8 Free Things To Do With The Kids This Summer
Who said you can’t have fun without spending a dime? London might be notorious for its steep prices, but there are some great gems out there that cost little to no money. We’ve rounded up the 8 best things to do in the capital right now that are absolutely free, from big screens to exhibitions to know about.
Everyman on the Canal
King’s Cross has become something of a summer staple for free family fun, and this year’s headline act is Everyman on the Canal, returning to Granary Square for another season of open-air cinema by the water. Best of all, it’s walk-in only, so there’s no ticket to book and no faff.
Pack a picnic or treat the kids to a sundae from Everyman’s Dream Ice Cream van, and you’ve got yourself a full evening out without spending a fortune.
Where: Granary Square, London N1C 4PW
Website: www.everymancinema.com
Columbia Road Flower Market
There’s nowhere quite like Columbia Road on a Sunday morning. The narrow Victorian street transforms into a riot of colour and scent as stallholders bellow out their bunches of sunflowers, peonies and everything in between.
Arrive early to beat the crowds and grab the best blooms, then dip into the independent boutiques and vintage shops that line the street for a proper East End morning out. Grab a coffee and a pastry from one of the nearby cafés and make a day of it in Bethnal Green.
Where: Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG
website: www.columbiaroad.com
Kids eat free at Tower Bridge Collective
Summer holiday lunches just got a lot cheaper. Tower Bridge Collective, the buzzy food hall serving up everything from tacos to fried chicken, is letting kids aged 10 and under eat completely free throughout the six-week summer break, so you can feed the whole family without wincing at the bill.
It’s a brilliant option for those with fussy eaters and adventurous ones alike, with enough variety across the stalls that everyone gets exactly what they fancy. Simply buy an adult meal and the little one’s dish is on the house, no vouchers or faff required.
Where: 1 Shad Thames, Horselydown Ln, London SE1 2LJ
Website: www.towerbridgecollective.com
¡Frida Icónica! on Carnaby Street
Carnaby Street has had a colourful makeover this summer, with hundreds of handcrafted papel picado flags fluttering overhead as part of ¡Frida Icónica!, a vibrant tribute to Frida Kahlo created in collaboration with Tate Modern.
Wander the length of the street, and you’ll be led towards a striking anamorphic portrait of the artist, a brilliant photo opportunity for the whole family and a fun, free way to introduce younger visitors to one of the world’s most iconic painters.
Where: W1F 9PS
Website: www.carnabystreet.com
Kids play free at Immersive Gamebox
Rainy day plans sorted. To celebrate the new PAW Patrol Dino movie, Immersive Gamebox is giving kids a free ticket with every paying adult throughout August, so little ones can join Chase, Skye, Marshall and the rest of the gang on a mission-packed adventure.
PAW Patrol: New Recruits sees families work together to complete interactive challenges as a team, making it a brilliant option for younger fans who want to feel like part of the pack for an hour. It’s indoors, it’s active, and it’s a lot cheaper than the average day out. Just be sure to head down before 5pm on a weekday to claim the offer.
Where: Arch 3, 83 Scoresby St, London SE1 0XN
Website: www.gamebox.com
Free Araw ice lollies at King’s Cross
Squeeze in one last day out before the school holidays end. This Bank Holiday Saturday, King’s Cross is giving away 100 free Araw ice lollies, sculptural creations inspired by local landmarks, on a first-come, first-served basis.
It’s the perfect excuse to spend a day exploring the neighbourhood’s playful summer programme, headlined by Playframe, a giant climbable installation that doubles as a sculpture, playground and viewing platform for kids to scramble over and see the city from new heights. Round it off with a wander through Coal Drops Yard, a splash in the fountains at Granary Square, and a catch of whatever’s showing at Everyman on the Canal for a proper end-of-summer send-off.
Where: King’s Cross
Website: www.kingscross.com
Visit Young V&A
Bethnal Green’s Young V&A is the museum built entirely with kids in mind, and it’s free to wander in and explore. It’s packed with spaces designed to spark imagination, from playful galleries to hands-on design activities that keep little hands busy for hours.
Right now, families can catch Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends, a behind-the-scenes look at the stop-motion animation that brought Wallace, Gromit and the whole gang to life. There’s plenty going on beyond the exhibitions too, with drop-in Summer Story Saturdays and Summer Family Fridays running throughout August, keeping the school holidays firmly covered.
Where: Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA
Website: www.vanda.com
The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground
Sitting right next to Kensington Palace, this beloved playground has just reopened after a £ 3 million renewal, and it’s better than ever. Free to enter and inspired by the stories of Peter Pan, it’s a wonderland for kids.
The star of the show is a brand new 17-metre pirate galleon moored on a sandy beach, complete with crow’s nests to climb, a tunnel slide to brave, and a play kitchen hidden below deck. Little ones can also scale the towers of the new Treehouse, splash about in the waterplay area, or dig in at the redesigned sandpit for younger children. It’s magical, it’s free, and it’s exactly the kind of place kids don’t want to leave.
Where: Kensington Gardens, Broad Walk, London W2 4RU
Website: www.royalparks.com
