As the vibrant month of June unfolds before us, we can’t help but be swept up in the excitement of the official start of summer. With days growing longer and the sun shining brighter, June is the perfect time for families to bond and create unforgettable memories. This year, the month brings a delightful assortment of activities and events, from celebrating Father’s Day to indulging in National Picnic Week. It’s also the perfect time to visit a local farm for some Pick Your Own (PYO) strawberries or any other fresh and delicious produce the season offers.
In our monthly round-up, we’ve carefully curated a list of 30 incredible places and events to explore with your family this June. From the great outdoors to entertaining indoor venues, these activities are designed to spark joy and ignite a sense of wonder in every family member. So buckle up and prepare to embark on a magical journey filled with laughter, discovery, and togetherness!
1. Amazing Bubble Man
Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences worldwide for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. He is a favourite at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where he has enjoyed twelve years of sell-out success. 01 – 04 Jun
Leicester Square Theatre, Leicester Square LONDON
Suitable for all ages.
PAID
2. Discover Children’s Story Centre
Expect craft, dressing up and plenty of interactive exhibits, as well as an outdoor playground. This dedicated children’s space has a wealth of activities for young children.
- Storytelling and Drawalong with Luke Scriven: Join author and illustrator Luke Scriven, who will be here to talk about his new book, The Little Fear (age 4+). 01 Jun
- Storytelling and Craft with Cara Matheson: Join author Cara Matheson as she introduces her new book, Finding Floss: The Colour-changing Cockapoo! 02 Jun
- Wonderwish: Celebrate the magic of birthdays and that special time of year when you get to make a wish that might just come true through bright and playful storytelling (ages 0 -3). 12 Jun
Discover Children’s Story Centre, Stratford LONDON
PAID (Under 1s FREE)
3. Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum
Enjoy free activities at the museum every day.
- Drop-in Design: Digital Tal-nori: Join the V&A for this creative families workshop created by Seoul-based digital and design studio, Commoners. Get inspired by the Hallyu (ages 5+)? 01 Jun
- Digital Drop-in: Meet again The More, The Better: Get inspired by the interactive display Meet again The More, The Better and create a piece of video art (ages 5+)! 01 – 02 Jun
- Make-it: Sculpture: Take part in this families workshop and create your very own relief sculpture from clay (ages 5 – 13)! 03 Jun
- Design Baby: Explore the Hallyu! Join artist Rosie S. Kang in the multi-sensory play session inspired by the themes of the Hallyu (ages 0 – 3)! 07 Jun
- Families Storytelling: Caribbean Tales: Join author and storyteller Wendy Shearer for Caribbean folktales (ages 5+). 07 Jun
- Drop-in Design: Celebration Wall Art: Join this creative drop-in workshop for families, led by designer Tihara Smith to create wall art inspired by Caribbean culture (ages 5+). 18 Jun
V&A, South Kensington LONDON
PAID / FREE
4. English Heritage
Enjoy free activities at the museum every day.
- Make sense of Eltham Palace’s / Walmer Castle’s Gardens: Discover the gardens on this immersive gardener-led tour. You’ll be guided on a sensational journey through the past, savouring the historic sights, sounds, and scents enjoyed here for over a hundred years. 01 – 29 Jun
- Waterloo Weekend at Apsley House: Join Apsley House for special talks and demonstrations by re-enactors who will bring to life the experiences of the Duke’s regiment that fought at the famous battle. 17 & 18 Jun
English Heritage Sites LONDON and KENT
PAID
5. Hever Castle and Gardens
Embark on a trip to the historic Hever Castle and Gardens! Built all the way back in 1270, the beautiful castle and castle grounds are steeped in fascinating history, mystery and fun activities. There are heaps fun activities for all ages to enjoy from the Tudor Towers Adventure playground to ghost tours, formal gardens, bunny shaped hedges, a water maze, and a Japanese Tea Room!
- The Festival at Hever Castle: Head over to the open-air festival set in the gardens of Hever Castle for the 2023 season. The Summer Festival presents a wide selection of shows: family events, plays, classical concerts, opera, jazz, comedy and musical tribute performances. 01 Jun – 30 Aug
- Father’s Day Weekend & Car Event Say thank you to dad this Father’s Day and spoil him with a memorable day out. 17 & Jun
- Father’s Day Lunch at the Waterside: Head to The Waterside with the whole family for a delicious Father’s Day Lunch. 18 Jun
- Hever in Bloom: Experience the quintessential English Rose Garden at the height of its summer beauty. 19 – 22 Jun
Hever Castle and Gardens, Edenbridge KENT
PAID
6. Southbank Centre
Explore all family events Southbank Centre is organising in June.
- Yellow: Dive into a world where absolutely everything is yellow in this musical mime performance by Anastasiia Liubchenko at Queen Elizabeth Hall (ages 2 – 6). 01 & 02 Jun
- The GruffaloJoin Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler at the Queen Elizabeth Hall (ages 3+). 01 – 04 Jun
- The Marvellous Myth Hunter Ceilidh: Love heroes, monsters and myths? Dust off your maps and jetpacks to visit Scotland’s most famous loch and have a knees-up at a fantastical live ceilidh at the Riverside Terrace (ages 5+). 02 Jun & 20 Aug
- Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed at the Orchestra: The Beano’s Dennis and Gnasher invite you along for some lively musical mischief-making in a family concert at the Royal Festival Hall (ages 7+). 03 Jun
- Rug Rhymes at the NPL: What rhymes with rug? National Poetry Library puppets Federico and Firebird can’t wait to tell you at a session of nursery rhymes, poems and rhyming stories at the Royal Festival Hall (ages 0 – 5). 09 & 30 Jun & 14 Jul
- Planet Summer: Find care, hope, connection and activism this season teeming with talks, performances, music and family events responding to the climate emergency at the Royal Festival Hall. 21 Jun – 03 Sep
Southbank Centre, South Bank LONDON
PAID / FREE
7. Dinosaur World Live
Discover a prehistoric world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. 02 – 04 Jun
artsdepot, North Finchley LONDON
Suitable for ages 3 and above.
PAID
8. Giffords Circus
Go see the magical, village-green, travelling circus brought to you by Giffords Circus. 02 – 19 Jun
Chiswick LONDON
PAID (Under 3s FREE)
9. Royal Albert Hall (RAH)
A wide range of shows and events for children and families to get involved in, which all promise an unforgettable day out.
- Royal Albert Hall (RAH) Classical for Kids: Tantelsing Trombones: Introduce little ears to the world of classical music, Classical for Kids offers the opportunity for families to attend a chamber concert performed by the professional musicians from the Hall’s very own Albert’s Band (ages 4 -11). 02 Jun
- RAH and English National Ballet present Cinderella: Be transported to an enchanting kingdom where forest creatures live alongside princes, a growing tree appears to dance in the wind, and Cinderella’s wit and generosity get her to the ball – with the help of a little bit of magic (ages 8+). 15 – 25 Jun
RAH, South Kensington LONDON
PAID
10. London Gallery Weekend: Saturday Workshop. Gary Simmons
In celebration of London Gallery Weekend and the exhibition ‘Gary Simmons. This Must Be the Place,’ Hauser & Wirth London invites you to take part in a creative workshop inspired by Gary Simmons. 03 Jun
Hauser & Wirth, Mayfair LONDON
FREE
11. See Chase & Marshall from PAW Patrol!
Come along to the Spa Valley Railway to see TV favourites Chase & Marshall from PAW Patrol at Groombridge! 03 & 04 Jun
Spa Valley Railway, Royal Tunbridge Wells KENT
PAID (Under 2s FREE)
12. The Derby Family Festival
Fancy entertaining the kids for FREE this half-term? With the children cheering, fairground rides swinging, and tracks pulsating. What better way to celebrate the world’s greatest carnival, the Epsom Derby, than a spot in The Derby Family Festival area where those under 12 go FREE!? 03 & 04 Jun
Epsom LONDON
PAID (Under 12s FREE)
13. Half Moon Young People’s Theatre
Experience the best in young people’s theatre, both as a participant and as an audience member.
- Pinocchio: Step inside Geppetto’s workshop and hear the tale of a puppet that wants to be a real boy, and a puppet maker who wants to be a real father. Pinocchio returns to Half Moon due to popular demand, after sold-out performances earlier this year (ages 4+). 08 – 10 Jun
- Jack! Enjoy a new musical for families featuring ‘Jack’ tales from the beanstalk and beyond! It’s a storytelling musical, using all the building blocks of musical theatre and storytelling to create an hour long treat (ages 5+). 22 – 24 Jun
- By the Light of the Moon: Who ever heard of a cat that’s afraid of the dark, or an owl that isn’t wise? Championing friendships forged through difference, this tender tale will take you on a magical journey, exploring why everything looks special ‘By the Light of the Moon’. (ages 3+) 29 & 30 Jun
Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, Limehouse LONDON
PAID
14. Pub in the Park
Join the ultimate food and music festival in Dulwich Park. Hosted by Tom Kerridge and Simon Rimmer, they’re bringing award-winning restaurants, banging live music, more incredible chefs and of course delicious food! And they don’t forget about the little ones; a full programme of what they can look forward to will be released in the coming months. We have kids and family tickets available plus 0-5 year olds go free – so all the family can join the fun! 09 – 11 Jun
Dulwich Park LONDON
PAID (Under 6s go FREE)
15. Open-air Theatre: The Wind in the Willows
Enjoy a lovely, theatrical re-telling of Kenneth Grahame’s classic story. On a summer afternoon in Wild Wood, while the animals sat, ate picnics and played with their friends, a mischievous ‘poop poop’ echoed in the trees. Join Mole, Ratty and Badger in a floor stomping, live music, hilarious recount of this woodland adventure as they save Toad and his shiny new motorcar from deep trouble. 10 Jun
The Historic Dockyard, Chatham KENT
PAID (Under 4s FREE)
16. Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens
Enjoy the best family days out with the kids at Leonardslee Gardens.
- Conker at Leonardslee: Explore nature, your senses and your feelings as part of the Conker activity trail at Leonardslee. You can also join Hannah Peckham for a book reading at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens on 17 June. 10 – 23 Jun
- Father’s Day 2023: Spoil Dad with a great day out and exceptional experiences for guests of all ages. 18 Jun
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, Horsham SUSSEX
Incl. in admission (Under 5s FREE)
17. National Maritime Museum
Take your little sailors along for some maritime-themed fun!
- World Oceans Day: Travel down the Thames and celebrate World Oceans Day at the National Maritime Museum this June. 10 Jun
- The Spirit of Windrush: Join the National Maritime Museum for a free family festival celebrating the Windrush generation. 24 Jun
- Ship Ahoy: headpiece making workshop: Channel your creativity in this family-friendly workshop, packed with glitz and glamour. 25 Jun
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich LONDON
FREE
18. Polo in the Park
Enjoy the best possible weekend entertainment with your children; horse space hoppers, treasure hunts, tug-of-war and an epic water fight are the ultimate start of the summer season. 11 Jun
Hurlingham Park, Fulham LONDON
PAID (Under 5s FREE)
19. PAW Patrol Immersive Gamebox
Embark on a series of fun rescue missions with your favourite pups; PAW Patrol is coming to Immersive Gamebox this June, and they’re looking for new recruits! from 14 Jun
Immersive Gamebox, Various Locations
Suitable for ages 3 and above.
PAID
20. The Great Exhibition Road Festival
Explore the extraordinary at the Great Exhibition Road Festival, a celebration of science and arts. 17 & 18 Jun
South Kensington LONDON
FREE
21. American Speedfest 10
American SpeedFest 10 returns for a special 10th anniversary edition, featuring a curated line-up to celebrate the best of the event’s first decade.
Brands Hatch (Indy), Longfield KENT
PAID (under 13s FREE)
22. The Gruffalo Visits The Farm!
Join us as we welcome back the Gruffalo to Kent Life! 17 & 18 Jun
Kent Life, Maidstone KENT
PAID (Under 2s FREE)
23. West End Live
Join a weekend of performances from top West End musicals, live and FREE in Trafalgar Square. 17 & 18 Jun
Trafalgar Square LONDON
FREE
24. Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written.
Prepare for a thrilling new take on the classic tale, set in a desperate, divided kingdom where only the truly cunning can outwit the sheriff’s terrifying wrath. 17 Jun – 22 Jul
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre LONDON
ages 8+
PAID
25. Father’s Day Brunch
Join Sette for a special Father’s Day celebration with live music and themed kids’ entertainment provided by Sharky & George. 18 Jun
Bulgari Hotel London, Knightsbridge LONDON
PAID
26. Dragons and Mythical Beasts
Enter into a magical world of myths and legends in this fantastical new interactive show for all the family. 19 & 20 Jun
The Orchard Theatre, Dartford KENT
Suitable for ages 3 and above.
PAID
27. Morph’s Epic Art Adventure
Discover 56 spectacularly painted giant Morph sculptures in iconic London locations along the Southbank and the City. See how many Morphs you can spot and get a selfie with. 19 Jun – 20 Aug
Central London
FREE
28. First Look Family Day
Join the National Portrait Gallery for an exciting day of FREE activities for all the family. Get to know our new faces and spaces through trails, storytelling sessions and family tours. Explore different types of portraits and have a go making your own in creative hands-on workshops in our brand new Learning Centre. Play and experiment through photography, painting, collage and crafts, and discover some of the inspiring stories of the people in the collection. Families are also welcome to use our new lunch room. 24 Jun
National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square LONDON
FREE
29. Barnes Children’s Literature Festival
Join the UK’s largest dedicated children’s literature festival. As well as bringing you your favourite authors and illustrators, they are constantly pushing the boundaries of traditional literature festivals to create loads more space for the family-friendliest fun. Go and join in this summer and Sharky and George will bring all the high-energy madness for FREE! 24 & 25 June
Barnes, Richmond LONDON
FREE
30. Family Studio: Creative Protest
Design a carnival costume inspired by an issue important to you at this workshop for families. 25 Jun
Royal Academy, Piccadilly LONDON
Suitable for all ages.
FREE, drop-in
31. Life of Christ
Watch as hundreds of actors bring the story of Jesus to life in an open-air epic production set in the stunning Surrey countryside. 27 Jun – 01 July
