Schools Out: Things to do with the kids in London
With school holidays about to kick off and the realisation you have to entertain them until September creeping in, we thought we'd show you what to do with the kids in London now Schools out. Scroll down and have a look!
Date published: 18th Jul 2022
With the summer season starting and the kids back at home, what will you do with all that time? Whilst Xbox and playing out are good stop gaps, if you're wanting a nice family day out in the Big Smoke, you may be stuck for choice, but worry not, we've got you covered.
Whether it's fun educational days out to stimulate their brains, going for a dance at a kids-only rave, or maybe you just want to go and watch something at the theatre and give them an experience they'll never forget. If any of these seem like their gonna help get your kids out of the house then scroll down and check out all the amazing things to do with the kids in London!
Get prehistoric at the Velociraptor Show at The Exchange
Image: Teach Rex on Facebook
When: Sunday 7th August 2022
Where: The Exchange, 75 London Rd, Twickenham TW1 1BE
Kids seem to absolutely love Dinosaurs, whether it's the story or just how cool looking they are it's not hard to see why the little uns' love them (I'm not a kid anymore and still think Dinosaurs are mint). So, if you've got a dino-obsessed little one then you should definitely be heading down to The Exchange for their Velociraptor show.
The team at Teach Rex uses life-like dinosaurs to perform a 45-minute show, teaching children about the anatomy and life of one of the most mesmerizing creatures that have ever roamed our planet. The show is teamed with effects, and music and gives children and their families the chance to get up close and personal with these fantastic, realistic beasts.
Find tickets for the Velociraptor Show at The Exchange - here
Have a kid-friendly boogie with FUN DMC
Image: FUN DMC on facebook
When: Dates throughout the Summer
Where: Colours Hoxton, 2-4 Hoxton Square, London N1 6NU
Do your find your kids dancing into the view of your camera whilst on a zoom meeting? Well, it's probably best to channel their hip-shaking energy at one of FUN DMC's kid's raves. Bookending the season with a pre and post-summer holiday boogie, the sessions are designed with both those that are too young or perhaps a little too old to go clubbing in mind. Treating you and your kids to a mix of dance-floor gold that you love partying too.
Alongside the grooving, there are competitions and all the usual fun and games, a soft play, and they ensure everyone from the future headliners to the shy kid in the back gets involved and has a great time. Loads of fun for all the family, we highly recommend it!
Find tickets for FUN DMC - here
Unlock their scientific minds with Wonderlab at The Science Museum
Image: The Science Museum on Facebook
When: 10am - 6pm, Wednesday to Sunday
Where: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD
If you're looking for a place to keep their inquisitive minds busy while school is out, then when looking for what to do with the kids in London, you should definitely check out the Wonderlab at The Science Museum. Boasting a huge range of interactive science exhibits that will get their juices flowing, Wonderlab aims to reveal the beauty of science and maths, whilst making it all accessible for the younger ones.
A great way to keep them thinking when they don't have school to do so, and provides endless fun for them and also you as you watch their faces light up as they figure things out.
Discover the magic behind Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studios Tour, London
Image: Warner Bros Studios on Facebook
When: Tours start at 9am and finish at 10pm, every day
Where: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR
If you've raised a couple of Potter nerds (first off you're doing a great job), then we cant think of any better place to go when looking for things to do with kids in London than the Warner Bors Studios Tour. Whilst it is located slightly outside the city, it is easily accessible both by car and public transport, and you can easily get lost here.
Watch them run around and point out all the parts from the films and gawp at the incredibly sets like Diagon Alley, Privet Drive, and the dorm rooms. But on top of this is an endless collection of props and trinkets used in the actual films. Whilst the kids will love it, we know you will too, and it's a great day out for everyone in the family.
Explore their artsy side at Craft Council Gallery's Craft School
Image: Craft Council Gallery on Facebook
When: Dates throughout July and August
Where: 44A Pentonville Rd, London N1 9BY
If your kids are more artistically inclined then you may want to expose them to more than their colouring books, and there are few better places to do so in London than at Craft Council Gallery Craft School. At Craft School, visitors can see the winning work of learners and teachers, alongside awesome pieces from the Crafts Council's Collection.
Not only this but there will be opportunities for children and families to get hands-on and play with objects from the collection, as well as make their own work. So, if you've got an arty kid at home, then get them down here, we promise they'll have the best time.
Find tickets for Craft Council Gallery's Craft School - here
Learn to rollerskate at Rollernation open-age skate sessions
Image: Rollernation on Facebook
When: Dates throughout July and August
Where: 117 Bruce Grove, London N17 6UR
Do you fancy letting your kids in on the fun you used to have before the age of iPhones and Netflix? Well, get them down to Rollernation for an education in the lost artform of rollerskating. On most Sundays throughout the summer, the sessions are for all aged five and up who want to learn, and whilst they may get a few scrapes and bruises, they'll be flying around and having a blast in no time.
Find tickets for Rollernation open-age skate sessions - here
See some incredible theatre, where kids go free!
Image: Offical London Theatre on Facebook
When: Shows on throughout the summer, Kids go free all August, check their website for relevant shows.
Where: A variety of venues across the city
Official London Theatre are continuing their Kids go free month in August this year, which means that for a whole host of shows throughout the month you get a free kids ticket alongside any adult one. Whether it's The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, When The Tiger Came For Tea, or Anything Goes, there's no better time to expose your kids to the wonders of theatre than this summer. So if you're looking for things to do in London with the kids, then you've got to check out this incredible opportunity!
Find tickets for London Theatre Kids Week - here
See the stars at Madame Tussauds
Image: Madame Tussauds London on Facebook
When: 10am - 3pm every day
Where: Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5LR
Madame Tussauds is a household name, and for good reason, you can meet all your heroes and get pictures with them (along as it isn't too hot). If your kids are turning into pop culture kings and queens, then the London branch of the famous waxwork collection is a must-visit when looking for things to do with them.
From Beyonce to Star Wars, Stormzy to The Avengers, there are so many statues for them to look at and love and get pictures with. It'll be heaps of fun and the little uns' always get super excited walking through the gallery, so what are you waiting for, book your tickets now!
Find tickets for Madame Tussauds London - here
Discover their future at Kidzania
Image: Kidzania on Facebook
When: 10am - 4pm Weekdays, open until 7pm on weekends
Where: Westfield London Shopping Centre Ariel Way, London W12 7GA
This one is another that is more on the educational side but don't let that fool the kids into thinking it's like school, because this hub of potential futures is one that's bound to spark something inside of them. This indoor city covers a range of jobs and provides experienced professionals to talk the kids through what it entails alongside awesome interactive games around them.
Whether they wanna be firefighters, journalists, radio DJs, or pilots, there's so much under the roof and every child will find something different. So let their passions run wild and book them in for this amazing experience.
Just keep swimming at the Sealife Centre
Image: Sealife London on Facebook
When: 10am - 4pm Weekdays, open until 5pm on weekends
Where: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB
With razor-sharp fins, glittering scales and waddling feet aplenty under this iconic watery attraction, the kids will never get bored whilst exploring the ins and outs of our oceans at Sealife. The access to the deepest depths of the sea and the life at all levels will be bound to excite the youngest of minds, and with a range of things to look at alongside interactive exhibits by their amazing staff.
So whether you see a future marine biologist or you just want to expose them to the wonders of the sea, they'll be something for them all and when looking for things to do with the kids in London, Sealife never fails.
Find tickets for Sealife London - here
Take to the skies on the London Eye
Image: The London Eye on Facebook
When: 11am - 6pm Every day
Where: Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB
Oh, come on, what British childhood's complete without a ride up one of the most iconic attractions in the country, the London Eye! Watch your kid's eyes light up in awe as they soar above the roofs of the Big Smoke, and take in the sensational views. So, why deprive them of something so quintessentially British?
Also, there are loads of various themed events that happen throughout the year here which make for lots of fun with the incredibly designed individual pods, so what are you waiting for, get that ride booked!
Find tickets for the London Eye - here
Dive into the marsh wildlife at London Wetland Centre Barnes
Image: London Wetland Centre Barnes on Facebook
When: 9:30am - 6pm Every day
Where: Queen Elizabeth Walk, London SW13 9WT
This unique wetland swamp zoo experience is one that is bound to provide kids of all ages with a unique experience of animals not usually found in regular Zoos. Plus with a range of events tailored for kids, from Junior Wetland Rangers to Nighttime safaris, there are a ton of different ways they can get involved in this truly incredible habitat. So, get them down and watch wild ducks, wading birds, butterflies and water voles or see the collection of ducks from around the world. They're gonna love it!
Find tickets for London Wetland Centre Barnes - here
Join the search to find Shrek at Shreks Adventure!
Image: Shreks Adventure! on Facebook
When: 10am - 3pm Every day
Where: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB
This brilliantly bonkers interactive and immersive walkthrough experience, where the whole family can journey through Far Far Away as the stars of the show is one that you can't miss when looking for things to do with the kids in London. Begin by escaping reality on the DreamWorks Tours magical flying 4D bus to Far Far Away where you will explore 12 laugh-out-loud fairy tale-themed live shows, collecting the special ingredients that you will need in order to find Shrek and make it home safely!
This one-of-a-kind misadventure allows you to see, hear, touch and smell the adventure, with a dose of Donkey’s cheekiness along the way. We cant recommend it enough, it is so much fun, especially for those who are a bit littler than others!
Find tickets for Shreks Adventure! - here
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
