This guide reveals the best things to do with kids in London in July 2026. It covers free family activities, festivals, outdoor theatre and immersive experiences for all ages.
Updated 24 June 2026
Did you know July is Britain’s joint-favourite month? (1)
We personally love it for all the family activities that pop up across London. While researching our newsletter for London parents, we’ve already found 124 of them.
We’ll be sharing details for all of these with our subscribers each week throughout July. They’ll also hear about flash discounts and family-friendly pop-ups offering free treats.
But for our top 24 kids’ activities in London this July, stay on this page. We’ve broken things down into categories to suit all ages and budgets. So if you’ve got an idea of the sort of family event you’re after, click below to jump ahead:
- What fun things can I do with kids in London for free?
- Where to take little kids in London this July
- Where to take kids aged 7 and over in London this July
- Activities in London for kids of all ages this July
At a glance: fun things to do with kids in London this July
| For? | Loopla’s pick |
|---|---|
| Tiny dancers | Family Dance Day at Coram’s Fields |
| A free day out | Royal Docks Summer Splash 2026 |
| Toddlers | Whatever the Weather |
| Older kids | Luminiscence: Immersive concert |
| Budding scientists | Brainiac Live! |
| History fans | Henry VIII’s Joust at Hampton Court Palace |
| Dino fun | Dinosaur World Live! |
| Creative kids | Canary Wharf Alfresco Arts |
| A rainy day | House of Dreamers |
| Outdoor activity | Theatre on Kew: The Wind in the Willows |
What fun things can I do with kids in London for free?
This section reveals the best free things to do with kids in London this July, from craft activities to open-air festivals. Some you need to book. Others are drop-in only.
Open House at BST Hyde Park
Open House is the free bit of BST Hyde Park. It takes place on weekdays, when the festival site opens between the big paid concerts. Many of the shows and activities on the Open House schedule are for families.
For 2026, acts such as Chickenshed, MC Grammar and West End Kids will perform. It’s a great, budget-friendly outdoor activity, especially for families with kids looking for their first festival experience.
Event details
Dates: Monday 29 June to Thursday 9 July 2026
Where: Hyde Park, W2
Price: Free
Canary Wharf Alfresco Arts Family Events
Canary Wharf’s Alfresco Arts is a series of free creative activities for kids. It takes place on selected weekends from June to August, mostly in the Crossrail Place Roof Garden.
For many, Canary Wharf brings to mind suits and skyscrapers. But it’s actually a much better family day out than you might think in summer. Jubilee Park is an interesting green space to explore. You can also catch outdoor cinema in Canada Square Park.
Event details
Dates: Selected weekends till Saturday 15 August 2026
Where: Crossrail Place Roof Garden and Jubilee Park, E14
Price: Free
Young V&A Summer Festival
Young V&A Summer Festival is a free family celebration for the museum’s 3rd birthday. The event will involve family-friendly performances and creative activities across the museum.
In one afternoon, kids will be able to see circus acts, a Bollywood dance show and make friendship bracelets. All of it is free and drop-in, so there’s no need to book.
The Young V&A is one of the best free museums in London for kids. It was just named the winner of the Council of Europe Museum Prize 2026, in fact.
Event details
Dates: Saturday 4 July 2026
Where: Young V&A, Bethnal Green, E2
Price: Free
Family Dance Day
Coram’s Fields’ Family Dance Day is a free day of dance performances and activities for children under 12 and their families. The line-up includes BUGS!, where giant insects come to life through dance.
There will also be a magical dance show inspired by children’s books called Prisma. Lastly, No Sugar No Milk will combine physical theatre, martial arts and circus stunts.
Coram’s Fields describe the event as “London’s most exciting family dance event of the year”. Considering all of the above, we might have to agree.
Event details
Dates: Saturday 18 July 2026
Ages: Families with children under 12
Where: Coram’s Fields, WC1N
Price: Free
Royal Docks Summer Splash 2026
Royal Docks Summer Splash is London’s free open-water lido at Royal Victoria Dock. It has lifeguards to supervise swimming, sandpits, deckchairs, sun-safe areas and free family activities.
This might be as close as you can get to a trip to the beach without leaving the city. Where else in London can kids build sandcastles and splash around in one afternoon?
Event details
Dates: Friday 24 July to Sunday 16 August 2026
Where: Royal Victoria Dock, E16
Price: Free
Splash around in Southbank’s Appearing Rooms
Jeppe Hein’s water-wall fountain is back at the Southbank Centre, having returned nearly every summer since 2007.
Jets shoot up to form square rooms made of water, then vanish and re-form elsewhere as kids dart in and out. When the sun is out, it’s a free, refreshing thing to do with kids following more cultural activities on the South Bank.
Event details
Dates: From Wednesday 17 June, all summer
Where: Southbank Centre, SE1
Price: Free
Wimbledon on the Canal
Everyman will be screening Wimbledon matches live on the canal by King’s Cross’s Granary Square. This is part of their wider Everyman on the Canal series, featuring films like Grease and Paddington in Peru.
Event details
Dates: From Monday 29 June to Sunday 12 July 2026
Where: Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1
Price: Free
Where to take little kids in London this July
This section reveals the best places to take little kids in London this July. It covers toddler theatre, sensory play and a role-play town for under-6s.
For more options, see our guides to the best things to do with toddlers in London and the best London theatre shows for toddlers.
Whatever the Weather
Whatever the Weather is an immersive play experience for young children to learn about weather. It was created by award-nominated theatre designers and local families. In 45-minute sessions, kids can wear a cloud, dance in a snowstorm, build an ice castle or bask in the sun.
To us, this sounds like a great first visit to a theatre for toddlers or younger kids. Rather than sitting still for a whole show, they get to follow their natural curiosity through hands-on play. The Unicorn is also one of our favourite venues to see shows with younger kids. It’s just across the river from the Tower of London if you’re planning a day of family fun in the city.
Event details
Dates: Friday 3 July to Sunday 16 August 2026
Ages: 0 to 7 years
Where: Unicorn Theatre, SE1
Price: Tickets from £5.50
Luna Loves London
Luna Loves London is an immersive play experience based on the Luna Loves books by Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers. It lasts 50 minutes, during which you’ll explore the more kid-friendly London of the Luna books. For example, there is a library with a huge story book to climb inside and a gallery where you can touch all the art.
The Discover Children’s Story Centre just reopened after a four-month makeover. Kids’ activities like Luna Loves London remind us why we missed it so much.
Event details
Dates: Saturday 25 July to Sunday 6 September 2026
Ages: 0 to 8 years
Where: Discover Children’s Story Centre, E15
Price: £5.50 (plus entry, from £11.00)
Dinosaur World Live!
Dinosaur World Live! is an Olivier Award-winning, interactive family show with lifelike dinosaur puppets. Over 50 minutes, kids get to see Triceratops, a Tyrannosaurus Rex and more. There’s also a 15-minute meet and greet after the show where kids can make friends.
For parents with kids in their dinosaur phase, this show is an easy win.
Event details
Dates: Tuesday 28 July to Sunday 6 September 2026
Ages: 3 to 10 years
Where: Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, HA9
Price: Tickets from £12
The Enormous Crocodile
The Enormous Crocodile is a family musical based on Roald Dahl’s book. The 55-minute show follows a greedy crocodile as he creeps through the jungle looking for children to eat. It features puppets, songs and plenty of animal characters that younger kids will be drawn to.
The crocodile itself is a bumbling, pantomime-style villain whose plan is played for silliness rather than scares. Time Out in fact saw the show’s lack of “dark streak” as a flaw. But if you’re looking for a softer-edged introduction to Dahl, this is probably what you want. The puppets were widely praised, though, as the villainous croc assembles and disassembles to take on new dastardly disguises.
Event details
Dates: Tuesday 28 July to Saturday 22 August 2026
Ages: 3 to 12 years
Where: Lyric Hammersmith, W6
Price: Tickets from £10 (with limited time offer)
Free kids’ activities in London for 0 to 6 years
| What? | When? | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Docks Summer Splash | 24 July to 16 August | Royal Victoria Dock, E16 |
| Young V&A Summer Festival | 4 July | Young V&A, Bethnal Green, E2 |
| Family Dance Day | 18 July | Coram’s Fields, WC1N |
| Canary Wharf Alfresco Arts | Selected weekends to 15 August | Crossrail Place Roof Garden, E14 |
| Open House at BST Hyde Park | 29 June to 9 July | Hyde Park, W2 |
| Southbank Appearing Rooms | From 17 June, all summer | Southbank Centre, SE1 |
Where to take kids aged 7 and over in London this July
In London this July, kids aged 7 and over have science shows, outdoor Shakespeare and Tudor jousting to enjoy. Each activity below suits older children and tweens.
Brainiac Live!
Brainiac Live! is an Olivier Award-winning family science show based on the TV series. It brings big experiments to the stage. The young audience gets to see things like liquid nitrogen clouds, vortex smoke rings and exploding hydrogen balloons.
In other words, it’s one of the most fun science lessons you can treat your kid to in London. You won’t have to clean up any of the mess they make over the one-hour show, either.
Event details
Dates: Sunday 26 July to Sunday 30 August 2026
Ages: 5 to 14 years
Where: Garrick Theatre, WC2H
Price: Tickets from £25.37
East London Shakespeare Festival: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
East London Shakespeare Festival’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a family-friendly version of Shakespeare’s comedy. For 2026, it will tour parks and open spaces across London and Kent.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most magical and funniest plays. This adaptation will have slapstick, songs and plenty of audience participation, so kids don’t get bored. We recommend bringing chairs or a blanket, as seats aren’t provided.
Event details
Dates: 5 June to 23 August 2026
Where: Various London parks
Price: Varies by venue
Luminiscence: Immersive concert
Luminiscence is a 50-minute immersive concert that floods Westminster Cathedral with a musical light show. The 360° video projection means the light and colour cover the windows, walls, pillars and ceiling of the cathedral. The show itself tells the story of London and is voiced by actor Hugh Bonneville. Younger audiences and families may recognise his voice from Paddington.
We recommend this for older kids, especially those into history. Westminster Cathedral by itself is an awe-inspiring venue. It’s also perhaps a bit overlooked in our opinion, thanks to major attractions nearby like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.
Event details
Dates: Thursday 2 July to Saturday 26 September 2026
Where: Westminster Cathedral, SW1P
Price: Tickets from £32.50
Henry VIII’s Joust at Hampton Court Palace
Henry VIII’s Joust is a Tudor tournament at Hampton Court Palace. It’s set to feature knights on horses, falconry and royal drama.
In general, Hampton Court Palace is one of the best places near London to make history feel real for kids. Pair the jousting with their Magic Garden, where kids can storm battlements and see mythical beasts, and you get a day out they’ll talk about for ages.
Event details
Dates: Saturday 11 to Sunday 12 July and Saturday 18 to Sunday 19 July 2026
Where: Hampton Court Palace, KT8
Price: Free with palace entry (from £14.50)
Dog Man: The Musical
Dog Man: The Musical is a family show based on Dav Pilkey’s bestselling books. It follows George and Harold as they try to make a musical about a part-dog, part-man police officer who loves fighting crime and chewing furniture. Beyond songs, the musical will have slapstick comedy and plenty of comic-book chaos.
For kids who already love the books, this show is exciting news. It was created in 2019 but this is the first time it’s come to Europe. The Southbank Centre is also a great family day out. Nearby you have plenty of riverside food spots and major attractions like the London Eye and Big Ben.
Event details
Dates: Wednesday 29 July to Sunday 16 August 2026
Ages: 5 to 12 years
Where: Southbank Centre, SE1
Price: Tickets from £32.50
DroneArt Show: Harry Potter
DroneArt: Harry Potter is an outdoor night-time drone show inspired by the films. More than 1,200 drones will fly above the audience, creating scenes from the films in the sky. The show also uses music from the original soundtracks, with key moments performed by a live electric violinist.
For Harry Potter fans, this show is a good reason to let the kids stay up late this summer. That said, the 9.30pm start time and its location at Kempton Park Racecourse probably rule it out for some families.
Event details
Dates: Friday 31 July to Saturday 1 August 2026
Where: Kempton Park Racecourse, TW16
Price: Tickets from £27.40
Horrible Science at London Zoo
Horrible Science at London Zoo is an interactive trail with an outdoor comedy show. Kids will meet time-travelling scientists and make hands-on discoveries while exploring the zoo.
The Horrible Science comedy show takes place on the Main Lawns, where scientists from the past try to bring extinct animals back to life. London Zoo often puts on trails like this. For grown-ups, the beauty of them is you won’t spend your whole visit staring at a map. Just let your little explorer lead the way.
Event details
Dates: Saturday 18 July to Wednesday 2 September 2026
Where: London Zoo, NW1
Price: Included with zoo entry (from £22.20)
Free kids’ activities in London for 7 years and over
| What? | When? | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Docks Summer Splash | 24 July to 16 August | Royal Victoria Dock, E16 |
| Young V&A Summer Festival | 4 July | Young V&A, Bethnal Green, E2 |
| Family Dance Day | 18 July | Coram’s Fields, WC1N |
| Canary Wharf Alfresco Arts | Selected weekends to 15 August | Crossrail Place Roof Garden, E14 |
| Open House at BST Hyde Park | 29 June to 9 July | Hyde Park, W2 |
| Southbank Appearing Rooms | From 17 June, all summer | Southbank Centre, SE1 |
| Wimbledon on the Canal | From 29 June | Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1 |
Activities in London for kids of all ages this July
These activities suit kids of all ages in London this July, including a Disney exhibition and a puppet festival. They work for toddlers and their older siblings.
Theatre on Kew: The Wind in the Willows
Theatre on Kew’s The Wind in the Willows is an outdoor family show by Kew’s lake. It’s interactive, so kids can sing along and join in with the panto-style comedy.
Could there be a better setting to join Ratty, Mole and Toad’s riverbank adventure? Your ticket also includes entry to Kew Gardens. With certain time slots for adults, this alone costs more than the cheapest The Wind in the Willows tickets.
Event details
Dates: Selected dates from Saturday 18 July to Sunday 23 August 2026
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, TW9
Price: Tickets from £20.90 (includes Kew Gardens entry)
Disney’s The Lion King Exhibition
The magic of The Lion King’s West End show is on display at London Zoo through the summer.
Kids can stand inches from Rafiki, Zazu and the giant Mufasa mask, close enough that you can see all the stitches and feathers. Afterwards, you can also compare them to real lions elsewhere in the zoo.
Event details
Dates: Until Monday 31 August 2026
Where: London Zoo, NW1
Price: Included with zoo entry (kids from £22.20)
House of Dreamers
House of Dreamers is an immersive exhibition at Immerse LDN. The walk-through takes families through sixteen separate dream worlds. In less than a couple of hours, kids can see an enchanted forest, cloudscapes and a hall of magic mirrors.
Event details
Dates: Opens Wednesday 1 July 2026
Where: Immerse LDN, E16
Price: Kids’ tickets from £23.90
Little Angel Theatre Children’s Puppet Festival 2026
Little Angel Theatre Children’s Puppet Festival 2026 is a month-long festival of puppet shows and family workshops. It’s part of Little Angel Theatre’s 65th birthday celebrations. The line-up includes the world premiere of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, a new marionette show created by the award-winning Olivier Hymans.
Little Angel Theatre is a magical place to introduce little ones to theatre. If you’re anywhere near the Islington area, we recommend you visit. As Time Out said, the place is an “icon of North London childhood.”
Event details
Dates: Tuesday 28 July to Sunday 30 August 2026
Ages: Varies by show
Where: Little Angel Theatre and Little Angel Studios, N1
Price: Adults £15.50, kids £13.50
Uptown Festival’s Neighbourhood on Blackheath 2026
Neighbourhood on Blackheath is a family-friendly music festival on Blackheath. You have to buy a ticket, but get most of it back in the form of a voucher to spend inside. The 2026 event will have tribute acts for the likes of K-Pop Demon Hunters and ABBA. Other attractions include bouncy castles, soft play, crazy golf, dodgems, a mirror maze and more.
Because of capacity limits, they’ve introduced tickets this year. That means, considering the voucher you get back, you essentially pay a £3.75 entry fee to book online.
Still, few family festivals we’ve seen offer as much value as Neighbourhood on Blackheath. Greenwich is also one of the best parts of London to take kids. Just north of Blackheath you have Greenwich Park, Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum.
Event details
Dates: Sunday 26 July 2026
Where: Blackheath, SE3
Price: Kids from £11.75 (though this includes a booking fee and an £8 voucher to spend at the festival)
Kaleidoscope Festival
Kaleidoscope Festival is a one-day music, comedy and arts festival at Alexandra Palace Park. The 2026 line-up includes Rudimental, Groove Armada, Russell Kane and a dedicated family area.
The family area at Kaleidoscope is a mini festival within a festival. Along with (arguably) London’s best views, you get to enjoy silly science, disco yoga and the world’s tallest bubbleologist.
Event details
Dates: Saturday 11 July 2026
Where: Alexandra Palace, N22
Price: Tickets from £13.33 (under-16s must be with an adult over 21)
Common questions about things to do with kids in London
Which part of London is best for kids?
One of the best parts of London for kids is Greenwich. It has Greenwich Park, the Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum all close together. In July 2026, there will also be a family festival called Neighbourhood on Blackheath.
The South Bank is the best part of London for kids if you want lots of major attractions in one area. Within a short riverside walk you have the London Eye, Big Ben and the Southbank Centre.
The Tower of London was the most visited paid attraction in the UK in 2025. (2) You can pair a family trip there with a show at the Unicorn Theatre, just across the bridge.
What are some free museums in London?
One of the best free London museums for kids is the Young V&A in Bethnal Green. It won the Council of Europe Museum Prize 2026. (3) This July, the Young V&A also hosts a free Summer Festival of circus, dance and craft for its third birthday.
The Natural History Museum, Science Museum and British Museum are also free to enter, though some special exhibitions are ticketed.
What can I do with a 4 year old in London?
In London this July, a 4 year old can enjoy Whatever the Weather, a play experience at the Unicorn Theatre where they “wear” clouds and build ice castles. At the Story Centre in Stratford, Luna Loves London turns a story book into a whole city to explore. In terms of shows, Dinosaur World Live! brings lifelike dinosaur puppets to the stage. Many of the shows at Little Angel Theatre’s puppet festival are suitable for 4 year olds, too.
What’s the best free family event in London this July?
One of the best free family events in London this July is Royal Docks Summer Splash, the city’s free open-water lido at Royal Victoria Dock. Kids can swim under lifeguard supervision, build sandcastles and join free family activities. Other strong free options include Family Dance Day at Coram’s Fields and the Young V&A Summer Festival.
How do I find more kids’ activities in London?
To find more kids’ activities in London search Loopla by date, age and location. New classes, shows and events are added all the time. You can also sign up to our weekly newsletter for parents, where we round up what’s on, plus flash discounts and free family pop-ups.
References
- YouGov, Favourite Day, Month & Season (survey of 1,624 GB adults, 28–29 November 2016). View source
- ALVA (Association of Leading Visitor Attractions), 2025 Visitor Figures. View source
- Museums Association, “Young V&A wins European museum prize”, 3 December 2025. View source
How to save time and money, without missing out on magical family experiences
Summer is a great time to make wonderful family memories, but it can also be a lot of work.
Sorting through what is worth your time and money is half the battle. Loopla’s weekly newsletter for London parents does the legwork for you.
Every week, our 30,000 subscribers get:
- Family-friendly deals and discounts
- Details for around 10 free family events
- A heads-up on popular events we think might sell out fast