Our TOP 10

things to do in London this August

August in London is brimming with vibrant, family-friendly activities, making it the perfect time to explore the city with kids.

This month, you can dive into creativity at the V&A Museum and Young V&A with interactive art workshops, uncover the secrets of masterpieces at the National Gallery, and experience the vibrant colors and sounds of the Notting Hill Carnival. Add some adventure with the Battersea Power Station Game 2024, enjoy inspiring performances at Theatre Chicken Shed, and embark on a whimsical journey through nature at Kew Gardens with Horrible Histories-inspired fun. The Barbican’s 'Our Street' offers playful games, creative workshops, and lively raves, while the South Bank Centre provides a rich array of music and singing activities. With so much to explore, August is set to be an unforgettable month of discovery and excitement for families in London.

Explore Exciting Summer Activities for Kids at the V&A Museum!

This summer, the V&A Museum is packed with engaging events for families. At the South Kensington location, enjoy a variety of free and ticketed activities designed for children and their families.

Pop-Up Performance: Anansi and the Lost Sun – Join Swallow’s Wings Puppetry on August 31 for a captivating puppet show featuring traditional West African stories. Enjoy the performance and learn about the puppets and their cultural significance. Sessions are free, but booking is essential.
Design Baby: Sculpt and Play – On August 7, toddlers and their guardians can explore sensory play in the museum’s garden. This free, child-led workshop allows young children to engage with creative materials.
Make It: Buildings – On August 31, families with children aged 5 and up can join this hands-on workshop to explore architecture and design. Tickets are £15 per adult-child pair.
Drop-In Design Workshops – Throughout August, engage in a range of drop-in activities:
- Festival Wristbands – Create your own festival accessories inspired by your favourite artists and events.
- Super Boots – Design and make your own cowboy boots.
- Cool Buildings – Build a mini house to keep cool and test it with a fun simulator.
- Map It! – Use digital tools to create a virtual city map inspired by the Tropical Modernism exhibition.
- Future Cities – Participate in activities related to architecture and urban design.
Sensory Friendly: Design and Draw with Light – On August 10, enjoy a sensory-friendly workshop that explores art with light, designed for neurodiverse visitors and their families.

All activities take place at the V&A South Kensington, and many are free but require booking. For more information and to reserve your spots, visit the V&A website https://www.vam.ac.uk or call +44 (0)20 7942 2000.

Make the most of the summer holidays with these creative and educational events!

Location: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
Price: free and ticketed

Discover "Our Street" at The Barbican This August!

Our Street at The Curve, Barbican

Explore "Our Street," a vibrant pop-up at The Curve, Barbican, designed for all ages. Experience a playful London neighbourhood with classic games like hopscotch, hula-hooping, board games, and crafting. Created by West Port Architects with local children and artists, it’s a great spot to revisit old favorites and meet new friends.
Our Street will be open every day from 10am - 6pm between 1-23 Aug and general age 5+. Across the month there's events including workshops, lates and street parties in collaboration with a range of exciting community partners. Find out more below.
Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave: Dance, laugh, craft, and enjoy rave music. DJ David Minns will spin club classics, while kids can make rave crowns and play with bubbles, foam, and balloons.
- Date & Time: Two sessions at 2pm and 3pm.
- Age: 0-8 years (all ages welcome)
- Tickets: £10 for adults (includes up to three free child tickets).
SlayStation X Sappho Events: Our Street Late: An evening of interactive games, drag performances, tarot readings, and more, featuring cosplay cabaret and queer-led activities.
- Date & Time: Thursday, 8th August 2024, 6:30pm - 10:30pm.
- Age: 18+
Explorers Club presents Open Dialogue Dey Play: Our Street Late: Play traditional games like dominoes and ayo, and engage in discussions about creative practices and community connections.
- Date & Time: Thursday, 15th August 2024, 6:30pm - 11pm.
- Age: 18+

General Information:

Age Guidance: General entry for ages 5+.
Admission: Free for general sessions and workshops, but advance booking is recommended.
Support: This event is supported by the City of London’s Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund.

For more details and to reserve your tickets, visit the Barbican’s website.

Summer at Battersea Games 2024:

For Spectators:
Watch the Olympics and Paralympics on The Big Screen at the Official Team GB and ParalympicsGB Fanzones. Enjoy evening film screenings, England Cricket Test Matches, and the Tour de France throughout the summer.

For Sport Enthusiasts:
Get active with Rocket Padel’s pop-up court and activities for you, family and friends to get involved with, including 100m running track, giant lawn games, table tennis, badminton, a climbing wall, Fast Feet football, Pineapple Dance Studios Breaking Classes, Skateboarding Classes, Cycle Speed, Basketball Shootout, Golf Simulator, Car Racing Simulator and 1×1 Football Challenge!

For Foodies:
Indulge in outdoor pop-up ArcadeX featuring Manna, BAO, and Solis. Explore over 50 dining options including El Pastor, Dishoom, and Gordon Ramsay Bread Street Kitchen & Bar. Grab quick bites from Poke House, itsu, and M&S Foodhall for picnics in Power Station Park.

Find out more and view the schedule online.

Date: running until 8th September
Location: Battersea Power Station, London SW11 8BJ.
Times & price: free, walk across the footbridge, 11am - 6pm

Chicken Shed Theatre program for kids over summer

Tales from the Shed presents Gulliver’s Travels
Step into the enchanting world of Gulliver’s Travels with this captivating family musical! Follow Gulliver on thrilling adventures across the globe, encountering vibrant civilizations and whimsical creatures. This unique rendition, infused with Tales from the Shed's signature twist, features lovable puppets, great music, and boundless fun. Perfect for igniting the curiosity of both the young and young at heart, don't miss this extraordinary and entertaining spectacle!

Dates: 7th - 10th August, 2024
Run Time: 50 minutes
Age Guidance: Suitable for ages 3 and up
Price: £8

Summer Scratch
Summer Scratch is a dynamic theatre project for 11-17 year olds passionate about writing, performance, movement, and music. Guided by Chickenshed’s Youth Theatre Directors and current Youth Theatre members, participants will devise, write, choreograph, and compose their own theatre pieces throughout the week. This fun and supportive environment fosters creativity and collaboration. Participants should bring a packed lunch and any snacks required for the day. Join us for a week of imaginative exploration and artistic expression!

Dates: 12th August 2024, 11am start
Run Time: 6 hours per day
Age Guidance: 11-17 years old
Price: £120

Location: Rayne Theatre, Chickenshed, Chase Side Southgate London N14 4PE

Exciting Summer Activities for Kids at Young V&A!

This summer, Young V&A is bursting with fun and creative activities for families. Celebrate National Playday on August 7th with a day full of imaginative play, featuring workshops with artists Yuri Suzuki and Shepherd Manyika, a toy surgery with Play it Again, and outdoor games with Well One. Enjoy a special DJ set by Yuri Suzuki and explore the museum’s interactive exhibits.

Don’t miss Create! Studio for Families on August 10th, where you can join artist Emily Hopkins in crafting 3D sculptures and mobiles. This hands-on workshop is perfect for families with children aged 4 and up, with tickets priced between £4.00 - £6.00.

Also, visit The Shed, Meet the Designer in the Design Gallery, from July 4th to August 17th to see live 3D printing by Batch.Works and participate in exciting competitions.

All events are free or low-cost and offer something for everyone in the family. For more details and booking information, visit their website https://www.vam.ac.uk/young or call +44 (0)20 7942 2000.

Location: Young V&A - Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA
Prices: vary
Times: Daily: 10.00 – 17.45

Southbank Centre Summer Offerings for Kids

Appearing Rooms by Jeppe Hein
A summer favourite, the interactive sculpture Appearing Rooms by Danish artist Jeppe Hein returns to Southbank Centre. This playful installation shoots jets of water into the air, creating rooms that form and disappear. Originally commissioned for the garden of Villa Manin, Italy, this joyful and engaging sculpture combines architecture and technology.
Dates:
5th June – 8th September
Times: Weda – Sun, 10am – 9pm (subject to weather conditions and maintenance)
Closed: Monday & Tuesday
Admission: Free

Tomorrow’s Warriors Extraordinary Summer Showcase
Catch live music from Tomorrow’s Warriors, featuring some of the finest young jazz musicians on London's scene. Over 33 years, Tomorrow’s Warriors has supported and nurtured award-winning artists like Ezra Collective, Moses Boyd, and Nubya Garcia through their free Young Artists’ Development Programme. Founded by Gary Crosby OBE and Janine Irons OBE, this organisation helps young artists from diverse backgrounds achieve their creative ambitions.
Date: Sunday, 11th August
Time: 5:30pm
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer
Run Time: Approx. 3 hours 30 minutes
Admission: Free

Kinetika Bloco Summer Showcase
Join us for a joyful, energetic spectacle as young people from Kinetika Bloco dance and play steel pans, brass, woodwind, and drums. This event is the culmination of a ten-day summer school, celebrating the vibrant music and culture of Cape Town. Inspired by the healing power of music and the concept of Ubuntu, the showcase features 150 young performers.
Date: Friday, 23rd August
Time: 7pm
Admission: Free

Sing Out the Summer: Sunday
Wrap up the summer season with community and professional choirs performing on the Riverside Terrace. This event features pop-up performances and vocal workshops, celebrating the joyful power of group singing. Open to all ages, it's a fun and engaging way to enjoy music and connection.
Date: Sunday, 25th August
Time: 1pm
Admission: Free

These exciting summer events at Southbank Centre are open to all ages, providing engaging and enriching experiences for kids and families.

Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

Notting Hill Carnival 2024: A Local's Guide

For many Londoners, Notting Hill Carnival over the August Bank Holiday is a whirlwind of feathers, Red Stripe, and music. But for those behind the scenes, it’s a year-long effort to bring one of the world’s biggest and oldest street parties to life. This Carnival weekend, over two million people are expected to head to west London to join in the festivities.

Dates: Sunday, 25th August - Monday, 26th August, 2024
Location: Notting Hill, W11, west London - MAP
Admission: Free for all events

What's On:

Family Day (Sunday, 25th August): A more relaxed day with a children’s parade and family-friendly activities. The official opening ceremony kicks off at 10am on Great Western Road.
Adult's Day (Monday, 26th August): The day for hardcore partiers, featuring the iconic parade with dazzling floats, vibrant costumes, and an array of music.
Panorama (Saturday, 24th August): The UK's biggest steel pan competition at Emslie Horniman Pleasance Park from 4pm till midnight.
J’Ouvert (Sunday, 25th August): A traditional Caribbean event marking the start of Carnival, starting just before sunrise.
Static Soundsystems: More than 30 locations playing house, samba, reggae, and more from midday to 7pm on both Sunday and Monday.
Food Stalls: Hundreds of stalls offering Caribbean delicacies like Jamaican jerk chicken, Trinidadian roti, and Guyanese pepper pot.

Highlights:

Iconic Parade: Showcasing the best of mas, soca, calypso, steel bands, Brazilian bands and soundsystems.
Live Performances: Surprise guests and live acts, with past appearances from stars like Sean Paul and Koffee.
Carnival Culture: Celebrating Caribbean history and culture with music, dance, and community spirit.

Explore the Horrible Science at Kew Gardens this Summer!

Dive into a world of bizarre and brilliant science at Kew Gardens from July 20 to September 1, 2024. Inspired by the bestselling Horrible Science series by Nick Arnold and Tony De Saulles, this summer event promises a hands-on exploration of nature's darker side. Perfect for families and curious minds, the experience includes discovering foul fungi, revolting roots, and vicious bug-eating plants.

Highlights:

Foul Fungi: Explore the gross side of mushrooms and molds.
Revolting Roots: Learn what plant roots need and see some disgusting delicacies.
Vicious Vegetation: Encounter plants that bite back.
Greedy Greenery: Meet plants with sneaky survival strategies.
Hall of Fame: See if you can join Kew’s top scientists and mycologists.

Ticket Prices:

Adult + Donation: £22.00
Concession + Donation: £20.00
Child (4-15 years) + Donation: £5.50
Family Tickets: Starting at £29.00

Additional Info:

Free Admission for registered blind individuals and essential companions.
Discounts available for local residents, students, and jobseekers.

Join us for a summer of science fun at Kew Gardens—where learning meets adventure!

Dive into Summer on the Square at The National Gallery

August is set to be a vibrant month at The National Gallery with their "Summer on the Square" family activities, offering creative and engaging experiences for all ages.

Curious Creatures
Dates: 1 - 7 August 2024
Time: 11:00 - 16:00 (break 13:00 - 14:00)
Location: Trafalgar Square
Unleash your creativity by imagining winged jungle creatures inspired by Henri Rousseau’s "Surprised!" Collaborate with artists Bethan Durie and Amy Leung to add tropical touches to your designs. This drop-in, free activity is ideal for families, especially those with children over 5.

Terrific Talks with Articulation Alumni
Dates: 7, 14, 21, 28 August 2024
Time: 12:00 - 12:30 & 13:15 - 13:45
Location: Trafalgar Square
Join brief, engaging talks about various paintings from The National Gallery’s collection, delivered by Articulation Alumni. Discover new perspectives or learn about a painting you haven’t seen before, all inspired by themes from the "Take One Picture" exhibition. Free, but wristbands are required, available from 11:00 at the Summer on the Square tent.

Decoding Pictures at The National Gallery
Dates: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 August 2024
Times: 10:30 - 11:15, 11:30 - 12:15, 12:30 - 13:15, 13:30 - 14:15
Location: Trafalgar Square
Explore the hidden stories behind the Gallery’s paintings with "Decoding Pictures," an interactive family activity. Join educators on a unique tour to discover what these artworks are silently communicating. Engage with questions, explore different rooms, and use playful techniques to uncover the secrets of the art. This free, drop-in event is designed for families, especially those with children over 5.

Enjoy these free activities and more while exploring the gallery’s offerings throughout the month!

Explore Tate Modern's Summer Fun for Kids

This August, Tate Modern is offering exciting activities designed especially for children and families. Here’s what’s on offer:

Free Summer Films for Kids - Mildred the Gallery Cat
Dates: 12 - 16 August, 13:00 - 15:00
Location: Starr Cinema, Tate Modern
Enjoy a relaxed screening of short films for kids, including the charming "Mildred the Gallery Cat," inspired by the real feline artist who once lived at Tate Modern. The screenings are free, drop-in, and suitable for all ages. Feel free to bring a packed lunch, and subtitles will be available for all films.

UNIQLO Tate Play: Oscar Murillo's The Flooded Garden
Dates: Daily until 26 August 2024, 10:30 - 18:00
Location: Turbine Hall, Tate Modern
Dive into creativity with Oscar Murillo’s large-scale painting installation. Contribute to a vibrant collaborative artwork inspired by Monet’s gardens and Murillo’s Surge series. This interactive experience includes painting on a giant canvas and enjoying live performances from Colombian musicians every Wednesday.