12 School Holiday Activities in London

School holidays in London can feel daunting - six weeks stretches ahead and the question "what are we doing today?" comes early and often. The good news is that London has an extraordinary range of activities that ramp up during the holidays, from free museum workshops to immersive experiences and outdoor adventures. Here are 12 of the best school holiday activities across the capital.

Why London Is Brilliant During School Holidays

• Museum programmes - London's major museums run dedicated holiday programmes with workshops, trails and performances
• Pop-up events - theatre, cinema, sports camps and creative workshops appear across the city during every holiday period
• Parks and outdoor spaces - London's royal parks, city farms and waterways provide free entertainment
• Something for every budget - from completely free museum visits to premium immersive experiences

Museums and Science

1. Natural History Museum, South Kensington

The Natural History Museum is free to enter and runs an outstanding school holiday programme. Beyond the permanent galleries - the dinosaur gallery, the blue whale hall and the wildlife garden - the museum offers bookable workshops, science shows and behind-the-scenes tours during holidays. The Investigate Centre lets children handle real specimens under guidance from museum scientists.

Best for: Ages 3+ Facilities: Toilets, cafe, baby-changing, gift shop, free entry, nearest Tube is South Kensington Tip: Book holiday workshops online in advance - they are free but fill up fast. Arrive at opening (10am) to beat the queues at the dinosaur gallery.

2. Science Museum, South Kensington

Right next door to the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum is another free world-class institution. The Wonderlab interactive gallery (paid) is brilliant for children aged 5 and above, with live science shows, experiments and over 50 hands-on exhibits. During holidays, the museum runs additional workshops, coding sessions and engineering challenges.

Best for: Ages 3+ Facilities: Toilets, cafe, baby-changing, gift shop, free entry (Wonderlab charged separately), South Kensington Tube Tip: If you visit Wonderlab, book the first session of the day - it is less crowded and the staff have more time to engage with individual children.

3. HMS Belfast, Southwark

Moored on the Thames near Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast is a real World War II warship that children can explore from the bridge to the boiler room. They can climb through gun turrets, sit in the captain's chair, explore the cramped mess decks and imagine life at sea during the war. During school holidays, the ship runs family activities including treasure hunts and craft sessions.

Best for: Ages 5+ Facilities: Toilets, cafe on board, gift shop, nearest Tube is London Bridge, no on-site parking Tip: The ship has steep ladders and narrow passages - it is not suitable for buggies. Bring a carrier for younger children and wear shoes with grip.

4. Horniman Museum, Forest Hill

The Horniman Museum in south London is free, quirky and brilliant for families. The collection includes a famous overstuffed walrus, a natural history gallery, a music gallery where children can play instruments from around the world and a small aquarium (paid). The museum runs free family activities during every school holiday, and the surrounding gardens have an animal walk, a nature trail and panoramic views across London.

Best for: Ages 2+ Facilities: Toilets, cafe, baby-changing, gift shop, free entry (aquarium charged), free car park (limited), Forest Hill station nearby Tip: The hands-on music gallery is a highlight - children can play drums, gamelan instruments and sound sculptures. Allow 20 minutes just for this room.

Creative and Immersive

5. KidZania, Westfield Shepherd's Bush

KidZania is a child-sized city where children aged 4 to 14 can role-play real jobs - firefighter, doctor, journalist, pilot, radio presenter and dozens more. Each activity takes 20 to 30 minutes and children earn KidZos (play currency) that they can spend or save. It is immersive, educational and keeps children entertained for three to four hours.

Best for: Ages 4-14 Facilities: Toilets, parent lounge, baby-changing, cafes, Westfield car park (paid), Shepherd's Bush Tube Tip: Older children (8+) can explore independently while parents wait in the lounge. For younger children, plan a route that includes the fire station and the aviation academy - they are always the favourites.

6. Little Angel Theatre, Islington

Little Angel Theatre is London's only permanent puppet theatre, tucked away on a backstreet in Islington. During school holidays, they run a packed programme of puppet shows for different age groups, from babies to older children. The shows are beautifully crafted, intimate (the theatre seats around 100) and genuinely captivating. They also run puppet-making workshops during holidays.

Best for: Ages 0-10 (age guidance varies by show) Facilities: Toilets, small cafe area, nearest Tube is Angel, street parking Tip: Book early - shows sell out quickly during holidays, especially for the under-5s programme. Arrive ten minutes early for the best seats.

7. Frameless, Marble Arch

Frameless is London's largest immersive art experience, with four galleries projecting floor-to-ceiling moving artworks by masters including Monet, Klimt, Cézanne and Kandinsky. Children walk through rooms where paintings come to life around them - water lilies ripple, starry nights swirl and colours shift beneath their feet. It is visually stunning and appeals to children who would never set foot in a traditional gallery.

Best for: Ages 3+ Facilities: Toilets, cafe, gift shop, Marble Arch Tube, nearest parking at Park Lane car parks Tip: Visit during a weekday morning for the calmest experience. The Klimt and Monet rooms are the most popular - start with the quieter galleries and work your way round.

Outdoor Adventures

8. Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross

The Olympic white water venue in north London offers family rafting sessions during school holidays. Families paddle together in large inflatable rafts through the white water course, guided by experienced instructors. It is safe, exhilarating and completely different from anything else on this list. Sessions last about an hour on the water plus briefing time.

Best for: Ages 8+ (minimum age for family rafting) Facilities: Toilets, changing rooms, cafe, free car park, wetsuits and equipment provided Tip: Book well in advance during summer holidays - sessions fill up quickly. You will get wet, so bring a complete change of clothes including shoes.

9. WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes

The Wetland Centre in Barnes is a 105-acre nature reserve in the middle of London, home to otters, water voles, kingfishers and hundreds of bird species. During school holidays, they run pond dipping sessions, wildlife trails, den building and nature craft activities. The adventure playground has water play elements and the whole site feels wonderfully peaceful compared to the city outside.

Best for: Ages 2+ Facilities: Toilets, cafe, baby-changing, gift shop, free car park, buggy-friendly paths Tip: Bring wellies - the paths can be muddy, especially in spring and autumn. The otter feeding at 11am and 2pm daily is a must-see.

10. Go Ape, Battersea Park

Go Ape runs a Treetop Adventure course in Battersea Park during the warmer months. Children clip into harnesses and navigate rope bridges, zip wires, cargo nets and platforms high in the tree canopy. There is a junior course for younger children (Treetop Adventure+) and a full high-ropes course for older children and adults. It is a thrilling activity right in the heart of London.

Best for: Ages 6+ (Treetop Adventure+), Ages 10+ (full course) Facilities: Toilets in Battersea Park, cafes nearby, nearest station is Battersea Park, limited parking Tip: Book the earliest slot on a sunny day - you avoid the heat and the queues. Closed-toe shoes are required.

Shows and Entertainment

11. Polka Theatre, Wimbledon

Polka Theatre in Wimbledon is dedicated entirely to children's theatre and runs a rich programme during school holidays. Shows range from interactive performances for babies and toddlers to full-length productions for older children. The theatre also has a playground, a cafe and a creative play space. It is one of London's hidden gems for family entertainment.

Best for: Ages 0-12 (age guidance varies by show) Facilities: Toilets, cafe, baby-changing, playground, nearest station is Wimbledon (then bus), street parking Tip: Check the age recommendations carefully - Polka programmes shows very specifically for different age groups, and the experience is best when children are in the target range.

12. Mudchute Park and Farm, Isle of Dogs

Mudchute is the largest city farm in London, set on 32 acres in the shadow of Canary Wharf. It is home to over 100 animals including horses, donkeys, llamas, pigs, goats, sheep and poultry. Entry is completely free. During school holidays, the farm runs pony grooming sessions, animal handling workshops and craft activities. The riding school offers holiday courses for children wanting to learn to ride.

Best for: All ages Facilities: Toilets, cafe, baby-changing, free entry, Mudchute DLR station right outside, limited free parking Tip: The farm cafe is excellent and surprisingly good value. The llamas and alpacas near the back of the farm are favourites with younger children.

Tips for School Holidays in London

• Book in advance - popular activities, workshops and shows sell out during school holidays. Book as early as you can.
• Mix free and paid - alternate between free museum visits and paid activities to spread the budget across the holidays.
• Use an Oyster card or contactless - daily caps on travel make it cheaper than buying individual tickets, and children under 11 travel free on buses and trams.
• Pack lunch - eating out every day during the holidays adds up fast. Most museums and parks have places to sit and eat a packed lunch.
• Check for early bird discounts - many attractions offer cheaper first-session or off-peak pricing.
• Plan one big outing and one free day each week - this keeps the holidays feeling special without exhausting your budget or energy.
• Join museum mailing lists - free workshops and holiday events are often announced via email before they go live on websites.

Find More Holiday Activities

Looking for more inspiration? Browse our full directory of family activities in Greater London to plan your next family adventure.