School’s out for summer… or is it? As I type, my kids still have a few days left. Yet many of yours broke up for the summer holidays today, or even weeks ago!

It’s not just me who didn’t receive the memo about school holidays starting already. Most family activities begin in earnest in a few weeks. Yet I’ve received messages from parents desperate to know what is going on right now for kids.

So I’ve written this really short newsletter to help tide you through to next week, when my free guides to the summer holidays start.

Whilst I drag myself through the last few school runs and work days before the summer, I’d love to hear what the footloose and fancy-free are up to. Hit reply or tag/DM me on Instagram with all your outings.

School holidays: 100+ things to do with kids in London

This week I updated my summer holiday mega-guide on museummum.com. It now includes over 160 things to do with kids in the capital right up until September. It’s broken into categories to make it easy to browse by your child’s - or your own! - interests. For all you planners, this is the place to head to get your holidays organised. See it, summer, sorted (iykyk).

20 things to do with kids 22-26 July 2024

Remember to check the links for timings and any last minute cancellations before heading out.

1. Pick up a painbrush in the Turbine Hall and make wave-like marks on monumental canvases in UNIQLO Tate Play: Oscar Murillo, the Flooded Garden at Tate Modern, SE1. 20 July-26 August 2024. Free, drop in.

2. Walk through millions of years and meet Fern the giant bronze dinosaur in the revamped gardens at the Natural History Museum, SW7. Free, drop in. Garden reopened from 18 July, summer activities start from 27 July 2024.

3. Nadia Shireen’s Monster Funfair at Discover Story Centre, E15 features a dinosaur laser maze, a beastly fun house, mini bumble-bear bumper cars, and a rollercoaster slide. Opens 20 July 2024. Paid, book. Best ages 0-8.

4. Discover the nastier side of nature with awesome activities and foul facts on the Horrible Science trail at Kew Gardens, TW9. 20 July-1 September 2024. Paid.

5. Get your tweens fixing their gadgets in Kiln Climate Action Takeover at Kiln Theatre, NW6. Plus upcycling and planting sessions - and a free lunch. 22 July 2024. Free, book. Gadget repair workshop for ages 10-14.

6. Find the hidden monsters, make crafts and ride the 100-year old underground train in Messy Goes to the Postal Museum, WC1. In partnership with OKIDO. 23 July-1 September 2024. Paid. Best ages 5-11. You can win tickets here.

7. It’s Family Week in Summer by the River at London Bridge City, SE1. Join in with an Encanto sing-a-long, make your own Rat and Toad and watch a performance of Wind in the Willows, and catch high-energy circus show Everywhere’s A Beach. 23-25 July 2024. Free, drop in.

8. Head to your local library to sign up for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, and to see which special activities they’re running. This week, for example, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea libraries are running podcasting, Lego and comic book workshops. Summer Reading Challenge runs until 7 September 2024.

9. Join in with butterfly hunts, nature crafts, willow weaving and watercolour painting in Kids Summer Open Days at Royal Gunpowder Mills, EN9. Every Wednesday in the school holidays, including 24 July 2024. Paid.

10. Explore the picturesque grounds and make nature-inspired mosaics or bug hotels in Discover the Wonders of Nature Holiday Workshops for Children at Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10. 24 & 31 July 2024. Paid, book.

11. Celebrate the end of the school year at Woolwich Works End of Term party. With DJ Rio spinning upbeat tunes, giant games and dancing. 24 July 2024. Free, drop in.

12. Craft unique picture frames using natural materials in Branch Out at Garden Museum, SE1. Then make a pastel artwork to display in it. 25 July 2024. Free, sign-up sheet on a first come first served basis (available from 10:00). 10 people per session. Ages 12+.

13. Head to Merchant Square, W2 for the Cosmic Dragon Boat Race and Rubber Duck Race. With live music and entertainment and ood and drink vendors. 25 July 2024. Free, drop in. Sponsor a duck for £3.

14. Sprout Arts community arts space in SW16 are running two kids workshops this week: customise your own bunny light (25 July 2024) or make beautiful paper lanterns to light up (26 July 2024). Paid, book.

15. Celebrate the smash-hit musical’s sixth year at SIX the Musical ‘One of a Kind’ Late at National Portrait Gallery, WC2. With a special performance by the musical's cast members, sing-a-longs, dance workshops, and making sessions. 26 July 2024. Free, spaces allocated on first come, first served basis. Open to all ages.

16. Grab your gladiators and roam Londinium on the Roman London Family Quest. Complete the quest to earn a prize. 26-27 July 2024. Free, book. Best ages 5-11.

17. Play and experiment in a child-led art studio in Paint Room at Tate Britain, SW1. Come ready to join in and dressed for mess! 26 July-1 September 2024. Free, drop in.

18. Create mini magazines and craft unique sculptures in Paper Mache and Zine-Making Workshop at studio 3, bookliner, TW10. 19, 26 & 31 July and 2 August 2024. Paid, book. Ages 8+.

19. Join a hands-on Kids Pottery Workshop at Sophie Ambelas Ceramics, Angels Yard, N18. Learn how to create beautiful pottery pieces from scratch and have one piece fired. 26 July 2024. Paid, book. Ages 8+.

20. Enjoy free outdoor family films screenings at Everyman on the Canal at Kings Cross, N1. This week includes classics like Honey I Shrunk the Kids and Back to the Future, plus Disney hits like Frozen and Coco. Until 18 August 2024. Free, drop in. Plus The Official Team GB Fanzone at King's Cross arrives from 26 July.

Forward this to a friend who needs some days out ideas this week!

What’s on this weekend 20-21 July 2024

Finally, here’s more ideas to see you through this weekend. Click the links for timings and any booking info before heading out.

1. Discovery Day at the Francis Crick Institute, NW1. 20 July 2024. Free. Best ages 7-11.

2. Family Dance Day at Coram’s Fields, WC1. 20 July 2024. Free. Ages 2-10 and their families.

3. UCL Festival of Engineering including Planet of Play exhibition at UCL Bloomsbury, WC1. 20 July 2024. Free.

4. Pollinators Day at Village Orchard Dulwich, SE21. 20 July 2024. Free.

5. Ensemble Festival at Royal Victoria Dock, E16. 20-21 July 2024. Free.

6. Camden New Town Community Festival in Camden Square Gardens, NW1. 20-21 July 2024. Free. 

7. Party on the Pier 2024 at Chiswick Pier Trust, W4. 21 July 2024. Free.

8. The Dance Exchange at Southbank Centre, SE1. 21 July 2024. Free.

I’ll be back in your inboxes next Friday with free events for Week 1 (or whatever you’re calling it!) of the school holidays.

Until then, have a great time,

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