20 awesome things to do with your little Londoners in June 2022

The RA and Assemble Play join forces from the 1st-5th to host Kings and Queens of the Playground, a series of playworker-led, loose-parts play sessions taking place in Mayfair’s Grosvenor Square and featuring giant blocks, boxes, colourful fabric and lots more. Free.
Head to the Natural History Museum on the 1st for Dippy Tales, a chance to join storyteller Waterhouse the mouse in his quest to learn about the nation’s favourite dinosaur. Take a seat under Dippy the Diplodocus for a short story before the museum opens to visitors. Paid.
From the 1st-3rd, Southbank Centre will host Punk Alley, a theatre show that encourages the whole family to unleash their inner anarchist. Then from the 2nd-4th, be wowed by Party, a funny, anarchic play designed to capture the interest and imagination of kids aged 2-5. Paid.
There’s loads going on for London Festival of Architecture from the 1st-30th. Family-friendly highlights include super-scale building in Act-ivate! with Matt+Fiona at Hackney Bridge, and creating a string installation in Mile of String with Leap then Look – both on the 11th. Free.
Pop down to Kings Cross from the 3rd-5th for a colouring workshop with artist and illustrator Samme Snow. These 30-minute art sessions are designed to allow people of all ages to relax, colour in and get creative on a collaborative, 20m-long roll of paper. Free.
Serpentine Pavilion 2022 will be unveiled from the 10th. This year’s offering, Black Chapel by Theaster Gates, draws inspiration from chapels and the great kilns of Stoke-on-Trent, and will provide a platform for live performances throughout the summer. Free.
London Square Open Gardens Weekend runs from the 11th-12th, offering anyone a chance to explore a host of usually private gardens – many with their own playgrounds. Family friendly highlights include Belgrave Square Park, Thurloe Square and Courtfield Gardens. Paid.
Uniqlo Tate Play: Make Studio – Embellish begins at Tate Modern on the 11th. Create something colourful using cloth, paper and other materials. On Wednesdays, under-5s can explore a special sensory play area, using fabrics to create dens and costumes. Free.
Head to the Francis Crick Institute on the 11th for Discovery Day at the Crick – a festival of pop-up science fun. Kids of all ages are invited to create their own fake-poo experiment, make an apple sing, take the sniff challenge and become a DNA detective for a day. Free.
Dot Collective’s Alice’s Adventures in Aerialand is on at Dulwich Picture Gallery on the 14th. This magical family show has been developed to be accessible for all, including those living with dementia and PMLD, and will be performed in the gallery grounds. Free.
The Horniman is introducing two weekly outdoor sessions from the 15th. For under-3s there’s Outdoor Messy Play, featuring a mud kitchen and simple crafts, while for ages 3+, the Nature Discovery Course for Families will involve nature-inspired crafts and stories. Paid.
The Exhibition Road Festival tates place from the 18th-19th. Family-friendly highlights will include Dino Show at NHM, Imagination Station from the V&A, a chance to get hands-on with bees, and pompom bug making with Imperial College London. Free.
Head to the British Museum for Little Feet: Spring into Summer on the 20th. Expect art and craft activities, and multi-sensory areas exploring the colourful spring and summer seasons. Spot flowers in art, go on the ‘seasons’ trail and make a mini garden to take home. Free.
Mayfair Sculpture Trail will be popping up from the 20th. The new temporary sculptures have yet to be revealed, but the trail will also highlight many of the area’s permanent artworks, including Banksy’s Falling Shopper and two pieces by Antony Gormley. Free.
As part of Refugee Week, Southbank Centre presents Alter – a series of seven interactive, movable sculptures – from the 21st-26th, plus an accompanying Movement workshop on the 25th, when there will also be a chance to Dance with Little Amal. Free.
The RA’s Summer Exhibition returns from the 21st. Inside, expect two rooms of prints selected by Grayson Perry and a structure made of elephant-dung bricks. Outside, a large-scale immersive installation will bring nature and water to the courtyard. Paid.
Summer Lights is back in Canary Wharf from the 21st. Expect a series of outdoor installations that are designed to be enhanced by the play of natural light. Follow the trail then head to Montgomery Square for a game of mini golf on Craig & Karl’s new course. Free.
Sculpture in the City returns from the 21st with 19 new installations. Earthing by Jocelyn McGregor is already on display at Aldgate Square, while Sarah Lucas’s Sandwich has been installed on Bishopsgate. Keep an eye on the website for the final list of artworks. Free.
Maiden Voyage by JeeYoung Lee opens at NOW Gallery from the 23rd. Spend time in the exhibition to contemplate your first memory. Write it down on a piece of origami paper and fold into a swan to add to the collection, which will grow during the exhibition. Free.
National Maritime Museum kicks off its new Safe Harbour series of events for foster and adoptive families on the 25th. Bring a snack or lunch and say hello to other families before taking part in creative activities inspired by the items in the museum. Free.