Hey there!
As we’re having a stay-cation for most of the summer holidays, I’ve selected out of the latest Time Out magazine what I thought were the best family-friendly, fun things to do this Summer in London and Surrey.
For more ideas from Time Out themselves, visit www.timeout.com/london.
Best of all, some activities are FREE (apart from getting there).
Here they are :
1. Archikids Festival, FREE, London Square Mile, Sat 23 July
This is being held in London’s Square Mile and aims to encourage children’s skills with designing, DT and architecture. Amongst the activities children can do are a ping pong challenge, creating a city, taking part in a lego-building competition and building a catapult.
2. Watch the Game of British Bulldog, Sun 24 July 11am, Clapham Common
This is a world record attempt of British Bulldog, the game of charge and tag.
3. Go to a Theatre Show for ‘Kids Go Free Week’
This is available for not just one week, but the whole of the month of August and some of the shows included are Kinky Boots, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Gruffalo, Mamma Mia and Stig of the Dump.
4. Spend a day at the Beach
West Wittering is still our favourite sandy beach, though unless leaving early-morning, there can be a lot of traffic getting there!
5. Go to a Theme Park such as Chessington World of Adventures or Thorpe Park
Best bought with Tesco or Sainsburys reward points, you can get a years entry to one of the London & Surrey theme parks without paying a thing.
6. Visit Madame Tussauds
7. Play Ping Pong for free
Find out more at www.pingengland.co.uk/London.
8. Go to the cinema
Currently in the cinemas for young children is The Secret Life of Pets, Finding Dory and The BFG and for 12 and over’s Star Trek Beyond and Ghostbusters.
9. Make a video at the Tate Modern, FREE
On August 20, children can make a video with the artist, Rachel Pimm.
10. Go to Odeon’s specially priced Saturday Shows
You can watch the Angry Birds movie & Zootropolis for next to nothing – about 2.50. Get more details at www.odeon.co.uk/kids/
11. Go to an Open-air Cinema Show
Jurassic Park is showing in Bushy Park, Teddington on Sat Aug 27 (15, 7.50 for children).
Luna cinema is showing Star Wars, The Force Awakens and Zoolander amongst others in various venues including Leeds Castle, Wandsworth Park and Ascot Racecourse. Shows like Top Gun and Casablanca for adults are also on.
12. Go to the SplashFest at Battersea Park, Aug 7, 22 Adults, 10 children under 18
A crazy, wet obstacle course for the whole family (Aged 7 and up). There are 5 zones of water themed challenges, including Zorbs, Giant balloons, Foam, Water target shooting and a 100m water slide.
13, Go down the slide at ArcelorMittal Orbit, Olympic Park, Now til Dec 16
The worlds longest slide of 178m is a swirly tunnel you can slide down at speed!
14. Play Adventure Golf, World of Golf London, Raynes Park, 9 Adult, 7 child
This is an 18-hole golf course with a Dinosaur theme.
15. Walk or cycle at Alice Holt
16. Walk over the roof of the O2, Greenwich
Walk over the roof of the O2, while wearing a safety harness.
17. BFI Imax, Waterloo
For a completely immersive experience at Britain’s largest screen, go to the BFI Imax in London. The BFG and Star Trek Beyond are both showing this Summer.
18. Go Tree Climbing
Climb trees with harnesses and helmets.
Find out more at bigtreeclimbing.co.uk
19. Visit the Gaming exhibition at the Science Museum
There is an exhibition there this year with 160 playable consoles celebrating over 40 years of gaming; Includes Pong, Pacman on Ataris through to Oculus Rift.
20. Go to a Chocolate Workshop
There are 1 hour sessions for kids, and a buy one get one free Timeout special with a copy of Time-Out.
Children can find out how chocolate is made & then decorate their own chocolate.
Streetotel Chocolat School of Chocolate, Covent Garden, 20 for 2 children
21. Bat Walk, Kentish Town, Hampstead Heath, Aug 31st, 7
Take a nature walk to look for bats at night, 8+ years.
Using bat detectors, to see bats in the dark.
22. Kew Gardens, Kew, (14 for adults, 2.50 for under 16s)
Go see the Hive and have fun in the hothouses and walk on the overhead walkway amongst the trees.
There is also open-air theatre including the shows “The wind in the willows” and “The dream fairies”.
23. Watch the Alexandra Palace Pram Ride, Alexandra Palace, North London, Sat Jul 23, Free
There’s also an open-air cinema showing ET, games and crafts, a silent disco, an organ prom, music and street food available.
24. The Strand Gallery Exhibition, FREE, 19th July-18th Aug, 12noon-4pm every Wed
This is an exhibition of film posters, behind the scenes photos and costumes; Giant Games, video booth amongst other things.
Held at 32 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6BP, nr Charing Cross and Embankment stations.
25. V&A Museum of Childhood Summer Festival, FREE, Bethnal Green, Sun Jul 24th
This is a free annual family event with live acts, arts and crafts, games, face-painting, henna and food stalls
26. Visit Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
This summer it will hold 2,200 square metres of beach sand where you can take part in sandcastle competitions, splash in the paddling pool and go on funfair rides.
27. Visit Southbank Centre, 23rd July onwards
At the Southbank Centre there’s the Trash Test Dummies Performances, Clay workshops, and the Appearing Rooms fountain will be back.
That’s it!
All that’s left to say is that I hope you and your loved ones have an amazing, fun-filled Summer.
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