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Home / Type of trip / City / Things to do in London with kids: March

Things to do in London with kids: March

March 2, 2015 by Gretta Schifano 30 Comments

Red phone boxes. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Red phone boxes. Copyright Gretta Schifano

London is a brilliant place for a day out with kids at any time of the year. Here’s my pick of some of the great family-friendly things to do in the capital this month.

Comic Relief Danceathon

The Comic Relief Danceathon is a six-hour sponsored dance and anyone who is at least 10 years-old can take part. The event is taking place at Wembley Arena on Sunday March 8th. Claudia Winkelman, Davina McCall, Kirstie Allsopp, Arlene Phillips, Sara Cox, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Caroline Flack, Judy Murray and Ade Adepitan are just some of the celebrities who will be dancing to raise money for vulnerable people in the UK and Africa. I’ll be there dancing with Team Honk – and Marco Polo have kindly sponsored me £150 to take part. If you’d like to sponsor me (thank you) you can do so here. If you’d like to join in you can sign up here.

Cost: £10 to enter and you need to raise a minimum of £150 in sponsorship.

Team Honk for Comic Relief Red Nose Day

Affordable Art Fair

The Affordable Art Fair is a regular event in Battersea Park which attracts around 20,000 people. The fair has more than 100 galleries exhibiting a huge range of contemporary art with prices ranging from as low as £40 up to thousands of pounds. Besides the exhibits there are workshops, talks, kids activities and a free crèche at the fair which runs from March 12th – 15th.

Cost: Adult tickets are £10.80 if you buy them on the Affordable Art Fair website in advance. Under-16s are free.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place in London on the Sunday closes to 17th March (St. Patrick’s Day) and so this year will be on Sunday March 15th. St. Patrick is Ireland’s patron saint and more than a quarter of a million people will come together in the capital to celebrate. There will be a parade of floats representing each of Ireland’s 32 counties. The floats will travel from Green Park, around Piccadilly Circus and through Trafalgar Square to Whitehall. There will be free entertainment at the St Patrick’s Day Festival in Trafalgar Square from midday until 6pm with Irish music and dance, an Irish food market, children’s theatre and fun activities.

Cost: Free

SEALIFE London Aquarium

In the lead up to the release of his new film SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water a miniature SpongeBob will be appearing at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium. From March 7th – 21st guests at the aquarium can follow a ‘Spongehunt’ map to spot miniature versions of SpongeBob’s friends. There’s also an entire marine world to explore at the Southbank attraction including piranhas, giant Green Sea turtles, tropical fish, rays, crabs and jellyfish.

Cost: If booked in advance on the SEALIFE London Aquarium website tickets cost from £19.98 for adults, £14.41 for 3-15 year-olds and are free for children under three years-old.

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER

The Cartoon Museum

The Cartoon Museum museum (which is near to the British Museum) displays original artwork from British cartoons and comics from the eighteenth century to the present. During the school holidays the museum offers children’s workshops. On Saturday March 28th the museum is hosting a Spring Cartoon Family Fair from 1pm until 4.30pm. The fair is a fun, family event with games, workshops and refreshments.

Cost: Adults £7, under-18s free. Children who are 12 years old or under must be accompanied by an adult. Entry to the Spring Cartoon Family Fair is free but booking is essential. Click here for the Cartoon Museum website.

Shaun in the City

Following the release of the Shaun the Sheep Movie you’ll be able to spot Shaun around London. From 28th March – 25th May there will be 50 giant sculptures of Shaun in iconic locations around the city centre. The sculptures have all been decorated by artists, designers and celebrities including Shaun’s creator Nick Park and there will also be a sculpture trail in Bristol. Once the Shaun in the City trails have ended the flocks will be auctioned to raise money for children in hospital in the UK.

Cost: Free

Hackney City Farm

It’s the 30th anniversary of Hackney City Farm this year. There are donkeys, pigs, goats, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks and geese and a vegetable garden at the farm as well as educational farm trails and activities. You can visit the farm from 10am until 4.30pm every day except Monday and there’s also a popular café on site.

Cost: Free

Talking Statues

Some of London’s statues can now ‘talk’ to you – through your mobile phone. Sing London has commissioned some of the UK’s most acclaimed writers and actors to animate 35 public statues across London and Manchester. If you swipe your phone on a tag by a Talking Statue your phone rings and you could be listening to Queen Victoria or Peter Pan or Achilles or someone else. To find out who’s talking where click here.

Cost: Free

Talking Statues London map. Copyright Talking Statues

Talking Statues London map. Copyright Talking Statues

Plantastic

Plantastic is a family-friendly exhibition at the Horniman Museum which brings the miniature world of plants to life on a giant scale. From how a bee sees the world to how a plant can move even though it’s rooted to the ground Plantastic uses interactive exhibits and games to help you to learn about the world of plants and how essential they are to our survival. Details of the exhibition are here.

Cost: From £6.50 for adults, from £3.50 for children.

The Art of the Brick

Artist Nathan Sawaya has used more than a million LEGO bricks to create more than 80  sculptures on display in an amazing exhibition called The Art of the Brick. As well as the exhibition there’s an interactive area where you can try to build your own LEGO sculptures. The Art of the Brick exhibition is at the Old Truman Brewery and has been extended until April 12th, 2015.

Cost: From £14.50 for adults, from £8.00 for children age 3-12 years.

Discounts

If you travel to London by train you can get two-for-one entry via the Days Out Guide website at a wide range of attractions including the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, the Cartoon Museum and many more. To receive the discount just download the relevant vouchers from the website and then show them with your valid train ticket before you pay for your entrance to the attraction.

Travel and accommodation

Children travel free of charge or at discounted rates on public transport in London. There are more details here. If you’re looking for family-friendly places to stay in London you can read my round-up here.

How about you?

Do you have any plans for a family trip to London this month? What are your favourite things to do in London with kids?

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Related

Categories: City, Seasonal, Things to do in London with kids
Tags: Art of the Brick, Cartoon Museum, Comic Relief, family days out, Plantastic, Sealife London Aquarium, St. Patrick's Day

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. Kirstie says

    March 13, 2015 at 9:44 am

    Great round up Gretta. Really useful stuff.
    Kirstie recently posted…Rekindling Travel Moments in a MealMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 13, 2015 at 10:42 am

      Thanks Kirstie.

      Reply
  2. Fritha says

    March 9, 2015 at 9:25 am

    well done on your Team Honk dancathon! x
    Fritha recently posted…Win a wooden Alphabet bookshelf with FADSMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 9, 2015 at 11:47 am

      Thanks Fritha x

      Reply
  3. Globalmouse says

    March 6, 2015 at 1:20 pm

    Oh I didn’t know about the Shaun the Sheep trail – my three would love that, I will have to plan a trip!! Great round up as ever!
    Globalmouse recently posted…Kozi Kidz – Base Layers – reviewMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 6, 2015 at 3:43 pm

      Thanks Nicola!

      Reply
  4. Jaime Oliver says

    March 5, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    See you at the Danceathon! 😉 … my little guy is totally obsessed with Spongebob right now so the sea life centre sounds super 🙂
    Jaime Oliver recently posted…Hedrin Protect & Go Review & GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 5, 2015 at 11:01 pm

      See you on Sunday!

      Reply
  5. Shell Louise says

    March 4, 2015 at 7:31 am

    I’d love to see the Shaun the Sheep figures but a trip to London or Bristol is too far and too expensive for us up here in Lincoln.
    I would love to take the kids on a trip to London one day but the husband isn’t too keen!

    Reply
  6. Ryan Costello says

    March 4, 2015 at 2:29 am

    Good luck to you and everyone else involved in Team Honk! The SeaLife Centre in London is a good one.
    Ryan Costello recently posted…40 Days of Fitness Challenge #FitnessRevolution – Days 6-12My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 5, 2015 at 11:26 am

      Thank you very much!

      Reply
  7. Emma says

    March 3, 2015 at 9:12 pm

    some interesting things to do there and good luck with the danceathon I shall enjoy keeping up with it all on twitter.
    Emma recently posted…Erin reviews a wool sleep system to help her asthma – did it help?My Profile

    Reply
  8. Nayna Kanabar (@citrusspiceuk) says

    March 3, 2015 at 7:26 pm

    Sounds like some great ideas here. London can be expensive though.
    Nayna Kanabar (@citrusspiceuk) recently posted…Mothersday Day Nik Nak Holder PotsMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Joanna Sormunen says

    March 3, 2015 at 6:01 pm

    So much fun to do! My son would absolutely love this! I hope we get the chance to visit London, and UK, one day!

    Reply
  10. Boo Roo and Tigger Too says

    March 3, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    We’ve just bought Merlin Annual Passes so looking forward to visiting the SEALIFE London Aquarium at some point this year.
    Boo Roo and Tigger Too recently posted…Amazon Fire TV {Review} + #GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Rachel says

    March 3, 2015 at 11:10 am

    Some great ideas. I live in London and really want to see the talking statues, but I just do anything to avoid tourists x
    Rachel recently posted…Dr Organic Snail Gel Face SerumMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Kara says

    March 3, 2015 at 10:58 am

    I really wanted to do the dancethon but sadly have a family party that day!
    Kara recently posted…The Freedom to Explore!My Profile

    Reply
  13. Mary Louise says

    March 2, 2015 at 11:33 pm

    Good luck for the Danceathon! Unfortunately i am away that weekend otherwise i would have been there!

    I must visit the aquarium again soon with my Daughter – great guide round up here! Thanks x
    Mary Louise recently posted…Flowers for kidsMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Cherished By Me says

    March 2, 2015 at 9:53 pm

    I would love to got to the St.Patrick’s day parade…will have to see if the children and I can get there, thanks for the info.
    Cherished By Me recently posted…Travel Tips: Reduce the stress of travelMy Profile

    Reply
  15. agatapokutycka says

    March 2, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    SEALIFE London Aquarium is a wonderful place to visit with or without the kids 🙂
    agatapokutycka recently posted…Chocolate, Fudge and Espresso Coffee Drizzle CakeMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Jane says

    March 2, 2015 at 9:18 pm

    Good luck with the Danceathon! x

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 2, 2015 at 11:06 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  17. Shobha says

    March 2, 2015 at 8:03 pm

    I’ve been to see the Lego thing and it was really good. My kids will love the Shaun city hunt – they really enjoyed the Paddington one before Christmas. Thanks for the tips!
    Shobha recently posted…Lost in Translation Between British and American EnglishMy Profile

    Reply
  18. lisa prince says

    March 2, 2015 at 7:52 pm

    oh i do wish london was close enough for me and my family, it seems forever since i was there last and theres always so much to do x

    Reply
  19. Mummy of Two says

    March 2, 2015 at 7:18 pm

    So many great things to do! The Danceathon will be so much fun and my son (and husband!) would love the LEGO exhibition.
    Mummy of Two recently posted…Our three car seat problem solved thanks to BubbleBum – A ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Jen aka Muminthemadhouse says

    March 2, 2015 at 5:19 pm

    Oh Shaun in the City sounds up the boys street and we loved the art of brick it was ace
    Jen aka Muminthemadhouse recently posted…101 Low cost activities for Spring Bored JarMy Profile

    Reply
  21. Louisa says

    March 2, 2015 at 2:56 pm

    Wow. There are so many fun things to do. I know my children would love the art of the brick exhibit. Plantastic and the talking statues also sound wonderful.

    Reply
  22. Sarah Bailey says

    March 2, 2015 at 2:27 pm

    What some great things to be doing this March! Good luck to all those taking part in the Danceathon as well! x
    Sarah Bailey recently posted…The Book of EveryoneMy Profile

    Reply
  23. Mammasaurus says

    March 2, 2015 at 2:19 pm

    Well you know me,I’ll be dancing away on Sunday – I love the sound of the Cartoon Museum too, I’ve not heard of it before!

    Reply
  24. Erica Price says

    March 2, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    Some interesting ideas – I’m quite taken by the sound of the cartoon museum – I can see that being popular with my son.

    Reply

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This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

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