15 Things to Do in London With Kids in July

London’s July offerings will keep your kids entertained with free water activities at Royal Docks Summer Splash, creative workshops at Young V&A Summer Festival, and the spectacular Pride Parade celebration. You can explore Hampton Court’s Garden Festival, catch West End shows during Kids Week, or let them splash at Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park. Don’t miss the animatronic dinosaurs at Lost Kingdom or hands-on fun at Barbican’s Play Make Do festival for unforgettable summer memories.

Royal Docks Summer Splash

Where else can you find a free urban lido floating right in the heart of London’s docklands? Royal Docks Summer Splash transforms Royal Victoria Dock into your family’s ultimate waterside playground from July 25th through August 17th.

You’ll splash in unheated open water that’s just over a meter deep, perfectly safe for kids with lifeguards on duty.

Book timed wristband sessions (11:00-17:00) to guarantee entry, though it’s completely free.

Beyond swimming, your little ones can build sandcastles in the large sandy play area while you relax under sun parasols. The experience takes place at the Waterside at the Royal Docks, creating the perfect backdrop for your summer day out.

Don’t miss the free Swim Safe classes teaching open water safety skills.

It’s brilliantly located near Royal Victoria DLR station, making it easily accessible for your summer family adventure.

Young V&A Summer Festival

Since creativity and play collide beautifully at Young V&A’s Summer Festival, your family will discover an extraordinary blend of hands-on workshops, mesmerizing performances, and interactive installations from July 5th-6th, 2025.

You’ll watch Mimbre’s joyful acrobatics, The Majorettes’ hula hoop magic, and Dance by Do Things Different. Your kids can create giant tactile sculptures with Leap then Look, design bold costumes, craft paper bead jewelry, and build massive blue block structures.

Don’t miss storyteller Roberta Livingston’s sensory poems or the specialized SEND Festival on July 6th. The festival also features participatory installations that encourage children to engage directly with the creative process.

The festival’s completely free with drop-in access at Young V&A in Bethnal Green. Sound Explorers caters to under-3s, while Summer Design Club targets 11-14 year olds. Book through V&A’s website for guaranteed spots.

Pride of London Parade

London’s Pride Parade on July 5th, 2025 transforms the city center into Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ celebration. It welcomes families alongside one million spectators who line the streets from Hyde Park Corner to Westminster.

You’ll find the best family viewing spots along Piccadilly’s wide pavements or near Green Park, where kids can take breaks on the grass.

The parade runs from noon to 6pm, featuring 500+ community groups including schools and youth organizations in a spectacular display of colorful floats and music. Barrier-free facilities are provided to ensure inclusive participation for individuals with mobility or accessibility needs.

Arrive early to secure good spots, and plan transport carefully around road closures.

The entire event’s free, with multiple stages throughout Soho and Trafalgar Square.

It’s an excellent opportunity to discuss equality and inclusion while experiencing London’s vibrant community spirit firsthand.

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

When July arrives, the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival transforms the palace grounds into Britain’s largest flower show, offering families six days of spectacular gardens, hands-on workshops, and interactive displays from July 1-6, 2025.

You’ll discover inspirational Show Gardens and the new “Gardens of Curiosity” designed to spark children’s inquisitiveness. Your kids can participate in practical workshops teaching simple gardening skills, planting, and container gardening.

Don’t miss the wildlife-friendly displays like the RSPB and RHS Swift Garden, which demonstrate how urban gardens support birds and insects. Visitors can also explore the Mottisfont greenhouse from the National Trust collection, which showcases how greenhouses create optimal growing environments.

The family entertainment zone provides dedicated programming for children, while informal talks cover growing food and eco-friendly practices.

With on-site food courts and picnic opportunities in the palace grounds, you’re set for a full day exploring covered pavilions and browsing plant stalls.

Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace

The Kaleidoscope Festival transforms Alexandra Palace into London’s most scenic summer celebration, combining live music, comedy, and family entertainment across the hilltop parkland with sweeping views over the city.

You’ll find epic lineups spanning electronic acts, indie bands, and emerging artists across multiple outdoor stages, plus stand-up comedy and spoken-word performances that create a genuine multi-arts festival atmosphere.

Your kids will love the dedicated family fun areas with child-friendly performances and roaming entertainers, while you’ll appreciate the community festival vibe enhanced by laser lights against the Victorian palace backdrop. With 10,000 attendees enjoying the festivities, you’ll be part of a vibrant celebration that truly captures the spirit of summer in London.

Don’t miss exploring Alexandra Palace’s historic basements as part of the official programme.

Remember that under-16s must attend with an adult over 21, and early-bird tickets offer the best value before the full lineup announcement.

Summer in the Park Greenwich

Moving from the sweeping city views at Alexandra Palace, Greenwich Park offers an equally stunning backdrop for family festivities with its rolling avenues beneath ancient oaks overlooking the Thames.

You’ll find Summer in the Park Greenwich running Saturday 12th July (11am-8pm) and Sunday 13th July (11am-4:30pm) near the General Wolfe Statue, with free entry and no booking required.

Your kids will love AirCraft Circus workshops featuring gravity-defying aerial hoops and plate spinning, while Sally McKay’s Free Drawing Project provides sketchbooks and clay for creative expression.

Don’t miss the Giant Graffiti Wall and face-painting sessions. The weekend showcases diverse live music from London Youth Folk to Bhangra Ceilidh fusion, plus enthralling performances like The Peacock and the Princess pageant with costumes and puppetry. Families can also enjoy the captivating Aquanauts Adrift sea-life puppet show that brings underwater adventures to life.

Serpentine Play Pavilion With LEGO

Where else can your kids climb through a bright orange architectural marvel while building with oversized LEGO bricks in one of London’s most beautiful parks? The Serpentine Play Pavilion in Kensington Gardens transforms playtime into an architectural adventure.

This striking domed structure features slopes, tunnels, and a yellow slide that’ll keep children exploring for hours.

Inside, you’ll find towering LEGO-built columns and an interactive building wall where kids can create their own masterpieces using loose bricks. The pavilion’s semi-open design allows natural light to flood in while maintaining visual connection to the surrounding greenery. Designed by Sir Peter Cook in collaboration with Serpentine and LEGO Group, this innovative space brings together world-class architecture and hands-on play.

Running from June 11 to August 10, 2025, this free installation combines informal play with structured workshops throughout summer. It’s perfectly positioned near Serpentine South, making it easy to combine with other park activities.

Lost Kingdom Dinosaurs at Beddington Park

Over 50 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs await your family at Beddington Park’s Lost Kingdom experience, turning an ordinary summer day into a prehistoric adventure. From July 25-August 10, 2025, you’ll encounter roaring T. rex, moving Triceratops, and lesser-known species like Protoceratops as you follow the trail through grasslands and woodland.

The animatronics feature realistic movements—blinking eyes, breathing bodies, and wide-opening jaws with convincing sound effects. Educational panels provide learning opportunities alongside the thrills.

Your kids can dig for fossils in the excavation pit, try VR experiences, and grab snacks from on-site food stalls. The experience combines education and entertainment as families explore natural park environments with dinosaur installations among the greenery.

Plan 2-3 hours for your visit. Tickets cost £14.50 for adults, £12.50 for children. Wear sturdy shoes—the grass surfaces can get muddy!

Smeds and Smoos at Lyric Theatre

After exploring prehistoric creatures in outdoor settings, you can bring your little ones indoors for a colorful theatrical adventure that’s perfect for London’s unpredictable weather. Smeds and Smoos at Lyric Theatre offers an enchanting adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s beloved picture book, running through September 7th.

This intergalactic Romeo and Juliet story teaches kids about celebrating differences through music, puppetry, and audience participation. The red Smeds and blue Smoos can’t be friends until young love changes everything. The production comes from Tall Stories, the acclaimed children’s theatre company behind previous Julia Donaldson adaptations like The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom.

At just 60 minutes with no interval, it’s ideal for ages 3+ and won’t test short attention spans.

Catch shows Friday through Sunday at Shaftesbury Avenue. Family tickets start at £85, making this Olivier-nominated production an accessible West End introduction that’ll have your kids squealing with joy.

Kids Week West End Shows

Summer holidays bring London’s biggest theatre bargain with Kids Week, where children aged 17 and under attend West End shows absolutely free when accompanied by a full-paying adult.

Running from 21 July to 31 August 2025, you’ll find over 50 participating shows including blockbusters like The Lion King, Hamilton, and Wicked alongside new additions such as The Devil Wears Prada and My Neighbour Totoro.

You can purchase up to two additional children’s tickets at half price with no booking fees. Many shows also offer theatre workshops, dance sessions, and behind-the-scenes experiences to enhance your visit.

Family favourites like Matilda The Musical and Harry Potter And The Cursed Child offer age-appropriate entertainment, while younger kids will love The Tiger Who Came To Tea.

Tickets go on sale 10am Tuesday 10 June 2025 through officiallondontheatre.com/kids-week.

London Zoo Crew Role Play Experience

While your kids dream of becoming the next David Attenborough or zoo veterinarian, London Zoo’s seasonal Zoo Crew programme lets them live out those career fantasies through hands-on role-play experiences. Your children will rotate through activity stations wearing authentic costumes—from zookeeper overalls to scientist lab coats—tackling real zoo challenges like the timed “scoop the poop” competition and preparing animal meals under nutritionist guidance.

They’ll observe live animals with explorer cards, hunt for species identification clues, and learn about Thames River conservation efforts. The programme accommodates all ages with basic and advanced options, plus full accessibility features including large-print cards and mobility support. Best of all, no pre-booking is required beyond standard zoo admission, so you can join the activities spontaneously upon entry.

After completing every station, your future conservationists receive certificates and photos as official Zoo Crew graduates.

Play Make Do at Barbican Centre

Where can you find circus performances, giant playground games, and storytelling adventures all under one iconic brutalist roof? The Barbican Centre’s inaugural “Play Make Do: A Festival of Fun for All the Family” transforms this cultural landmark into a playground paradise from July 13 to August 16, 2025.

You’ll discover free collaborative activities in the ground floor foyer, where kids design imaginary playgrounds with Artizine UK. The dedicated Play Space features giant games and traditional playground classics, while Assemble Play Works creates an interactive forest environment with sensory materials.

Don’t miss Upswing’s breathtaking circus performances in the Conservatory, complete with hands-on aerial workshops. The lakeside area offers outdoor Tai Chi sessions by Mei Quan Academy and communal dance afternoons for families to enjoy together.

Award-winning storytellers Chitra Soundar and Usifu Jalloh bring Indian tales and West African folktales to life, supporting the Summer Reading Challenge.

Vauxhall Farm’s Family Farm Day

Imagine petting alpacas and cuddling rabbits in the heart of Covent Garden – that’s exactly what you’ll experience at Vauxhall City Farm‘s Family Farm Day on Monday, July 28, 2025.

From 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at St Paul’s Church, you’ll find goats, sheep, and alpacas waiting for cuddles alongside smaller animals like guinea pigs.

Your kids will love making musical instruments from vegetables with the London Vegetable Orchestra, while face painting and story time keep everyone entertained.

Watch spinners create yarn from farm wool, then grab farm-themed mocktails from the shop.

This inner city initiative brings farm experiences directly to London families who may not otherwise have access to rural environments.

Entry’s free with suggested donations supporting their £250,000 Anniversary Appeal.

Book workshops and Cuddle Corner sessions in advance through [email protected].

Note that not all areas are step-free, and dogs aren’t permitted except assistance animals.

Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park

Looking for a memorial that’s both meaningful and interactive for your family? The Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park perfectly combines history with hands-on fun. Located near Serpentine Bridge, this stunning oval structure features 545 pieces of Cornish granite where water flows in two streams representing the calm and turbulent moments of Diana’s life.

Your kids will love dipping their feet in the shallow waters while you share stories about the People’s Princess and her charitable work. The surrounding grassy area provides perfect picnic spots, and three bridges let you cross to the fountain’s heart. The memorial was officially dedicated by Queen Elizabeth II on July 6th, 2004.

It’s free to visit and wheelchair-accessible, making it ideal for all families. Just remember—no dogs except assistance animals, and walking in the water isn’t allowed for safety reasons.

Free Minigolf at Canary Wharf Montgomery Square

After exploring Hyde Park’s peaceful memorial, head to London’s financial district for a completely different kind of free fun.

Montgomery Square’s summer minigolf course transforms Canary Wharf into an artistic playground that’ll captivate kids and adults alike.

This isn’t your typical crazy golf – artists Craig & Karl have created a vibrant pop-art installation with bold colors and geometric patterns that make every hole Instagram-worthy.

The nine-hole course runs daily from 12 pm to 6 pm (April through October), and equipment’s provided free.

Your family can easily spend hours here combining minigolf with the free ping-pong tables nearby.

The course is designed for all abilities, ensuring frustrated tantrums stay minimal.

The experience doubles as an art installation, making it a unique blend of recreation and cultural enrichment.

Plus, you’ll have 70+ dining options and endless shopping when you’re ready for refreshments.

The Sum Up

You’ve got amazing options for July fun with your kids in London! From splashing at Royal Docks to exploring the Young V&A’s festival, there’s something for every age. Don’t miss the free activities like Diana Memorial Fountain and Canary Wharf minigolf – they’re budget-friendly wins. Book festival tickets early since July’s peak season, and pack sunscreen for outdoor events. London’s summer energy is infectious, so get out there and make those family memories!