Child-Friendly Activities To Do In London This Summer
London Wetland Centre, Barnes
The London Wetland Centre in Barnes is home to a wide variety of birds and duck species, from the brightly coloured Mandarin to whistling ducks. This summer, families can enjoy a vibrant line-up of festival experiences designed to bring the world of dragonflies to life. From pond dipping and adventure play to dragonfly safaris and creative art workshops, there’s something to spark curiosity in every young explorer. Other activities on offer include taking part in an otter feed, visiting the indoor and outdoor play areas and taking on the ‘Wild Walk’ course.
Visit WWT.org.uk
Treehouse Hotel, Marylebone
Treehouse Hotel has a handful of family launches this summer. Its new Family Tree experience, created in partnership with award-winning wooden toy company Le Toy Van, transforms Treehouse’s signature guest rooms into imaginative play spaces and a curated toy box. Throughout the summer, the suites will feature an in-room teepee for story time, warm milk and cookies to celebrate the occasion and discount vouchers from Le Toy Van. Families can also head to the hotel’s restaurant, Madera, for the new family fiesta brunch. While adults enjoy a leisurely brunch on the 15th floor, children aged four to ten can take part in 90 minutes of supervised games and activities hosted by Sharky + George, including parachute games, giant bubbles, dancing and team challenges.
Visit TreeHouseHotels.com
WonderLab At The Science Museum, South Kensington
Hours of fun can be spent at the Science Museum’s interactive gallery, WonderLab. With live shows and daily demonstrations, kids will learn about the science and maths that shape our everyday lives. Spread across seven different zones, children can interact with real scientific phenomena, see lightning strike before their eyes, play with forces on giant slides and travel through space under a canopy of stars. Be sure to visit the Matter Zone to see the cool ferrofluid exhibit.
Visit ScienceMuseum.org.uk
The Gantry, Stratford
This summer, The Gantry hotel is offering a family stay with a competitive edge. In Stratford, next to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, The Gantry has introduced the Mini Olympians challenge, where children of all ages can join Team GB for the day and win a gold medal. Each family staying at the hotel over the summer will be presented with a bespoke map complete with challenges. From running around the Arcelor Mittal Orbit to walking the beam in the Tumble Playground, Star jumping under the Olympic Rings to shouting underneath the Olympic bell, the challenges are a great way of exploring this impressive location. Once they’re tired out, children can return to the hotel as Olympic champions and be presented with their very own gold medal.
Visit TheGantryLondon.com
Fortnum & Mason x Winnie the Pooh, West End
Fortnum & Mason has announced a special collaboration with Disney to celebrate the 100th anniversary of one of Britain’s most cherished characters, Winnie the Pooh. The collaboration introduces 100 Aker Wood Hunny, inspired by Pooh’s timeless, honey-loving world, plus a Hunny Pot Hamper filled with a selection of sweet treats. The anniversary collection is complemented by a range of biscuits and treats inspired by Pooh’s fondness for something sweet. Highlights include Disney Winnie the Pooh and Friends Iced Biscuits featuring designs of the characters from the storybook and Dinsey Winnie the Pooh & Piglet’s Hunny Truffle Selection, featuring five truffles that have each been crafted with a different Fortnum’s honey to showcase a range of flavours and complexities. Fortnum & Mason has also introduced a themed afternoon tea for adults and children.
Visit SevenRooms.com
Kew Gardens, Kew
Visitors to Kew Gardens can enjoy a summer of savings, as London’s largest Unesco World Heritage Site participates in the UK government’s Great British Summer Saving initiative. As part of the scheme, online adult tickets are reduced to £21.85, with admission for children under 16 costing just £1.75 and children under four going for free. Included with entry to the gardens this summer is Tom Gates EPIC Adventure, a new interactive experience packed with creativity, music, puzzles and outdoor discovery. Running until 31st August, this free drop-in event is inspired by the global bestselling Tom Gates books and hit TV series, both created by Liz Pichon, and promises a day in nature for families. A daytime family programme also runs throughout the current Henry Moore exhibition and offers an interactive trail, focused on guiding younger visitors around a selection of sculptures through sight, touch and sound. An illustrated guide and a pencil can be picked up at any entry gate.
Visit Kew.org
Sticks & Cones, Marylebone
Sticks & Cones is a new ice cream and ice lolly shop on Paddington Street in Marylebone. It’s been opened by Petra Tanos, a Marylebone mum and resident who kept running into the same problem: her kids would plead for an ice-cream and the best she could do was a prepackaged lolly from the corner shop. So, she’s built the place she wished existed – a neighbourhood spot where friends and families can slow down and enjoy time together. Every lolly and ice-cream is made from scratch in the shop, using premium ingredients sourced mainly from B Corp-certified suppliers. Star ingredients include fresh cream and milk from The Estate Dairy, chocolate from Original Beans and fresh fruit from Natoora.
Visit Sticks&Cones.co.uk
Lee Valley VeloPark, Stratford
Lee Valley VeloPark’s kids' sessions range from activities for children as young as two up to 16. Ideal for those learning to ride a bike and more experienced riders who want to develop their skills, of the classes available, we like the sound of ‘Peddle Up Pump’, where they can tackle the indoor pump track before they try BMX or mountain biking. These sessions will help young riders stand confidently on the pedals and learn how to negotiate the pump track safely, along with key bike handling techniques.
Visit Better.org.uk
Hox Kids, Hoxton, Southwark & Holborn
The Hoxton’s Hox Kids initiative is designed to not only give parents a little more time to switch off but to make younger guests feel like they're a part of the experience. Travel habits and taste levels don't switch off when children come along and Hox Kids aims to help families enjoy everything they love about a hotel stay, without compromise. Kids can take their stay into their own hands with Dial For Treats, allowing them to call reception and request a special delivery straight to their room: think ice cream after a day exploring the city, a postcard to send to their pals back home, a colouring kit for a rainy afternoon or an insider’s tip for an exciting new neighbourhood adventure. As standard, Hox Kids aged 12 and under will have breakfast included for free throughout their stay, either in the hotel restaurant or via a breakfast bag delivered to the room for extra early starts or to grab-and-go for a day of exploring.
Visit TheHoxton.com
Official Paddington Bear Experience, South Bank
The Paddington Bear Experience is now on at County Hall on London’s South Bank. And with a Summer Special Ticket, guests can upgrade their visit with a bundle of essentials for a perfect summer’s day. For guests of all ages, this large-scale multi-sensory adventure unfolds across multiple themed rooms inspired by memorable locations from the Paddington stories, where guests meet their favourite characters as they participate in interactive games and activities. With bubbles in the air, treats to enjoy including ice-cream and macarons and plenty of fun photo moments along the way, there’s no better time to visit. Each Summer Special Ticket includes a suitcase-shaped lunchbox, Paddington ears, a marmalade sandwich, a Fruit Shoot and a Paddington Postcard to remember the day.
Miffy x Cutter & Squidge, Soho
Cutter & Squidge has launched a limited-edition partnership with Miffy. Bringing one of the world's most enduring characters to its Soho flagship café (and online for nationwide delivery until 31st August), the collection invites Miffy fans to experience exclusive bakes, gifts and immersive experiences. Throughout the partnership, Cutter & Squidge will be serving Miffy’s afternoon tea from Wednesday to Saturday. Priced at £45 per person, the afternoon tea will feature cheese and chutney brioche, egg mayo charcoal roll, coronation chicken sourdough, strawberries and cream, a strawberry sprinkle posset, a slice of Miffy cake, scones with clotted cream and jam and tea – plus a Miffy notebook to take home.
Visit Cutter&Squidge.com
Fairy Tales at British Library, King’s Cross
Until the end of August the British Library is inviting families to Fairy Tales to explore enchanted lands, magical creatures, iconic characters and timeless tales, brought to life through theatre costumes, puppets, pop-ups and artwork. With interactive displays, theatrical design, story sharing spaces, costumes, activities and plenty of surprises, families can dive into the stories they love and find some new favourites. Throughout the exhibition, beautiful books and artwork from some of the UK’s most beloved writers and illustrators offer a glimpse of the tales that have captured imaginations for generations. Suitable for ages three and up.
Visit Events.bl.org
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