Things to do during the school summer holidays in London

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Summer holiday 2018 events in London

• Hear first-hand stories from war veterans and eyewitnesses of the Second World War and Cold War at IWM London. Various dates
• Get close to a Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus rex and other giant creatures with interactive Dinosaurs in the Wild in Greenwich. Until 2 Sep
• Mingle with hundreds of fluttering butterflies in the Natural History Museum’s Sensational Butterflies tropical house. Until 16 Sep
• Step inside the magical world of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, featuring special events during school holidays. Until 23 Sep
• Celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday with spellbinding installations in Sounds and Sorcery celebrating Disney Fantasia. Until 30 Sep
• Be treated to circus performances or get gooey with the Slime Factory, as part of The Mall Wood Green’s free summer activities. 21 Jul-29 Aug
• Join the Superhero Academy, where you can uncover your hidden superpowers and learn about conservation, at ZSL London Zoo. 21 Jul-2 Sep
• Visit the Queen’s London home, as Buckingham Palace opens its doors for the summer months. 21 Jul-30 Sep
• Delve beneath the covers of classic books with storytelling sessions, or learn Polynesian dance moves at the British Library. 26 Jul and 16 Aug
• Head to The Funfair, driven by SEAT, for classic rides, games and free activities at Westfield London (27 Jul-5 Aug) and Westfield Stratford City (18 Aug-2 Sep).
• Get hands-on, as you help to conserve wartime ship HMS Belfast with fun Ship Shape Saturday workshops. 28 Jul and 4, 11, 18, 25 Aug
• Try your hand at being a policeman or an engineer, as KidZania's Summer Camp returns with extra features. 30 Jul-16 Aug
• Enjoy free performances and prop-filled displays with the Disney in the West End summer pop-up in Covent Garden this summer. 31 Jul-26 Aug
• Celebrate the 150th birthday of Smithfield Market during a weekend filled with fun games, live music and foodie treats at Smithfield 150. 25-26 Aug
• Find budget-friendly family summer activities with our guide to free things to do in London with kids.

Outdoor summer holiday activities

• Enjoy outdoor workshops and family-friendly film screenings as part of Battersea Power Station's Power of Summer activities. Until 29 Aug
• Seek out fox-themed artworks on the Fox Marks the Spot design trail, which links foodie hotspots in Bankside. Until 31 Aug
• Make the most of traffic-free Regent Street with family activities, food and shopping offers during Summer Streets. 8, 15 and 22 Jul
• Bring your swimwear and take the plunge, as you whizz down the 120ft-long (37m) Slip N’ Slide inflatable slide at Lambeth Country Show. 21-22 Jul
• Work up a sweat during pedal-powered outdoor film screenings, including Sister Act and Grease, at Southbank Centre. 25 Jul and 1, 8, 15 and 22 Aug
• Saddle up and take to traffic-free London streets with mass participation bike rides during Prudential RideLondon. 28-29 Jul
• See a parade of young performers in colourful costumes dance and swirl through the streets on Notting Hill Carnival’s Children's Day. 26 Aug

Things to do with teenagers this summer

• Watch performances by world-class musicians and rising stars at a summer music festival in London.
• Take a hair-raising ride down the world's longest tunnel slide with The Slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit.
• Explore Churchill’s office at wartime underground bunker Churchill War Rooms.
• Negotiate challenging obstacles at The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience London, which is open to children aged 13 years and over on selected days. Various dates
• Ride one of the world’s fastest urban zip wires with Zip Now London at Archbishop’s Park in south London. Until 9 Sep
• Dare to take on The Monster, a 300m-long (984ft) inflatable course including 42 obstacles, at Alexandra Palace. 24-27 Aug
• Experience “Girl Power” through displays of Spice Girls clothing and memorabilia with the #SpiceUpLondon The Spice Girls Exhibition at the Business Design Centre. 28 Jul-20 Aug

For more school holiday ideas, take a look at our roundup of 101 things to do in London with teens.

Summer school holiday activities for young children

• Meet meerkats and enjoy outdoor activities at Lee Valley Park Farms.
• Look for mythical beasts and discover a secret grotto in the Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace.
• Become a pirate for the day on a huge wooden pirate ship at the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground.
• Discover more about space exploration with family workshops, planetarium shows and talks at Royal Observatory Greenwich. Various dates
• Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin with wildlife activities, including making your own wormery, at Down House. Various dates
• Try out being a knight or princess, join a bug safari or learn how to become a soldier at Eltham Palace and Gardens. Various dates
• Enjoy a summer filled with family-friendly activities at the London Museum of Water and Steam, as kids go free over the school holidays. Various dates
• Have a go at making Kenwood House’s famous paintings come to life with Quest and Craft activities throughout the summer holidays. Various dates
• Delve into the secrets of the deep through dancing, storytelling, object handling and family trails at National Maritime Museum. 21 Jul-2 Sep
• Hone your engineering skills with workshops, demonstrations and storytelling at London Transport Museum, as part of its Great Summer of Engineering. 21 Jul-3 Sep
• Take part in arts and crafts workshops, have a go at challenges and enjoy butterfly walks and more at Horniman Museum and Gardens. 23 Jul-30 Aug
• Fashion art from flotsam washed up by the sea and make figureheads for ships as part of holiday craft sessions at Cutty Sark. 4 Aug-1 Sep

Family shows in London

• See a family show at the Underbelly Festival in South Bank, including Metta’s Little Mermaid circus performances. Until 30 Sep
• Tumble down the rabbit hole, as Alice in Wonderland plays out in the grounds of Kew Gardens. 21 Jul-27 Aug
• Follow the adventures of Alex the lion and Marty the zebra in Madagascar – The Musical, at the New Wimbledon Theatre. 21-28 Jul
• See the much-loved book, The Scarecrows’ Wedding, brought to life at Leicester Square Theatre. 21 Jul-2 Sep
• Get a free child ticket to popular theatre shows, with a full-price adult ticket, during Kids Week this summer school holiday. 1-31 Aug
• Go on a journey through space with the National Theatre’s interactive show The Star Seekers, and enjoy out-of-this-world activities. 8 Aug-1 Sep
• Feel the ferociousness of 18 lifelike dinosaurs, roaming The O2’s stage during Walking with Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular. 14-19 Aug
• Find how a boy’s stay with his granny uncovers a secret in an adaption of David Walliams’ book, Gangsta Granny. 14-26 Aug
• Soak up the atmosphere as Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre returns with family show Dinosaur World Live. 14 Aug-9 Sep

Keep the little ones entertained during the school summer holidays in London with more family-friendly theatre shows.

Family-friendly hotels and restaurants in London

• Find children’s menus and fun activities at these kid-friendly restaurants.
• With great access to top London attractions, discover where to stay in London with kids.
• Enjoy the luxury of your own private space in a self-catering apartment.
• Find cots and babysitting services at these top London family hotels.

For more inspiration this summer holiday, see what else is on in London or take a look at our guide to London for kids, including best museums for children.