It’s the final full week of the school holidays! And let’s end it on a high. This issue includes up to five 5 free things to do every day this week, and a whole weekend of no-cost fun.

Our week was a rollercoaster of highs and lows - from visiting family and friends in South Wales, to our cat needing surgery on a complex fracture.

But the Bank Holiday delivered with pure, family fun. We paid an early visit to Notting Hill Carnival on Family Day, played on pirate ships in Diana Memorial Playground, and rode the Ruislip Lido Railway to the golden sands of Ruislip Lido.

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Free Summer Holiday Activities 2024: Week 5

Too much summer at the end of your income? Don’t worry, I’ve got up to five free events lined up every day just for you.

Each event is marked by date but check the listings as they might run on other days too. Just click the event name to learn more and make a booking, if required.

To find even more fun, dive into my summer holiday guide with 160+ activities across London, all mapped out for your convenience!

Daily drop-in

1. 7 Days of Play with Assemble Play at Boston Manor House, TW8. 26 August-1 September 2024.

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

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

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

Tuesday 27 August 2024

1. Battle Standards at National Army Museum, SW3: Create your own Civil War battle standards. Runs 27-30 August 2024. 

2. Family Tour at Tate Modern, SE1: Unpack 2-3 artworks through a multisensory experience. Drop in. Also 1 September 2024.

3. Play Outdoors Tuesdays at National Maritime Museum, SE10: Create sensory art with fruit tea, spices, and sugar. Make noise with coconut shells and coffee bean shakers! Drop in. For under 5s and their adults.

4. Summer arts activities for families at Abney Park Cemetery, N16: Craft items from natural materials, like bark boats, bees and butterflies. Drop in. Ages 3-10, younger siblings welcome. Plus Drop in Stay and Play for ages 2-8 on 30 August 2024.

5. BMX Family Drop In at Hoblingwell Pump Track, BM5: Bikes and helmets available to borrow. Drop in.

Wednesday 28 August 2024

1. Fly your Flag! With Storytelling at Museum of the Order of St John, EC2: Design a flag and find hidden messages on a Cadet-led tour of the Priory Church. Drop in. Best ages 3-10.

2. Calligraphy Workshops at Benjamin Franklin House, WC2: Try dip pen writing with quills and parchment, and see Franklin’s handwritten letters. Book.

3. Wandsworth Council's Paralympic Festival at Tooting Bec Athletics Track & Gym, SW17: Try Paralympic sports such as Goalball and Boccia. Taster sports sessions and performances. Book. Session 1 is for ages 5 - 17.

4. Tradescant Storytelling with Olivia Armstrong at Garden Museum, SE1: A lively adventure exploring the quirky Tradescant family, Britain's early gardeners. Drop in, arrive promptly. Ages 3-12.

5. Stay and Play Summer Special at The Boathouse Studios, IG11. Under 5s. Book.

Thursday 29 August 2024

1. Ancient Egyptian Board Games Family Workshop at Sir John Soane’s Museum, WC2: Challenge someone to Senet, the game played by the pharaohs, and make your own version to take home. Drop in.

2. Families takeover at the Queen’s House, SE10: Design and explore an outdoor immersive art gallery. Share which changes make galleries accessible, friendly places for your family. Drop in.

3. Family Workshops at Empress Space, Earls Court, SW6: Join Lyric Hammersmith for activities like acting, puppetry, dance, clowning, arts and crafts, and more. Drop in. Bring your bucket and spade for the Urban Beach.

4. Pram People by Polyglot Theatre at Barking Town Hall, IG11: Follow curious prompts through headphones, secret messages and even other participants. Book. Runs 28-29 August 2024. For Under 5s who will be pushed in their pram or buggy.

5. Drop in and Weave! at Spitalfields City Farm, E1: Learn to weave, try a loom, and help with a big project. Drop in.

Friday 30 August 2024

1. Drop-in Design: Eco Worlds at V&A Museum, SW7: Explore eco-materials and build unique dens with recycled materials. Led by designer Jahba Anan. Runs 28-30 August 2024.

2. Shakespeare In The Square at Camden Market Hawley Wharf, NW1: London International Shakespeare Ensemble bring a gender-blending version of Much Ado About Nothing in this outdoor performance. Book. Runs 28-30 August 2024.

3. Catching Mini-beasts at Avenue Park, TW5: Discover what wildlife live in and beside the River Crane. Book.

4. ArtPlay London Kids Workshop at Old Spitalfields Market, E1. Book. £5 deposit, returned after session attended.
   

Had a great time? Share the fun and tag me in your social media posts!

What’s free this coming weekend 31 August-1 September 2024

And here’s a selection of completely free events taking place next weekend. Check the links for timings and to see if you need to book ahead.

1. Scottish Dancing in Kensington Gardens, W2. 31 August 2024.

2. Pop up Performance: Anansi and the Lost Sun at V&A South Kensington, SW7. 31 August 2024.

3. UNIQLO Tate Play Make Studio, The Joy of not Knowing at Tate Modern, SE1. 31 August-18 October 2024, every weekend, plus Wednesdays for Under 5s only. Drop in.

4. Not free but cheap: £4 tickets for any film, anywhere for National Cinema Day. 31 August 2024.

5. Community Fair at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3. 31 August 2024.

6. Chrisp Street Jamboree at Chrisp Street Market, E14. 31 August 2024.

7. Camberwell Carnival at Camberwell Green, SE5. 31 August 2024.

8. Brompton Cemetery Open Day, SW10. 1 September 2024.

9. UK African Acrobats at Woolwich Works, SE18. 1 September 2024.

And that, as they say, is a wrap on the summer holidays!

I’ll be back this Friday with my September What’s On Guide to banish any back-to-school blues.

Bye for now,

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