Looking for Family Fun in London This Weekend? Here Are 30 Top Ideas
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If you are wondering how to keep the kids entertained over the 27 and 28 June weekend, London is packed with fantastic activities. From mind-bending art exhibitions to free outdoor cinema by the water, there is plenty to choose from.
Here is a brilliant round-up of 30 superb things to do across the capital, inspired by local recommendations.
1. Preview the Future at the Barbican
Stepping into the "In Other Worlds" exhibition by Liam Young feels like entering a series of cinematic, dark rooms filled with massive projections and intriguing props. It showcases six possible versions of our future planet, including a city where the entire global population lives in one giant mega-city to let nature heal, and another where the world becomes an enormous computer run by AI. It is a fascinating, debate-provoking experience for older kids.
Age Range: Most suitable for children aged 5 and over (best for older kids and tweens)
Where: Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8DS
When: Tuesday to Sunday until 6 September
2. Delve Into the Art of Panafrica
While visiting the Barbican, you can easily combine your trip with a look at "Project a Black Planet". This vast exhibition features over 300 vibrant works including paintings, sculptures, and films exploring the global impact of Pan-African culture from the 1920s to today.
Age Range: Open to all ages (under-16s go free)
Where: Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8DS
When: Tuesday to Sunday until 6 September
3. Catch a Classic at the Family Film Club
For an affordable indoor treat, the Barbican is hosting a special screening of "The Magic Faraway Tree" on Saturday morning. At just £5 for adults and £2.50 for children, it is one of the best value cinema tickets in the city.
Age Range: Recommended for ages 6 and over
Where: Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8DS
When: Saturday 27 June at 11:00
4. Wander Through a Pastel Paradise
The highly anticipated "House of Dreamers" is making its London debut at the Excel Waterfront. This massive indoor space is packed with immersive, colourful installations including giant pink ball pits, magical upside-down rooms, and cloud swings. It is an absolute dream for children who love interactive spaces and offers endless photo opportunities.
Age Range: Suitable for all ages (perfect for families and under-3s go free)
Where: Immerse LDN, Excel Waterfront, E16 1XL
When: Open daily until 30 September
5. Try Out the New Interactive DreamBands
At the "House of Dreamers" exhibition, visitors get to wear an AI-powered smart band. This tech personalises the experience as you walk through, meaning the magical exhibits can project your dream job or bring your own animal sketches to life on the walls.
Age Range: Fun for all ages, though older kids will get the most out of the technology
Where: Immerse LDN, Excel Waterfront, E16 1XL
When: Open daily until 30 September
6. Relax at a Creative Play Cafe
If you have toddlers or preschoolers under 5, MOME in Islington is running a dedicated Sunday morning playtime session. It features beautifully designed sensory zones and hands-on activities, giving parents a rare chance to sit back and enjoy a hot drink while the little ones explore safely.
Age Range: Specifically designed for babies and children under 5
Where: MOME, Islington
When: Sunday morning sessions
7. Test Your Skills at Immersive Gamebox
Imagine stepping inside a giant video game where your body is the controller. Teams wear motion-tracking visors inside private digital rooms to play high-energy games like Ghostbusters or Angry Birds. Kids absolutely adore the futuristic atmosphere and the frantic point-scoring action.
Age Range: Most games are best for ages 8 and over, though some select titles work for ages 3 to 5
Where: Multiple locations including Southbank, Shoreditch, and Westfield Stratford
When: Open daily
8. Survive the "Floor is Lava" Game
One of the most popular choices at Immersive Gamebox is the "Floor is Lava" challenge. It requires plenty of jumping around and quick teamwork to guide your digital character safely across the walls, complete with a hilarious audio commentary that will leave the grown-ups in stitches.
Age Range: Highly recommended for ages 8 to adults
Where: Immersive Gamebox locations
When: Open daily
9. Watch Free Films by the Regent's Canal
"Everyman on the Canal" is back for the summer, turning the King's Cross steps into a fantastic open-air cinema. It is completely free to turn up and watch, with a brilliant mix of live Wimbledon tennis coverage and family-friendly films right by the water.
Age Range: Suitable for all ages (depends entirely on the specific movie rating)
Where: Regent's Canal Towpath, N1C 4PQ
When: Daily until 16 August
10. Introduce the Kids to Classic Disney Cinema
The free open-air screenings at King's Cross feature a massive line-up of beloved animated films. You can pack a picnic and snag a spot on the astroturf steps to watch absolute classics like Aladdin, Lilo & Stitch, Monsters Inc., or The Jungle Book on the big screen.
Age Range: Great for toddlers, primary school children, and families
Where: Regent's Canal Towpath, N1C 4PQ
When: Showtimes daily at 12:00, 14:30, and 17:00
11. Enjoy Tween Favourites Outdoors
If you have slightly older kids or teenagers, the canal-side screenings also include plenty of live-action hits. Look out for afternoon and early evening showings of crowd-pleasers like Wicked, High School Musical, and Grease.
Age Range: Best suited for tweens and teenagers
Where: Regent's Canal Towpath, N1C 4PQ
When: Showtimes daily up to 19:30
12. Spot Urban Wildlife at Camley Street
Right next to the King's Cross canal steps sits the beautifully regenerated Camley Street Natural Park. Run by the London Wildlife Trust, this hidden green oasis is a wonderful, calm spot for children to learn about nature, spot birds, and search for pond life.
Age Range: Welcomes all ages, from toddlers to teenagers
Where: Camley Street, N1C 4PQ
When: Open daily
13. Play Tech Games at Samsung KX
Also located in the King's Cross area, this sleek tech pavilion features a completely free interactive gaming zone. It is a brilliant, air-conditioned spot to escape the midday heat or a sudden shower, allowing the kids to test out advanced gaming setups for an hour.
Age Range: Ideal for older kids, tweens, and tech-loving teens
Where: Coal Drops Yard, N1C 4DQ
When: Open daily
14. Get Hands-On with Kinetic Art at the Tate
The Julio Le Parc exhibition at Tate Modern is the ultimate "please touch" art show. Instead of keeping a respectful distance, children are actively encouraged to spin painted discs, push buttons to make sculptures rattle, and step inside rooms filled with dizzying, moving light reflections. It is utterly captivating for museum-phobic kids.
Age Range: Perfect for all ages, with under-12s entering completely free
Where: Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG
When: Open daily until May 2027
15. Join the Uniqlo Tate Play Workshops
Tate Modern is also hosting a brilliant free family initiative called "Make Studio: Memory". These drop-in creative spaces are designed for parents and children to slow down, build together, and use their imagination to transform everyday memories into unique art pieces.
Age Range: Open and accessible to children of all ages
Where: Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG
When: Daily drop-in sessions
16. Re-enact Movie Scenes on the Millennium Bridge
After leaving Tate Modern, take a stroll across the famous pedestrian suspension bridge towards St Paul's Cathedral. Film-loving kids will recognise it instantly from its dramatic appearances in major blockbusters like Harry Potter and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Age Range: Great for all ages, especially film-loving older kids
Where: Bankside / City of London
When: Anytime
17. Discover Frida Kahlo’s Life Story
Explore the incredible world of one of history's most famous artists at the immersive "Frida: The Making of an Icon" exhibition. It uses stunning visuals to map out her inspiring journey, making it a wonderful cultural trip for artistic older children.
Age Range: Open to all ages, though best appreciated by older children and teens (under-12s free)
Where: Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG
When: Open daily until 25 June
18. Soak Up the Atmosphere at Greenwich Village Summer Fair
For a wonderful community day out, head to Greenwich this Saturday. The local summer fair features traditional stalls, games, and entertainment on the church lawns, making it a perfect, relaxed weekend activity for the whole family.
Age Range: Entirely suitable and fun for all ages
Where: St Alfege Church Community Hall, SE10 9JT
When: Saturday 27 June, 10:00 to 16:00
19. Take a Regal Horse and Carriage Ride
Experience Hampton Court Palace like royalty by booking a ride in a traditional carriage pulled by magnificent Shire horses. It is a magical way to view the sweeping East Front Gardens, though you will need a palace admission ticket alongside the ride fee.
Age Range: Open to all ages (under-2s can ride for free)
Where: Hampton Court Palace, KT8 9AU
When: Weekends in June, 10:00 to 17:30
20. Introduce the Kids to Mozart, by Heart
The Southbank Centre is hosting a unique family classical concert where musicians perform Mozart's Jupiter Symphony entirely from memory. This energetic, informal performance is specially designed to keep children aged 6 and over completely engaged.
Age Range: Specifically tailored for children aged 6 and over
Where: Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX
When: Sunday 28 June at 14:00
21. See "Petit Pierre from Paris" on Stage
Catch an intimate and enchanting piece of children's theatre in Hampstead. This charming puppet and storytelling production is ideal for younger theatregoers aged 3 and up, but tickets are down to the very last few.
Age Range: Intended for younger audiences aged 3 and over
Where: The Well Walk Theatre, NW3 1TS
When: Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 and 15:00
22. Hunt for the Giant Green Doors on Flitcroft Street
Take the kids on a mini urban treasure hunt to find London's tallest doors. Tucked away near Charing Cross Road, these massive green gates were built in 1904 for an old theatrical scenery workshop, allowing enormous painted canvas backdrops to be moved outside without being folded.
Age Range: A fun curiosity for all age groups
23. Cool Down at the Granary Square Fountains
If the weekend weather warms up, head to the middle of King's Cross where 1,080 choreographed water jets dance across the square. It is a legendary spot for children to splash around and play completely free of charge.
Age Range: Brilliant for toddlers, kids, and younger teenagers
24. Soar Above the Thames on the Cable Car
Combine a trip to the "House of Dreamers" at the ExCel with a flight on the nearby IFS Cloud Cable Car. It glides across the river to Greenwich, offering kids a thrilling, bird's-eye view of the O2 Arena and the city skyline.
Age Range: Exciting for all age groups
25. Step Aboard the Floating Bookbarge
While walking along the Regent's Canal towpath towards the Everyman cinema, keep an eye out for "Word on the Water". This 1920s Dutch barge has been transformed into a magical floating bookshop, complete with a wood-burning stove and a friendly resident dog.
Age Range: Suitable for all ages, particularly young reading enthusiasts
26. Burn Off Energy at the Jubilee Park Playground
Located near the Southbank Centre, this fantastic park features a brilliant adventure playground with a secure wooden fortress, climbing nets, and balance beams. It is the perfect spot for kids to let off steam between museum visits.
Age Range: Designed for toddlers up to kids aged 12
27. Watch the Spectacular Covent Garden Buskers
Just a short walk from the giant doors on Flitcroft Street, the central courtyard of Covent Garden hosts incredible, free street entertainment. Kids will love watching the daredevil unicyclists, magicians, and escapologists perform escape acts.
Age Range: Highly entertaining for all generations
28. Ride the Musical Lift at the Southbank Centre
Before or after the Mozart family concert, make sure to take a trip inside the Royal Festival Hall's famous glass elevator. It sings up and down the scale as it moves between floors, created by a sound artist to make a simple lift ride unforgettable for little ones.
Age Range: A sensory delight for babies, toddlers, and young children
29. Discover the Barbican’s Hidden Oasis
While visiting the exhibitions at the Barbican, do not miss their spectacular indoor conservatory. It is a stunning, oasis-like concrete jungle filled with tropical plants, giant ferns, and ponds with exotic fish that feels a world away from the city outside.
Age Range: Open to all ages
30. Watch Tower Bridge Open Its Bascules
To top off a brilliant weekend in London, check the bridge lift schedule online and head down to the river banks near Tate Modern. Watching the iconic, heavy road bridges split apart and lift into the air to let a large ship pass underneath is an absolute classic London thrill that kids never forget.
Age Range: A memorable spectacle for all ages
Ollēdi © 2026
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