15 Things to Do in London With Kids in September

You’ll discover incredible September adventures across London, from the free Frieze Sculpture trail in Regent’s Park where kids can explore 14 shadow-themed installations, to the magical “Very Hungry Caterpillar” storybook trail at Ham House running through October 12th. Don’t miss the historic Bartholomew Fayre revival celebrating 900 years of tradition, Kensington Gardens’ hands-on Harvest Festival on September 6th, or the three-week Royal Docks Originals waterfront festival featuring 50+ free creative activities that’ll transform your family’s autumn experience.

Totally Thames Festival: River Adventures for the Whole Family

How can you turn London’s iconic river into your family’s ultimate September playground? The month-long Totally Thames Festival transforms 42 miles of riverfront from Richmond to Barking & Dagenham into an adventure-packed wonderland. You’ll discover 100+ events spanning 20 boroughs, with many free or low-cost options perfect for budget-conscious families.

Don’t miss the St Katharine Docks Classic Boat Festival, where you’ll explore 50+ vintage vessels including authentic Dunkirk Little Ships. The Great River Race creates an exhilarating spectacle as hundreds of traditional boats compete from Millwall to Richmond.

Your kids will love hands-on mudlarking workshops, foreshore archaeology adventures, and wildlife encounters at Creekside Discovery Centre. Evening riverside concerts and open-air cinema provide entertainment for older children, making this festival truly inclusive for mixed-age groups. The festival’s environmental focus means children learn about river conservation through creative performances and installations that address pollution and climate challenges.

Open House London: Behind-the-Scenes Access to Historic Buildings

While the Thames offers outdoor adventures, September also brings one of London’s most exciting indoor discoveries. Open House London transforms the city into a massive free museum, opening hundreds of normally restricted buildings to families for nine days. You’ll explore Grade I listed manor houses, peek inside the Mayor’s headquarters at City Hall, and discover hidden rooms in historic guildhalls—all without admission fees.

Kids love the treasure hunt aspect of family trails at venues like Two Temple Place, where they search for carved characters and decorative details. The drop-in format suits young attention spans perfectly, and many locations offer simplified tours highlighting secret stories and visual surprises. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Greater London Authority’s formation, with City Hall hosting a special exhibition celebrating this milestone.

With 370,541 visits last year, this festival clearly captivates families seeking architectural adventures.

Dulwich Picture Gallery ArtPlay Pavilion: Creative Play Space for Under-8s

Beyond architectural adventures, September’s perfect weather makes it ideal for discovering Dulwich Picture Gallery’s brand-new ArtPlay Pavilion, a purpose-built creative playground that’s revolutionizing how under-8s experience art. Located in the Sculpture Garden, this minimalist timber pavilion by Carmody Groarke transforms historic paintings into interactive play experiences.

Your little ones can slide on Canaletto-inspired bridges, swing from Poussin’s clouds, and explore four elemental zones featuring sunlight, water, wind, and earth themes. The HoLD Art Collective’s interior design encourages movement through slides, swings, and a wind tunnel, while soft sculptural seating provides calming spaces for quieter moments. The pavilion offers booking for creative sessions that provide structured, imaginative play experiences focused on interactive art exploration.

ArtPlay Sessions cost £9 per child, with timed bookings available. The surrounding sculpture garden remains free to explore, making this an accessible cultural adventure.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter

Twenty minutes from central London by train, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour offers an authentic behind-the-scenes look at Harry Potter filmmaking that will captivate your family for 3-4 hours. You’ll explore full-scale sets including the Great Hall, Platform 9¾, and Diagon Alley, plus see actual props and costumes from all eight films.

Kids love the green screen experiences where they can “ride” broomsticks using the same visual effects from the movies. The Forbidden Forest features atmospheric lighting and animatronics that thrill older children, while interactive displays engage various learning styles.

September’s typically less crowded than peak summer, though you’ll still need advance timed-entry tickets. Take the train to Watford Junction, then hop the branded shuttle bus that runs every 15 minutes. The tour is located in Leavesden, England and has been welcoming visitors since opening in 2012.

Kew Gardens “Material World” Exhibition: Art Meets Nature

Since Kew Gardens’ Temperate House transforms into an immersive festival of art and sustainability this September, your family can explore the fascinating connections between plants and fashion through the “Material World” exhibition running from September 20 to November 2, 2025.

You’ll discover how plants and fungi create fibres, dyes, and sustainable clothing alternatives while learning about fashion’s environmental impact. Kids will love the hands-on workshops, including collective tapestry making on September 20-21 and printmaking sessions on September 27-28. The exhibition is proudly supported by Cazenove Capital, ensuring world-class displays and educational programming throughout its run.

Don’t miss Lottie Delamain’s Global Threads garden featuring raised beds constructed from donated second-hand garments, dramatically showcasing clothing waste. The exhibition combines striking installations, interactive learning spaces, and region-specific dye plants that’ll inspire your family to make more sustainable fashion choices.

Museum of London Family Days: Interactive Thames-Themed Activities

When September arrives with the month-long Totally Thames Festival, the Museum of London transforms into a treasure trove of river-themed adventures your family won’t want to miss.

On September 9th, you’ll find Tots & Thames Day Festival offering free family activities specifically designed for young children with Thames-themed interactive sessions. Your little ones can explore the fascinating world of mudlarking through hands-on experiences that bring London’s river history to life.

The museum’s Secrets of the Thames exhibition showcases over 350 mudlarked objects, from Roman amphoras to Georgian dentures, giving kids tangible connections to the past. Heritage trainee Nadia Hirsi leads engaging discussions about the river’s secret lives with expert panelists on September 2nd.

During the Mudlarking Weekend on September 27-28 at London Museum Docklands, you’ll chat with real mudlarks and discover stories behind thousands of Thames foreshore artifacts.

Lightroom “Prehistoric Planet”: Immersive Dinosaur Experience

Step into a prehistoric world where sixty-six million years of Earth’s history unfolds around you at Lightroom’s “Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs” experience in King’s Cross. This 360° immersive projection show transforms the entire space into floor-to-ceiling moving imagery, bringing life-size T. rex, Mosasaurs, and flying reptiles into stunning reality.

Narrated by Damian Lewis with Hans Zimmer’s epic score, the 50-minute experience spans six chapters covering land, sea, and sky environments. The show features exclusive CGI scenes and illustrations alongside content from Apple TV+’s Emmy-nominated series.

Located at Lewis Cubitt Square near King’s Cross St Pancras station, tickets start from £25 for adults and £15 for children, with under-3s free. Family tickets offer 15% discounts before 4pm.

While marketed for all ages, expect a lively atmosphere with excited young children during busy periods.

Buckingham Palace State Rooms: Royal Palace Tours

From prehistoric adventures to royal grandeur, September offers a rare opportunity to explore the opulent State Rooms of Buckingham Palace before the summer opening season closes. You’ll tour 19 magnificent rooms where the royal family hosts state banquets and receives world leaders, making this a working palace experience that’ll captivate kids.

The self-guided multimedia tour takes about 90 minutes, letting you explore at your family’s pace. Children love the dramatic Throne Room and glittering White Drawing Room with its massive crystal chandelier. You’ll see masterpieces by Rembrandt and Rubens within John Nash’s stunning 1830s neoclassical interiors. The palace also features exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain alongside fine English and French furniture throughout the State Rooms.

Book timed entry tickets (around £32 adults) for Thursday through Monday visits, as Tuesday-Wednesday closures apply. Arrive 30 minutes early for security screening.

Horniman Museum’s Robot Zoo: Mechanical Animals Come to Life

At the Horniman Museum’s spectacular Robot Zoo, massive mechanical creatures tower over visitors in a 5,000-square-foot wonderland where biology meets engineering. You’ll encounter eight incredible robot animals, including a life-size rhino, giant squid with 18-foot tentacles, and a housefly with 10-foot wingspan that walks on ceilings.

Your kids can fire the chameleon’s tongue-gun at insects, race jet-propelled squids, and explore cutaway sections revealing shock absorbers and pumps that power these mechanical marvels. The exhibit brilliantly demonstrates how animals see, hunt, and move through interactive mechanisms. Two interactive murals by artist Giulia Casarotto feature hidden chameleons and habitat-matching sorting games that complement the main exhibition.

Button-smashing activities engage preschoolers, while older children discover biomechanics through hands-on play. Located in Forest Hill, this returning exhibition runs until November 2025, with special robotics workshops available.

Emerge East at Barking Riverside: Giant Inflatables and Creative Workshops

Where else can your family discover a European art premiere alongside reggae beats and forest school adventures all in one day? Emerge East returns to Barking Riverside Station on Saturday 6th September, offering free family fun from 11am to 9pm.

You’ll find Meliora, a stunning sculpture making its European debut, while kids explore Sandscape’s drop-in play area and Woodland Tribe Adventure Playground.

Book creative workshops like nail art sessions or sustainable fashion at Made Better Workshop Studio. Your little ones can learn outdoor skills through Wander Wild Tool Sessions or enjoy live-written poems at Poetry Takeaway.

The Riverside Sauna provides relaxation while Jus Jammin delivers soulful reggae sounds. This year’s event features an exciting Block Party with street closures creating an expanded festival atmosphere. Grab free tickets on Eventbrite for this celebration of community creativity in East London’s newest neighbourhood.

Kensington Gardens Harvest Festival: Urban Nature Celebration

Four hours of hands-on harvest fun awaits your family at Kensington Gardens’ annual celebration of urban nature on Saturday 6th September.

You’ll explore the productive allotment near Kensington Palace, where guided walks reveal food-growing secrets and wildlife-friendly practices in action.

Your children can plant seeds in homemade newspaper pots, dig for potatoes (weather permitting), and enjoy nature storytelling designed for ages 3-11.

The Royal Parks charity’s Help Nature Thrive programme showcases this urban biodiversity hotspot bursting with seasonal produce, flowers, and herbs after summer’s growth.

Games, crafts, and quizzes teach about garden wildlife and seasons. Similar to the outdoor talks happening at Kew Gardens throughout the weekend, this celebration combines cultural learning with natural exploration.

This free drop-in event runs 12:00-16:00, combining harvest activities with easy access to palace gardens and playground facilities.

Advance registration helps organizers monitor numbers.

Frieze Sculpture in Regent’s Park: Outdoor Art Trail

While most sculpture exhibitions require museum tickets and indoor quiet, Frieze Sculpture transforms Regent’s Park into a playground of contemporary art where your children can run, explore, and discover fourteen large-scale works scattered across the historic English Gardens.

Running September 17 through November 2, this free outdoor trail encourages hands-on exploration perfect for curious kids.

The 2025 theme “In the Shadows” creates natural treasure hunts—watch shadows move throughout the day or imagine stories hidden within each piece.

Highlights include Assemble’s playful “Fibredog” built from park materials and Reena Saini Kallat’s sound sculpture featuring bird calls.

The buggy-friendly paths and open lawns let younger children roam safely while older kids photograph Instagram-worthy installations like Erwin Wurm’s giant crumpled blue suit. This marks the 13th edition of the annual public art event, making it one of London’s most established family-friendly cultural traditions.

Bartholomew Fayre: Historic Street Festival Revival

Since 1855, London’s legendary Bartholomew Fair had vanished from the city’s calendar—until its spectacular revival in 2024 brought medieval magic back to modern streets.

You’ll discover this reimagined festival celebrates 900 years of St Bartholomew’s heritage through free outdoor arts and street performances across the Square Mile.

Originally founded in 1133 as England’s most important cloth fair, today’s version captures the carnival spirit that once drew crowds to witness stilt walkers, jugglers, and acrobats. The fair’s founder, Rahere, was himself a jester who convinced King Henry I to grant the original charter.

Your kids will be mesmerized by contemporary performers echoing centuries-old traditions of entertainment and spectacle.

The festival typically runs in early September, maintaining its historical timing while offering family-friendly programming that’s far more suitable than the raucous medieval original.

Ham House “Very Hungry Caterpillar” Trail: Storybook Garden Adventure

Running from September 1st to October 12th, this immersive journey takes children aged 3-6 through the picturesque autumn gardens.

They will follow the caterpillar’s transformation with illustrated signs, giant food cut-outs, and vibrant displays.

You’ll collect a trail sheet upon arrival and follow QR codes for additional games and activities that teach counting, days of the week, and butterfly life cycles. Children are encouraged to wiggle, munch, and transform as they discover hidden fruits and tasty snacks scattered throughout the garden.

The adventure concludes with photos at a spectacular giant butterfly.

At £9.40, admission includes garden access plus family-friendly features like mud kitchens and the Orangery Café.

Royal Docks Originals: Three Weeks of Free Art and Performance

From September 15th to October 4th, you’ll discover over 50 free events at Royal Docks Originals, where world-premiere installations and community-created art transform London’s historic waterfront into an interactive playground.

Your kids will love the Bioluminescent Garden drop-in on Friday 19th September, creating glowing flowers from 11am-4pm.

Don’t miss Chila Kumari Singh Burman’s dazzling neon tiger sculpture and Tuk Tuk installation at Good Hotel.

Get Moving offers family-friendly performances and workshops on Saturday 20th September from 11am-3pm.

You can co-create art on the IFS Cloud Cable Car during Blue Sky Making, explore interactive photo installations, and watch spectacular fire displays by Compagnie Carabosse. Families can also enjoy open water swimming and wood-fired sauna experiences at the waterfront.

The festival’s metamorphosis theme celebrates transformation through hands-on creativity.

The Sum Up

You’ll discover September’s the perfect time to explore London with your kids. Don’t miss booking your Warner Bros. Studio Tour tickets early—they sell out fast. Pack comfortable walking shoes for the outdoor sculpture trails and festival wandering. Check weather forecasts before heading to river events, and bring layers for unpredictable September temperatures. Download the Open House London app to plan your building visits efficiently. Most importantly, you’ll create unforgettable family memories throughout the city’s vibrant autumn offerings.