Free Things to Do in London this summer with the kids!
Who doesn’t love a freebie? If you’re on the hunt for awesome ways to keep the kids and family smiling (without spending a penny), you’re in the right place! LittleBird has rounded up loads of fun, free, and totally fabulous things to do together across London this summer—get ready for adventure, laughter, and zero price tags!
Outdoor Parks & Nature Reserves
Hyde Park: Enjoy the Serpentine fountains and paddling pool, plus the Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens—ideal for splash play and picnics
Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill: Explore playgrounds, boating lake, the stunning Queen Mary’s Rose Garden (12,000+ roses) and wildflower areas
Crystal Palace Park Dinosaurs: Wander among historic Victorian dinosaur sculptures, plus a nature trail and playgrounds
Gunnersbury Triangle: This urban woodland offers guided wildlife walks and pond dipping—perfect for nature-loving kids
Camley Street Natural Park (King’s Cross): A free reserve with pond-dipping sessions and wildlife watching
Greenwich Park: Check out the newly returned deer herd, the natural playground, and stunning views of London
St James’s Park & pelicans – Visit the park’s sand-play area and catch the famous daily pelican feeding around 2:30–3 pm
Richmond Park – Spot wild deer and enjoy the Petersham Gate playground—a perfect spot for a picnic
Hampstead Heath – Swim in the ponds, hike to Parliament Hill for sweeping views, and explore the woodlands .
Sky Garden – Visit this 500 ft-high indoor garden for free panoramic city views and vibrant greenery
Free play zones
Coram’s Fields – Bloomsbury is a unique, secure 7 acre playground and park in central London where only adults accompanied by children can enter, offering adventure play equipment, sandpits, a paddling pool, sports pitches, and a small urban farm
Holland Park Adventure Playground – surrounded by woodlands, this is a local gem with zip line, high climbing structures, tunnels and more! Great for ages 5-12.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – Head to Tumbling bay with sand pits, rock pools, treehouses and rope bridge
House of Vans Skate Sessions – Free skateboarding and BMX sessions beneath Waterloo Station (with ticket; equipment provided for Skate Skool)
Greenwich Park Playground – Natural wood play equipment, water feature and accessible design with a nearby deer enclosure and panoramic London views
Victoria Park Playgrounds, Tower Hamlets – Two large play zones plus a splash pad! Enjoy tall slides, rope climbing frames, giant sand pits and climbing walls.
Battersea Park Adventure Playground – Adventure structures galore with Rope Bridges, towers, giant slides and Go Ape (paid) nearby too
Paddington Recreation Ground, Maida Vale – lesser known but well-equipped with climbing nets, large playgframes, zip wire and a toddlers’ zone with sensory play
Archbishop’s Park, Lambeth – compact but great fun with zip lines, trampolines, sand and water play plus mural art and open fields
Free Art Trails & Outdoor Festivals
Sculpture in the City (City of London): Annual open-air exhibition with works by big-name artists—great for a self-guided art adventure
The Line: Walkable art trail between Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The O₂, featuring major sculptures
Morph’s Epic Art Adventure – A giant interactive trail of 6 ft “Morph” sculptures around London landmarks (St Paul’s, Borough Market, Tate Modern), running until 20 Aug—great for kids to spot and learn
Canary Wharf Art Trail & Minigolf: Explore 100+ public artworks and enjoy a free 9-hole mini‑golf course in Montgomery Square
Southbank Centre & London Wonderground: Free family workshops, stories, rooftop events, mini‑beach and street performances along the Thames
Kensington and Chelsea Art Week – Explore temporary family-friendly outdoor installations throughout Kensington from 22 Jun–2 Jul, with guided art bus tours
Free Wimbledon Screenings – Catch all the tennis action for free at Canary Wharf, Covent Garden, Portman Square from 1–14 Jul
The Artist’s Garden – A rooftop open-air art space by Temple Station showcasing contemporary installations
Tusk Turtle Trail – A summer sculpture hunt around Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, Carnaby, featuring 16 colourful turtle artworks
Lord Mayor’s Balloon Regatta – See up to 50 hot-air balloons take off from Battersea Park on one of the dates 7, 21, or 28 Jul
Free Summer Festivals & Events
Greenwich + Docklands International Festival: Nine days of free theatre, dance and circus performances across East London and Greenwich
Notting Hill Carnival – Children’s Day (August Bank Holiday Sunday): Family-friendly parade and activities
Summer Splash at Royal Victoria Dock: Free urban lido with paddling zones, sandpits, deckchairs, storytelling and workshops (mid‑August)
Summer by the River – Free outdoor family entertainment between London Bridge and Tower Bridge with film screenings and shows
Regent’s Park Free Music Festival – Live jazz and orchestral concerts in Regent’s Park during summer afternoons
Museums & Things to do
Young V&A (formerly Museum of Childhood): Interactive galleries with play zones, storytelling, design workshops—perfect all weather
National Gallery: Summer on the Square: Free art-based storytelling and creative workshops in Trafalgar Square throughout summer
Trafalgar Square & Fourth Plinth: Iconic public square with dynamic installations and live street performers
Barbican Conservatory & “Our Street”: Free tropical plant conservatory, plus family art games and street-style events at the Barbican
Garden Museum: Explore the Nancy Cadogan: The Lost Trees exhibition
Workshops and learning
British Library family events – Free storytelling, play and creative workshops on the last Sunday of the month
Apple Store creative sessions – Free coding, digital art, comic‑making and photography workshops across multiple London stores
Family SEND Art Workshops at Autograph (Hackney): Inclusive, sensory art sessions for families with children with additional needs (book a free slot)—hands-on creative play with texture, light, sculpture, and more
Craft School at the Crafts Council Gallery (Islington): Free playful workshops running 9 Jul–3 Sep, where kids can explore clay, textiles, papercraft, printing and collage in a gallery setting
Free Farms and Wildlife
Hackney City Farm – Meet alpacas, sheep, chickens and explore community gardens; free entry and family workshops Sun; meet alpacas Ben, Jerry, Tom and enjoy herb gardens and ecology trails
Camley Street Natural Park – Pond dipping, wildlife watching and urban nature trails in King’s Cross
Spitalfields City Farm, near Brick Lane – With cows, donkeys, chickens, goats and guinea pigs, this friendly and interactive farm is great for small children.
Kentish Town City Farm, Camden – London’s first City Farm with pigs, goats, horses, chickens – plus a riding arena.
Surrey Docks Farm, Rotherhithe – A riverside farm with sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, bees, an orchard, herb garden and lovely views of The Thames
Stepney City Farm, Stepney Green – Hands-on animal care activities, rabbits, goats and ferrets, blacksmithing demos and veg gardens and a popular cafe with farm produce.
Mudchute Farm, Isle of Dogs – One of the UK’s largest urban farms with 32 acres including horses, sheep, cows, alpacas, pigs, ducks, nature trails, picnic spots and a petting area.
Special Summer Pop‑Ups
LEGO Play Pavilion (Kensington Gardens): Interactive build zone by the Serpentine, open now until August 10
Great Exhibition Road Festival (South Kensington): Free science + art workshops at NHM, Science Museum & V&A on June 7–8
Kids’ Week West End Theatre: Free ticket for a child under 17 with a paying adult from mid‑June into summer
LittleBird Top Tips!
- Bring swimwear to parks/playgrounds with water zones (Serpentine fountains, Diana playground, Royal Dock Splash).
- Plan ahead: Some events (e.g. Kids’ Week) require early booking.
- Check local council programmes—they often offer free craft/sports sessions in local parks
- Pack a picnic for full park days and free concerts (Regent’s Park, Southbank).
- Check exact dates—many events run on set weekends or specific dates.
- Arrive early—festivals in public squares fill up fast!
- Bring basics—water, snacks, blankets, sun protection.
With so many free activities—art trails, splash zones, festivals, museums, nature parks—you’ll have a fantastic, budget-friendly summer with the kids in London!
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Tag us in your adventures and we’d love to hear from you if you visit and enjoy any of the above!
Happy adventures
The LittleBird Team ❤️ xo
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All prices, dates, events and venues and everything else (!) correct at time of publishing but may be subject to change!