What a week! London’s unity and community spirit has been inspirational.

Sometimes sharing days out can feel frivolous. But, in its own small way, this newsletter aims to bring people together and create new connections - all under the guise of family fun.

Whether you’re yearning for community, or just on a joy hunt, this week’s edition brings you five free things you can do each day next week. They’re served alongside great events you won’t want to miss this weekend or next - all without spending a penny.

We mixed local activities and hidden gems with London big hitters this week. Museum Girl jumped til she was beetroot at Bounce House at Big Penny Social, and attempted her first slope during a free skateboarding lesson with Everyone On Boards. Museum Boy was thrilled to see the latest Banksy, which appeared within walking distance of our home today.

In Central London, we took to the waters with a boat ride at the Family Fun Day at Canal Museum, then mixed herbal soap balls at the Museum of the Order of St John. Did you know the new gardens at the Natural History Museum open at 09:30 each day? And just over the road at the V&A we designed a cool mini-house for an overheated BBC micro:bit to inhabit.

At Kew Gardens, we had the Children’s Garden to ourselves thanks to early entry with our CSSC membership. Museum Girl was slammed in (stage) jail in interactive outdoor theatre show Wind in the Willows! But she escaped to complete the Horrible Science trail and search for Marc Quinn’s sculptures.

This week, you’re raving about The Taylor Swift Songbook Trail at the V&A which ‘completely exceeded my expectations and my girls loved it. So many costumes and memorabilia.’ It’s free and runs until 8 September 2024. Keep the feedback coming!

Got a friend who’s looking for fun things to do? Pass this newsletter along!

Free Summer Holiday Activities 2024: Week 3

On the hunt for fun activities that won’t cost a penny? I’ve curated 5 free events for you each day!

Just in case the day I mention doesn’t work for you, I’ve also listed other available dates. Click the links for event details and to secure your spot, if needed.

Looking for more options? Explore my comprehensive Summer holiday guide with 160+ activities across London, complete with a map!

Daily drop-in

1. UNIQLO Tate Play – Oscar Murillo, The Flooded Garden at Tate Modern, SE1. Until 26 August 2024.

2. Summer on the Square at Trafalgar Square, WC2. Until 1 September 2024.

3. Paint Room at Tate Britain, SW1. Until 1 September 2024.

4. Taylor Swift Songbook Trail at V&A South Kensington, SW7. Until 8 September 2024.

5. Our Street - The Curve Takeover at Barbican Centre, EC2. Until 23 August 2024.

Monday 12 August 2024

1. Summer Family Festival - Time for Tudors at National Portrait Gallery, WC2: Craft perfumed portrait scent bags, create Tudor-themed tea towels and mugs, meet Horrible History performers, and more. Drop in, limited spaces on first come, first served basis. Different activities run 12-16 August 2024.

2. Seaside in the City at London Museum Docklands, E14: Beach-themed play space with seven role play areas, crafts, soft play sea and baby beach. Book/drop in depending on availability. Ages up to 8. Runs 10-26 August 2024.

3. Family Farm Day in St Paul’s Churchyard, WC2: Meet friendly farm animals in the heart of Covent Garden. Register. Some activities are charged for.

4. Green Shoots! Creative Summer Family Workshops at Southwark Park Galleries, SE16: Make eco-friendly artworks and become ecology buffs in an artist-led session. Drop in. AM session designed for under fives, PM for ages 6-11. Mixed age groups welcome. Runs 12, 14, 19, 21 & 28 August 2024. Different activities each week.

5. Tate Kids Free Summer Films at Tate Modern, SE1: Cinematic screening of short films including Mildred the Gallery Cat. Runs 12-16 August 2024. Drop in.

Tuesday 13 August 2024

1. Discovery Days: Peter Pan at Hyde Park Learning Centre, W2: Take a pirate orienteering challenge, build a home for elves and fairies, experiment with catapults and try to float your own nest boat. Plus storytelling. Runs 13-15 August 2024. Register interest.

2. Blitz Storytelling Trail at National Army Museum, SW3: Create your own parachute and drop it behind enemy lines. Runs 13-16 August 2024.

3. Wet Felting Workshop and Skulls With Emma at Spitalfields City Farm, E1: Create beautiful crafts and learn about the process of wool, then investigate animal skulls and taxidermied creatures. Drop in, places allocated on a first come, first served basis. Ages 5-15.

4. Kate Howe – The Templum at Orleans House Gallery, TW1: Roam the tunnels and burrows of a warm, translucent art installation. Drop in. Opens to the public today until 15 September 2024, Tuesdays to Sundays.

5. Woolwich Carnival Making Workshop at Woolwich Works, SE18: Make carnival decorations with TARU arts. Book. Also 27 August 2024. Woolwich Carnival takes place on 14 September 2024

Wednesday 14 August 2024

1. Let’s Go Undercover! at Museum of the Order of St John, EC2: Create your own costume based on St John Ambulance’s founder and spot him in the Garden! Drop in. Best ages 3-10.

2. Museum of London Play Cycles – The Explorer at Our Street, Barbican Centre, EC2: Build imaginary spaces, rummage through sensory baskets, and create protest banners, posters, and Great Fire of London silhouettes. Book/limited walk ins.

3. Bookmaking Workshop with Forty-Four Words at Somerset House, WC2: Craft your own A6 notebook and personalise it with beads, ribbons, and more. Drop in.

4. Family Event: Portrait Workshop at Benjamin Franklin House, WC2: Discover the art of portraiture, examine paintings of Benjamin Franklin, and create your own self portrait. Book. Ages 5-12.

5. Hackney Palm House Making Afternoon at Hackney Central Library, E8: Make your own paper plants, collage, mini greenhouse structure or palm shadow drawing celebrating Hackney's 17th century hot houses. Book.

Thursday 15 August 2024

1. National Paralympic Heritage Trust Family Fun Day at St James's Market Pavilion, SW1: Make your own medal, get on the ‘Incredible Me’ challenges leaderboard, try Paralympic sport boccia and handle historic sporting objects. Drop in.

2. Cyanotype Workshop at Garden Museum, SE1: Use specially treated paper and fabric, along with grasses, leaves, and flowers to create permanent pictures with light. Drop in. Limited spaces allocated on arrival. Ages 3-12.

3. Tate Britain Family Tours, SW1: Unpack artworks with interactive guides and short activities. Contact the ticket desk on the day to check if running. Ages 5-11. 30 minutes long. Runs 15, 17, 25 & 31 August 2024.

4. Nature Roadshow in Bushy Park, TW12: Summery scavenger nature trail, mini-museum, story time, nature crafts, and interactive games. Register/drop in. Runs 14-15 August 2024.

5. Swim Safe at Royal Docks Summer Splash, E16. A fun, structured outdoor swimming session with qualified lifeguards and instructors. All kit provided. Book. Runs 13-16 August 2024.

Friday 16 August 2024

1. Creation Family Fun: Nature Tales at Westminster Abbey, SW1: Explore animal stories from around the world, with sculpture and crown making, family trail, storytelling, and games. There’s a smattering of tickets left for this event - keep an eye on returns too! Book. Also runs 19 August 2024.

2. Digital and Design Workshops at V&A South Kensington, SW7: Take part in Tropical Modernism-inspired workshops: Cool Buildings! and Keeping Cool (runs 14-16, 21-23 & 28-30 August 2024); and Future Cities (runs 14-16 August 2024). Drop in.

3. Wild Teddy Bear's Picnic in Grosvenor Square, W1. Hear nature-themed stories, explore for invertebrates that live in the Square, and take part in craft activities. Book.

4. Happy Marlo Soulful Sound Bath at St Botolph’s Church, EC2: Interactive sound bath session where children are encouraged to ask questions, explore different sounds, and play the instruments. Book. Ages 6-12 and their parents or caregivers.

5. Pop-up Playground in Gillet Square, N16: Transform the square with durable and intriguingly shaped equipment - from building a rocket ship to a giant tent, the possibilities are endless! Drop in. Every Friday and Saturday.

Had a blast at one of these events? Tag me when you share on social media!

What’s free this weekend and next: 10-11 & 17-18 August 2024

Finally, here’s more free events to see you through this weekend - and next! I’m planning to send out my next newsletter a little later to give myself a whole week off writing.

Click the links for more details, exact timings, and any booking info before heading out.

1. Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave at Turning Tides Music Festival, SE10. 10 August 2024.

2. Second Saturday Family Activities at Guildhall Museum and Art Gallery, EC2. 10 August 2024.

3. London Play Street Party at Our Street, Barbican Centre, EC2. 10 August 2024.

4. The Summer Family Festival at Stanley Arts. 10-11 August 2024.

5. Summer By The River: London Goes Tango 11th Edition at The Scoop, SE1. 11 August 2024.

6. Beach Themed Painting with ‘Pop n Paint’ at Costa Del Croydon, Centrale & Whitgift Shopping Centre, CR0. 11 August 2024.

7. Summer in the Square - kids’ painting class based on the Wallace Collection in Portman Square Garden, W1. 11 August 2024.
   

8. Get Inspired! at National Portrait Gallery, WC2. 17 August 2024.

9. London Battle at Somerset House, WC2. 17 August 2024.

10. Street Party with Accumulate and Bullerengue Circle at Our Street, Barbican Centre, EC2. 17 August 2024.

11. Mimi's Space Adventure, Saturday Family Day! at Institute of Physics, N1. 17 August 2024.

12. Summer Carnival at Kingswood Arts, SE21. 17 August 2024.

13. Carnival in the Park at Claremont Park. 17 August 2024.

14. Children’s Carnival Mask Making at The Africa Centre, SE1. 17 August 2024.

15. Assemble Play at Pitzhanger, W5. 17-18 August 2024. 

16. Family Gaming Sessions at Canary Wharf, E14. 17-18 August 2024.

17. Street art with Alec LDN at Costa Del Croydon, Centrale & Whitgift Shopping Centre, CR0. 18 August 2024.

I’ll be back next weekend with more free activities for week 4 of the holidays.

Until then, enjoy the joy hunt!

Bye for now,

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