I can say two things with total confidence: 1. the summer holidays are here; and 2. my newsletters will help you find fun things to fill them!

This edition includes up to 5 free things to do every day next week, plus no-cost events to enjoy this weekend.

Our activities on the first few days of the holiday have spanned the millennia - from meeting Roman centurions on our family quest around Londinium to the state-of-the-art immersive art experience Frameless.

Last weekend we got hands-on with science at Francis Crick Institute and the Festival of Engineering at UCL. And we got to know Chiswick a bit better, from finding shrimp in the river with Thames Explorer Trust to hearing the dulcet tones of Sophie Ellis Baxter in Chiswick House’s audioguide.

Most raved about in my DMS is Oscar Murillo - The Flooded Garden at Tate Modern (until 26 August 2024): “We loved [it] - everyone can have a go and become part of a major art piece.Highly recommend!”

Keep tagging, emailing and DMing me about your visits and I’ll share more of your days out (and ours) on Instagram Stories.

Like what I do? Please help spread the word by forwarding this newsletter to your friends and networks.

Free Summer Holiday Activities 2024: Week 1

Here’s my selection of completely free family activities in London for the coming week.

I've included 5 recommendations a day. Some events run on multiple days, so do read each one. For specific times and booking details, click the link. Everything listed has space at the time of publishing, or is a drop-in event. Don’t delay booking – you don't want to miss out.

Need more ideas? Take a look at my bumper guide to the Summer holidays showcasing over 160 activities across London - and now with added map!

Monday 29 July 2024

1. Taylor Swift Songbook Trail at V&A South Kensington, SW7: Find a range of her iconic outfits on display. From 27 July 2024. Drop in.

2. UNIQLO Tate Play – Oscar Murillo, The Flooded Garden at Tate Modern, SE1: Transform the iconic Turbine Hall into a vibrant, Monet-inspired painting garden. Daily until 26 August 2024. Drop in.

3. Summer Family Activities at Natural History Museum, SW7: Monday activities include Beaky Finders, Meet the Scientist, and Family Nature Talks. Different activities run until 1 September 2024.

4. Summer of Play Sports Extravaganza at Morden Hall Park, SM4: Includes badminton, croquet and giant chess. Mondays (sports) and Wednesdays (crafts) until 28 August 2024. Drop in.

5. DLR Discovery Treasure Hunt: Find 8 treasures hidden around Docklands, starting at Tower Gateway station. Prizes whilst stocks last. Until 5 September 2024. Drop in.

Tuesday 30 July 2024

1. Summer Holidays at National Maritime Museum, SE10: Sensory sea monsters (all ages) and Play Outdoors Tuesdays (Under 5s). Drop in. Different activities run until 1 September 2024.

2. Paint Room at Tate Britain, SW1: Play and experiment with paint in a child-led studio space. Drop in. Daily 26 July-1 September 2024.

3. Cold War Giant Game at National Army Museum, SW3: Fun-filled interactive game set in 1960s Berlin. First come, first served. Ages 5+. Also runs 31 July & 1-2 August 2024.

4. Mimi's Space Adventure - Launch day! at Institute of Physics, N1: Hands-on experiments, arts and crafts, and meet physicists in this family exhibition launch event. Book.

5. Marvellous Medicine! at The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, E1: Create a homemade pomander and invent a poison activity sheet. Book - although their booking link isn’t working at the mo.

Wednesday 31 July 2024

1. Casualty Simulation at Museum of the Order of St John, EC2: Make fake wounds to practice saving lives. Book. Best ages 3-10.

2. Tots at the Docks – Digging at the docks at London Museum Docklands, E14: Archaeology-themed Under 5s play session. Drop in. Under 5s.

3. Healing Herbs at Southwark Cathedral, SE1: Learn how medieval monks healed with plants, handle medical artefacts and make a leaf-printed souvenir. Drop in. Ages 4+.

4. Nature Roadshow at The Regents Park, NW1: Summery scavenger nature trail, mini-museum, story time, nature crafts and interactive games. Register/drop in. Also at The Green Park on 1 August 2024.

5. Bee & Butterfly Bonanza - Family Fun Day at Eastbrookend Discovery Centre, RM7: Bee-hunt trail, fancy dress contest, bio-blitz bug hunt, crafts, meet bee-keepers, and insect ID workshops. Drop in.

Thursday 1 August 2024

1. Our Street – The Curve Takeover at Barbican Centre, EC2: Playful games, from hopscotch to hula-hooping, board games and crafting. Runs 1-23 August 2024. Book/drop ins depending on capacity. Ages 5+.

2. Family Drop-in Workshop at Sir John Soane’s Museum, WC2: Design and make your own architectural dream using Lego. Drop in. Ages 4+.

3. Kids Aloud at Foundling Museum, WC1: Create an embossed foil token inspired by the Foundling Hospital tokens, plus free museum entry. Drop in. Every Thursday in August 2024.

4. [ED: I made a mistake. This runs 30-31 July & 2 August only. On 1 August instead is Hive Curates present Alisa Ruzavina - Mapping the Joys of Belonging]. Tootles + Nibs at Royal Docks Summer Splash 2024, E16: Make a sand-castle pin-wheel or a seaside-inspired paper puppet. Plus sandpit and lido. Drop in.

5. Family Fun Day at Chiswick Business Park, W4: Sandy beach, activities and games. Drop in.

Friday 2 August 2024

1. Creation Family Fun: Wild Westminster at Westminster Abbey, SW1: Planting, family tree trail, herb crafts, garden tour and crown making in London’s oldest garden. Free, book. Also 5 August 2024.

2. Summer Family Fridays: Japan at Young V&A, E2: Family Design Challenges, storytelling and paper installation. Free, drop in. Fridays until 16 August 2024.

3. Art and Play at Dulwich Picture Gallery, SE21: Outdoor sensory sessions around the Wiggle Wonderland pavilion. Free, book. Some drop in spaces on the day. Best for under 8s, all welcome. Also 3-4, 9 & 16-17 August 2024.

4. Flower Feast - launch of new Kitchen Garden trail at Chiswick House and Gardens, W4: Free trail activity packs with hand-illustrated maps, and create an insect-friendly Flower Feast. Free, drop in. Trail runs Thursdays to Sundays throughout August.

5. Slug Life Author Workshops at Garden Museum, SE1: Storytelling, make a slug hotel to take home, and slug quiz. Free, spaces allocated on a first come, first served basis. Ages 3-8. Morning and afternoon sessions.

Don’t forget to tag me or message about the visits I’ve inspired.

What’s free this weekend 27-28 July 2024

Finally, here’s more no-cost ideas to tide you over this weekend. Click the links for more details, exact timings and any booking info before heading out.

1. National Theatre River Stage, SE1. 27 July 2024.

2. Grand Opening of Abney Park, N16. 27 July 2024.

3. Greenwich Park Archaeology Festival, SE10. 27 July 2024.

4. Heart of Pride Family Day at William Morris Gallery, E17. 27 July 2024.

5. Hands on Armour - Saturday Knight Live at Wallace Collection, W1. 27 July 2024.

6. Earth Tenders Family Space at South London Gallery, SE5. 27 July 2024.

7. Free tea cup rides, face painting and crafts in Summer Saturdays at Chrisp Street Market, E14. 27 July 2024.

8. Family Fete & Museum Takeover at Museum of the Home, E2. 28 July 2024.

9. Dock Local Panel present Art in the Docks: Rock your Style! at Royal Docks, E16. 28 July 2024. 

I’ll be back next week with more free activities for week 2 of the holidays.

Until then, have fun!

Bye for now,

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