June 2024: What's on London with kids

We’re all Juned up and everywhere to go. The (British) summer is here, and with it comes plenty of family-friendly festivals, fetes, and general fun happenings.

This newsletter features 20 things to do in June, suggests 10 things for Under 5s, a handful of events to book ahead, and mentions a few more happenings this weekend.

How was your half term? We escaped London for a week in the Lake District. Despite the mixed weather, and the pothole-induced emergency tyre change, we had a fantastic time. Highlights included the tour and bobbin making demonstrations at Stott Park Bobbin Mill (yes, really!); cruising along Lake Windermere to The World of Beatrix Potter and Windermere Jetty Museum; a gingerbread-powered walk up to Easedale Tarn from Grasmere and a burrito-fuelled walk to see Stockghyll Force waterfalls; and hunting for sculptures in Grizedale Forest. One day I’ll share more about the Lakes, but for now I’ll focus on finishing this newsletter!

June 2024: What’s on London with kids

1. London Gallery Weekend sees live tours, artist talks and more at 100s of commercial art galleries across the capital - including special Sunday openings. Download the Children’s Guide for your own exploring, or attend a special family event at Larkin Durey, SW1 (1 June 2024, book) or A.I., E1 (2 June 2024, book). Free, book/drop in.

2. The E17 Art Trail returns for its 20th year. Kid-friendly highlights include the Curious Wilds drop-in forest school (1 June 2024), making a Green Man of the Marshes (2 June 2024), screen printing your own Angry Dan map (2 & 16 June 2024), a stay and play with clay, printing and textile art (8 June and 15 June 2024) and a Singing for Sanity' sing-along (15 June 2024). Free, book/drop in.

3. Design a WWII glider, partake in make-do and mend crafts and build a Normandy beach in the sand at D-Day 80 Family Weekend at RAF Museum London, NW9. Plus 1940s-themed live music, and Swing Dancing workshops. 1-2 June 2024. Free, drop in.

4. Revel in architecture and city-making in The London Festival of Architecture throughout June. Family highlights include Monster Mayhem at Wood Street Mall (3-9 June 2024), Play Place at Leicester Square Gardens (14-28 June 2024) and Your Future City with The London Interdisciplinary School (22 June 2024). Free/paid; drop in/book.

5. London’s OG art-meets-water-fountain Jeppe Hein's Appearing Rooms re-appears on the Riverside Terrace outside Royal Festival Hall, SE1. 5 June-8 September 2024, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Free, drop in.

6. This year’s Serpentine Pavilion, W2 includes a pyramid-shaped Play Tower with a bright orange netscape for visitors to climb and interact. 7 June-27 October 2024. Free, drop in.

7. Make fidget spinners, paint a mural, try Thai boxing, and explore hands-on science with chemistry labs, robots and researchers in Festival of Communities by Queen Mary University of London at Stepney Green Park, E1. 8 June 2024. Free, drop in.

8. From cycle skills to vegetable sculpting, there’s something for all ages in Lambeth Country Show. Enjoy street food, funfair rides, workshops, performances, live music and exhibits from floral art to scarecrows. 8-9 June 2024. Free, drop in.

9. You’re at the right place to mark D-Day 80 with Battle of Britain Bunker, UB10. Eighty years ago, its Operation Room co-ordinated air cover to support the liberation of Europe. Its packed commemorative event includes family crafts and a climbing wall. 8-9 June 2024. Paid.

10. Celebrate South Asian music, food and artistry in DAYTIMERS Festival at the Horniman, SE23. Enjoy eco-printing, indigo ink intentions and block printing workshops, plus chai tasting, arts and crafts stalls, dance performances and live music. 9 June 2024. Paid, book.

11. The Great Get Together at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 promises live music, dance, face-painting, sports day activities, and delicious food to celebrate East London talent and the Olympic legacy. 15 June 2024. Free, drop in.

12. Create leaflets, posters, and tote bags to share your cause in LSE Festival Family Day, WC2. Plus LEGO building, interactive storytelling, and face painting. 15 June 2024. Free, book.

13. It’s hard to pick just a few family highlights from Great Exhibition Road Festival, SW7 but I’ll try. Drive Mars rover-style robots, create your own wind turbines, paint drips inspired by brains, dance around the Sun or take a journey through the digestive system (it's gross, but it's science!). 15 & 16 June 2024. Free, drop in (some booking).

14. Inspired by Jamaican birds and flowers, make paper hummingbirds and hibiscus flowers using paint, scissors, glue, feathers, and ribbons, in Windrush Day at Garden Museum, SE1. 22 June 2024. Free, first come first served.

15. Join LGBTQIA+ charity Curious Arts for colourful, inclusive arts and crafts and story times in Mini Pride at Crossrail Roof Gardens, E14. 22 June 2024. Free, drop in. Best ages 3-7.

16. Explore the magnificent ‘Cathedral of Sewage’, Crossness Pumping Station, at its Steaming Day. See its magnificent beam engines, make crafts, take an activity trail, and learn why ‘The Great Stink’ made this place so necessary. 23 June 2023. Paid.

17. Take part in a collaborative clay scape or create something in clay to describe what ‘Our Home’ means to you in Refugee Week: Collaborative Clayscape at V&A Museum, SW7. 23 June 2024. Free, drop in.

18. See children play games across the world in a cinematic playground at Francis Alÿs: Ricochets, at the Barbican Gallery. 27 June-1 September 2024. Paid.

19. Step inside sculptures of light, mist and large 3-D forms in Solid Light by Anthony McCall at Tate Modern, SE1. 27 June-27 April 2025. Paid, book.

20. Head to Victoria Embankment Gardens for Pride in London family zone. Expect musical bingo, story hour, stilt walkers, singalong kidz kabaret, a photobooth, badge making cafe (ages 11+) and scout activities. 29 June 2024. Free, drop in.

Please do mention me or DM me if you attend an event - that way I know it’s worth the time producing these guides.

NEW: Book Ahead!

Thanks everyone who replied to my question about your preferred timing to receive this monthly what’s on guide. There was no clear preference, so I’ll stick to publishing it the Friday evening before the next month.

But for all you Anna Planners, I’m starting a new Book Ahead! section with a handful of new things to book or diarise now for the upcoming months.

1. If you have a Jacqueline Wilson fan you have to take them to Hetty Feather Day at Foundling Museum. Hear the Dame herself read, answer questions, and pose for photos, plus there’s themed craft activities. Both my daughters have loved this over the years. 6 July 2024. Paid, book. Tickets go on sale midday on 12 June 2024. Spots are limited and expected to sell out quickly. 

2. Try hands-on activities and hear from cutting-edge scientists in Summer Science Exhibition at the Royal Institution. The family activities run 6-7 July 2024. Free, register interest.

3. I can’t wait for the latest Discover Story Centre exhibition, Monster Funfair. They are fantastic , especially for under 5s or story-loving under 8s. Opens 20 July 2024. Paid, book. They are even running their first sleepover on 3 August 2024.

4. Follow a special trail, complete quests, and win prizes in Roman London Family Quest, across the City of London. But watch out for that roaming Centurion! 26-27 July 2024. Free, book.

5. You need to get booking for the best slots for Christmas at Kew. It’s London’s best Christmas light trail - although do consider carefully if it might be too long for your very little ones. Selected dates, 13 November 2024-5 January 2025. Paid, book.

Hit reply and let me know if you find this new section useful!

June 2024: What’s On for Under 5s

1. New dates for June and July’s Post and Play at the Postal Museum, WC1 are now live! Paid, book.

2. There are two Exhibition Explorers sessions of Little Feet at the British Museum, WC1 this month. Check out Legion: life in the Roman army (4 June 2024) and Michelangelo (20 June 2024). Free, book museum entry. 

3. Join in with interactive, musical stories inspired by the Museum of the Order of St John’s many objects in Music and Storytelling with Paul Rubenstein. 5 June 2024. EC1. Free, book.

4. Join the Foundling Museum at Holborn Library, WC1 for a creative, fun and free music workshop. 7 June 2024. Free, book. Under 5s.

5. Go quick - there’s a few tickets left for RIBA Baby: Building Birthday Songs and Stories at Royal Institute of British Architects, W1. 11 June 2024. Free, book.

6. Messy Play at The National Archives, TW9 was recommended by one of my followers recently. Next session is 14 June 2024. Paid, book.

7. And Rhyme Times at Age Exchange Blackheath, SE3 also got a shout out for its “lovely wholesome nursery songs”. Mondays. Free, drop in.

8. This month brings three Tuesday Tots storytelling sessions to the Garden Museum, SE1: Hello Summer (4 June 2024), The Bad Tempered Ladybird (18 June 2024) and Ten Little Bugs (25 June 2024). Free, drop in.

9. Mini Morris Mini Potters! brings nature inspired clay fun to William Morris Gallery, E17. 20 June 2024. Free, drop in.

10. This month’s Tots at the Docks at Museum of London Docklands, E14 is Jobs at the docks themed. 26 June 2024, 10:30-15:00. Free, drop in. Under 5s.

If you’re looking for more ideas, check out my Under 5s cultural play sessions post.

Weekend activities 1-2 June 2024

And finally, some super activities for the weekend. Check the links for timings and any booking details.

1. The Mughal Miniatures Dance Party at Southbank Centre, SE1. 1 June 2024. Free.

2. Walk the Plank at Valence House Museum, RM8. 1-2 June 2024. Free.

3. Duxford Summer Air Show: D-Day 80 at IWM Duxford, CB22. 1-2 June 2024. Paid.

4. Wild Camden Festival at Camley Street Natural Park, N1. 2 June 2024. Free.

5. Herts Heavy Horse and Country Show at Capel Manor Gardens, EN1. 2 June 2024. Paid.

6. Royal Nursery Rhymes at Old Royal Naval College, SE10. 2 June 2024. Included with paid entry. Best ages 5-10.

7. The Musical Archive Family Day at the National Archives, TW9. 2 June 2024. Paid.

Hope you have an amazing month ahead! I'd love to stay in touch—feel free to tag or DM me on Instagram @museummum to share how your outings are going.

I’ll be back on Friday 28 June 2024 with the July What’s On Guide.

Until then,

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