20 awesome things to do with kids in London: July 2023

Anya Hindmarch’s Ice Cream Project is back on Chelsea’s Pont Street until the 27th of August. Flavours will include KP salted peanuts, McVitie’s Digestives, Warburton’s crumpets, Branston Pickle, Ambrosia custard and even Green Giant petit pois. Paid.
Young V&A reopens on the 1st following a three-year refurbishment. Expect sensory playscapes, an ‘Imagination Playground’, a performance and storytelling stage, a finger skateboard park and an open design studio, plus a Summer Festival from the 8th-9th. Free.
Museum of the Home’s Summer Party takes place on the 1st. Inspired by the classic village fêtes of old, the event will include giant board games, children’s entertainers, an epic bouncy castle, food trucks and opportunities to win big in the prize raffle. Paid.
Anomalous Social Club’s Daytime Disco Summer Series continues on the 1st. Head to the early session with 0-4s for storytelling with Tyan Jones, or the later session with ages 4+ for and yoga and mindfulness with Fred Butler. Both sessions will include a disco. Paid.
National Portrait Gallery is hosting a First Look Family Day on the 1st, featuring creative workshops, storytelling, activity trails. Then on the 31st July-11th August, the Summer Family Festival will include photography, painting, storytelling and crafts. Free.
Japan House will host Exhibition Wave: Currents in Japanese Graphic Arts from the 6th of July to the 22nd of October. The exhibition will showcase the vibrant diversity of Japanese graphic arts, bridging fine art, commercial illustration and counterculture. Free.
Join Michael Morpurgo in conversation with Naomi Wilkinson at the British Library on the 8th. Michael Morpurgo: A Lifetime with Animals is suited to ages 6+ and anyone who loves listening to stories, and accompanies Animals: Art, Science and Sound. Paid.
REPLAY: A Limitless Recycled Playground will be at the Southbank Centre from 8th July-3rd September. Part installation, part adventure playground, REPLAY is built entirely out of waste materials that have been repurposed for fun by The Herd Theatre. Paid.
The brilliant Whitecross Street Party returns for its 13th edition, Art Not War, from the 15th-16th. This family-friendly celebration will feature live street art, lively music and dance performances, stalls and lots more. Free.
British Museum is running an Exhibition Explorer edition of its Little Feet sessions for 0-5s on the 18th. Taking place in the China’s Hidden Century exhibition space, this session will be full of multi-sensory exploration stations for little ones. Free.
The RA’s Young Artists’ Summer Show runs from the 18th July-13th August. Inspired by the Summer Exhibition, the show brings together work by primary and secondary-level students aged 4-19 from across the UK. Free.
Growing Curiousity: The Science of Gardens will be at the Garden Museum from the 19th July-14th September. This hands-on interactive exhibition of children’s book illustrations will introduce budding biologists to DNA, biodiversity, composting and microbes. Free.
Dulwich Picture Gallery will be hosting its Family Festival: Mark Makers on the 22nd. Drawing inspiration from trailblazing Impressionist Berthe Morisot, the festival will include workshops including outdoor painting and capturing the everyday. Paid.
Uniqlo Tate Play: Rasheed Araeen, Zero to Infinity runs from the 22nd July-27th August. The interactive sculpture features 400 colourful cubes that people of all ages can stack, tilt and balance to create new configurations, so there will always be a new way to play. Free.
From the 22nd July-4th August, Ruby Violet’s King’s Cross ice cream truck will be offering 99 99p ice creams every day. Topping will be inspired by the British seaside, and include pairings such as sea salt and sand, and salted chocolate brittle and sprinkles. Paid.
Head to Discover on the 25th and join author James Catchpole and illustrator Karen George as they introduce You’re So Amazing!, a brand new story featuring Joe, who has one leg. The session will include a craft activity with Karen. Included with entry.
Assemble Play will be popping up at the Horniman on the 28th. Explore a wide variety of peculiar and interesting objects which children can play with in any way they choose, including colourful materials, giant blocks, dressing up clothes and much more. Free.
Festival14: Family Fun will be running throughout Canary Wharf from the 28th-30th. Highlights will include a Bach to Baby concert, Big Fish Little Fish, performances from Half Moon, face painting, comedy, art and lots more. Paid/free.
RIBA is running its Family Fun Day: Performing Architecture on the 29th. Taking inspiration from its current exhibition, The Architect Has Left the Building, the day will include workshops themed around design, making and building. Free.
Family Day: Rainbow Storytime for Waltham Forest Pride is at the William Morris Gallery on the 29th. Join the colourful and creative Belle for stories highlighting the beauty of difference and inclusivity. LBGTQIA+ families, friends and allies are welcome. Free.