Here is our epic list of 31 fabulous family events in and around London this August. With a mix of FREE and paid activities, indoors and outdoors, and ranging from arts and crafts to theatre, cinema, sports, and science, there’s something for everyone! Remember, it’s the shared experiences that make family time so special. So, pack your bags, put on your adventure hats, and create wonderful memories with your little ones. Remember to tag us in your family adventures – we’d love to see your snaps and hear about your experiences! Happy adventuring!
Experience Creativity at Summer on the Square: Ignite your artistic side with the National Gallery and Westminster City Council’s Summer on the Square. This free art festival offers daily creative sessions and activities in the heart of Trafalgar Square throughout August. Sketch, craft, move, and explore, taking inspiration from the National Gallery Collection. The sessions are open to all ages and abilities, making them a perfect opportunity for artistic exploration this summer. 01 – 28 Aug
The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square LONDON
FREE
2. EDMOND J. SAFRA FOUNTAIN COURT
Join Somerset House’s Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, where 55 choreographed fountains provide a delightful spectacle and a playful area for children. 01 – 28 Aug
Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, Somerset House LONDON
FREE
3. MINI GOLF AND PING-PONG FIESTA AT GREENWICH PENINSULA
Embrace a playful summer at Greenwich Peninsula with an artist-designed mini golf course by Yinka Ilori (ages 4+) and engage in friendly ping-pong matches or competitive tournaments on the vibrant, Memphis-inspired outdoor tables by Camille Walal. 01 – 31 Aug
Greenwich Peninsula, Greenwich LONDON
FREE
4. LET’S GET CREATIVE – National Play Day
Unleash your family’s creativity at Orleans House Gallery’s “Let’s Get Creative” sessions! These FREE, frequent workshops provide a delightful exploration of art. Drop in anytime and ignite your child’s imagination! 02 Aug
Orleans House Gallery, Twickenham LONDON
Suitable for ages 4 – 11.
FREE
5. FUN AT SELFRIDGES
Indulge in an afternoon of adventure at Selfridges London, featuring a cartoon screening, sketch session, riddle scavenger hunt, and a takeaway goodie bag from 02 – 10 Aug. Also, enjoy a pizza masterclass for your little ones at Pizza Pilgrims, Selfridges, from 02 – 30 Aug.
Selfridges, Oxford Street LONDON
PAID
6. BLUEWATER SHOPPING CENTRE
- Unleash Your Inner Child at Haribo’s Hide n Seekers Event: Delve into a world of sweet delight at Bluewater Shopping Centre this August. Participate in the UK’s largest ball pit game, ‘Hide n Seekers,’ hosted by HARIBO, and stand a chance to win exciting prizes. All ages are welcome, and entry is FREE! Â 02 – 28 Aug
- Join Bluewater Shopping Centre’s ‘BEE the Change‘ campaign this August to save bees. Participate in eco-craft events such as plant pot painting, wildflower seed planting, bug hotel building, and bee-feeder making.
- 05 & 06 Aug: Summer Seeds: Paint a plant pot and plant a seed or create a card using paper embedded with wildflower seeds12 & 13 Aug: Bee Kind to Bugs: Learn about the brilliance of bugs and help make them a home in this bug hotel workshop.19 & 20 Aug: Protect Pollinators: Make a bee feeder and learn about pollinators.
- 26 – 28 AugSaturday 26th, Sunday 27th and Monday 28th August: A medley of activities from the three previous weekends: Summer Seeds, Bee Kind to Bugs and Protect Pollinators.
- Enjoy bee-themed parkland activities and enter a selfie photo competition to win a £500 gift card. 05 – 28 Aug
Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe KENT
FREE
7. FAMILIES PROGRAMME AT THE V&A AND YOUNG V&A
Enjoy free activities at the museum every day. During the school holidays, there are hands-on-making events and performances to inspire the whole family. The ever-changing programme is designed for all ages and encourages play and learning through the V&A collection and temporary exhibitions. 02 – 31 Aug
V&A South Kensington / Young V&A Bethnal Green, LONDON
FREE / PAID
8. CHILDREN’S BAKERY CLASSES & ADULTS’ SPARKLING CREAM TEA
Calling all mini bakers! Grab your aprons and get ready to whisk up some tasty cupcakes while grown-ups get treated to a delicious cream tea. 02 Aug – 01 Sep
Fenwick, BRACKNELL BRENT CROSS CANTERBURY NEWCASTLE KINGSTON
PAID
Get ready for an unforgettable cinematic experience under the open sky. From beloved classics to hilarious comedies, this is your chance to enjoy an evening of entertainment, delicious street food and refreshing tipples. Mark your calendars for these must-see movies as we bring the magic of the big screen to the great outdoors! 02 Aug – 13 Sep
Merchant Square Big Screen, Paddington LONDON
FREE
10. THE GARDEN MUSEUM
Immerse yourself in the FREE Wiggly Wild Show at Branch Out, interacting with giant minibeasts (ages 4+). 03 Aug. Experience magic at the Festival of Fairytales at the Garden Museum, with storytelling, circus acts, live music and more (ages 4-10)! 13 Aug. Join the Garden Museum’s Cookery Workshop: Edible Microbes, learn about beneficial microbes and create a yoghurt-based meal (ages 8-12). 15 Aug.
The Garden Museum, Lambeth LONDON
FREE / PAID
11. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES PIZZA TOUR
Smyths Toys Superstores welcomes you to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Tour! Enjoy fun games like Pizza Toss, delicious Pizza giveaways, and snap photos with your favourite character standee. Join the adventure! 04 – 13 Aug
Smyths Toys Superstores, LONDON
FREE
Go on a safari adventure, explore underwater marine life or discover a world of knights and dragons in John Lewis’ interactive events. 04 – 20 Aug
John Lewis, Oxford Street LONDON
Suitable for ages 2 – 7.
PAID
13. STRAND ALDWYCH SUMMER SOCIAL
Join Strand Aldwych Summer Social for a day of celebration with local artists and the community. Enjoy roller skating, face painting, interactive games, and vibrant music in London’s newest green oasis. 05 Aug
Strand Aldwych, Strand LONDON
FREE
Join Betteshanger to see Australia’s playful pup for a family fun day! See Bluey at intervals throughout the day, enjoy story time, and don’t forget your camera for a photograph! We can’t wait to see you there! 05 & 06 Aug
Betteshanger Country Park, Deal KENT
PAID
Join the exciting Minecraft Build Challenge at Oxford Circus’ Microsoft Experience Centre! A 60-minute event to flex their creativity and Minecraft skills. All skill levels are welcome. 05 – 12 Aug
Microsoft Experience Centre, Oxford Circus LONDON
Suitable for ages 8 and above.
FREE
16. LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE’S CHILDREN’S PUPPET FESTIVAL
Join Little Angel Theatre’s inaugural Children’s Puppet Festival from 2nd August to 3rd September. Enjoy an array of puppetry from exciting international and UK theatre companies. Participate in family workshops, community events, kids’ fun days, and adult puppetry courses. 06 Aug – 03 Sep
Little Angel Theatre, Islington LONDON
PAID
Go down to Star Lane Pizza Bar and join us at The Line for a free, artist-led workshop as part of the ‘Here to There’ project. ‘Here to There’ will see a series of new artworks between Star Lane Station and Cody Dock that will direct people to the route of The Line that runs along the river Lea. 09 & 16 Aug
Star Lane Pizza Bar, Canning Town LONDON
Suitable for ages 5 and above.
FREE
Experience the magic of our brand-new travelling circus, featuring adrenaline-fueled performances from world-class artists across the globe. Prepare to be dazzled as acrobats and daredevils push the boundaries of human skill, risking life and limb for your entertainment. This year, our electrifying line-up promises a heart-pounding fusion of supreme talent and thrilling intensity, creating an unforgettable spectacle for the whole family. 09 – 20 Aug
Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Brent Cross LONDON
PAID
Discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! 11 Aug – 03 Sep
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Regents Park LONDON
Suitable for ages 3 and above.
PAID
Unleash your inner child at the UK’s #1 Kid’s Messy Festival! This unique family event for kids features paint, foam, inflatables, music, and more. Join the messy fun, play with Zorb balls, and enjoy food stalls and a tuck shop throughout the day. 12 Aug
Apps Court Farm, Walton-on-Thames SURREY
Suitable for under 13s.
PAID
21. FAMILY STUDIO: TRACING MOVEMENT
Engage in an exciting family art-making workshop, “Family Studio: Tracing Movement”. Dance artist Becky Horne will guide families through playful movement and drawing exercises inspired by the Summer Exhibition. Workshops are drop-in with spaces allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. Suitable for all ages. 13 Aug
Royal Academy of Arts (RA), Piccadilly LONDON
Suitable for all ages.
FREE
Join the presenters as they dive deep into the world of science and look at how science shapes our modern world, with a few loud bangs along the way! 15 Aug – 10 Nov
Nationwide UK TOUR
PAID
Travel back to the Cold War with this fun-filled interactive giant game for all the family. 22 – 25 Aug
National Army Museum, Chelsea LONDON
Suitable for ages 5 and above.
FREE
Travel by heritage train to Groombridge Station, followed by a thrilling NERF battle at Groombridge Village Hall. Ticket price includes a train ride and NERF experience for two children aged 6+. Note: The NERF event is not on the train. 23 – 30 Aug
Spa Valley Railway, Tunbridge Wells KENT
PAID
25. ZIPPOS CIRCUS PRESENTS NOMADS
Join Zippos Circus’s “Nomads,” a thrilling UK tour. Experience a blend of international talent presenting breathtaking acrobatics, aerial artistry, and comedy that celebrates a nomadic lifestyle. 23 Aug
Oliver Tambo Recreation Ground, Bounds Green LONDON
PAID
26. GREENWICH+DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL (GDIF)
Join the Celebration at GDIF 2023. Make your summer memorable by attending the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF), London’s premier free outdoor theatre and performing arts festival. Highly praised for its “unrivalled contribution to the happiness of the people of London,” GDIF consistently breaks new ground in outdoor performance. Save the date for an unforgettable cultural experience! 25 Aug – 10 Sep
Greenwich LONDON
FREE
Get Ready for Fun at the bOing! Family Festival in Kent: Head to Kent’s International Family Arts Festival for free outdoor performances and activities this summer. With performances from top-tier artists, this festival promises fun for the whole family. 26 & 27 Aug
Gulbenkian, Canterbury KENT
FREE
Relish the Delights at Kent Life’s Ice Cream Festival: Brighten your summer with the most delicious event of the season – the Ice Cream Festival at Kent Life. With over 40 scrumptious varieties of ice cream, dairy-free and vegan options, and a toppings station, it’s a paradise for dessert lovers. Enjoy live music, paddle boats, animal activities, and more. Try a slice from the Pizza Garden or indulge in a Pimm’s from the chapel field. 26 – 28 Aug
Kent Life, Maidstone KENT
PAID
Enjoy a perfect August weekend as Battersea Park hosts a three-day open-air concert series. Unpack your picnic, pop the fizz and relax into the ideal summer’s day to night, enjoying some of the finest music. 26 – 28 Aug
Battersea Park LONDON
PAID
30. ROYAL ALBERT HALL PRESENT OPERA FOR KIDS – ENCHANTING ARIAS
Experience Opera for Kids, a relaxing setting for children to enjoy opera. This concert showcases a classical repertoire in an environment where kids can freely express themselves. Join Royal Albert Hall and OperaEd for Enchanting Arias, featuring selections from renowned operas.27 Aug
Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington LONDON
Suitable for ages 4 – 11.
PAID
Join Fulham Palace and Benjamin Franklin House for a fun-filled bank holiday family event! Discover the secrets of the hidden Palace, travel back in time by dressing up in historical costumes, learn how to create curly calligraphy and more. 28 Aug
