The summer holidays are here and it is August already so we have a variety of family friendly fun in a new post-lockdown world. We’ve included re-openings, family festivals, outdoor theatre, arty installations, fun in museums, outdoor adventures and lots more..so grab the kids and explore London this August 2020
Eat out to Help out
From 3 to 31 August, get a 50% discount when you eat in (no takeaways included in the scheme) at restaurants that are registered with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme. More information and to find participating restaurants check out the gov website here.
Bubble and Bop Family Festival
This is a fabulous day out. There’s animals to feed and play with, mini golf, inflatable bouncy castles, a swimming pool, foam machines, socially distanced discos, ride on tractors, a not so easter egg hunt a massive sandpit and two great play spaces for children of all ages (a heads up that one at the back is the better and newer of the two).
When: Until September daily
Where: Marsh Farm, Essex
How much: £10 per person more info and booking here.
Free mini-golf
Canary Wharf’s free minigolf course has had a makeover. There are 9 holes to play through including classic loop-de-loop and death drop trick shots all for free (so if your kid gives up after 5 minutes you haven’t got a big bill to worry about. More info here.
When: Thursdays through to Sundays from 12pm until 6pm
Where: Bank Street Park, Canary Wharf, E14 4SG
How much: free
Bold Tendencies
Expect sculpture from Sol Bailey-Barker, Jack Evans, Nathaniel Faulkner, ES Devlin and Fraser T Smith as well as lots more. Have a snack at Frank’s Cafe and enjoy this rooftop terrace with majestic views over London.
When: Thursday & Friday 12pm – 11pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am til 11pm
Where: Bold Tendencies, Multy Story Carpark SE15 4TG
How much: free more info here.
RAF Museum & Playground
This place is so much more than just a museum – it is a brilliant socially distanced day out for the whole family whether you are a history buff, engineering enthusiast or just up for some fun. The children’s playground has reopened and features airplanes, trucks, vehicles and a helicopter. It is absolutely brilliant and encourages risky play, imaginative play and so much more.
When: ongoing
Where: RAF Museum Edgware
How much: free but parking on site costs £4 more info and booking here.
Natural History Museum
Whale hello again. August 2020 is your opportunity to enjoy the Natural History Museum minus a crowd. The new timed entry system means you can enjoy family favourites like the Dinosaurs or the Creepy Crawlies Gallery in peace. More info on their website here.
When: Re-opening from the 5th of August.
Where: South Kensington
How much: free but need to book in advance
Play sessions in Kings Cross
Play Kx are back in Lewis Cubitt park on Fridays and Sunday from 11 until 4. Explore the great outdoors and delight in free play opportunities around the Eva Rotschild sculpture. Kings cross is also great for pop-up art installations throughout Coal Drops Yard and Square and the fountains at Lewis Cubitt Square are on so remember to pack a change of clothes.
When: Throughout August on Fridays and Sundays.
Where: Lewis Cubitt Park, Kings Cross
How much: free more info here.
Barbican Centre
As well as the Conservatory at the Barbican there is a new exhibition this August. Toyin Ojih Odutola: A Countervailing Theory is all about drawing as a means of storytelling. The artist has taken inspiration from popular culture as well as contemporary politics and the exhibition will also feature an immersive soundscape by Peter Adjaye.
When: 11th – 28 August
Where: Barbican Centre
How much: free. More info and booking here.
Hampton Court Palace
The Magic Garden playground is open and such a joy for little people and grown-ups alike. There are activity trails and performances where you can learn all about the Tudors (like what they used for toilet paper!). More info via their website here.
When: Garden open throughout August and performances take place on the 12th, 16th, 19th and 24th of August.
Where: Hampton Court Palace
How much: Adults £24.50 and children 5-15 £12.20 with under 5s free. More info and booking here.
London Transport Museum Depot
The London Transport Museum is opening up its depot for ten days in August. As well as lots and lots of vehicles, trains and artefacts from the Capital’s history you can expect a family-friendly trail that teaches young Londoners and their family a little bit of history behind each display. Children will also receive a take-home to support learning after you leave.
When: Wednesday 19 August – Sunday 23 August and Wednesday 26 August – Sunday 30 August from 11:00 to 18:00 each day. Last entry at 16:00.
Where: London Transport Museum Depot, Acton
How much: Adults £15, children 4 and above £7.50 children under 3 years go free. More info and booking via their website here.
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival
This year’s reimagined festival will bring exciting outdoor arts, music, installations and performances to Greenwich and East London to celebrate the strength of community spirit, the NHS and the environment, encouraging audiences to relax after a season of isolation. Expect installations from Luke Jerram, performances inspired by JWM Turner and so much more. Full list of events on their website here.
When: 28 August – 12 September
Where: Greenwich
How much: free
On your doorstep
Expect circus performances, virtuosic juggling, colourful interactive installations, and community led art in this outdoor performance for the whole family. More info here.
When: Sunday 30th August 1-5pm
Where: Royal Arsenal Woolwich
How much: free
Chorus
Towering sound and light sculptures create a captivating and immersive experience that will capture your imagination. As giant rotating arms with red LED lights generate whirling orbits of colour, a chorus of speakers spin around to deliver an uplifting and transfixing sonic spectacle.
When: 28-31 August
Where: Old Royal Naval College
How much: free more info and bookings here.
Guildhall Art Gallery
The family Saturdays are not currently on and the fun bags are not yet available but this is a great gallery to visit with the whole family you can enjoy a visit to the extended Enchanted Interior exhibition and take part in the art activity pack, aimed at 8-13 year-olds which explores the themes of the exhibition – including decorative interior spaces, women’s rights, and the links between past and present. Download the activity pack here and share images of your artworks online with #guildhallartgallery and let the gallery know what you think!
When: Weekends in August 10:30am – 5pm
Where: Guildhall Art Gallery
How much: free, more info and booking here.
Tower Bridge
Young Londoners everywhere will love walking high above the traffic on the 11 metre glass walkway with views of the cars zooming on the bridge underneath. Great family trail as well as an app that you can use as you wander around the place.
When: Open daily in August
Where: Tower Bridge
How much: £10.60 per adult and £5.30 for children aged five and above. Children under five are free and Tower Hamlets, City of London and Southwark residents all benefit from reduced entry of £1. More info and booking here.
Horniman Museum
16 acres of gardens, an animal trail and spectacular views over London as well as the Permian Monsters exhibition which features Monsters that are very similar to dinosaurs. There is also plonk mini golf on site and a Sunday farmers market serving delicious produce. The Aquarium and Butterfly house remain closed at the time of writing (1 Aug 2020)
When: Ongoing
Where: Horniman Museum
How much: free more info and booking on their website here.
More London Fountains
Cool down and have a splash with an iconic backdrop of Tower Bridge at one of the few fountains that are open in London at the moment.
When: daily
Where: More London on the Southbank
How much: free more info here.
Eltham Palace
The summer explorer quest trail through these beautiful award-winning gardens will keep little people and their families entertained. Take a picnic and make a day of it.
When: ongoing
Where: Eltham Palace
How much: £15 per adult and £9.40 for children over the age of 5 more info and booking here.
Dinosaur World Live
Join in for this socially distanced Jurassic adventure featuring stunning puppetry that brings dinosaurs to life in this epic theatrical production.that is interactive and super fun for kids and dino enthusiasts.
When: 7th-30th of August
Where: The Drive in at Troubadour Meridian Water
How much: £40 per car more info and booking here.
Old Macdonald’s Farm & Fun Park
Eeeii eeeiii ioooo this park is reopening on the 10th of July and you can expect animals, rides and adventure play as well as children’s characters (Hey Duggee is paying a visit in August) ride on tractors and outdoor soft play.
When: Ongoing, open daily
Where: Essex
How much: £16 for adults and £15 for kids. Book tickets in advance here.
Scenes in the Square
Scenes in the Square brings us our favourite film characters (in statue form) to Leicester Square. The cinemas may still be closed but you can spot Bugs Bunny munching on a carrot, see Gene Kelly hanging from a lamp-post and sit on a bench next to Paddington Bear. More information on Scenes in the Square can be found here.
When: ongoing
Where: Leicester Square
How much: free
Zapspace
Jump jump jump around with this indoor trampoline palace spread over three floors in Stratford East London.
When: Opening from Saturday 8 August
Where: Stratford
How much: £12 for a parent and child ticket. More info and booking here.
Go Ape
Battersea Park playground is one of our favourites and Go Ape is now open and taking bookings, expect intricate crossings, wobbly bridges and brilliant zip wires finales – Go Ape Treetop Adventure is family-fuelled fun in the great outdoors.
When: ongoing
Where: Battersea Park (other locations available)
How much: from £16 to £19 more info and booking here.