Did you find my previous post on City Farms, which is a part of my ongoing series on Things to do with Kids Outdoors in London (Summer Edition), to be of interest? If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, you can check it out right here!

So this is my second post and I have prepared a selection of activities that are perfect for spending an entire day with your kids in each area! Hope you and your little ones have a blast in these sunny days!

1. Granary Square

[1] Water fountains

[2] FREE Snug soft play

• Daily throughout summer, 10am – 6pm, weather permitting
• Lewis Cubitt Park
• building dens, tunnels, obstacle courses, and trampolines

[3] Wildlife Wednesdays at London Canal Museum

• 16 & 23 August
• Adults £9 | child (0-14) £4 | £15 for family of 5
• Includes a boat ride on Regent’s Canal, interactive family trail, wildlife scavenger hunt, and crafts at the art trolley

[4] Crafts Council FREE Summer Saturday Workshops

• 12 & 19 Aug, 11am – 4pm
  • 12 Aug: Creatures of the Yard (using recycled materials)
  • 19 Aug: King’s Cross Sound Waves (playing with various natural materials)

[5] Camley Street Natural Park

• Various drop-in FREE family events: Family nature discovery, nature story time, and wonderful wildlife weekends (various dates)

2. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

[1] Olympic Park Fountains

• Daily 10am – 5pm except on Stadium event days (20 August but please check the website in case another event day is added)

[2] Tumbling Bay Playground & Pleasure Gardens Play Areas

Rock pools, sand pits, treehouses, and all the usual playground stuff like slides and swings

[3] FREE gardening workshops

• Hackney Bridge Gardens (East Bay Lane, London E15 2SJ) 
• Fridays, 12-2pm – Little Shoots and Wise Owls (intergenerational sessions for children and seniors)

[4] Cruising the Park Waterways: Swan Pedalos & Boat Tour

• Swan Pedalos

• Weekends & school holidays until the end of October, 12pm-5pm
• No booking required
• Adult £9 | Child (under 16) £5 | Family £22 (2 adults and up to 2 children)

• Boat Tour

• 27 Aug (limited availability)
• Adults £19 | Children £8 | Under 3’s FREE

3. Canary Wharf

[1] FREE Minigolf by CRAIG & KARL and Pingpong

• Daily 12pm – 6pm (until 30 Sept)

[2] Family Film Club

• 12 Aug 10:30 (Inside Out) | 19 August 10:30 (Paddington)

[3] Crossrail Place Roof Garden

• FREE, Open daily until 9pm

4. Somerset House + Covent Garden

[1] Water fountains in the courtyard

• Weekdays in August (fountain off 7-15 Aug)
• There will be art & installations, food & drink pop-ups
• On weekends, there are live events & performances.
  • 16 Aug 12:00-15:00 Drumming Workshops (all ages)
  • 23 Aug 12:00-14:00 Make Your Own Puppet (all ages)

[2] The Tusk Gorilla Train at Covent Garden

• FREE, throughout summer, across the Covent Garden estate

[3] IDENTIKIT! A Family Workshop at Bow Street Police Museum

• Thursdays to Saturday from 10-31 Aug, 14:30 (Saturdays have additional 11:30 sessions)
• FREE with entry to the museum (adult £6, under 12’s FREE)
• Limited spaces – booking essential
• 5+ yo

[4] London Transport Museum

Or you can combine with the classic children’s museum – London Transport Museum!

So many family activities are going on daily throughout the summer, so check them out before going!

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5. Southbank Centre

[1] Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Room

• FREE, Wed-Sun 10am-9pm

[2] Replay: A Limitless Recycled Playground

• 8 Jul – 3 Sept
• Adult £6.50 | Child £6.50, booking required

[3] Queen Elizabeth Hall Rooftop Garden (“London’s very own secret garden”)

• Garden: FREE, Wed – Sun (& Bank Holiday Mon), 12pm – dusk
• Cafe & bar: Wed-Fri, 4pm – dusk | Sat & Sun (& Bank Holiday Mon) 12pm – dusk

What do you think of this compilation of outdoor family activities you can do this Summer?

If you like it, share the link with your friends and bookmark it so you can come back to check anytime!

Hope you have a great Summer time in Granary Square, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Canary Wharf, Somerset House & Covent Garden, or Southbank Centre?

You can visit my Instagram account @londonful_kids for more posts and reels of reviews!

Take care, mamas!

City Farms – by region

Hi mamas!

At last, a few sunnier and warmer summer days are gracing us this week!

With this wonderful weather in mind, I’ve curated some delightful outdoor family outing suggestions for you—why not consider paying a visit to CITY FARMS? And the best part is, these ideas won’t break the bank! The city farms listed below offer free admission and are also hosting numerous cost-free events for the summer holidays. Let’s make the most of these upcoming sunny days, as regrettably, this is the summer we’re given this year.

[ EAST LONDON ]

1. SPITALFIELDS CITY FARM: Buxton St, London E1 5AR

I’ve placed this particular farm at the top of the list due to its diverse free events catering to a wide range of ages throughout August. Click on each title to access their website for more detailed information!

Events listed – all FREE

• Farm 2 Fork // Kids Cooking Workshops
  • 11:00-13:00
  • Wednesdays 9, 16, 23 (fully booked) Aug | Thur 10 (fully booked), 17, 24 Aug
  • for 5-12 yo
  • booking required (education@spitalfieldscityfarm.org or call 02072478762.) (A free and balanced vegetarian meal will be available for each session.)

• MEET & BLEAT : Animal encounter
  • 9, 16, 23 Aug, 2:00-3:00pm
  • 3-10 yo
  • drop-in

• STORY HOUR: with Rez Kabir
  • 9 Aug, 2:00-3:00pm
  • drop-in
  • Songs, movement, mime and puppetry (trained at Little Angel Theatre)

• OLOGY HOUR
  • OLOGY HOUR – Zooarchaeology
    • 10 Aug, 1:30-3:00pm
    • drop-in
    • Investigate a range of animal skulls and taxidermied creatures.
  • OLOGY HOUR : Mini beast discovery walk with Edward Milner
    • 24 Aug, 1:30-3:00pm
    • 6+ yo
    • booking recommended but not essential (reserve a place: education@spitalfieldscityfarm.org)

• MAKE-BUILD-GROW
  • Fridays 10:00-13:00 (2 joining times: 10:00, 11:30)
  • Drop-in (but limited spaces, so on a first come first serve basis)
  • MAKE-BUILD-GROW // Fire lighting & Tea making: 11 Aug, 7-15 yo
  • MAKE-BUILD-GROW // Woodwork: 18 Aug, 7-15 yo
  • MAKE-BUILD-GROW // Den building & Clay Creatures: 25 Aug, 5-12 yo

• Felting Workshop
  • 15 Aug, 1:00-3:00pm
  • 5-15 yo

• Mini Mornings: Little Red Hen Workshop
  • 16 Aug, 10:30-11:15
  • 2-5 yo

2. Mudchute Park and Farm: Pier St, London E14 3HP

Mudchute Park and Farm has this lovely play session every Saturday (11am-3pm, Free, Drop-in), called Mudchute Play – rain or shine! So kids get to enjoy the child-led play led by playworkers from Assembly Play, on sunny days or rainy or even snowy days!

• Mudchute Play
  • Saturdays 11-3pm
  • Free, drop-in
  • Child-led play led by playworkers from Assemble Play

• Summer Activities: Animal Petting (£3), Arts & Crafts (£2.50), Donkey rides (£4), Farm shop

3. Stepney City Farm: Stepney Way, Stepney Green, London E1 3DG

4. Hackney City Farm: 1a Goldsmiths Row, London E2 8QA

Mini Farmers club: Saturdays, 10:30–12:30, for 8–12 yo

Children’s pottery class: Wednesdays and Sundays, £5/£10

[NORTH LONDON]

1. Freightliners Farm: Sheringham Rd, London N7 8PF

Events listed below all: Free, drop-in, for younger school aged children

• Wildlife and Plant Activities: 9, 16, 30 Aug, 11am-1pm
• Farm Art: 10, 17, 24, 31 Aug, 2-4pm
• Woodwork: 11, 25 Aug, 1 Sept 2-4pm
• Meet the Animals: 12, 26 Aug, 11am-1pm | 14, 28 Aug, 2-4pm
• Crafts on the Farm: 13, 27 Aug, 2-4pm

2. Kentish Town City Farm: 1 Cressfield Cl, London NW5 4BN

• Tempo Tots North London: interactive music class for 0-4 yo held in the Farm
  • Mondays 10:30am, 3:30pm, £8
  • booking: https://www.tempototsnorthlondon.co.uk/

[SOUTH EAST LONDON]

1. Surrey Docks Farm: Rotherhithe St, South Wharf, London SE16 5ET

• Piglets Club
  • 10am – 11:30am on Thursdays
  • 2-4 yo
  • 3 sessions for £27
  • Learn about farm animals, plants and nature. stroking and feeding the animals, seasonal arts & crafts using natural materials, fire building, cooking and so on
  • Summer holiday ones all sold out. Book for autumn term

2. Vauxhall City Farm: 165 Tyers St, London SE11 5HS

• Cuddle Corner
  • Weekends 10:30am – 1pm & 2pm – 3:30pm (every 10 minutes during these times)
  • £4

3. Crystal Palace Park Farm: Ledrington Rd, London SE19 2BS

[SOUTH WEST LONDON]

1. Deen City Farm: 39 Windsor Ave, London SW19 2RR

• Ukulele Jam
  • Tuesdays in August, 16:00-18:00
  • Free, drop in
  • All ages and skill levels
  • Bring your own ukulele or pick up one of theirs (first come first served)

[CENTRAL LONDON]

1. Oasis Farm Waterloo: 18 Carlisle Ln, London SE1 7LG

Hope you have a lovely time with your little ones at one of the city farms above!

Stay tuned for the next post on another outdoor day out idea!

Find us on Instagram @londonful_kids!

Here are free and paid events for kids in London this summer! Hope you and your little ones make the most of it!

Click each underlined title to check out further details on their websites!

1. Chickenshed Theatre (290 Chase Side, London N14 4PE)

Children’s Festival of Fun has various programmes, and you can check each one below for details and the links!

https://www.chickenshed.org.uk/pages/events/category/whats-on?Take=30

• Tales Big Day Out
  • 13 Aug, 11am & 2pm (90mins)
  • 0-7 yrs
  • £10 (Babies under 12 mths FREE)
  • With song, dance and action, performances and workshops.

• Tales from the Shed
  • 5 Aug 11am | 12 Aug 10am
  • 0-6 yrs
  • £7 (Babies under 6 mths FREE)
  • Songs, movement and language games

• Tales Yoga
  • 9 Aug, 2pm
  • 0-7 yrs
  • £5 (Under 6 months FREE)
  • Yoga with fun, interactive storytelling

• Storyworld, Enfield Special
• 5 Aug, 1pm (90 mins)
• 0-6 yrs
• £7 (Under 6 months FREE)

• Planet Play
  • 5 Aug 9:30 | 6 Aug 10:00 | 13 Aug 9:30 (Sept and Oct every Friday 10:00)
  • 0-3 yrs
  • Adults £9 (babies & children FREE)

• Sound Adventures
  • 10 Aug 1:30pm & 3pm | 11 Aug 1:30pm
  • 5+ yrs
  • £6

Family Summer Pantomime – THREE

• 3 Aug – Sat 12 Aug(Time varies everyday)
• 3+ yrs
• £8 (free under 12 months)
• Fairytale through song, puppetry and movement

Baby Broadway Family Concert

• Wed 16 Aug, 10am & 11:30am (45 mins)
• 0-6 yrs
• £7 (under 6 months FREE)
• Well-known musical songs with bubbles, puppetry, dance moves, and lots of audience interaction

2. Mess it up in the park (Priory Park London, Greater London, N8 8LN)

• £13
• Friday 10:00-12:00

3. The Postal Museum (15-20 Phoenix Pl, London WC1X 0DA)

Summer of Invention: 27 July – 26 August, included in ticket, drop in, first come first served

• Family STEAM Trail: 27 Jul – 26 Aug 10:00-17:00
• Construction Zone: Every Thursday and Friday during 27 Jul – 26 Aug, 10:00-15:00
• Pioneering Postcodes: 3, 4 & 5 Aug, 11:00-13:00, 14:00-16:00 (best for 5-11 yrs)
• Mail Rail Science Show: 10, 11 & 12 Aug, 11:00-11:45, 13:00-13:45 (best for 7-11 yrs)
• Pioneering Postage Stamp: 17, 18 & 19 Aug, 11:00-13:00, 14:00-16:00 (best for 5-11 yrs)
• Revolutionary Robots: 24, 25 & 26 Aug, 11:00-13:00, 14:00-16:00 (best for 5-11 yrs)

* Add Sorted(Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-16:45 | £4 online, £5 on the day, £11 Museum + Sorted | ages 8 and under) to your ticket!

4. Try an Instrument Workshop for Kids: Book for a FREE 30 minute slot!

• 19 Aug, Highbury Fields Playground, Fellowship Square
• 26 Aug, Fellowship Square, Queen’s Park
• 2 Sept, Cutty Sark

5. Somerset House (Strand, London WC2R 1LA)

Summer in the Courtyard (FREE)

• Weekdays in August: art & installations, food & drink pop-ups and water fountains (The fountains will be off from 7-15 Aug inclusive.)
• Weekends: live events & performances
• 16 Aug 12:00-15:00 Drumming Workshop (for all ages)
• 23 Aug 12:00-14:00 Make Your Own Puppet (for all ages)

6. Strand Aldwych Summer Social

• 5 Aug, 12:00-18:00
• FREE
• Roller staking and face painting, interactive games and activities for all the family

7. National Gallery

Summer on the Square: throughout August, 11am-4pm (break 1-2pm), FREE

• Interactively art gallery: 4-6 Aug
• Tuning in: 7-9 Mon
• London Drawing: 10-13 Aug
• Imagineer and Imagine Bamboo: 14-16 Aug
• Moving colours, moving selves: 17-20 Aug
• Originary Arts: 21-24 Aug
• Leap Then Look: 25-28 Aug

8. Republic London – Sandpit Play Days

• Every Thursday 3-14 August, 11:00-15:00
• FREE
• Enjoy their water gardens, lakeside, and sandpit

9. National Portrait Gallery

• 31 July – 4 Aug, 7-11 Aug
• FREE
• Different art & craft programmes prepared for each day! (Check the programmes here for Week 1 and here for Week 2!)

10. British Museum (Free)

• Little Feet: Ride the Waves
  • 21 Aug, 11:00-14:00
  • Under 5s
  • Water play on the Museum’s front lawn. Playing with soft sand and friendly fish. There will be activities across the lawn with creative elements, multi-sensory stations and relaxing areas.

• Masterpieces in Minecraft: Ancient Greece OR Ancient Egypt
  • 4, 10, 11, 17, 24 & 31 Aug, 10:00-16:00
  • 5+
  • Make your own unique creation, from theatres to temples

• Making masks: Ancient Greece and Persia
  • 5 Aug, 10:00-16:00
  • 5+

• Impossible Images: Ancient Greece and Persia OR Ancient Egypt
  • 12 & 18 August, 10:00-16:00
  • 5+

• Fabulous fans: China
  • 19 August, 10:00-16:00
  • 5+
  • Design a fan inspired by objects from China

11. Museum of the Home (136 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8EA)

MATT + FIONA: Build & Play Summer Residency

• Every Tuesday in August, 10:00-16:00
• Free, drop-in
• Design a modular and interactive play structure

How to Post a Paper Boat

• 25 August, 12:00-16:00
• Free, booking required
• Paper boat making workshop

12. British Library

Family Workshops: Animal Sounds

• 20 Aug, 11:00-12:30, 13:30-15:00
• suitable for 5-11 yrs
• Activities will include movement, making noise with our voices and playing with materials to create sounds.

13. The Kids’ Table

• A pop-up children’s corner service for pubs, restaurants, food halls and shopping centres. Craft, games and creative table-top fun prepared
• Available free of charge on a first come, first served  basis to customers of participating venues in all around London (Check their website for the list)
• Saturdays or Sundays
• 3-10 yrs

Hope you enjoy!

You can see more frequent updates on my Instagram @londonful_kids!