School holidays are just around the corner, and family and fun is firmly on the agenda. So we’ve partnered with TfL to take the activity planning off your hands, with a guide of the best things to do in London while the kids are off school.
When it comes to getting around London, there are plenty of ways to save on travel. Adult fares on the London Overground, Tube, DLR and Elizabeth line are capped at £16.30 a day in Zones 1–6 when you pay as you go with the same Oyster card or contactless device, meaning once you reach the cap, any additional journeys that day are free. Plus Children aged 5–10 can travel free on all TfL services with a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard, making it easier to travel around the city and make the most of summer.
And, to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of TfL’s Hopper fare, a Weekend Hopper fare will operate this summer on Saturdays and Sundays from 04:30 on 25 July to 23:59 on 31 August. It will also operate on the August Bank Holiday, Monday 31 August. The Hopper fare gives you unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour of your first tap-in for just £1.75 per day. Just be sure to use the same Oyster card or contactless device throughout your journey.
Download the TfL Go app to plan your journey!
1. Canada Square Gardens Summer Screens
Keeping up with sports or setting in for a family-favourite film doesn’t have to mean sitting indoors all day. The Summer Screens in Canada Square Gardens are showing the most exciting sporting events and championships, as well as a fantastic programme of films as part of their Film Club. Timings vary, but the screens are on throughout the week and on the weekend, and they’re free to visit.
🚆Nearest TfL Stations: Canary Wharf Underground, Canary Wharf DLR
🚌Nearest TfL Bus Routes: 135, 277
2. Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit & Friends at the Young V&A
Celebrating 50 years of everyone’s favourite stop-motion animation maestros, the Young V&A is running an exhibition where you can explore how Aardman’s iconic worlds and characters are brought to life. From Wallace and Gromit to Shaun the Sheep, you can peek behind the scenes of iconic animations – making it just as exciting for the little ones as it is nostalgic for the grown ups.
🚆Nearest TfL station: Bethnal Green Underground, Cambridge Heath Rail Station, Bethnal Green Rail Station, Stepney Green Underground Station, Whitechapel
🚌Nearest TfL Bus Routes: 106, 254, 309, 388, 8, 309, 26, 55
3. Appearing Rooms at the Southbank Centre
Appearing Rooms is an interactive aquatic sculpture at the Southbank Centre’s Riverside Terrace. Artist Jeppe Hein’s signature style combines architecture and technology to create unique and playful experiences for all to enjoy. As jets of water shoot into the air, the fountain forms ‘rooms’ that are around for mere moments, before they vanish and the next ones appear!
🚆Nearest TfL Stations: Waterloo Underground, Embankment Underground Station, Westminster Underground Station, Temple Underground Station, Charing Cross Underground Station, Lambeth North Underground Station, Southwark Underground Station
🚌Nearest TfL Bus Routes: 1, 59, 68, 76, 139, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 77, 381
4. Fairy Tales exhibition at the British Library
This British Library exhibition takes you on a journey through your favourite Fairy Tale scenes – but many of them are not as you remember. Across interactive displays and story sharing spaces you’ll encounter magical creatures and beloved characters. From sitting at the Three Little Bears’ Breakfast table to telling the Genie your wishes, get ready to live iconic moments from timeless tales – all whilst exploring books, theatre costumes, puppets, pop-ups, artwork and illustrations.
🚆Nearest TfL Stations: King’s Cross St. Pancras Underground, Euston Underground Station, London Euston Rail Station, Russell Square Underground Station, Euston Square Underground Station, Warren Street Underground Station
🚌Nearest TfL Bus Routes: 30, 73, 91, 205, 390, 1, 46, 214, 68, 18, 17, 63, 259, 476
5. Hobbledown Heath
Any activity that gets the kids running around and blowing off steam is a win during the school holidays. Across four acres of woodland and meadow, they can climb towers, crawl through tunnels, and say hello to meerkats, capybara, and other exotic and traditional farm animals. Hobbledown Heath is also home to one of the city’s largest indoor play arenas, so the adventures can continue, even if the weather doesn’t hold out!
🚆Nearest TfL station: Hounslow Central Underground
🚌Nearest TfL Bus Routes: 116, 117, 235, 635, 237, 423, 90, 285
6. Tumbling Bay Playground
Packed with whimsical climbing frames, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s Tumbling Playground is the perfect place for kids to let their imaginations run wild. All of the slides and play structures are crafted to resemble natural wonders, such as treehouses and rock pools, providing endless inspiration for creative play and dreaming up their own worlds. And those who have a thrill-seeking streak, there are aerial walkways, rope bridges and zip wires too.
🚆Nearest TfL Stations: Hackney Wick Rail Station, Stratford International DLR Station
🚌Nearest TfL Bus Routes: 241, 388, 97, 108, 308, 339, 276, 58, 69, 158, 236
7. Al Fresco Arts: Theatre
To add to their outdoor sports and film screenings, Canary Wharf is also showing a vibrant programme of (free!) high-energy al fresco theatre shows this summer. Performed by some of the UK’s most exciting outdoor theatre companies, these open-air shows are a fun and refreshing way to mix up the summer holiday plans with a cultural twist. This year’s line-up features everything from Shakespeare, to contemporary plays and comedy crowd pleasers. No prior booking is required, just make sure you turn up in good time for the show you want to see, as entry is first come, first served.
Nearest Tfl Stations: Canary Wharf Underground, Canary Wharf DLR (locations vary across Canary Wharf)
🚌Nearest TfL Bus Routes: 135, 277, 15, 115, 381
8. Kid Quest in Kensington Gardens
Get their brains ticking with an outdoor adventure designed to get kids exploring the city, working as a team and encouraging their communication and teamwork. As they follow clues, they’ll discover hidden places and solve engaging puzzles with the help of animal heroes – all set against the storybook backdrop of the Albert Memorial and surrounding Kensington Gardens. Simply purchase access on a device, and away you go!
🚆Nearest TfL Stations: Lancaster Gate Underground, Queensway Underground Station, Bayswater Underground Station
🚌Nearest TfL Bus Routes: 9, 52, 452, 360, 70, 49, 345, 430, 74, 14
