Free things to do in London with kids: May 2025

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Welcome to the May 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 May 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, particularly during school holidays, 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 May!

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: Daily until 5 October
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: WordPlay: Songs and Stories
Details: With live music and stories from some of the UK’s most exciting children’s authors, come on down to WordPlay to play with words, music and sounds.
Where: Southbank Centre
When: Friday 2 May, 10.15 and 11.30
Who: Ages 0-5, with timed slots for different ages: 
10.15: 0 – 2 years
11.30: 3 – 5 years
Find out more here.

What: NVAP Family-Friendly Screening: Red Riding Hood
Details: Join for this family-friendly screening of Greenwich Theatre’s pantomime, Red Riding Hood. Under the helm of writer and director Andrew Pollard, this production centres on Scarlett, as she sets out to protect her grandmother’s theatre-in-the-wood from the wicked Count Fracula’s fracking plans. 
Where: V&A
When: Saturday 3 May, 10.30-12.30
Who: Families
Find out more here.

What: The Secrets of Stage Magic
Details: Discover the magic behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in this interactive workshop. Learn spell effects, explore illusions, and try hands-on tricks.
Where: V&A
When: Saturday 3 May, 11.00-16.00 (three sessions)
Who: Families, ages 5+
Find out more here.

What: Shadow Kingdom: Shadow Puppetry in Motion
Details: Experience the magic and craft of shadow puppetry in this special performance by Mochinosha and the Wishes Mystical Puppet Company
Where: V&A
When: Saturday 3 May, 11.30-16.00 (three performances)
Who: Families
Find out more here.

What: Saturday Sessions with Body Odyssey
Details: Body Odyssey returns, inviting families to investigate the human body. Be transported into a wonderland of glowing inflatable organs, floating cells, larger than life puppets and mesmerising soundscapes. Through playful, hands-on activities and interactive storytelling, learn how our bodies fight to stay strong, and explore what truly lies beneath the surface.
Where: Southbank Centre
When: Saturday 3 May, 13.00-15.30 (with a Relaxed Session at 10.30)
Who: Ages 5-11
Find out more here.

What: Annual Canalway Cavalcade
Details: Little Venice and Paddington will be putting on all its bells and whistles for the annual Canal Cavalcade over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Already a stunning part of Paddington and likely to be in full bloom, the pool of Little Venice and canal will be filled with an array of boats, and tradeshow stalls. There’s something for everyone at IWA Canalway Cavalcade; a vibrant canal festival in the heart of London’s waterways. up the atmosphere surrounded by colourful craft of all shapes and sizes, alongside a multitude of unique stalls, an on-site bar, and delicious foods for all appetites.
Where: Little Venice
When: Saturday 3 May and Sunday 4 May, 10.00-18.00 (plus illuminated boat procession, from 21.00 Sunday evening) and Monday 5 May 10.00 until 17.00.
Who: Families
Find out more here.

What: SENsory Explorers at Camley Street Natural Park
Details: A quiet morning session exploring the reserve and the wildlife found here, for families with a member with any additional needs and/or a disability. Activities will include using nets to look at animals found in the pond, looking under logs to see what minibeasts we can find plus additional sensory activities.
Where: Camley Street Natural Park
When: Sunday 4 May, 10.00-11.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.

What: Wonderful Wildlife Weekends
Details: Join to explore our 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 here! Activities will include using nets to look at animals found in the pond and looking under logs to see what minibeasts we can find as well as seasonal craft activities.
Where: Camley Street Natural Park
When: Sunday 4 May and Sunday 18 May, 13.00-15.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.

What: VE Day Street Party
Details: Families and communities are invited to celebrate 80 years since VE Day, the end of the Second World War in Europe. Take part in street party activities; craft paper hats, flowers, and paper plate portraits, and enjoy playing a range of children’s party games.
Where: Imperial War Museum
When: Monday 5 May, 10.00-15.00
Who: Families with children aged 5 to 12
Find out more here.

What: VE Day 80 procession and flypast
Details: More than 1,300 members of the Armed Forces, uniformed services and young people will march in a procession to commemorate 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe, known as Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The procession will start at Parliament Square, finishing at the Queen Victoria Memorial and will be followed by a flypast featuring the Red Arrows and 23 current and historic aircraft. 
Where: St James’ Park
When: Monday 5 May
Who: All ages
Find out more here.

What: Design Baby: Sculpt and Play
Details: What does sculpture mean for babies and toddlers? Come along to this session to explore sculpture with your little ones through shape, weight, balance, space and texture. Play with trollies, push soft pom-poms through holes, build shapes and bend twisty tubes and more. 
Where: V&A
When: Wednesday 7 May, 11.00-14.00
Who: The 11.00 session is recommended for pre-walkers; the 13.00 is recommended for walkers under 3.
Find out more here.

What: Little Feet: Visit the Islamic world galleries
Details: The teddies have found out that Rooms 42 and 43 are full of objects from across the Islamic World. They have decided to spend a Little Feet session in the galleries finding games to play, animals to spot, patterns to copy and swirling whirling marks to make.
Where: British Museum
When: Thursday 8 May, 10.30-12.00
Who: Under 5s
Find out more here.

What: Kids Workshop: Upcycle Fabric into Bunting Flags
Details: A kids’ workshop where participants can decorate pre-cut bunting triangles with colourful fabric scraps to create their own peace-themed design. They’ll be inspired to explore colours, symbols, and messages that represent peace and the vision of a more peaceful world in keeping with VE Day.
Where: 10 Grosvenor Gardens London SW1W 0DH
When: Thursday 8 May, 16.00-17.00
Who: Families
Find out more here.

What: Dawnosaurs
Details: Dawnosaurs is a free event for neurodivergent children (including autism ADHD, Tourette’s, OCD and other sensory processing difficulties). Enjoy the Museum, free from the hustle and bustle of the general public.
Where: Natural History Museum
When: Saturday 10 May, 08.00-10.00
Who: Ages 5-15
Find out more here.

What: A Day in the 1940s: VE Day 80
Details: Visitors can immerse themselves in 1940s music, games, and entertainment, handle objects from the collection, and dig deeper into history. LHighlights of the day will include a Second World War re-enactors camp, the chance to try on authentic uniforms of the Guards, scheduled Punch and Judy performances, and a live 1940s-style singer, Lancashire Belle. 
Where: The Guards Museum
When: Saturday 10 May, 10.00-16.00
Who: Families
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 10 May 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: Art Road Trip Coming home
Details: Inspired by beautiful depictions of angels, birds and mythical creatures, this drop-in creative workshop for all ages invites visitors to choose their own inspiration from the collection. Then you can create your own feathers, contributing to a collaborative artwork symbolising movement, transformation and Art Road Trip’s journey back to the Gallery.
Where: National Gallery
When: Saturday 10 May, 11.00-16.00
Who: Families
Find out more here.

What: BSL Performance: The Little Prince
Details: The Little Prince is a new digital and live theatrical performance using powerful storytelling style that mixes movements inspired by mime, cabaret and BSL signs, with animation to create a story to be enjoyed by all audiences – deaf and hearing.  This performance is by D-Live, a Deaf-led theatre company.
Where: V&A
When: Sunday 11 May, 11.00-17.00 (three performances)
Who: This is a performance for both BSL users non BSL users. Families of all ages are welcome! Recommended age 5+.
Find out more here.

What: Sensory Friendly: Design and Draw with Light
Details: Come along to our Sensory Friendly: Design and Draw with light, a monthly workshop for neurodiverse visitors of all ages and their families. Join this session to explore drawing and designing with light!
Where: V&A
When: Saturday 17 May, 11.00-16.00
Who: Ages 5+
Find out more here.

What: Chelsea in Bloom
Details: Celebrate the start of summer with a visit to Chelsea in Bloom, Chelsea’s prestigious annual floral art show and London’s largest free-to-attend festival of flowers.
Where: Chelsea
When: Monday 19 May – Sunday 25 May
Who: All ages
Find out more here.

What: Belgravia in Bloom
Details: Visitors can expect eye-popping floral displays and unique experiences across the neighbourhood. This year’s theme is ‘Seasons’ with installations reflecting spring, summer, autumn and winter. 
Where: Chelsea
When: Monday 19 May – Monday 26 May
Who: All ages
Find out more here.

What: WordPlay: Sounds and Scribbles
Details: Join for live music designed to set free even the littlest one’s inner artist as you respond to music through drawing, scribbling and colourful play.
Where: Southbank Centre
When: Friday 23 May, 10.15 and 11.30
Who: Ages 0-5, with timed slots for different ages: 
10.15: 0 – 2 years
11.30: 3 – 5 years
Find out more here.

What: Read Aloud and Make: Beyond the Secret Garden
Details: Celebrating the publication of Beyond the Secret Garden: Racially Minoritised People in British Children’s Literature by authors Karen Sands-O’Connor and Darren Chetty, this event supports families to think about stories already known to them, as well as discovering many new and different perspectives from authors and illustrators through the Story Space book collection. Inspired by new picture book I’m Going to Make a Friend by Darren Chetty and illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat, the event also invites families to think about how we make friends and the kind of friends we aspire to be – through book readings and a making workshop with artist Laura X Carle.
Where: Tate Britain
When: Saturday 24 May, 14.00-16.00
Who: Not specified
Find out more here.

What: May half term at the National Maritime Museum
Details: Take part in a range of fun-filled events including crafting your own maritime poems, creating a mask, making a constellation viewer from a coffee cup and collaging maps.
Where: National Maritime Museum
When: Saturday 24 May – Thursday 29 May, 11.00-13.00 and 14.00-16.00
Who: Families
Find out more here.

What: Explorers Family Festival: Juzoor, Roots
Details: Come along to our Explorers Family Festival for Arab families and discover how plants have inspired Arab communities around the world.
Where: Natural History Museum
When: Sunday 25 May, 12.00–18.00
Who: Families
Find out more here.

What: Life at the Extreme: Into Space!   
Details: Journey through extreme environments found right here on Earth and meet some remarkable animals that suggest life could exist beyond our planet. Will we discover an extreme space survivor? Join for this 20-minute science adventure to find out.
Where: Natural History Museum
When: Monday 26, Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 and Friday 30 May, 12.00–12.20 and 14.00–14.20
Who: Recommended for ages 5+
Find out more here.

What: LEGO® Life Forms 
Details: Using your imagination and creativity, design and build your own ideas on how we can discover extraterrestrial life out of LEGO® bricks in this building challenge workshop. 
Where: Natural History Museum
When: Monday 26, Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 and Friday 30 May, 11.00–16.00 Entry every 30 minutes with last entry at 15.30
Who: Recommended for ages 6+
Find out more here.

What: Family Day: Bold and Bright
Details: Explore painting, collage and textiles to make your own eye-catching artworks inspired by striking portraits on display throughout the Gallery.
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Tuesday 27 May, 11.00-13.00 and 14.00-16.00
Who: Ages 3+
Find out more here.

What: Meet the Scientist 
Details: From birds and butterflies to evolution and climate change, explore the natural world with our scientists. Come along to hear about their cutting-edge research and to see incredible specimens from the collections.  
Where: Natural History Museum
When: Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 May, 15.00–15.30 
Who: Recommended for ages 8+
Find out more here.

What: Interactive Storytelling: Roman Gods and Myths!
Details: Through music, drama and interactive storytelling you will uncover hidden stories about Roman myths, gods, history and the mysterious Temple of Mithras.
Where: London Mithraeum
When: Tuesday 27 May, these timed storytelling sessions will run at 10.00, 11.00, 12.30 and 13.30. 13.30-14.30 is Quiet Hour, this session has a smaller capacity to create a more relaxed experience for those with sensory needs.
Who: Aimed at ages 4-9, but everyone is welcome.
Find out more here.

What: Family Event: Pangolin Puppets
Details: In this workshop, collaborate to make a life-sized animal puppet, bringing to life our taxidermy specimen and learning how its scales are being used to find new ways of protecting the species and its habitat.
Where: The Grant Museum
When: Tuesday 27 May, Pre-book 13.00-14.00. Drop-in 14.00-16.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.

What: Discovery Days: Time Travellers
Details: Take part in a variety of activities including creating a plant print using a mallet, designing a park of the future, trying your hand at calligraphy and meet and greet Queen Victoria.
Where: Hyde Park
When: Tuesday 27 May – Thursday 29 May, 11.00-15.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.

What: Nature Roadshows
Details: Follow a scavenger trail to get you in the mood for spring, take a closer look at nature specimens, and create your own nature crafts and have a go at interactive games!
Where: St James’ Park and Kensington Gardens
When: Tuesday 27 May – Thursday 29 May, 11.00-15.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.

What: Crazy Golf at Merchant Square
Details: This 9-hole course is perfect for families, friends, and colleagues looking for a fun, competitive break. Whether you’re aiming for a hole-in-one or just enjoying a friendly challenge, there’s something for everyone.
Where: Merchant Square, Paddington
When: Tuesday 27 May – Thursday 29 May, 11.00-16.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.

What: Gold reflections 
Details: Join artist Sadegh (Sepanta) Aleahmad as we step into Siena and let our creative energy overflow in a special family drop-in workshop that explores the use of gold in 14th-century central Italy. 
Where: National Gallery
When: Tuesday 27 May – Thursday 29 May, various times
Who: Families
Find out more here.

What: Digital Kids: Create Stories with Clay
Details: Dive into stop-motion animation, storytelling and hand-building. Create shapes or words with clay, before animating them into a short video. This drop-in activity is for all ages, whether you’re happy building with clay, or taking things one step further to animate stories with your creations. 
Where: V&A
When: Tuesday 27 May – Friday 30 May 2025, 11.00-16.00
Who: Age 5+
Find out more here.

What: That’s rubbish!
Details: Make and take home your very own monster hand puppet in this drop-in papercraft activity inspired by recycling. Using scraps, buttons, and bits, you’ll bring your unique monster to life – no two will be the same!
Where: London Museum Docklands
When: Tuesday 27 May – Friday 30 May, various times
Who: Ages 5+
Find out more here.

What: Meet a Victorian Mudlark
Details: Join our Victorian mudlark as they comb the foreshore of the Thames, finding both treasures and trash. What have been their best discoveries and what will they uncover with you? With every tide, there are treasures to be found.
Where: London Museum Docklands
When: Tuesday 27 May – Friday 30 May, various times
Who: Ages 5+
Find out more here.

What: The Helping Hub
Details: Learn what it takes to keep our waterways clean with these mini drop-in activities run by the Canal & River Trust. Sort through rubbish and recyclables, save soft toys trapped in litter and set boats sailing along a play canal.
Where: London Museum Docklands
When: Tuesday 27 May – Friday 30 May, 12.00-15.00
Who: Ages 3+
Find out more here.

What: Moomin 80: Play, Make, Dream
Details: Children, bring your parents, carers, grandparents and everyone in between to help out on this big build. The Moominhouse is in need of some interiors – think picture frames, paintings, furniture, fishing rods, clocks – the possibilities are endless! Working with skilled creatives from Woodland Tribe, you are invited to design, make and paint objects to place in the Moominhouse, on the Boat or Pier.
Where: Southbank Centre
When: Tuesday 27 May – Sunday 1 June, various times
Who: Ages 4+
Find out more here.

What: May Family Day
Details: Explore the microscopic networks that link us with plant and animal life. Combine woodworking and weaving to create your own vibrant artworks mapping out the amazing garden ecosystem. Then harness the power of printmaking to share a powerful message promoting kindness to nature, using natural dye inks and materials from the garden. 
Where: Museum of the Home
When: Wednesday 28 May, 10.30-15.30
Who: Families
Find out more here.

What: LEGO Replay Workshops: Imagining New Things
Details: Bring your kids to get creative in a ‘Build the Change’ self-led experience as they use their imaginations to create amazing builds from LEGO bricks.
Where: Southbank Centre
When: Wednesday 28 May
Who: Ages 6-12
Find out more here.

What: Family fun at the Anaesthesia Museum
Details: Journey through anaesthesia’s past in the museum with our family-friendly activity trail. Then return to the present-day and get hands-on learning how to monitor patients during an operation with real-life anaesthetists. This interactive event includes object handling and opportunities to try out modern monitoring equipment.
Where: Anaesthesia Heritage Centre
When: Wednesday 28 May, 11.00-15.00
Who: Ages 6-12
Find out more here.

What: Family Event: Something Broken, Something New with Rosie
Details: When an object is broken, was this by accident or was it broken on purpose? When an object is broken, does it lose purpose or can it take on a whole new meaning? If an object was broken on purpose, was this for a positive or negative reason? Join Rosie Fuller to use creativity to explore the meanings hidden behind broken items in our collection, and explore how archaeology can help unearth these stories.
Where: The Petrie Museum
When: Wednesday 28 May, 13.00-16.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.

What: Keep our city clean
Details: Little City has been taken over by rubbish and we need your help. Sort packaging at the recycling centre, treat poorly creatures at the animal hospital, or take a break with a slice of wooden cake as we all work together to keep our city clean.
Where: London Museum Docklands
When: Wednesday 28 May, various times
Who: Ages 6 and under
Find out more here.

What: Stories on the Stage: Where the Water Falls
Details: Join for a special puppet show, exploring themes of identity, originally created by Ash Appadu as part of the Little Angel Theatre programme. A timid monster named Moss interacts with their environment. What will nature teach Moss about themselves?
Where: Young V&A
When: Wednesday 28 May: 14.30 & 15.30 and Thursday 29 – Friday 30 May: 13.30, 14.30 & 15.30
Who: Ages 5+
Find out more here.

What: Moomin 80: From Afghan Valleys to Moominvalley
Details: Grab a piece of foam and get printing! Create your own piece of art to take home with you and add a piece to the big communal make adorning the Moominhouse outside on the Riverside Terrace.
Where: Southbank Centre
When: Wednesday 28 May – Friday 30 May, 11am
Who: Ages 4-11
Find out more here.

What: Tidy up the Thames
Details: Grab some gloves and put on your wellies for a litter-picking visit to the foreshore with Thames21. Become a citizen scientist, making the foreshore a safer place for wildlife and keeping our city clean for all who live here.
Where: London Museum Docklands
When: Thursday 29 May, 11.00-13.00
Who: Ages 8+
Find out more here.

What: Welcome Day with London Play
Details: Join the Royal Parks and London Play for a day of fun and creative activities inspired by Greenwich Park’s wildlife! Discover the new Nature Play Space in the Flower Garden through nature-inspired play – then, make your way to the Greenwich Park Learning Centre to learn more!
Where: Greenwich Park
When: Thursday 29 May, 11.00-15.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.

What: Mini Museum Makers – Family Drop-in
Details: For International Museum Week, design your very own mini-museums, taking inspiration from the Soane Museum’s fascinating spaces. Create and showcase your own unique collection of treasures and curiosities!
Where: Sir John Soane’s Museum
When: Thursday 29 May, 14.00-16.00
Who: Ages 4+
Find out more here.

What: Discovering Ancient India – living traditions
Details: Join artist and printmaker Neera Sehgal to explore the centuries-old craft of printing with Indian woodblocks. Discover the beautiful colour, techniques and motifs found in South Asian traditional Saree fabrics which you can use to make a fabric collage with fashion designer Sapna Patel. Get hands-on with some exciting objects with the British Museum’s volunteer team.
Where: British Museum
When: Thursday 29 May – Friday 30 May, 10.00-16.30
Who: Ages 6+
Find out more here.

What: Maya & Marley and the Great Big Tidy Up with Laura Henry-Allain MBE
Details: Join JoJo & Gran Gran author Laura Henry-Allain MBE as she reads her latest book, Maya & Marley and the Great Big Tidy Up. Ask the author your questions and get your books signed. After the story, get crafty and recycle rubbish into works of art.
Where: London Museum Docklands
When: Friday 30 May, 11.00-12.00
Who: Ages 3-7
Find out more here.

What: Family Event: Make-a-Zine with Lucia
Details: Through this 45-minute workshop, artist Lucia Vinti and museum staff will guide you through making your very own zine exploring the stories and research associated to pangolins, hedgehogs and monitor lizards. Find out why these vulnerable animals have been chosen to feature in the international project and what work is being done to help protect these animals and their habitats.
Where: The Grant Museum
When: Saturday 31 May, 11.00-14.00
Who: All ages
Find out more here.

What: Spring Family Festival
Details: Celebrate the vibrant spirit of storytelling. Dive into a day filled day with memorable workshops, hands-on activities, dance, puppetry, music and captivating performances. All families are invited to take part in a diverse array of creative experiences that foster joy bring people together! 
Where: V&A
When: Saturday 31 May, 11.00-16.00
Who: Families
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 Hands on Armour volunteers.
Where: Wallace Collection
When: Saturday 31 May 2025, 13.30-16.00
Who: Ages 5+
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.