This month, London Open Gardens on 8-9 June shows its most secret gardens, celebrates the King’s birthday at Trooping of the Colour on 14 June and comes with plenty of sport, music and art festivals and lots of outdoor entertainment to amuse and delight Londoners and visitors alike. Keep up to date with London’s events by following us on Instagram.
Hop aboard the hop-on hop-off Tootbus London Discovery to explore iconic landmarks at your own pace, or enjoy breath-taking views with a scenic Thames river cruise. Savour alfresco dining at top restaurants, unwind with a picturesque picnic in the city’s lush parks, and discover must-visit historic attractions.
Outdoor events this June 2025
The London Festival of Architecture runs citywide from 1–30 June with free family-friendly events and installations. Highlights include Drawing Voices, Fitzrovia FREE food trail, Picnic & Play with MATT+FIONA and Timberplay, plus The Painted Picnic, a bold summer pavilion by artist John Booth. Perfect for kids, families, and anyone looking to explore creative design in London this summer.
Jeppe Hein: Appearing Rooms returns from the 4th of June at the Southbank Centre is one of our favourite interactive aquatic sculpture that is free and fun to enjoy on a sunny day!
Experience Nature | Connected from 6th – 29th June, a free interactive sound and light installation by Natural Symphony at Granary Square. Explore the bond between humans and plants through immersive art controlled by living trees. Part of King’s Cross Super Nature campaign and Earthfest.
Serpentine Pavilion 2025 by Marina Tabassum – 6 June to 26 Oct
Experience A Capsule in Time, Marina Tabassum’s transformative Serpentine Pavilion. Inspired by South Asian Shamiyana tents, this kinetic wooden structure blends light, shadow, and nature in Kensington Gardens. Free to visit.
Catch live sport, family films, and gaming fun at Summer Screens, 29 May–27 Sept in Canada Square Park. From Wimbledon to F1 and Mario Kart to movie nights, enjoy free summer entertainment in the heart of London.
Join the Garden Museum at the British Library for Get Gardening!, a fun, hands-on workshop for ages 2–5. Enjoy storytime, planting microgreens, and making musical shakers. Free but booking required. Sessions at 9:30 & 10:45 in the Piazza Pavilion.
Helios at Osterley Park is an impressive seven metre spherical sculpture by Luke Jerram that offers a beautifully detailed view of the sun, the brightest star in our solar system. Visitors of all ages can see Helios for free from 6th – 10th June and again from 11th – 14th July.
London Open Gardens runs for one weekend only 7-8 Jun and offers the opportunity to look inside over 100 private gardens and green spaces that are not usually open to the public. £24 weekend ticket for adults, kids under 11 go free and £10 for 12-17 year old visitors.
Eid on the Square on 8 June is a free family-friendly annual Muslim festival at Trafalgar Square that brings communities together to enjoy the celebrations.
FREE Minigolf by Craig and Karl is back at Canary Wharf’s Montgomery Square.
Great Exhibition Road Festival on 7 and 8 June is the free annual celebration of science and the arts in South Kensington. Workshops, fascinating talks, performances and installations from iconic museums, food from all over the world and performances from the Royal College of Music and Royal Albert Hall.
Head to Hurlingham Park on 8 June for Family Day at Chestertons Polo in the Park—London’s biggest kids’ party! Enjoy world-class polo, live entertainment, and all-day family fun, from games and music to food and hospitality. With free entry for kids under 18 months and activities for all ages, it’s the perfect summer day out in the heart of London.
Teddy bear picnic at Fulham Palace on 8 June is for you, your favourite teddy and your family. Bring your own tasty picnic or buy delicious treats from the on site café. Packed with teddy-themed activities creative workshops and bear-themed stories. Suitable for ages 3 to 7. Tickets £12.
Of the OAK at Kew Garden is one-of-a-kind immersive art installation that celebrates the oak tree. Enjoy the tranquil sounds, interact with the massive installation learn about the extraordinary resilience of oaks. Included in the entry to the gardens.
Gorgeous Georgians: Step back in time with Osterley Park and House’s Horrible Histories trail, featuring 10 fun and educational activities about Georgian life. Runs until end of the summer. £12 for adults and £6 for children.
Fairy and Pixie Land 2025 at Dulwich Park from Whippersnappers is back and runs weekends from 14 June to July’s end. Kids aged 3-7 can enjoy fairy wings, crafts, storytelling, and an immersive Welsh folklore theatre adventure. Tickets £27.50 child, £15.50 adult.
Outdoor shows
Story time with mama G Stories, songs, and some of the best picture books in an uplifting story time with mama G at the London Wetland Centre. Free with an £11.80 entry ticket.
Lambeth Country Show: in Brockwell Park on 7 and 8 June is one of London’s biggest family-friendly festivals. Expect live shows, delicious street food from around the world and local crafts.
Kew Midsummer Fete: another fun and free event on 21 June, raising money for local charities has a lot on offer: a fairground, a dog show, plenty of food and drink stalls and live music.
West End LIVE is the free live event in Trafalgar Square on 21 – 22 June celebrating 20 years of top West End musical performances.
Trooping the Colour: The King’s Birthday Parade is the free traditional ceremony taking place on 14 June at the Horse Guards Parade.
The Wind in the Willows at Fulham Palace on 29 June. A magical performance full of audience interaction, dazzling costumes, toe-tapping tunes, and larger-than-life characters. Tickets from £14.
Midsummer Folk at Chelsea Physic Gardens on 22 June is a relaxed summer evening of live folk music on the garden’s lawn. Tickets £20.
Arts, Crafts, Song and Dance
Moomin is 80 and everybody is welcome to celebrate at Southbank Centre on 1 June. A day packed with free music, storytelling and crafty Moomin-themed fun.
Family Freestyle at Sadler’s Wells East is a series of free dance workshops for children aged 2-4 and their parents led by professional dance artists. Runs until 12 July. Booking is required.
Flowers – Flora in Contemporary Art & Culture re-opens on 30 May at Saatchi Gallery and will run throughout the summer season. This beautiful show explores the ongoing influence of flowers on creativity and human expression. Tickets from £10.
Bring Your Own Baby Comedy Club on 9 June is at Royal Albert Hall. Enjoy top stand-up acts from known comedians while your little one chills out (or heckles the comics—no worries!). Tickets around £15.
Romeo and Juliet at Wilton’s Hall runs between 10 and 21 June. This classic play is brought to life with a fresh and innovative outlook with laughter and tears, beautiful poetry and live music delivered by a young and talented cast. Tickets from £10.
Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy opens on 17June. This best-loved art show returns this summer with the usual contemporary works from established artists and emerging talent. Tickets £25.50. The free Young Artists’ Summer Show opens on 15 July.
The Celtic Throne is a spectacular show of traditional Irish dancing, innovative choreography, martial arts, acrobatics and brilliant live music. The show’s UK debut tour begins at Birmingham Symphony Hall on 22nd June, travelling onto Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and concludes on 3rd July at London’s Eventim Apollo.
Films to watch this June
T. Rex 3D at the Science Museum – Watch the life of a T. rex unfold in this stunning new 45-minute IMAX documentary. From 5 Apr at the Science Museum. £12.
Summer by the River From 29th May and throughout the summer the banks of the River Thames transforms into an outdoor entertainment stage with unforgettable performances for all ages. Watch your favourite sports such as Wimbledon and Formula 1, or a movie every Tuesday night on the big screens or enjoy live music, dance and theatre.
Juliet and Romeo based on Shakespeare’s story this original musical is in London cinemas on 11 June. Read our review of this film here.
Family film club at the Barbican is a relaxed environment perfect for families to start their cinematic journey. There are activity sheets, books, toys and games for the little ones to enjoy before and after screenings. Tickets £5
At the Museums
Marching Orders: Magnificent Mascots at the National Army Museum on 7 June in a free family friendly gallery tour that explores the stories of amazing animals who have represented the Army’s regiments throughout the history.
Leighton House Fairy Festival – 7 June 2025, 1-4pm
Join a magical family afternoon at Leighton House with fairy crafts, storytelling, harp music, and tiny house building in the garden. Perfect for kids aged 5-10. Tickets £5; adults free.
London Design Biennale 2025 – 5–29 June where you can discover innovative global design and events at Somerset House. This year’s theme Surface Reflections explores creativity and identity. Free and open to all.
Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth? at the Natural History Museum explores the big question – are we alone in the universe? Tickets from £14.
Tate Modern celebrates Leigh Bowery!: a prolific artist of many talents that refused to be limited by conventions. Tickets £18.
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 newest exhibition Making Egypt. A £10 ticket allows multiple entries to this exhibition until Autumn.
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.
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. From 24 April, 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 a royal Observatory planetarium show for a young audience 3 to 7. Explore the Solar System with a bear named Ted. Tickets £6
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.
Tots at the Docks. Free monthly play sessions inspired by the history of London’s Docklands. Wed 25 June.
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
Rug Rhymes: Summer at the National Poetry Library is a playful session that aims to introduce the under 5s to stories and poems. Hear your favourite nursery rhymes, learn new ones, and a chance to explore and borrow books from the National Poetry Library’s Children Collection. Tickets £4 for one adult and one child.
Pirates – at the National Maritime Museum is all about 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.
At London Galleries
Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition – 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!
London Festival of Architecture Takeover – 6–29 June Discover social justice and community-led design in three free exhibitions at NOW Gallery, Greenwich Peninsula, part of the London Festival of Architecture.
Yoshitomo Nara from10 June–31 August 2025 at Hayward Gallery
Largest European retrospective of Japan’s famous artist with 150+ works. Themes: rebellion, isolation, spirituality. Tickets £20; members free. Tours and concessions available.
Solid Light at Tate Modern running until 29 June is a chance to experience how your movements and interactions bring artworks to life inside Solid Light, an exhibition dedicated to the immersive works of Anthony McCall. Tickets £14.
Family Day with Stories & Supper on 21 June 2025 is a free, drop-in event celebrating Refugee Week. Families can join creative workshops inspired by William Morris to explore the meaning of home and community. Suitable for kids 5+, all ages welcome. 1–4pm, materials provided.
London Gallery Weekend: This free for all three-day event on 6-8 June is an opportunity to discover and explore London’s world-class gallery scene and creative communities. Look-out for talks, exciting family activities and special events.
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 shows this June 2025
Miniature Travelling Circus – Join the tiniest circus in town at Little Angel Theatre with puppets, magic tricks, and miniature acts—from performing mice to acrobatic fleas—this enchanting show is perfect for all ages. 🎪✨ Runs until 19 April. 40 mins | From £10
My Neighbour Totoro at Gillian Lynne Theatre – The magical Ghibli adaptation returns to the West End. Until Nov 2, £29.50–£160.
I see you like this: Create your own at Unicorn Theatre is a hands-on visitor experience that encourage the young ones to turn the camera on their adults and use imagination and art to create their portrait. This free event runs alongside the main exhibition, from 24 May to 1 Jun.
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!
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 from 5 April until 11 May. Tickets from £10. CHECK POLKA
A Squash and a Squeeze at Little Angel Theatre is based on the book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler until 27 April. Tickets from £13. CHECK LITTLE ANGEL
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.
