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Home / Home Featured / Things to do in London with kids: September

Things to do in London with kids: September

September 4, 2015 by Gretta Schifano 27 Comments

Big Fish Little Fish kids rave. Image courtesy of Spiegeltent

Big Fish Little Fish kids rave. Image courtesy of Spiegeltent

There are always tons of great things to do in London with kids, and September is no exception. Every month I publish a round-up of the best things to do in the capital for families. Here’s my September selection – do let me know if you have any suggestions for October:

Totally Thames

Totally Thames is an annual month-long event which happens every September to celebrate the River Thames. There are all sorts of family friendly events on offer, from designing tattoo T-shirts on HMS Belfast to The Riverside Festival at Potters Fields Park to musical celebrations in Kingston.

Cost: Depends on event, but many are free.

River Thames and Houses of Parliament, London. Copyright Gretta Schifano

River Thames and Houses of Parliament, London. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Open House London

Open House London is an annual event where buildings which aren’t usually accessible to the public open their doors for free. The aim is to promote public appreciation of London’s building design and architecture. This year the event is running from 19-20 September and includes a family programme, Open House Junior with a children’s trail, family activities and events.

Cost: Free

London Design Festival 

London Design Festival is an annual event to celebrate the city’s creativity. This year the festival is from 19-27 September and has a wide programme of events and exhibitions taking place across the capital, including some which are great for children such as a family craft event at the Finnish Institute and handwriting classes for kids at Hixters. It’s not that easy to find family events on the website but it’s worth digging around to see what’s on offer.

Cost: Varies according to event.

Emirates Aviation Experience

If you have a child with ambitions to be a pilot then head to the new Emirates Aviation Experience in North Greenwich. The exhibition has four commercial flight simulators and eight ‘airports’ where visitors can test their take-off and landing skills. There’s also a Rolls Royce engine on display which is stripped back to show its inner workings, as well as a video wall showing how plane routes are planned and controlled. Children must be at least nine years old in order to go on the simulators.

Cost: Entrance to the exhibition costs £3 for adults and £1.50 for under 12s. A Simulator Experience for up to four people costs £45.

London Dungeon: Outbreak 350! 

350 years ago the Great Plague killed around 20% of London’s population in just seven months. From 10th – 30th September the London Dungeon has a new show to mark this anniversary: Outbreak350! If you’d like to meet the attraction’s resident Plague Doctor and his assistant and journey through disease-ridden streets then this is the place for you.

Cost: Adults from £17.95, children (4 – 15 years) £15.50 if booked online in advance.

Star Wars at Madame Tussauds

If waxworks are your thing and you’re a Star Wars fan, then you’ll love the new exhibition at Madame Tussauds. 16 models of some of the best known heroes and villains from the iconic film are on display at the popular attraction. Han Solo’s looking good. Princess Leia seems to be the only one in a bikini.

Cost: Adults from £19, children (4-15 years) £17.28 if booked online.

Spiegeltent Canary Wharf

Spiegeltent returns to Canary Wharf from 10th – 20th September with a busy entertainment programme including comedy, music, dance, cabaret and theatre performances for children and families. Children’s events include Big Fish Little Fish and their family rave, Comedy Club 4 Kids, Ready Steady Colour, Huggers Family Cabaret and Boppin Bunnies musical workshops.

Cost: Varies according to event.

Free outdoor cinema screenings

There are free outdoor cinema screenings on various dates this month at London Riviera next to City Hall on the Southbank. Films include Paddington, Frozen, The Sound of Music and Ghostbusters. The screenings are very popular so it’s best to get there early to find a good place to sit.

Cost: Free

London Riviera outdoor cinema. Image courtesy of London Riviera

London Riviera outdoor cinema. Image courtesy of London Riviera

Big Bus Tour London

An open top bus tour is a great way to see the city. Big Bus Tours London have 75 sightseeing buses covering three routes and offer a hop on, hop off service at more than 50 locations. I went on a mini Big Bus Tour recently in London at a blogger event and found the fact-filled commentary from the guide fascinating and entertaining, despite the drizzly weather. The buses run every day of the year except for Christmas Day and the price of the ticket includes a cruise along the River Thames as well as three themed walking tours.

Cost: From £28 for adults and £12.50 for children for a 24 Hour Tour.

Big Bus Tour London. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Big Bus Tour London. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Zippos Circus

The brilliant Zippos Circus is performing in London in Peckam, Wembley and Hampstead Heath on various dates from now until October 4th. We went to a Zippos Circus performance a couple of years ago and loved it – you can read my review here. This year’s show is called ‘OMG’ and includes clowns, acrobats and equestrian acts.

Cost: From £7 for children, from £9 for adults.

Buckingham Palace

While she’s away, this month is your last chance this year to visit the Queen’s London residence. Buckingham Palace is one of the few remaining working royal palaces in the world and the State Rooms are open for you to explore from now until September 27th.

Cost: Adults £20.50, under-17s £11.80, under-5s free.

Discounts

Kids travel free of charge or at discounted rates on public transport in London. There are more details here. If you travel into London by train you can get two-for-one entry via the Days Out Guide website at a wide range of attractions. To receive the discount you just need to download the relevant vouchers from the website and then show them with your valid train ticket before you pay to go into the attraction.

How about you?

Do you have any recommendations for great things to do in London with kids? If so, do let me know so that I can include it in my next monthly London round-up.

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Categories: Things to do in London with kids
Tags: days out with kids, family days out

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. Anna Suznjevic says

    September 13, 2015 at 8:30 am

    Thanks for sharing, we are spending quite a bit of time flying in and out of London this month so looking forward to getting involved. The Emirates experience looks really interesting! When we are in town we love absolutely LOVE the Horniman Museum. There busy bees sessions are super fun for under 5’s. Happy trails. Anna + Oscar

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      September 13, 2015 at 7:47 pm

      Thanks for the tip – I want to go to the Horniman Museum, they always seem to have great things going on there.

      Reply
  2. Emma TheMiniMesAndMe says

    September 10, 2015 at 12:41 am

    I would love to visit the dungeons, I haven’t since I was about 11! The kids are always with me and they are both a bit scared x
    Emma TheMiniMesAndMe recently posted…The Return of the Rugby World Cup (PLUS Your Chance To Win)My Profile

    Reply
  3. Mrs ATWWAH says

    September 9, 2015 at 7:32 pm

    I look out for this post every month, I love it, thanks.

    The only one to add for me is the Unicorn Theatre which always has brilliant productions for little kids up to teens. I often have competitions on my blog to win tickets to them and I really recommend it as a place to introduce kids to theatre.
    Mrs ATWWAH recently posted…Breaking The Ice Ticket CompetitionMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      September 9, 2015 at 9:01 pm

      You’re welcome! Thanks for the suggestion, it sounds great – I’ll add it to my next round-up.

      Reply
  4. Sarah Christei says

    September 8, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    I love your London posts Gretta, there is so much to see and do and so much info out there so it is great to see it in one place. Our two would just love the Stars Wars event xx
    Sarah Christei recently posted…My Top Tips For Universal OrlandoMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      September 8, 2015 at 10:36 pm

      Thanks for commenting Sarah x

      Reply
  5. Uju @Babesabouttown says

    September 8, 2015 at 10:34 am

    Ooh didn’t know about the Emirates Aviation Experience, will be sure to check that out. The boys loved the cable car. They’re too scared for London Dungeon though (and probably so am I lol). A wonderful post, always so much to do in our fair city 🙂 x
    Uju @Babesabouttown recently posted…London Kids Weekend Scoop (September 3-6, 2015)My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      September 8, 2015 at 2:49 pm

      Thanks Uju – I’m too scared for the London Dungeon too!

      Reply
  6. Adele @ Circus Queen says

    September 7, 2015 at 11:14 pm

    I keep meaning to plan a proper London trip with my kids. We’ve mostly just gone to see family or friends there. We must book a hotel and make a few days of it soon I think.
    Adele @ Circus Queen recently posted…What he wore – the wooden watchMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com says

    September 7, 2015 at 7:49 pm

    Some fantastic ideas here. I think my two might be a little spooked by the London Dungeon (I’d LOVE it myself, though!)
    Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com recently posted…Seven essentials for a fun-filled family festivalMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Rachel says

    September 7, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    I do like the idea of the outdoor cinema. We are visiting London in October half term and we cant wait to see what we get up to.
    Rachel recently posted…Fat To Fit Friday Week 2My Profile

    Reply
  9. Kara says

    September 7, 2015 at 11:38 am

    Star wars at madam tussauds is amazing and I have to admit that I wasn’t a big fan of BFLF – didn’t really get it
    Kara recently posted…An Emotional DayMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Michelle Twin Mum says

    September 5, 2015 at 8:56 pm

    Ohh so many good ideas, thanks. I’ve not heard of the Totally Thames festival before. Mich x
    Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…Are you Shocked and Horrifed? Will you Now Act? #SaveSyriasChildrenMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Rachel says

    September 5, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    Open House is brilliant, would definitely recommend doing it x
    Rachel recently posted…Brand New Products from VichyMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Gemma says

    September 5, 2015 at 12:58 pm

    Love the sound of the Emirates Aviation Experience and my son would love the Star Wars at MT
    Gemma recently posted…Baby Moments AppMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Sarah Bailey says

    September 5, 2015 at 9:45 am

    What some great ideas, I used to love our London trips as a child. x
    Sarah Bailey recently posted…5 ways to cosy up your home for AutumnMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Erica Price says

    September 5, 2015 at 6:34 am

    We like the Heritage Open Days as a way of getting to see places we don’t usually see. There’s something exciting about doing that.
    Erica Price recently posted…Minecraft Wearable GamebandMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Jen Walshaw says

    September 4, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    There is always so much on in London. I want to visit every month
    Jen Walshaw recently posted…Chicken Fajita Wraps – Cooking with kidsMy Profile

    Reply
  16. cass says

    September 4, 2015 at 6:58 pm

    London is amazing for things to do with the kids – I just wish I lived closer x x
    cass recently posted…Five Frugal things I’ve done this week to save money {5th September 2015}….My Profile

    Reply
  17. Emma says

    September 4, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    So so much to do in my favourite city (which also happens to be my home!)… That’s what I miss the most about it I think, the variety and the culture! 🙂 Have a great September checking it all out! 🙂
    Emma recently posted…HMS Victory – PortsmouthMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      September 4, 2015 at 6:06 pm

      Thank you – will try!

      Reply
  18. Mammasaurus says

    September 4, 2015 at 1:43 pm

    Alas I never get to London but I’ve noticed there seems to be so much more to do with kids there compared to a few years ago (the last time we went) x

    Reply
  19. Louise Edwards says

    September 4, 2015 at 11:34 am

    Brill! Loads going on – we are visiting in October so will miss out on some of these things but great if we manage to make it before. x
    Louise Edwards recently posted…Park Fun at ParkLives @MyNottingham @CocaCola_UK #nottingham #notts #outdoorsMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Mrs M says

    September 4, 2015 at 10:31 am

    London Design Festival is a good one and gets my vote!

    Reply
  21. Abi - Angel Eden Blog says

    September 4, 2015 at 10:19 am

    The outdoor cinema sounds great! My kids are surprisingly squeamish so the dungeon has never been on our list, although I’d like to go!
    Abi – Angel Eden Blog recently posted…Holiday Memories Craft with BostikMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      September 4, 2015 at 11:29 am

      I don’t fancy the dungeon either – although my son is keen to go there!

      Reply

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