With school holidays fast approaching, London's museums are planning some fantastic summer programmes that all the family will love. From a sensory trip to the seaside to pond dipping in an urban garden, whether you're looking for London wet weather plans or fun activities for children, here are our three top picks that kids (and the young at heart) will enjoy:
1. London Museum Docklands
Seaside in the City
London Museum Docklands (formerly Museum of London Docklands) will take you on a trip to the Victorian seaside with a free programme of amazing beach themed activities at their pop up immersive play space, Seaside in the City. Surrounded by the sounds and scents of the seaside, under 8s can play with puppets, paddle in a sequin sea, serve up some paper fish and chips, create a sand castle craft and design a souvenir postcard.  Let off steam at two soft play areas (one for children under 3 , another for children over 3 years old) and the really littles can explore Baby Beach, a dedicated baby-zone with a sensory cloth rock pool and sea animal soft toys.  Â
Suitable for children under 8 years oldÂ
From 10th - 26th August. All events are free, advanced booking is recommended (booking opens July 29th).
PLUS: Family Festival of Caribbean Culture
On Friday 23 and Saturday 24 August, ahead of Notting Hill Carnival, London Museum Docklands will hold its first ever Family Festival of Caribbean Culture. The two-day celebration of Caribbean culture, including music, crafting, dancing, and cooking will feature workshops from Nzinga Dance, music from DJ Melvina Move, and art workshops from Araba Scott. Attendees will have the opportunity to create their own carnival headpieces and participate in a cooking workshop hosted by Ella Phillips and Darryl Gadzekpo, the authors of "From Plant to Plate." Additionally, there will be storytelling sessions with author Wendy Shearer, delving into folktales, myths, and legends from Africa and the Caribbean.
Suitable for the whole family! The event is free, but some activities will require tickets. Booking for ticketed events will open three weeks before the festival.
More information here: https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london-docklands/whats-on/family-festival-caribbean-culture
You can also pop along to free monthly themed play sessions for under 5-year-olds, Tots at the Docks, with summer drop-in sessions running from 10:30am - 3pm on 31st July (Digging at the docks - Archaeology theme)Â and 7th August (Sporty city - Olympics theme).
The main museum (free entry) is open as usual all summer with self-led family trails available to introduce little ones to the museum - can you help the city rat Riley Ratcliff find her furry ancestors around the galleries?
Open 7 days a week, 10am - 5pm
Free entry
Closest tube: West India Quay (DLR) - 3 minutes walk or Canary Wharf (Elizabeth Line) - 5 minutes walk.
2. Tower Bridge
Family arts and crafts
Throughout the year, Tower Bridge runs fun, free, themed arts and crafts sessions included in your entry ticket. The activities are open to children of all ages, but are particularly appropriate for those aged six to ten, and what's even more exciting is after participating, you can collect a Family Activities Pass, entitling you to free entry to Tower Bridge on any Family Activities Day in the next six months!
Upcoming Family Activities dates:
Tue 6th, Sat 10th and Tue 13th August - Flat Caps and Bowler Hats: Handle and try on different headwear related to the workers of Tower Bridge, and make your own prop!
Tue 20th and Tue 27th August - Snapshots in Time:Â Decorate a Victorian portrait frame and take it with you on your journey round the Bridge and Engine Rooms to capture memories of your visit.
Children will also enjoy following The Tower Bridge Cat Trail - an interactive series of installations featuring characters from the book The Tower Bridge Cat. Learn about the Bridge's history through the eyes of people who worked there, like Hannah the Cook, Poppy the Painter, and Stan the Stoker, collect stamps along the way and become a member of Bella's special Tower Bridge team!
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Tower Bridge is open daily from 09:30 - 18:00. Book online in advance to guarantee entry.
Under 5s are free, older children are £6.70 and adults are £13.40
The closest train station is London Bridge (south of the river), which is also on the Jubilee and Northern tube lines. It's about 7 minutes walk from Tower Bridge. You can also walk from Tower Hill underground station (north of the river) which is on the District and Circle lines.
3. Natural History Museum
Exploring nature in the new gardens
This summer, South Kensington's Natural History Museum is running a series of free events for nature lovers large and small in their beautiful reimagined gardens. Try your hand at nature inspired crafts, enjoy talks and object handling and have a go at pond dipping in the museum's brand new pond!
Landscaped paths lead through two beautiful spaces: the Evolution Garden, which includes some of the oldest rocks in the UK, fascinating fossils and a life size bronze Diplodocus, and the Nature Discovery Garden, where visitors can explore the UK's urban biodiversity through different habitats, spot frogs, newts, dragonflies and ducks and visit the Nature Activity Centre, a purpose built learning centre.
Running from 27th July - 1st September. Check the full programme for dates and age suitability as all activities are different. Free entry, you can also book a free ticket to the main museum and skip the queue to go in!
The Natural History Museum also run sensory storytelling sessions called Adventure Babies, with summer classes on 30th July, 13th and 27th August. Sessions are divided into under 1 year olds and up to 4 year olds and cost £20 for a baby/adult pair.
Open daily 10.00-17.50 (Closed 24-26 December)
Free entry
Closest tube: South Kensington (Piccadilly/District Line)
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