I adore farflung travel, but one of the benefits to living in London is that there are so many things to do with kids right here at home. I thought I’d share my list of don’t-miss activities for 2016, based on experiences we’ve had over the years. We choose our outings to appeal to our tween and teen, but the activities listed here are good for children of just about any age.
Leave a comment and let me know what’s top of your list when out and about in London in 2016!
The World of Charles & Ray Eames at the Barbican – GO SOON
You’ll need to go soon to not miss this fantastic show that explores the ideas, designs, inspirations and more of one of the most influential designers of the 20th century. While there is no touching The iconic lounge chair is just the beginning. Until February 14. Read my full review.
East London street art tours
Street art tours are a great way to get kids excited about art — you’re in a cool part of town, led by a hip guide, and seeing accessible works that stretch to size of a billboard. What’s not to love? Alternative London Tours runs award-winning walks and even do street art workshops.
National Gallery Tours – FREE
Lots of galleries have talks and other free events. These are among my favourites. The hour-long tours don’t try to showcase the entire museum. Instead, a gallery lecturer picks 4 or 5 pictures from different centuries, usually around a theme such as subject matter, light, style or similar. You might see highlights from the collection such as Titian’s Bacchus and Ariadne and Seurat’s Bathers at Asnières as well as less well known gems. The time frame is long enough to understand the works and short enough so the “I’m boreds” are kept to a minimum. Go to the 7pm Friday Lates and you can enjoy a drink beforehand. The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Giffords Circus, Chiswick House – BOOK NOW!
For years you could only experience Giffords Circus if you went to the Cotswolds, where they tour in their old-fashioned painted caravans. The costumes, the live music, the amazing circus skills — the fanfare and excitement literally bring tears to my eyes every time we attend. Now for the second year in a row they are coming to Chiswick House, bringing the new western-themed show, The Painted Wagon. While the charismatic owner of the circus, Nell Gifford, has announced the sad news that she is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, her enthusiasm and passion for creating the best circus in the universe (that’s my assessment) is undeniable. Giffords Circus is at Chiswick House 30 June – 18 July, 2016. www.giffordscircus.com Read my review of one of their shows in the Cotswolds.
The Midcentury Modern Shows
Inculcate your children with a love of good design at these shows where you can admire, touch and buy classic and new design everything from American modernism and Scandinavian to European Bauhaus and German industrial. There are 3 shows in London; my favourite is at Dulwich College, held in the stunning Christison Hall. There are carts selling food and parking nearby. Also worth checking out: the Kidsmodern site, which features cool design for the younger set. Read my full review of the Midcentury Modern Show.
Trapeze lessons in Regent’s Park
Swing amid the trees when Gorilla Circus operates their summer lessons from a field in the park. Even if you’ve never flown, during a beginner’s lesson you’ll climb the ladder to swing on the low bar, do a knee hang and eventually a “catch” — swinging out to grab the hands of a trapeze artist hanging from their knees on another bar. Exhilarating, scary, thrilling. www.gorillacircus.com
The South Bank
Visiting the South Bank is great any time of year — eating from the food stands behind the Southbank Centre, attending one of the happenings at the Centre such as the fantastic Festival of Love, strolling the Thames, having a drink during the summertime Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden. You can time your visit to coincide with a show, a play, a performance or fair, or just turn up to see what’s going on.
Sadler’s Wells – BOOK TICKETS
I’ve yet to attend a dance performance at Sadler’s Wells or its affiliated locations that wasn’t absolutely stunning: flamenco, modern, tango, ballet. Most of the productions are kid friendly (you can find age-guidance on the website), but there are some standpoints for families:
- The family weekend on 25-26 March features Tom Dale Company in partnership with MOKO Dance – Digitopia, combining live dance with technology and featuring a “stay and play” workshop afterward (booking essential)
- Youngsters new to ballet will enjoy My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty, which features a narrator to explain the action and an abbreviated version of the classical score. 24 March – 2 April
- Performances of Matthew Bourne’s productions, whenever they are featured. Dazzling, delightful and don’t-miss.
Sadler’s Wells, www.sadlerswells.com
Camden Markets
We took the kids to Camden Markets for the first time over Christmas. You can spend hours just wandering amid the food and fashion stalls, people-watching, checking out hipster eateries like the Cereal Killer Cafe or ChinChin Labs nitro ice cream and feeling inadequately tattooed. Your tweens will feel cool you’ve taken them there. Your teens will try to act like they don’t know know. Let them take a friend. www.camdenmarket.com
Jingle Bell Ball – A CHRISTMAS TREAT
Generally I hate live music gigs unless I’m seated at a small table, somebody is bringing me cocktails and Eartha Kitt is onstage. But JBB (as its referred to) is actually a fantastic showcase. The lineup is rapid-fire hitmakers (Coldplay, Ellie Goulding, David Guetta, Little Mix). The sets are short and punchy. The production values — featuring confetti canons and laser lights — are top-notch. You have to strategise to get tickets, which sell out almost immediately, but this is a concert that’s fun to attend with your kids, with an certifiable under-18s scene. Plus the 02 venue has somehow worked out how to move all those concertgoers out quickly. We were at home in south London 45 minutes after walking out the door. www.capitalfm.com/jingle-bell-ball
What do you think of these outings? Got any London favourites of your own?
I love this list – although we live in London too, and go out and about a lot, the only one we’ve done is the South Bank. A lot – you could spend days down there. Top of my list for 2016 are : Eltham Palace, which has just been refurbished by English Heritage, sounds fascinating AND has a new space-themed playground; wild swimming at Kings Cross Pond, an installation that’s there for the next couple of years and which you need tickets to enter; and visiting the Discover Story Centre in Stratford, post-refurb in the summer when it’s running an interactive Dr Seuss exhibition.
Nell, these are GREAT tips. I hadn’t heard about the wild swimming or the Discover Story Centre. Must check them out!
What a fantastic list – there’s a few I’d love to do when my daughter’s older, and the South Bank is one that’s fantastic for all ages.
Cathy, you should really do Gifford’s Circus. Your daughter would LOVE it.
There really is a lot to do in London with kids! When we visit we always like to walk across Green Park and go see Her Majesty! It’s become a bit of a tradition!
Nadine, what a lovely tradition. It’s always affecting to see Buckingham Palace.
I love the arty themes to these ideas – every time I come to London there us something new to see. I echo your comments about the South Bank – so much to see and no traffic either.
Trish, thanks for the comment. Maybe we’ll rendezvous sometime on the South Bank!
What a great round-up Jen, I love the alternative slant to your guide. As you know we are huge supporters of all the amazing tricks you can get up to with the minis about town 😉 I didn’t know about Giffords Circus at Chiswick House so thanks for the tip. So many things to look forward to this year, hot on my list at the moment is the Ali exhibition at O2 – we’re all massive fans 🙂 And huge YES to the South Bank, all day, any day, any time of year… go! x
High praise, coming from a London expert like yourself, Uju. And of course whenever visitors get hungry, they should have a Big Apple Hot Dog! x
What a great list, thanks! My 7-year old nephew and 4-year niece will be visiting in July/August. Do you have any suggestions for them? Since they will be here for 3 weeks, I am thinking to get them signed up for music/sports/drama…classes too…any idea?
I think they will definitely like the things I’ve suggested here. The museums typically run classes and if they like drama, they can do workshops with outfits like Stagecoach or Theatre Tribe. For older kids, do a Google search for London DJ classes. My daughter’s a bit too young — they’re really for teens — but they look amazing.
Of course summer is also a great festival time, both in and around London. So much to do — they are in for a good time on their visit.
See National Theatre productions being created from the Sherling High Level Walkway at the National Theatre https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/your-visit/sherling-high-level-walkway
What a very cool opportunity — to see productions being put together before they reach the stage. I know my kids would love to do this (as would their parents!).
Thanks! Super list and one I’ll be returning to when we’re planning our next London trip! Cheers.