victorian Park Keepers Lodge in Dulwich Park, SE21: Interactive sensory theatre. After a fairy potion greeting and song, choose your wings, create lavender bags, decorate fairy cakes with Sugar Plum Fairy, explore the "Wyld Woods" and enjoy immersive storytelling. 15-16 & 18 July 2025. Paid, book. Under 3s.

8. Mini Morris Garden Party at William Morris Gallery, E17: Go on a flower hunt, play outdoor games and make a giant flower inspired by the Gardens to take home. With singing and snacks. 17 July 2025. Free (donations welcome), just turn up. Ages 2-5.

9. Saturday Snappity - Henri Matisse Workshop at Kingston Museum, KT1: Learn all about colours as you make bold, abstract collages inspired by Matisse. Plus stories, toys and songs to keep the fun rolling. 19 July 2025. Paid, book. Under 5s.

10. Animal Adventures at Polka Theatre, SW19: Crawl, splash and wiggle through this sensory storytelling workshop inspired by Jon Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back Trilogy. Meet Bear, Little Fish and the Turtles, and explore their magical habitats with touch, sound and props. 23 July 2025. Paid, book. Ages 0-4.

Spotted a fab play session for curious toddlers? Send it my way and help grow my cultural playgroup directory.

Weekend events 5-6 July 2025

Still stuck for this weekend? These last-minute ideas have you covered - check the links for all the info!

1. Family Fun Day at Barnard Adventure Playground, N1. 5 July 2025.

2. Midsummer’s Daydream Family Rave with Big Fish Little Fish at Horniman Gardens. 5 July 2025.

3. Happy Streets Festival at Thessaly Road, SW8. 5-6 July 2025.

4. The Cally Festival, N1. 6 July 2025

5. London Youth Games Community Sport Festival, E20. 6 July 2025.

That’s all for now. I’ll be back in a few weeks with my summer holiday guide. I haven't decided yet if it will be weekly or a one-off, but either way I’ll pack it full of ideas to keep you and the kids exploring all summer long.

Until then, don’t sweat it,

Please check listings before heading out. Events can change or be cancelled at short notice; and, despite my best efforts, sometimes I make mistakes.