Things to do with kids outdoors in London [Summer Edition]

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

Image from King’s Cross Coal Drops Yard website

[2] FREE Snug soft play

Image from King’s Cross Coal Drops Yard website
  • Daily throughout summer, 10am – 6pm, weather permitting
  • Lewis Cubitt Park
  • building dens, tunnels, obstacle courses, and trampolines

[3] Wildlife Wednesdays at London Canal Museum

Image from King’s Cross Coal Drops Yard website
  • 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

Image from King’s Cross Coal Drops Yard website
  • 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

Image from London Wildlife Trust website

2. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

[1] Olympic Park Fountains

Image from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park website
  • 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

Image from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park website

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

[3] FREE gardening workshops

Image from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park website
  • 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

Image from Lee & Stort Boat Co Ltd website
  • 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)
Image from Lee & Stort Boat Co Ltd website
  • 27 Aug (limited availability)
  • Adults £19 | Children £8 | Under 3’s FREE

3. Canary Wharf

[1] FREE Minigolf by CRAIG & KARL and Pingpong

Image from Canary Wharf website
  • Daily 12pm – 6pm (until 30 Sept)

[2] Family Film Club

Image from Canary Wharf website
  • 12 Aug 10:30 (Inside Out) | 19 August 10:30 (Paddington)

[3] Crossrail Place Roof Garden

Image from Canary Wharf website
  • FREE, Open daily until 9pm

4. Somerset House + Covent Garden

[1] Water fountains in the courtyard

Image from Somerset House website
  • 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

Image from Covent Garden website
  • FREE, throughout summer, across the Covent Garden estate

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

Image from Bow Street Police Museum website
  • 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

Image from Southbank Centre website
  • 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!

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