Welcome to the July 2025 edition of our posts on free things to do in London with kids! Here we round up a selection of free things to do in London in July 2025!
Before we dive in, please note that while all activities listed here are free to attend, some may require advance booking or free tickets to manage capacity. We strongly recommend checking the official websites of any venues or events you’re interested in before making your journey, as opening times and entry requirements can change.
Please be aware that we are not affiliated with any of the venues, organisations, or events mentioned in this guide. We don’t specifically endorse any particular activity – every family is different, and what works brilliantly for one might not suit another. This guide aims to help you discover new possibilities, but the final choice of activities should always be based on your family’s interests, children’s ages, and comfort levels.
We know that lots of events require pre-booking and can fill up quickly, which is why we’ve published this post early. We will keep adding to it as more free things to do are released. So do keep checking back!
Let’s explore what London has to offer for families exploring London in July!
What: Minigolf by Craig and Karl
Details: Canary Wharf’s iconic 9-hole minigolf course, designed by artists Craig Redman and Karl Maier, is coming back at Montgomery Square! This vibrant, one-of-a-kind course is perfect for a fun day out with the kids or some friendly competition with colleagues. Best of all, it’s free to play! Just visit our event stewards to grab your clubs and balls. Designed for all ages and skill levels, it’s an experience everyone can enjoy.
Where: Montgomery Square, Canary Wharf
When: From Friday 4 April
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: The King’s Cross Dinosaur Trail
Details: Dinosaurs have been spotted in King’s Cross! Families and adventurers of all ages are invited to embark on a new trail to find them all. Grab your map from Lightroom and look for strange clues to discover the dinosaur’s whereabouts. Once you have answered all the questions, head back to Lightroom and show your completed map to receive a prehistoric surprise.
When: Friday 2 May – Tuesday 30 September, 10am every day, closing at 5.30pm on Sunday to Wednesday, and 7.30pm Thursday to Saturday.
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Play Beach Volleyball and Badminton
Details: Enjoy a rare opportunity to play outdoor beach volleyball in the city this Summer. If volleyball isn’t your thing, badminton is also available to play!
Where: Merchant Square, Paddington
When: From Monday 2 June 2025. Bookings are from 9am – 3pm from Monday to Thursday, and 9am – 5pm on Friday with the latest booking being at 5.00 – 6.00pm
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Popcorn!
Details: Popcorn! is a new participatory exhibition by artist Jenny Pengilly inviting audiences of all ages to explore the sonic world through our voices, bodies, and props. This exhibition is inspired by Foley artists, sound designers who produce the sounds we hear in films, television programmes and video games that can’t be recorded live on set. They often use surprising objects and inventive methods such as bubble wrap in place of popcorn, shaking leather gloves to mimic flapping wings, and snapping celery to replicate the sound of breaking bones. Visitors can interact with a range of unusual props, image boards and soundtracks to create their own acoustic adventures. Alongside sound, visual prompts and moving image, the exhibition features a recording den ‘Static Studios’ where audiences can record Foley sounds to accompany an improvised film.
Where: Whitechapel Gallery
When: Until 21 September, 11.00-18.00 (closed Mondays)
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Film Club
Details: Join at Canada Square Park for our summer Film Club running throughout June, July, August and September. With films spanning all genres, whether you’re in the mood for a rom-com, a sing-along, Bollywood, or Hollywood, you’ll find it at Tuesday and Sunday evening screenings. Family films will also be back on Saturday mornings, offering the perfect start to a weekend with the kids. July films include: Matilda The Musical, Ghostbusters (2016) and Encanto
Where: Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf
When: Throughout July
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Alfresco Arts
Details: An exciting mix of activities, theatre, and workshops to keep little ones entertained all summer long. July’s events include The Wind in the Willows, Old Flo ‘Make & Take’, Puss in Boots, Much Ado About Nothing and One Man Poe.
Where: Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf
When: Throughout July
Who: All ages
Find out more here (family) and here (theatre).
What: Everyman on the Canal
Details: Catch a film at London’s favourite waterfront open-air cinema. Whether you want to enjoy a romantic date night, curl up in front of a family favourite film or watch the excitement unfold at Wimbledon, there will be something every day to delight and entertain. July’s films include: The Parent Trap, Paddington in Peru, Wicked, Moana, Frozen and Harry Potter.
Where: Granary Square, King’s Cross
When: Throughout July
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Summer by the River
Details: Tuesday night is Movie Night at the Scoop. Join every Tuesday throughout the summer. for a blockbuster schedule of new and classic family-friendly favourites. July films include Despicable Me 4, Wicked Sing Along and Moana 2. Various theatre performances will also be held throughout the month.
Where: The Scoop at More London
When: Throughout July
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Tusk Turtle Trail
Details: 16 life-sized turtle sculptures are discoverable in iconic locations around Central London. The Tusk Turtle Trail sculptures invite passersby to pause, reflect and engage with urgent marine conservation issues. The installations are positioned in some of London’s most recognisable locations. The sculptures’ distinctive backdrops have been supported by Art of London, Shaftesbury Capital and The View from The Shard.
Where: Locations include Covent Garden, Carnaby Street, Leicester Square, St James’s Market and Piccadilly Circus in the West End’s world-class art district, and the top of The Shard.
When: July – September
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Design Baby: Play Build Play
Details: Play with unusual and experimental materials and mix them up with your little ones! Explore the space and sensory areas. Share your experience with other families and create new connections. Children will take the lead and make a space to create in, play in, meet in, or just be in!
Where: V&A
When: Wednesday 2 July, 11.00-14.00
Who: Ages 0-3
Find out more here.
What: Young V&A Summer Festival
Details: Join the annual summer celebration for a programme of free, family-friendly creative activities. Watch stunning performances, explore Leap then Look’s participatory installation and take part in hands on activities across the galleries.
Where: Young V&A
When: Saturday 5 – Sunday, 6 July, 11.00-15.00
Who: Families
Find out more here.
What: LEGO X F1 FAMILY WATCH PARTY
Details: Settle in to watch a live stream of the race on the big screen in Power Station Park and enjoy a range of hands-on, family-friendly activities. These will include a Make & Take station – where guests can build and take home their own LEGO® creations, reaction time challenges, and immersive experiences designed to bring the world of F1 to life! Plus, a life-sized, brick-built McLaren Formula 1 car will be on display for fans to admire, along with a podium perfect for photo opportunities.
Where: Battersea Power Station
When: Sunday 6 July, 10.00-18.00
Who: Families
Find out more here.
What: Little Feet: Ancient India animal adventure
Details: Get creative and use paper craft materials to make a floral headdress inspired by the nature spirits of ancient India to wear home. Or get hands on and sculpt soft clay into a lotus flower or animal inspired by the session. With plenty to see, touch, make and do, this multi-sensory session is the perfect way to spark imagination and creativity.
Where: British Museum
When: Thursday 10 July, 10.30-12.00
Who: Under 5s
Find out more here.
What: Summer in the Park
Details: Greenwich Park transforms into a vibrant hub of music, culture, and family-friendly entertainment under summer skies. Enjoy the magic of music and dance in a setting like no other. From Folk to modern music ensembles, our open-air performances bring a cultural flair to the park’s natural beauty. Keep your little ones entertained with a host of interactive workshops, arts and crafts sessions, and storytelling events. Explore the park’s playgrounds, enjoy a treasure hunt. There’s something for adventurers of all ages!
Where: Greenwich Park
When: Saturday 12 July, 11.00-20.00 and Sunday 13 July, 11.00-16.30
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Wonderful Wildlife Weekends
Details: Join to explore ponds and surrounding areas to discover the wildlife that lives at Camley Street Natural Park. Toads, tadpoles, woodlice and worms are just a selection of the animals that you might discover! Activities will include using nets to look at animals found in the pond and looking under logs to see what minibeasts you can find as well as seasonal craft activities.
Where: Camley Street Natural Park
When: Sunday 13 and 27 July, 13.00-15.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Merchant Square Big Screen
Details: Prepare for a summer of cinema classics as Merchant Square bring back their open-air film series for the summer. Enjoy a few hours escaping into the movies with the canal by your side. July films are Wonka and Dirty Dancing
Where: Merchant Square, Paddington
When: Wednesday 16 and 23 July, 18.00-
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Print and paint
Details: Colourful, sensory and atmospheric, the exhibition explores the origins of the sacred art of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism in the nature spirits of ancient India. Get hands-on with art workshops and object handling.
Where: British Museum
When: Saturday 19 July, 10.00-16.30
Who: Ages 5+
Find out more here.
What: Thunder, Crackle and Magic
Details: Artist Monster Chetwynd has created three fantastical sets in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall. Each stage is a living spectacle of creatures, costumes and handcrafted props. Slip through the backstage shadows, act out scenes, and watch as the drama unfolds. On the first stage, Dragon Island, play the role of a performer, musician, or mischief-maker, tasked with charming a dragon. Throw on costumes, animate puppets, and create movement and sound in Wild Animal Forest. Finally, face the forces of wind, fire and water in Tested by the Elements.
Where: Tate Modern
When: Saturday 19 July – 25 August, 10.30-18.00 (closed every Tuesday 10.30–11.30 for Relaxed Hours)
Who: Not specified
Find out more here.
What: SENsory Sailors
Details: Disabled children, children with additional needs and their families are invited to a monthly session at the National Maritime Museum led by disabled creatives. Explore the Museum’s collections, enjoy the opportunity to be creative together as a family, and meet other local families.
Where: National Maritime Museum
When: Saturday 19 July, 11.00-12.30
Who: Sessions are tailored to children under 13 years. Siblings under 13 years old without SEND are welcomed.
Find out more here.
What: Sensory Friendly: Design and Draw with Light
Details: A monthly workshop for neurodiverse visitors of all ages and their families. Join this session to explore drawing and designing with light! This session will explore the idea of ‘home’. As a family you’ll get to design, build and draw using projections, fabrics and UV lights. Play with light and dark, reflections, shadows, and colours. Create and experiment using a mixture of different art materials to make colourful projections in the space.
Where: V&A
When: Saturday 19 July, 11.00-16.00
Who: Ages 5+
Find out more here.
What: Ura Matsuri’s Daylight Ninjas
Details: Enjoy a live performance of traditional and original shamisen pieces. Through the afternoon, Toshiko Kurata, a Japanese origami artist, leads an origami workshop, teaching you how to fold the Ninja’s infamous ‘shuriken’ (spinning mini-spear), before Frank Chickens, the legendary punk pop performance group teach the crowd a simple dance routine for their indie hit ‘We Are Ninja’, incorporating your origami shuriken.
Where: Southbank Centre
When: Saturday 19 July, from 13.00
Who: Ages 5+
Find out more here.
What: Ready Steady Sail!
Details: Ready Steady Sail! is a live creative art adventure which invites you to individually design and customise your own cardboard boat, inspired by the rich collection of ships at the National Maritime Museum. Climb inside your personalised painted ship and set sail across the new Ocean Map. Discover the secrets of the deep through an interactive walkabout performance, before sailing your unique boat home.
Where: National Maritime Museum
When: There will be four sessions on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July, taking place at 10.30am, 12pm, 1.45pm and 3.15pm.
Who: Ages 3+
Find out more here.
What: Summer Screens: Family Gaming
Details: Come along to free Family Gaming sessions where you can play Mario Kart or Just Dance on our big screens. All of the gaming events are free to take part in, simply come along and the friendly stewards can explain the rules. Player numbers are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where: Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf
When: Saturday 19 July – Just Dance 2024, 13.00-16.00 and Sunday 20 July – Mario Kart 8, 13.00-16.00
Who: Ages 5+
Find out more here.
What: Dawnosaurs: Relaxed Morning Visit
Details: Neurodivergent children and their families have the opportunity to explore the museum before anyone else and enjoy activities around different themes.
Where: Natural History Museum
When: Wednesday 23 July, 08.00-10.00
Who: This event is best for children aged five to 15, and siblings are welcome.
Find out more here.
What: KIDS SUMMER FUN – WEEKLY FAMILY DAYS
Details: Join us for weekly kids days every Wednesday from 23rd July-20th August. Little ones can come along for an array of entertainment with their grown ups, from music and theatre to creative crafting and more. Every session will also include free face painting and Lego workshops.
Where: Camden Market Hawley Wharf
When: Wednesday 23 and 30 July, 13.00-16.00
Who: Ages not specified
Find out more here.
What: Ocean: above and below
Details: Join us for storytelling, workshops and interactive fun to learn about the wonders of the ocean, what goes on below the surface, and the journeys we’ve made across it.
Where: National Maritime Museum
When: Daily except Mondays, from Wednesday 23 July
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Sensory Friendly Story for Families
Details: A special sensory storytelling session inspired by the Young V&A collection objects, for children with sensory differences or SEND and their families.
Where: Young V&A
When: Friday 25 July, 10.15-11.15
Who: Not specified
Find out more here.
What: Summer Family Fridays
Details: Join the Young V&A for free creative activities for families on Fridays.
Where: Young V&A
When: Friday 25 July, 12.00-16.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: The Triumph of Art – A free party in Trafalgar Square
Details: Starting with a Bacchanalian procession at 11am on King Charles Street, moving along Whitehall to Trafalgar Square, there will be live music, performances, making workshops, opportunities to meet familiar faces from the National Gallery’s collection and a big birthday tea party. Celebrate art in all its forms for a day full of fun and surprises.
Where: Trafalgar Square
When: Saturday 26 July, 11.00-16.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Hands on Armour: Saturday Knight Live
Details: Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a medieval knight? Step back in time and put your questions to Gavin Locke and Martin Godsave, our resident knights in shining armour. Enjoy live demonstrations and try on real and replica armour, with the help of our Hands on Armour volunteers.
Where: Wallace Collection
When: Saturday 26 July, 13.30-16.00
Who: Ages 5+
Find out more here.
What: McDonald’s Fun Football Festival
Details: Whether your child is new to football or already a budding star, all children are welcome to join in the fun, build confidence, and make new friends in a supportive, inclusive environment – all completely free! Join in on the fun with free coaching sessions on the Pop-Up Pitch, Subsoccer Tables, face painting, activity books, competitions and more!
Where: Malaysia Square, Battersea Power Station
When: Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 July, 11.00-16.00
Who: Ages not specified
Find out more here.
What: Family Farm Day: Vauxhall City Farm
Details: For one day only, Vauxhall City Farm are heading north of the river Thames for a fantastic Family Farm Day in the heart of Covent Garden, making it a unique experience for all! Everyone is welcome! As part of the event you can enjoy petting our goats, sheep and alpacas, have snuggles in the Cuddle Corner with our rabbits and guinea pigs, learn how to make musical instruments from vegetables hosted by London Vegetable Orchestra, take part in super fun educational workshops, have your face painted, relax during story time sessions, cool down with a farm themed cocktail or mocktail, watch our spinners spin yarn from our farm animals wool, pick up a treat from The Farm Shop, make the most of the photo ops… and much more!
Where: St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden
When: Monday 28 July, 12.00-17.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: The Great Fire of London Family Show
Details: How did the fire start? And why did it rage so fiercely that night in 1666? Learn how one spark from a bakery set fire to an entire city and help our storyteller save what’s left of London. What will finally work to fight the flames? Discover the hidden stories of the Great Fire and the tools that saved a city in this interactive show for families.
Where: London Museum Docklands
When: Various times from Tuesday 29 July
Who: Ages 5+
Find out more here.
What: Art Explorers: Free Crafting for Families
Details: Join London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE for a free, fun and creative family day, inspired by new art installation Performance of Entrapment by Jane and Louise Wilson. Discover the traditions of ancient temples by exploring the exhibition and crafting your own art, then discover the mysterious Temple of Mithras. Performance of Entrapment by artists Jane and Louise Wilson features a film exploring a Japanese shrine, Ise Jingu, home to a Sacred Mirror, folk dancers, and ancient traditions. Discover the exhibition and take inspiration from the artwork by crafting your own colourful paper portrait and decorative fan.
Where: London Mithraeum
When: Tuesday 29 July, 10.00-16.00. 15.30–16.00 is Quiet Hour. This session has a smaller capacity to ensure a quieter experience for those with sensory needs.
Who: Aimed at children aged 5 – 11, but all ages are welcome.
Find out more here.
What: Tots at the Docks
Details: Dive deep in the river, stack cargo, put on a puppet show or build the tallest tower! Tots at the docks is an unticketed, drop-in play session.
Where: London Museum Docklands
When: Wednesday 30 July, 10.30-14.00
Who: Under 5s
Find out more here.
What: South Asian Heritage Month: Family Drop-In
Details: Across two days, get creative with hands-on block printing inspired by the V&A’s South Asia Collection. After a brief introduction to the history of this traditional craft, printmaker Neera Sehgal will guide you in creating vibrant artworks using hand-carved woodblocks.
Where: V&A
When: Wednesday 30 July – Thursday 31 July, 11.00-16.00
Who: Over 5s
Find out more here.
What: The Rubber Duck Race
Details: Up to 3000 ducks will be released into the canal. And then the race is on for the quickest quacker as they bob 100 metres to the finish line. Sponsoring a duck costs £3 but spectating is free
Where: Merchant Square, Paddington
When: Thursday 31 July, 12.00-14.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
What: Harry Potter Birthday Celebration Pop-Up
Details: Wizards, witches and Muggles – grab your wands and get ready to party… you’re invited to a special Harry Potter Birthday Celebration Pop Up! In honour of the magical wizard’s birthday (which famously lands on 31 July), fans are invited to visit a special Birthday themed celebration event taking place in central London – for one day only. Fans can don their finest wizarding finery and look forward to playing magical games, posing for spellbinding photo opportunities and checking out cool products before taking home some fabulous goodies.
Where: 15 Bateman Street, London, W1D 3AQ
When: Thursday 31 July, timed slots between 10.00 and 18.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.
And don’t forget to also check out our post The ULTIMATE list of free things to do with kids in London which provides plenty of ideas of things to do in London that are free and always available.
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