Expect a mix of kid-friendly theatre, cinema, dance, and floral festivals, alongside plenty of FREE fun, workshops, exhibitions and activities for those looking to save. With two Bank Holidays and London in full bloom, it’s the perfect time to explore everything this vibrant city has to offer—whether you’re local or just visiting.
Keep up to date with more family-friendly fun by following us on Instagram.
Family-friendly, outdoor and flower-themed activities in London
Whether you are interested in horticulture or just love a colourful flower display, there is plenty of floral beauty to admire in London this month. Come to see the artful outdoor displays popping up all over London, take memorable photos and just enjoy what this beautiful city has to offer.
Brockwell Bounce is a fun, free family festival returning to Brockwell Park on 28 May during half term. Taking place over two days, this lively event features live music, workshops, storytelling, arts and crafts, and plenty of hands-on activities for children of all ages. Expect a joyful mix of entertainment and creativity in a relaxed outdoor setting—perfect for a family day out in South London. Bring a picnic, explore the park, and enjoy a day of free cultural fun.
Unearthed: The Power of Gardening at the British Library celebrates gardening as a force for creativity with centuries of stories of the people and plants that transformed our natural world. Beautiful botanical illustrations, the world’s first English gardening manual, Gertrude Jekyll’s boots and Charles Darwin’s vasculum and a rare Victorial Wardian case are just few of the incredible items on display. This event runs from 2 May to 10 August 2025. Tickets £15. Book here.
The world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show returns on 20 – 24th May 2025 with its cutting-edge garden designs and horticultural excellence. While tickets are required for the main event, plenty of London boroughs come alive with their own FREE floral festival delights that are free to enjoy and explore this May.
- Chelsea in Bloom celebrates ‘Flowers in Fashion’ this year (19 – 25 May). Come and see the floral installations that turn the streets of Chelsea into an open floral art show.
- Belgravia in Bloom runs between 19 – 26 May and this year’s festival is all about ‘Seasons’. The themed displays will reflect the seasonal joy of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Expect plenty of free family-friendly activities too.
- Books in Bloom is London’s Rare Book Fair joins into the celebration of all things horticultural running between 15 – 18 May at Saatchi Gallery building up momentum to this year’s festival. Ticketed event.
The spring blossom at National Trust London is in full swing. Orchard trees blossom, cascading wisteria, ornamental cherry trees, historical garden landscapes and the beautiful houses are all set to delight visitors of all ages. Osterley Park and House’s Horrible Histories trail, featuring 10 fun and educational activities about Georgian life is our favourite. Runs until end of the summer. £12 for adults and £6 for children. The Hampton Court Palace Tulip Festival runs until 5 May. Tickets included in Palace admission.
The Power of Trees Exhibition at Kew Gardens celebrates the beauty and significance of trees through stunning botanical artwork and the immersive Of the Oak digital installation by Marshmallow Laser Feast, opening May 3. Included with your Kew Gardens ticket, visitors can explore the gardens, enjoy a picnic, tour the conservatories, and discover the award-winning children’s garden.
Serpentine South celebrates nature and art with Giuseppe Penone’s Thoughts in the Roots, a free exhibition that extends beyond the gallery with sculptures in the Royal Parks. We love the Thunderstruck Tree with its mesmerising golden shine on display close to the gallery in Hyde Park.
Free Crazy Golf at Merchant Square, Paddington – Enjoy 9 holes of free crazy golf from 27–29 May 2025, 11am–4pm. No booking needed—just turn up and play! A fun, family-friendly activity in the heart of Paddington.
The Tower of London commemorates 80 years since the end of Second World War with a poignant display of nearly 30000 ceramic poppies. Free for the display outside the Tower of London.
Play in the Park is a free play programme packed with fun and creative nature-inspired activities taking place in Kensington Gardens, Greenwich Park and The Regent’s Park throughout the spring and summer.
Take a Family Chocolate Making Workshop at Chelsea Physic Garden on 26 May. Tickets 20 – 25. Spend a day learning how cacao beans grow, how it is made into chocolate, and design your own chocolate treats with a provided selection of herbs, flavourings, and spices. Or come to explore this beautiful garden on for a Family bees and bugs exploration day on 27 May. Tickets £5-£10.
For active families, the Regent’s Park 5K and 10K runs are scheduled for 12th April and 24th May 2025. These events offer a scenic route through one of London’s most beautiful parks, with views of the zoo and plenty of post-race goodies. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a beginner, it’s a fun way to get moving together.
East London’s only free-to-play minigolf in Canary Wharf is back on Montgomery Square. The colourful 9-hole course, designed by artists Craig Redman and Karl Maier, offers the perfect family challenge with friendly event stewards providing clubs and balls for spontaneous tournaments.
Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt is a serious fun and educational dive into the wonderful world of bugs. And there is plenty of them at the WWT. The Bug Hunt activities are included in the price of an admission ticket.
Splash, explore, play: a day of outdoor family fun at the London Wetland Centre with an adventure playground, a sound garden and our favourite: the mud kitchen. Tickets from £11.80. Check out the new Splash Pad opening this month.
Ealing Park Ride 🚴🌳 Ride through Ealing’s green belt on a 7-mile scenic route between Churchfields Recreation Ground and Pitshanger Park. Families, adults, and children (6+) welcome! Explore, picnic, and enjoy nature before riding back. Saturday 24 May, 11am – 5pm. Free.
Join the Family Medicinal Plants Day on Thursday, May 29, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Centre for Wildlife Gardening in Southwark for a free, fun course exploring medicinal plants, making lotions, potions, and balms, with games, stories, and crafts!
Free weekend tennis in London Parks – Enjoy free social tennis sessions every weekend at 10am, open to all ages and skill levels. Rackets provided, no partner needed. Available in parks across London and beyond. Book online via the LTA website (free account required).
Join Nike on May 3rd for Beat The Eight, an exclusive obstacle course experience for kids aged 10-15. Challenge yourself with the Air Max-inspired course, plus enjoy interactive experiences like Unreal Customisation, EAFC Game Zone, and Sneaker Cleaning.
Enjoy free entry to Kew Gardens during Community Open Week 2025 between 14 – 18 May for registered community groups. Explore nature, join hands-on workshops, meet Kew scientists, and take part in interactive activities for all ages and abilities.
🌿 Wednesday 14 May: Learn how trees work and weave your own woodland landscape
🌿 Thursday 15 May (Relaxed Day): Enjoy BSL and sensory tours at your own pace
🌿 Friday 16 May: Dance to tree-inspired sounds and discover plants of the Caribbean
🌿 Saturday 17 May: Get crafty with seed balls and family tree-inspired activities
🌿 Sunday 18 May: Celebrate closing day with healing trees and ‘Tree of Life’ crafts
Arts, Crafts, Song and Dance
Join the Big Fish Little Fish x Camp Bestival Family Rave on Sunday, May 18, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Fox & Firkin, Lewisham, for an outdoor festival vibe with DJ Suddi Raval, crafts, bubbles, balloons, a pyjama party, and a chance to win Camp Bestival tickets!
Join the Kids’ STEAM Bath Bombs Making Class on Saturday, May 17, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at The LightHouse and Gardens, where children under 14, accompanied by a parent or guardian, can explore STEAM concepts while crafting their own colorful, fragrant bath bombs!
Step Around Town is the opportunity to see creative performances from the students of the Royal Academy of Dance. Tickets are free, although donations are welcome.
The West African Drumming Workshop for Families on Saturday, May 10, from 10:30 AM to 11:05 AM at Westminster Music Library, is a free, interactive drumming session led by Seneke Sillah of Mbilla Arts, where families can make music together, no prior experience required!
Join the Fly-Kid Family Rave on Sunday, May 4, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at HERE at Outernet for a daytime family rave with MC Grammar, Hip-Hop, RnB, Soul & Pop anthems, street dance-offs, face painting, and a visit from Bluey – perfect for kids and parents to enjoy together!
Celebrate Turner’s 250th at Guildhall Art Gallery’s free family day on 10 May — crafts, storytime, and fun for ages 3–11!
Kingswood Arts & Dulwich Festival Family Fun Day! is on 10 May and is free (though it needs booking). The event is part of Dulwich Festival taking part between 9 and 18 May which is packed with plenty of enjoyable things to do: family silent disco, wellness talks, live drawing, dancing and creative workshops as well as a green fair.
The Enchanted Cinema: Ghibli’s Forest is an audio-visual experience like no other imagined by the talented artists at the Royal Albert Hall and aimed at the youngest theatre goers. It is like going to the cinema and becoming part of a pop-up orchestra that creates original sound effects alongside the screening. This is your chance to bang turtle drums, strum a lyre harp and ring a zaphir chime along with an ensemble of other interesting musical instruments. Tickets £15.
International Festival of Hip Hop at Saddlers Wells is the world’s biggest festival of hip hop dance and is taking place on 3 and 4th of May. Tickets from £15. Expect best of dance performances, live DJs, dance workshops, and lots of good vibes from local and world famous dance talent. Ages 12+
VE Day Dance at the National Army Museum celebrate with a dance (40s style) on 8 of May. Come to the museum to go back in time and celebrate VE day just like they did eighty years ago. Lindy Hop to Jitterbug dance lessons are available for the beginners! Tickets from £20.
Carnival: Family Edit on 3 May is a special family event that is part of Multitudes festival at Southbank Centre, a celebration of orchestral music, dance, visual art and poetry.
Shadow Kingdom: Shadow Puppetry in Motion is a special free event at the V&A museum on 3 May that brings in focus the magic and craft of shadow puppetry in this special performance by Mochinosha and the Wishes Mystical Puppet Company.
Surprising Science with Dr Jo: A theatre event for children and adults exploring how paper can help explain scientific phenomena. An interactive fun show with plenty of demonstrations requiring volunteers, mini investigations to do from the theatre seats, and ideas to take away.
28 May. Tickets from £10.
At the Museums and Art Galleries
Popcorn! at Whitechapel Gallery opens on 15 May – a new playful, hands-on sound exhibition by Jenny Pengilly. Explore film sound effects, experiment with props, and record your own at “Static Studios.” Fun for all ages!
Experience Leonardo Drew: Ubiquity II at South London Gallery (30 May – 7 September, free), an unforgettable exhibition that immerses you in an explosive installation. Covering the walls and floor with wooden fragments, the massive sculpture evokes extreme weather and natural disasters, forming towering waves that visitors can walk through — hoping the installation doesn’t collapse.
Explore 30 years of Do Ho Suh’s work at The Genesis Exhibition: Walk the House at Tate Modern (1 May–19 October, £20), where visitors can navigate a maze of vividly coloured fabric corridors based on places the artist has lived — complete with details like light switches and plug sockets — alongside photographic mosaics and thread-drawn architectural studies.
Celebrate the return of Art Road Trip with a free family-friendly drop-in workshop on Saturday 10 May (11am–4pm) at the Roden Centre, where all ages can create feathers inspired by the National Gallery and contribute to a collaborative artwork. Check out our reel of the Roden Centre.
The Royal Academy has two family friendly workshops in May – Early Years Studio: paper on the 21st of May and Family Studio: Experiments with Ink on the 25th of May.
Discover Encounters: Giacometti x Huma Bhabha at the Barbican (8 May – 10 August, £8), a stunning exhibition that pairs Alberto Giacometti’s iconic slender sculptures with the bold, textured works of contemporary artist Huma Bhabha. This unique display, marking the opening of a new intimate gallery space, spans nearly 100 years of artistic evolution, featuring a diverse range of materials including plaster, bronze, terracotta, and found objects.
Explore Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth? at the Natural History Museum (16 May – 22 February, £14-16.50), where you can snap a selfie with a piece of Mars, touch a Moon fragment, and handle the 4.5 billion-year-old Allende meteorite. Discover the possibilities of life on other planets through interactive exhibits, including a Martian rover simulation, space mission planning, and sensory experiences of outer space.
Experience the World Press Photo exhibition at MPB Gallery, Here East (23 May – 25 August, £16.50), showcasing the most impactful images of the year. From war and migration to the natural world, these powerful photojournalistic and documentary photographs evoke deep emotions, capturing the key stories and events that shape our world.
SPLASH! A Century of Swimming and Style at the Design Museum. The latest exhibition at the Design Museum celebrates our love of water, through the history of swimming and style over the last 100 years. Until 17 August 2025 at the Design Museum. Tickets from £14.38.
The Young V&A museum celebrates the creativity of ancient Egyptians with their exhibition Making Egypt. A £10 ticket allows multiple entries to this exhibition until Autumn. Check out our reel.
The Edwardians: Age of Elegance at the King’s Gallery – Discover the opulence of the Edwardian era through rare Royal Collection pieces and works by Fabergé, Leighton, Sargent, Morris and more. Tickets from £9.50.
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue – Battle zombies in this 45-minute AR-boosted immersive adventure set in the Minecraft universe. Opens 4 Apr at Corner Corner, Canary Wharf. £29.50 adults, £24.50 kids.
T. Rex at the Science Museum – Watch the life of a T. rex unfold in this stunning new 45-minute IMAX documentary. Tickets £12.
Transported by music: Enjoy classic live music from London’s most talented students, every Friday during term time at the London Transport museum. Kids go free and an adult ticket offers free, unlimited day-time returns for a year.
Moco Museum: Perfect destination for contemporary art. From Yayoi Kusama and Andy Warhol to Banksy, this friendly museum is the perfect place to explore art and creativity. Opening on 2May Robbie Williams: Radical honesty presents never-before seen art work and sculptures that explores with honesty and playful humour the real person behind the social media filters. Tickets £22.95
Ted’s Space Adventure is a live planetarium show for all wannabe astronauts aged 3 to 7.
The Robot Zoo at Horniman Museum. Family-friendly exhibition features larger-than-life animals made of machine parts. Tickets from £9.75. Runs until November.
Vital Signs: another world is possible is a FREE exhibition that explores how the health of nature connects to our own health and well being at the Science Gallery in London ends on 17 May.
Tots at the Docks. Free monthly play sessions inspired by the history of London’s Docklands on 28 May.
Sorted! The Postal Play Space indoor play area at the Postal Museum. Hands on 45min play sessions for under 8 year olds. Tickets £4.50
Pirates – at the National Maritime Museum uncovers the truth about piracy! This exhibition explores legendary pirates, their pop culture legacy, and why their stories still captivate us today. £15 for adults and £7.50 for children.
Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition – runs until 29 June | Immerse LDN, ExCeL London – Step into ancient Egypt with stunning video mapping, 360º VR, a Metaverse experience, and a world-first mummification hologram. See authentic artefacts and rare replicas in this must-see event!
Electric Dreams at Tate Modern offers visitors a rare chance to experience incredible works of vintage tech art in action. Tickets £22. Ends on 1 June.
Linder: Danger came smiling and Mickalene Thomas: All about love at Hayward Gallery celebrate the work of two female contemporary artists. A £19 ticket gives access to both exhibitions. Ends on 5 May.
Helen Oxenbury: Illustrating the Land of Childhood – Discover the magic of Helen Oxenbury’s illustrations in this free London exhibition at Burgh House. See original artwork, including her reimagined Alice in Wonderland, perfect for book lovers and families!
London family friendly theatre and dance shows this May 2025
Step Around Town is a series of free dance performances from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), taking place on various dates throughout April and May at various locations across London and we are all invited. Performances are free but donations are welcome.
Exciting Science is on at the Lyric in Hammersmith (10 May 2025, 60 mins, ages 4+, £10) is a high-energy, family-friendly show packed with whizzes, bangs and pops, where thrilling live experiments bring science to life — from volcanic eruptions to vacuum-powered rockets.
The Vanishing Elephant at Queen Elizabeth Hall (Thu 29 May – Sun 1 Jun 2025, from £16) is a powerful family theatre production combining puppetry and live performance to tell the moving story of a boy and an elephant whose bond spans continents, decades and a magical journey from Bengal to Broadway.
Ready Steady Go! at the Unicorn Theatre (21 May – 22 June, £12.50–£18.50) is an immersive, interactive art show for ages 3–8 where kids build and drive their own cardboard cars through car washes and roadworks, learning about road safety through storytelling, music, and messy, hands-on fun.
The Great Big Dance Off at Cadogan Hall (Tuesday 6 May 2025, 2.30pm & 6pm, £12–£20) brings together primary and secondary schools from across the region for a high-energy dance competition celebrating creativity, confidence and inclusion, as teams battle it out for a place in the National Finals.
My Neighbour Totoro at Gillian Lynne Theatre – The magical Ghibli adaptation returns to the West End. Until Nov 2, £29.50–£160.
Beegu is lost on Earth after her spaceship crashes. She is a friendly creature looking to make friends. This delightful play is aimed at 3 to 7 year olds and runs until 2 May at Unicorn Theatre. Tickets from £10
The Lion King: Disney’s award-winning musical continues to captivate audiences with its stunning visuals and memorable music. A timeless story that resonates with all ages is currently running at London’s Lyceum Theatre. Tickets from £35.
Back to the Future: The Musical. Adapted from the much loved blockbuster film this musical is one of the best on London’s West End and our firm favourite!
Ready, Steady, Go! opens at Unicorn Theatre on 21 of May and runs until 22 of June. This novel crafty-theatre experience will get all participants to build the nicest, funniest, most colourful cardboard car! Suitable for 3 to 8 years old this show is the best drive pretend play there is! Stop at the bubbly car wash, zoom through tricky road works and down slippery roads – all while having fun learning about road safety! Tickets from £12.50.
ABBA Voyage Experience the spectacle of one of pop music’s most iconic bands in a fully immersive concert in the custom-built ABBA Arena. Tickets from £63.25
Chicken Licken is the courageous chicken who needs to let everyone know there is a problem! Live music, songs, puppetry and fun aimed at an audience aged 3 to 7. At Polka Theatre until 11 May. Tickets from £10.
The Farmer and the Clown at Half Moon Theatre (16–17 May 2025, 50 mins, for ages 3–9, relaxed performance) is a heartwarming, wordless tale told through dance, puppetry and live music, following the unlikely friendship between a lonely farmer and a lost baby clown in a playful, poetic story for the whole family.
Cinderella: The Ice Cream Edition at Arts Depot (Sun 11 May, 11am & 2pm, from £12.75) is a playful musical twist on the classic fairytale, blending catchy songs, theatrical magic and a scoop of sweet surprises in the story of how Cinderella built a frozen dessert empire from rags to riches.
Based on the original book ‘The Paper Dolls’ – written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated Rebecca Cobb this cute story is about the adventures of a little girl and her string of paper dolls. The show runs at Little Angel Studios from 10 May until 20 July and is for children aged 3 to 8. Tickets £15 for adults, £13 for children.
The Mushroom Show at The Albany (30 May 2025, 45 mins, ages 5–10, Pay-What-You-Decide) is a fun-filled, interactive family adventure with puppets, music and physical comedy, as an excitable fungi fan and her puppet pal uncover the hidden wonders of mushrooms and their powers to connect us all and there is a optional workshop afterwards too.
Let’s Build! is an interactive building experience at Polka Theatre designed for the youngest theatre goes aged 2 to 5. Join the two very curious builders who are committed to getting the job done, the only problem is, they’ve never built anything before! Explore textures, objects and materials and transform them into wonderful creations that come to life. Tickets from £11.
Second Hand Dance: The sticky dance at Saddler’s Wells East on 29 – 30 May an interctive and colourful performance aimed at young dancers (ages 3 – 5) and thweir families. Tape, stick and groove, follow the sounds and join in the dance or just watch and listen. Tickets from £8.
The Koala Who Could is all about taking a chance! Based on the award-winning book by Rachel Bright & Jim Field, the show is a charming story about accepting change — whether we like it or not. Join Kevin, King of the staying-still-kings, and his friends kangaroo and wombat in an Australian Outback adventure, as they learn that “life can be great when you try something new!” For all children aged 3 and older, the show is at Unicorn Theatre (Weston) from 20 May to 1 June. Tickets from £14.5.
Shucked at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (10 May–June 2025, 5-week run, tickets from £16) is the Tony Award-winning musical comedy about a small-town girl, a corn crisis, and a city conman, packed with big laughs, country hits, and a harvest of heart.
TOP SECRET – The Magic of Science (Thu 29 May 2025, 2pm, £12–£15) is a high-energy, interactive show blending explosive science experiments with jaw-dropping magic, perfect for curious minds of all ages and packed with surprises, suspense, and plenty of mess.
For further recommendations for theatre and shows to see in London for young theatre goers please visit our Theatre & Dance page.
For the latest reviews, updates and recommendations follow @younglondonist on Instagram. For more ideas of things to do with the kids in London, visit our events and activities area which provides details of free events and special offers in London’s finest venues.
