The Summer School Holidays Activities Guide

Wondering how to keep the kids happy during the summer holidays? Even without venturing abroad, there’s plenty to explore, from child-friendly activities in London to country kids’ clubs, fetes and camping adventures. Here’s a list of summer holiday activities and luxury family experiences to check out with the children this summer in London and across the UK. You never know, you might even enjoy it…

Best Things To Do With Kids In London

David Attenborough’s BBC Earth Experience

Fancy introducing the kids to London’s freshest eco-attraction this summer? This BBC Earth Experience explores the natural world across three breakout zones in a 360° audio-visual journey with narration from David Attenborough. Little ones can learn all about the world’s extraordinary biodiversity across all seven continents and seas – plus, at the end, hear David Attenborough’s top tips to protect our planet. Tickets are £21.50 for adults and £18.50 for children aged 3-15; children under 3 go free.

Details: Ongoing at The Daikin Centre (Empress Place, London SW6 1TT). bbcearthexperience.com

© Jonathan Stewart

Bonpoint Pop-Up At Pan Pacific

Pan Pacific London’s Children’s Afternoon Tea and infinity pool experience is perfect for the whole family, presented in partnership with chic French brand Bonpoint. The tea features sweet treats and finger sandwiches elevated with Bonpoint’s pastel spring palette, while the hotel’s SENSORY floor offers a transformed infinity pool area with deckchairs, parasols and themed pool floats during children’s swim hours. Children aged 6-16 can also enjoy special Bonpoint spa treatments, including The Dreamy Treatment for parent-child duos.

Details: All summer at Pan Pacific London (80 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7AB). Afternoon tea starts from £29 per child, Thursday – Monday from 12.30pm and 4pm; 30-minute children’s spa treatments start from £100. Book at panpacific.com

© John Nguyen/PA Wire

Rooftop Film Club

Thanks to brand new high-tech screens, little ones can enjoy their favourite films in the open air at both of Rooftop Film Club’s venues this summer. Think Ratatouille, Shrek, The Little Mermaid and more. Kids tickets are just £5.95, and there are plenty of food and drink packages on offer if anyone gets peckish.

Details: Daytime screenings all summer at Rooftop Film Club Peckham (Roof A Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST) and Rooftop Film Club East (Great Eastern Road, London E15 1BB). See the full movie listings and book at rooftopfilmclub.com

© National Gallery, London

Summer On The Square

Throughout August, the National Gallery will return with its Summer On The Square programme, bringing free daily creative sessions and activities to the heart of London for all to enjoy.

Details: Throughout August at Trafalgar Square (London WC2N 5DS). nationalgallery.org.uk

© Joshua Atkins

Learn About Electricity At Battersea Power Station

Budding scientist on your hands? Delve into Battersea Power Station’s history and learn how to generate electricity via interactive multimedia displays. Then make it a summer to remember with a trip up the chimney in Lift 109.

Details: All summer at Battersea Power Station (Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London SW11 8AL). Book ahead at lift109.co.uk

Photo by Vitor Monteiro on Unsplash

Harry Potter Bus Tour

On Wednesdays and Sundays throughout the summer holidays, Harry Potter fans can dive into the magic of their favourite books and films through a bus tour around the capital’s key locations from the series. The three-hour coach tour covers shooting locations from all eight films, from King’s Cross Station to the Leaky Cauldron via 12 Grimmauld Place. £32.50 per person.

Details: Wednesdays and Sundays, starting at King’s Cross St Pancras Station. isango.com

Chelsea Physic Garden

Take a trip to London’s oldest botanic garden, Chelsea Physic Garden, for a range of family-friendly activities. Open Sunday to Friday, events are running throughout the summer holidays, from Wild Immersive Theatre to a Chocolate Workshop to making paint with plants.

Details: Events throughout summer at Chelsea Physic Garden (66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS). chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk

GoBoat

Spend the afternoon with the family on a boat on one of the city’s rivers. GoBoat offers private hire for groups of up to eight in Paddington, Kingston and Canary Wharf. The best bit? You can enjoy your on-water experience without harming the environment, as the boats are made from recycled plastic and use electric engines. No boating experience is necessary.

Details: Boat hire from Kingston, Paddington or Canary Wharf. goboat.co.uk

Family Guided Tour © Pete La May

Shakespeare’s Globe

Start them young at The Globe this summer on London’s Bankside. It’s not just plays the kids can enjoy: try an interactive family workshop, head to one of the storytelling events, or embark on a guided tour of the theatre exploring the gritty context Shakespeare worked in.

Details: Shows and tours throughout the summer holidays at Shakespeare’s Globe (21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT). shakespearesglobe.com

Best Things To Do With Kids Across The UK

War Of The Roses LIVE, Warwick

Warwick Castle’s ever-popular mediaeval event is back for its longest run ever. Expect to be immersed in a world of knights, battles and jousting – plus, see huge projectiles, falcons and archers.

Details: Dates throughout the summer holidays at Warwick Castle (Warwick CV34 4QU). Tickets from £22 per person. warwick-castle.com

Circus Skills Workshop, Ledbury

At the foot of the Malvern Hills, Eastnor Castle is surrounded by a beautiful deer park and lake. Enjoy a summer holidays day out there with the woodland play area, Knight’s Maze, ice cream parlour all summer. Or, at the start of August, clown around with Thomas Trilby and join in with interactive circus fun.

Details: 4–8 August at Eastnor Castle (Eastnor, Ledbury HR8 1RN). eastnorcastle.com 

Visit Carlyon Beach, Cornwall

Cornwall is always heaving during the summer holidays – but you can escape the crowds at lesser-known gem Carlyon Beach, perched on the south coast. Head there this summer to explore a collection of local food and drink pop-ups, plus opportunities for kayak hire and kids bootcamps.

Details: Everyday at Saint Austell PL25 3RG. visitcornwall.com 

Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo, Symonds Yat

Opposite Symonds Yat Rock in Herefordshire, the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo is a peaceful attraction where youngsters can explore the tropical world of butterflies. There’s also a hedge maze – great fun for all the family.

Details: Open 10am–5pm everyday at Symonds Yat West, Ross-on-Wye HR9 6DA. butterflyzoo.co.uk 

Family-Friendly Bike Ride

Get outdoors this summer holidays (weather permitting, of course) and explore some of the best routes of the National Cycle Network. Check out our round-up of the best family-friendly bike rides in the UK.

Big Feastival, Chipping Norton

Held on founder and Blur star Alex James’ farm in Kingham, the Big Feastival features a host of big names in family-friendly entertainment. This year’s family friendly line-up features CBeebies’ Justin Fletcher, Paw Patrol and Alice in Aerialand, while adults will enjoy performances from the likes of Rick Astley, Sigrid, The Vaccines and Example.

Details: 23–25 August at Kingham, Chipping Norton OX7 6UJ. thebigfeastival.com

See more family-friendly festivals in our guide

Play Tennis For Free

If the kids are driving you mad and they need to work off some energy this summer, get them started with some tennis lessons. Before you sign up for weekly coaching at your local club, why not give them a go through sporting charity Tennis for Free, which offers free weekly two-hour coaching sessions across England and Scotland for ages three and up.

Details: Throughout summer across the country. tennisforfree.com

© John Cairns

The Story Museum, Oxford

The Story Museum in Oxford makes a lovely trip for the family, with plenty of activities for a range of ages, with multiple events running throughout the summer. Young children aged 0-5, meanwhile, will love the Small Worlds play space.

Details: Open everyday 9.30 am–5.30 pm at 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP. storymuseum.org.uk

Port Lympne

A must-visit for animal-lovers, this Kent-based conservation charity is not your average UK wildlife experience this summer. Whether you opt for a day visit or a short stay, you’ll come face to face with big cats, gorillas, giraffes and many more. If you really want to push the boat out, (and blow their minds in the process) book in for a stay at Tiger Lodge, where tigers play right outside your (very sturdy) windows.

Details: All summer at Aldington Road, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LR. Book ahead at aspinallfoundation.org

Forest Nets at Celtic Manor Resort, Newport

If you want to drag the kids away from their screens during the summer holidays and get them playing outside instead, take a day trip to the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales and check out the Forest Nets, where kids can clamber through the trees bouncing on suspended nets. It is absolutely as fun as it sounds, for the young and young-at-heart alike.

Details: Open throughout the summer holidays at Caerleon, Newport NP18 1HQ. celtic-manor.com