Activities with kids in London this August are plentiful and weather-proof as many are indoors! So, no matter how wild this 2023 summer weather carries on behaving, we’ve got you covered with great indoor family activity ideas. When the rain does take a break, there are outdoor ideas in this guide as well.
Enjoy a fun August in London with the kids, check out these ideas for great days out until the school holidays finish…
Battersea Games at Battersea Power Station
Until 3rd September ‘The Battersea Games’ are taking over Battersea Power Station – their biggest summer event yet! Families are invited to take part or spectate in an exciting array of free and ticketed sports and games activities including track racing, giant boardgames, boules and sports-themed films. Details here.
Family Theatre Shows this Summer in London
Read our guide to family performances ideal for a theatrical escape this summer serving up big laughs, silly characters, songs, magic, classic tales and puppet artistry.
Free Family Trails
Bankside Misguided – Discover the Bankside area of London following these maps. Easy trail, Intermediate trail, Hard trail.
Morph – Discover the 56 Morph sculptures (and 23 mini-Morphs!) in iconic London locations. All uniquely painted with a story behind each design. Map here.
Tusk – Discover 15 different life-sized gorilla sculptures across the Covent Garden neighbourhood. Map here.
Sculpture in the City – An annual sculpture park that uses the urban realm as a rotating gallery space. Explore the 18 artworks now on display in the City of London’s financial district. Map here.
Postal Museum: Summer of Invention
It’s hard to believe but just 20 years ago the Mail Rail, the underground miniature postal train, transported its last bit of post under the streets of London. Visit the Postal Museum this summer for hands-on family fun celebrating postal inventions, inspired by Mail Rail. Unleash your inner engineer and find out about innovations from amazing mini railways to stamps, sorting machines and robot technology. Details here.
Outdoor Cinema Showing Family Films in London
We’ve flicked through all the outdoor cinema spots in London this year to find which locations are screening films for kids. There are free and ticketed options. Take a look, make a plan, and enjoy the show! Read our guide here.
Tate Modern Interactive Installations
Staged in Tate Modern’s iconic Turbine Hall, artist Rasheed Araeen’s interactive Zero to Infinity offers families of all ages the chance to contribute to an ever-changing artwork, moving the colourful cubes around and creating new creations. Outside the gallery from 12 August visitors can interact with Shamiyaana IV (Food for Thought: Thought for Change). This free, ticketed installation encourages people to sit together and enjoy a free meal while chatting to one another. Details here.
Pick-Your-Own Farms Near London
Nothing says summer like picking your own farm-fresh fruit and veg – and you can do this very near London! Pick-Your-Own Farms offer a vast bounty of juicy berries, fresh sweetcorn and gorgeous greens. Bring the kids for a lovely walk around farm fields showing them first-hand where their food comes from.
Many PYOs have farm shops and cafes on site and some even have play areas, nature trails, mazes and seasonal events. A day out for all ages! Read our guide here.
Outdoor Swimming in London
Swimming outdoors might be something you only associate with foreign holidays but hurrah, it is possible to swim in the outdoors in London. A multitude of lidos, ponds, lakes and docklands give city dwellers the chance to dive in a cool off.
Many lidos offer kids the chance to splash, swim, play or take swimming lessons. Be sure to check each website for family-friendly swim times and to see if kids are required to have a certain level of proficiency. Read our guide here.
Golden Hinde Pirate Training and More, Matey
There’s so much family fun on offer aboard this famous ship, found docked near the delicious Borough Market. Pirate training (we highly recommend this, our kids did it a few years ago and loved it!), family ship tours, parrot puppet show and even a family sleepover event! Details here.
RELATED CONTENT > Escape The Golden Hinde: Nautical Family Challenge
City Farms: Countryside Fix in the City
You don’t have to hoof it to the countryside to spot a sheep, well over a dozen urban farms are dotted across London. Most city farms are free to visit, though donations are mooo-re than welcome as many are charities run by volunteers.
London city farms have family activities, cafes, farm shops and animal encounters galore. It’s worth checking their websites throughout the year for bookable activities and events, such as pony rides or bottle feeding lambs. Read our guide here.
Museum of London Docklands Street Party Fun
Celebrate the museum’s 20th birthday with family-friendly events this summer. Enjoy different ways to party, play and laugh as the museum explores street party traditions. Take part in a carnival parade, make a tasty street snack, learn how to street dance and much more. Details here.
