March 2025: What's on London with kids

I might regret calling it, but doesn’t it finally feel like Spring has arrived? Whatever the season, March packs in plenty of fun - both indoors and out. I’ve rounded up 20+ top family activities, with an additional ten just for under-5s, plus cultural gems for a child-free escape.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s, Holi and Nowruz. Ride a vintage bus, find art in a rewilded golf course or hop into Easter trails. Learn Indian and Irish dancing, get making with collage, mixing paint pigments, creating comics and writing poetry or be inspired by architecture. Catch some West End Totoro magic, a bold Macbeth in the wooden ‘O’ and discover a perfect first ballet. Scroll down for all the details on these, and more.

During half term, Museum Boy and I took on Athens in our first solo trip abroad together. Our cultural highlights included a late-night visit to the Acropolis Museum and an early morning, crowd-free climb to the Acropolis itself. In contrast, the rage room experience was terrifying - crowbars and tweens are not the one! Thankfully, things calmed down with free-to-play board games at Crystal Lotus café. We ate endless veggie-friendly food - even non-vegans will love the plant-based pastries at Holy Llama (the pistachio wheel is divine). But I’d rather forget the weather - no one told me Athens got so cold!

Museum Girl and Dad continued their cultural exploring, crafting firecrackers at the Lunar New Year Festival at London Museum Docklands, chuckling over Churchill cartoons at the Imperial War Museum, clambering around London landmark HMS Belfast, and creating cardboard robots at hands-on theatre show Boxville.

Back in London, I was wowed by the new Roden Centre for Creative Learning at the National Gallery (their opening weekend event is listed below), and puzzled over some of the decision making behind The 80s: Photographing Britain at Tate Britain.

Over on the blog, I’ve rounded up London’s Easter Egg Hunts - some which you need to book asap! And with more Easter events hatching, it’s one to bookmark for later.

For now, let’s crack on with March’s fun.

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. Hit forward.

March 2025: What’s on London with kids

1. Family Welcome Weekend at the National Gallery, WC2: The Roden Centre for Creative Learning opens! Make a hat inspired by art, mix your own colours, join a lute tour, sketch along to baroque buskers and enjoy tales from Preacher the Storyteller. 1-2 March 2025. Free. Note that spaces are limited. Some activities are drop in, for others wristbands will be given on a first-come, first-served basis from 10:30.

2. Winter Sculpture Park in Thamesmead, ​SE28: Explore a rewilded former golf course turned open-air sculpture park with 40 thought-provoking installations. 1-2, 8-9, 22-23 & 29-30 March and 12-13, 19-20 & 26 April 2025. Free, book.

3. South Asian Astronomy: Holi Show at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, SE10: Celebrate the festival of colours by learning about South Asian connections to the objects we see in our night skies in this live planetarium show. 8 March 2025. Paid, book. Ages 7+.

4. Family Workshops at Two Temple Place, WC2: Make Wonky Sculptures using newspaper and mixed media (8 March 2025), or create Playful, Passionate Poetry using phrases and words cut out of newspapers and magazines (15 March 2025). Pay what you can, book. Ages 5-12. Combine with the kids’ trail around Lives Less Ordinary.

5. My Neighbour Totoro at Gillian Lynne Theatre, WC2: The record-breaking, award-winning stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli's beloved film debuts in the West End. It’s probably the Museum Family’s favourite theatre show ever. 8 March-2 November 2025. Paid, book.

6. Playing Shakespeare with Deutsche Bank: Macbeth at The Globe Theatre, SE1: A fast-paced, 90-minute Macbeth, specially created for young audiences. War, prophecy, and ruthless ambition collide in Shakespeare’s timeless tale of power and betrayal. 13 March-20 April 2025. Paid, book. Short enough to brave a £5 groundling ticket! Aimed at secondary aged children.

7. Festival of The Future: Family Fun at RIBA London, W1: Build large-scale shelters inspired by the Serpentine Pavilions, create dream city projects, discover urban superhero powers, and enjoy interactive songs and stories about architecture led by Paul Rubinstein. 15 March 2025. Free, register.

8. Pop up Performance: Kuchipudi Indian Dance Workshop at V&A Museum, SW7: Join Arunima Kumar for a lively, interactive family session exploring Kuchipudi, one of India’s most celebrated classical dances. Watch, learn, and move to the rhythm. 15 March & 29 April 2025. Free, drop in. Arrive early - sessions fill quickly!
   

9. The London Festival of Railway Modelling at Alexandra Palace, N22: One of the UK’s biggest model railway exhibitions, featuring 35+ top layouts hand-picked by The Model Railway Club. A must for train lovers, big and small! 15-16 March 2025. Paid, book. Ages 5-16.
   

10. St Patrick’s Day: Celebrate with live music, circus performers, Irish dancing, arts and crafts, mural colouring and bodhrán and soda bread baking workshops at Camden Market’s St Patrick's Day Festival (15 March 2025; free, drop-in/some pre-book). Or dance the day away with traditional music, a family ceilidh and more Irish dancing at Big Penny Social, E17 (16 March 2025; paid, book).
    

11. National Lottery Open Week: Flash your lottery ticket (or scratch card) for free and discounted entry to top heritage spots! London highlights include free entry to Florence Nightingale Museum, Charles Dickens Museum, Osterley Park and House, Eltham Palace tours, and 50% off Hampton Court Palace and Tower of London. 15-23 March 2025. Book/drop in.
    

12. Nowruz Family Day at Lauderdale House, N6: Celebrate (or introduce) Persian New Year to your little ones with Haft-sin colouring and a Persian-inspired tile craft. 16 March 2025. Free, drop-in. Plus free Haft-Sin Trail around Waterlow Park, 8 March-3 April 2025.
    

13. Beegu at Unicorn Theatre, SE1: A lost alien, a big world, and the search for friendship. A heartwarming stage adaptation of Alexis Deacon’s modern classic, packed with charm, adventure, and big feelings. 22 March-4 May 2025. Paid, book. Ages 3-7.
    

14. FUNharmonics: The Snail and the Whale at Southbank Centre, SE1: Set sail with the London Philharmonic Orchestra as the beloved children’s adventure book comes to life with live music and a singalong moment. 23 March 2025. Paid, book. Ages 5+. Arrive at 10:00 for extra activities with the orchestra!
    

15. MAKING COMICS TOGETHER at Stanley Arts, SE23: Join Neill and Logan Cameron for a fun, interactive workshop packed with robots, aliens, donuts, and big laughs as you create comics as a team. 23 March 2025. Free, book. Tickets released 1 March 2025 at 12:00. Ages 7-14.
    

16. Rip & Stick: Family Collage Workshop at 125 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2: Get ripping, cutting, and sticking with artist Ludovica Gioscia in this playful workshop. Use bold wallpaper fragments from her archive to create something unique. 23 March 2025. Free, book. Ages 5-12. Part of Sorry About the Mess exhibition programme.
    

17. Easter trails: Get a head-start on the Easter madness with the London-wide charity sculpture trail The Big Egg Hunt (24 March-27 April 2025, free) and The Lindt GOLD BUNNY Hunt at Hampton Court Palace, KT8 (29 March-21 April 2025, paid, £1 Universal Credit tickets available). Find more London Easter egg hunts in my comprehensive guide!
    

18. Route 19 Heritage Day: Hop on a free vintage bus (1950s-70s) and ride from Finsbury Park to Battersea Bridge via Islington, Chelsea & the West End. Just wave it down at any Route 19 stop and grab an old-school conductor’s ticket! 29 March 2025. Free, drop in.
    

19. Pirates at National Maritime Museum, SE10: Heroic rascals or ruthless criminals? Uncover the brutal reality behind pirate life in this major new exhibition, exploring real-life swashbucklers, pop culture legends, and the modern-day impact of piracy. 29 March-4 January 2025. Paid, book. Recommended for ages 10+. £2 Universal Credit tickets available.
    

20. Mother’s Day events: Enjoy 241 entry on the Golden Hinde, SE1 (drop in). Further afield, there’s free entry for any mother figures at Weald and Downland Living Museum (book). And here’s one for the bucket list - indulge in a champagne afternoon tea on board Concorde at Brooklands Museum (book, ages 16+). 30 March 2025. Paid.

Like to plan ahead? Here’s some upcoming family-friendly events to book now:

1. Collaborative Storytelling with Artbox at Goldsmiths CCA, SE14: Cut, shape, and create collaborative comic books in this hands-on storytelling workshop led by artists Violet and Mark. Inspired by Galli’s drawings, explore narrative, colour, and shared creativity. 5 April 2025. Free, book.

2. My First Ballet - Swan Lake at Peacock Theatre, WC1: A shortened, child-friendly take on Tchaikovsky’s classic, with a narrator, beautiful costumes, and enchanting dancing - the perfect first ballet experience! 16-27 April 2025. Paid, book.

3. The Lion Inside at Queen Elizabeth Hall, SE1: A joyful stage adaptation of the best-selling book about confidence, courage, and finding your roar. Featuring puppetry, music, and song. 16–20 April 2025. Paid, book. Ages 3+.

4. Horniman Spring Fair at Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23: Live music, crafts, bubbles, street food, circus skills, and fete games. Join the Easter bonnet parade and explore spring in the blossom-filled gardens. 19 April 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 and beyond:

1. Piccadilly Unplugged: For three nights only, the West End becomes a cosmic playground, with late-night galleries, immersive installations, and exclusive dining experiences - all curated by Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian. 6-8 March 2025. Free, book/drop in.

2. Curator’s Tours at Two Temple Place, WC2: Join Curator Samantha Manton on an exclusive guided tour of Lives Less Ordinary: Working-Class Britain Re-seen. Explore the themes and inspirations behind one of London’s best exhibitions to see right now. 10 and 20 March 2025. Paid, book.

3. The Women of Llanrumney at Stratford East, E15: Set in 18th-century Jamaica, this searing yet witty new play exposes Wales’s role in slavery through the lives of women who benefited, suffered, and resisted. A powerful must-see following its sell-out, five-star run at Sherman Theatre. 19 March-12 April 2025. Paid, book.

4. From Crime Scene to Courtroom: A Guided Tour of Forensic Psychology at St. James' Hatcham Church, SE14: Step inside the world of forensic psychology - profile suspects, examine evidence, and navigate parole decisions through real case studies and interactive activities. Includes an expert Q&A panel (20 March only) and a welcome drink. 19 & 20 March 2025. Paid, book.

5. Grayson Perry - Delusions of Grandeur at Wallace Collection, W1: The largest contemporary exhibition in the museum’s history features 40+ new works by Grayson Perry. Explore ceramics, tapestries, and digital art, questioning craft, perfection, authenticity, and the gendering of decoration. 28 March–26 October 2025. Paid, book.

Been there, done that? I want to hear all about it - hit reply or tag me on Instagram! I use your feedback to help me decide what to feature in future newsletters.

March 2025: What’s On for Under 5s

1. Design Baby: Sculpt and Play at V&A Museum, SW7: Explore, create, and connect with unusual materials in a child-led, open-ended outdoor play space. 5 March 2025. Free, book. Ages 0-3.

2. Fantastic Flags with Artburst at Museum of the Order of St John, EC1: Crafting, storytelling, singing, and dancing featuring Artburst action songs and classic favourites. Includes free play time after the session. 12 March 2025. Free, book. Under 3s and Under 5s.

3. Little Feet: Investigate Science Week at British Museum, WC1: A hands-on science adventure exploring X-ray imaging, metals, textiles, and colour. Plus, create a rainbow decoration to take home. 13 March 2025. Free, drop in. Under 5s.

4. Bing’s Birthday at artsdepot, N12: Expect songs, surprises, and puppetry magic in this joyful live stage show for little Bingsters. Party outfits encouraged! 15-16 March 2025. Paid, book.

5. Early years studio: people and portraits at Royal Academy of Arts, W1: A child-led creative session exploring reflections, emotions, and expressions through play, textures, and materials in a relaxed, sensory space. 19 March 2025. Free, drop in. Arrive early - spaces fill fast! Under 5s.

6. Saturday Snappity at Kingston Museum, KT1: A rare chance to nab tickets for this themed adventure session filled with stories, crafts, and nursery rhymes, bringing Kingston’s history to life for little ones. 22 March 2025. Paid, book.

7. OAE TOTS at LPO FUNharmonics: A Watery Adventure at Southbank Centre, SE1: Make a splash with musicians from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in this fun, hands-on workshop exploring water-themed music. 23 March 2025. Paid, book. Combine with Funharmonics: The Snail and the Whale Concert.

8. Sensory Celebration at London Museum Docklands, E14: March in a holiday parade, create traditional crafts, and move to festive music in an interactive sessions exploring holiday traditions with Playworker Amber. 29 March 2025. Free, book. Baby (8 weeks-crawling) or toddler (walking-4 years). Tickets released 26 March 2025 at 10:00.

9. Under 5’s Day at Keat’s House, NW3: Explore this historic house with toys, crafts, refreshments, and space to relax, making it easier to enjoy with babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers. 29 March 2025. Paid, book/drop in.

10. Little Night at Unicorn Theatre, SE1: A magical, interactive world where tiny hands bring shifting shapes and colours to life. This sensory fairytale adventure is designed for curious toddlers by Imaginart. 29 March-19 April 2025. Ages 18 months-4 years. Paid, book.

Find even more cultural Under 5s play sessions in this blog post.

Weekend events 1-2 March 2025

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

1. World Book Day Costume Crafts with London College of Fashion at Discover Children’s Centre, E15. 1 March 2025.

2. Family Art Fun Day - Fantastical Hat Crafting at Turf Projects, CR0. 1 March 2025.

3. Build a Tiny Van-Gogh Inspired Lego Sunflower Artwork at Lego Stores, including Battersea SW11, Leicester Square W1, Stratford E20 and Westfield W12. 1 & 2 March 2025.

4. Clay Gnome Making at the Garden Museum, SE1. 2 March 2025.

5. Arcadia: Seeds of Change at Centrale Shopping Centre, CR0. 2 March 2025.

I’ll be back with April events later this month - but I’m always around for questions, feedback and chat via my inbox or Instagram DMs.

Until then, enjoy Spring?!

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