Best things to do with kids in London: July edition
Explore our full line-up of all the family activities on this July for you and your little ones
Festivals
Click here for a full list of family-friendly festivals on now
The Worst Witch, Vaudeville Theatre
opens July 24th
Beloved children's book series The Worst Witch, written by Jill Murphy, is coming to the West End this summer. Bring your broomsticks.
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Sample some of London's most delish ice cream
Credit: Jefferson's in Balham
What's summer for if not to indulge a little? Turns out, London is the capital of amazing ice cream, with delicious everyday flavours as well as ice cream floating on candy floss and ice cream macaron sandwiches. We're also partial to the city's free-from ice cream choices, and particularly impressed with some of the city's newest ice cream parlours, like Lebanese gelato shop Darlish and Jefferson's in Balham, which has a sand pit out the back for the kiddos. Afternoon - sorted.
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21 June - 03 August 2019
This show directed by Justin Audibert and Rachel Bagshaw takes some of Aesop's best fables and gives them the live action treatment. We love that there's one show dedicated to 8-12s and another for 4-7-year-olds - each show features different stories. We can't think of a better way to introduce this classic work to the next generation.
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The Gruffalo live on stage
03 July – 08 September 2019
The Gruffalo turns 20 this year, and in celebration of the hit story which continues to shape generation after generation of childhood reader, it's coming to the Lyric Theatre for a 10-week run from July. Perfect for any and every three to five-year-old in your life. .
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The Falcon's Malteser, The Vaults
17 July - 25 August 2019
The Vaults is always a great destination for a theatrical night out, and this July, Anthony Horowitz's delightful caper, The Falcon's Malteser, brings its mix of kid detectives and slapstick comedy to the stage. Ideal for any kids getting into that obligatory mystery-spy-thriller phase.
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Theatre
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A Midsummer Night's Dream, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
28 June – 27 July 2019
We're pretty sure the way to get a child to love theatre for a lifetime is with a spectacular open-air show, like Shakespeare at Regent's Park. Magical comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream is playing through July. If you're looking for more open-air performances to enjoy on balmy July nights, check out the best open-air theatre in London here.
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Cardboard Carnival, Little Angel Theatre
performances throughout July 2019
Suitable for ages 3-10
A fun, visual production, this performance is inspired by music from the French composer Camille Saint-Saën and reveals the simple magic of puppetry and the endless possibilities of creating things from cardboard.
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The Lion King live-action remake
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Urban Zip Wire, London Southbank
12 June - 15 September 2019
The world's biggest and fastest zip wire returns to the Southbank. An unusual and exhilarating way to view the city, there are now three lines which means adventure-seekers can whizz along next to each other.
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Peter Rabbit tea, Le Meridien
1 May - 24 November 2019
Hop to London's latest themed afternoon tea, a Peter Rabbit affair for all Beatrix Potter fans. There's plenty to entice, like edible chocolate plant pots and scrummy carrot cake.
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Get Up, Stand Up! Exhibition, Somerset House
12 June - 15 September 2019
When school's no longer in session, introduce the kids to some fabulous London art. Somerset House is one of our favourite destinations with children: for starters, there's the brilliant fountain that kids of all ages can't get enough of. There's also a constant stream of thought-provoking exhibitions: this July, check out Get Up, Stand Up!, a celebration of 50 years of black creativity.
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The Moon exhibition, National Maritime Museum
19 July – 05 January 2019
The fact that it's 50 years since NASA's Apollo 11 mission landed the first humans on the moon is cause for celebration, but for children, it doesn't mean much unless they see it with their own eyes. The National Maritime Museum's got it covered with a comprehensive exhibition of over 180 objects including painting, space photography equipment, telescopes and more.
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Enjoy the Horniman in all its glory
The Horniman truly has it all: crazy golf, an on-site farm, a butterfly house, an aquarium and a room of taxidermied animals, as well as gorgeous gardens to enjoy. In July, you can check out interactive LEGO exhibition Brick Wonders, explore My Model City, an installation celebrating a new vision of urban life designed by the Horniman and youngsters from Peckham Platform, and see some amazing photo installations, like Jide Odukoya’s series on Nigerian weddings. On weekends, the museum is abuzz with music gigs and a farmer's market, and there's even a Big Fish Little Fish day rave on July 28. Party time.
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Head to Mayfair for fun & games
Grosvenor Square is party central for the first three weeks of July with free event, Summer in the Square, which includes free shows, games, workshops and more, like music performances from jazz troupes and string quartets, storytelling sessions and immersive theatre performances. There are plenty of family events, including workshops and even a Sports Day. Bonus: scrumptious street food eliminates the need for packed lunch.
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Get a taste of Edinburgh Festival with Polka Theatre and Complicité at Theatre Peckham
25 July 2019 - 26 July 2019
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