Summer events for families
The capital boasts some of the most marvellous museums in the world, so why not take your kids to see the mummies at the British Museum, learn about how the world works at the Science Museum or travel back in time at the V&A?
Immersive experiences have become extremely popular with families in recent years: transport your little ones to another planet at Avora: Family Immersive Adventure, near Hoxton, or wander inside famous masterpieces at Frameless at Marble Arch.
If you’ve got any budding David Attenboroughs amongst your brood, then a trip to ZSL London Zoo wouldn’t go amiss (they have got a line-up of special summer activities to encourage children to understand the importance of conservation work) nor would a visit to the BBC Earth Experience at Earl’s Court, an interactive trip across the globe’s flora and fauna which he narrates. Children will also love a boat trip on the Thames or a whizz around the London Eye, and don’t forget everyone’s favourite toy store, Hamleys.
If you’re willing to travel a bit further afield, you could spend a long time at Hobbledown Heath Adventure Playground in Hendon Central, where your children can go wild in the gigantic indoor and outdoor playgrounds, plus play villages and mini farms. Feeling brave? Book tickets to a family-friendly West End show – The Lion King and Matilda are perennial hits with all ages.
Fun things to do in London with babies and toddlers
It’s tempting to just stay at home when you’ve really small children, but there are plenty of fun things to do with babies and toddlers in London in the summertime to tire them out. The Science Museum has a messy play zone, while the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich has various different kid-friendly bits, including a pretend beach and ship’s deck, and the London Transport Museum has the Thames Nipper and All Aboard play area. Inspire a future musical genius at one of the Bach to Baby concerts, held at venues across the city, or take them dancing at a Big Fish Little Fish daytime gig. And you can’t go wrong with a City Farm – little ones love petting and feeding the animals.
Best kid-friendly swimming and parks in London
An easy way to entertain children in the summer is to take them outside weather permitting. Happily, the capital has plenty of green spaces to explore, with playgrounds in Hyde Park, St James’s Park and Battersea Park, with the latter boasting a Go Ape, zoo, mini golf and pizza place too.
There’s also an array of open-air swimming pools, ponds and lidos that are perfect for a refreshing dip should the temperature rise. The most child-friendly include the Serpentine, which has a gated family area, sun loungers and a play area, Tooting Bec Lido, which has a paddling pool and café, and Brockwell Lido, which puts on regular activities for toddlers and children.
Another fun and free way to cool down in London is to head to one of the many play fountains on offer. Granary Square in Kings Cross has 1,000 water jets that operate all day, with plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby if you want to have a meal or drink too, plus a lights show at dusk, too. There’s another at More London near the river, which is also close to Tower Bridge – always a marvel when it opens to let a boat sail past.
Family-friendly places to eat in London
Eating out needn’t be a stressful undertaking when you’ve got kids in tow – but nor should it be Happy Meals and junk food, either. At our pubs, we offer a fantastic children’s menu of simple but delicious crowd-pleasers designed for little appetites.
After a trip to Hyde Park, you can wander down to The Alfred Tennyson or The Orange in Belgravia, where we serve margarita pizzas, fish goujons, beef burgers and ice cream sundaes – with all the toppings.
Meanwhile, The Princess Royal in Notting Hill has a menu of elevated classics catering to younger patrons, from roast chicken with sprouting broccoli, to chocolate and pistachio cannoli.
If you’re enjoying a fun-filled family day out in London, book a table at one of our family-friendly Cubitt House London pubs to end the day unwinding, eating, drinking and getting merry.
