20 awesome things to do in London with kids: December 2024

Es Devlin: Face to Face, 50 Encounters with Strangers is at Somerset House throughout December. The exhibition consists of a replica of Es Devlin’s south London studio, a new edition of her Congregation installation, and a series of new works. Free.
Philip Colbert: The Battle for Lobsteropolis will be at the Saatchi Gallery throughout December. Expect Colbert’s signature battle scene series, where the lobster battles artificial intelligence in the retro-future world Lobsteropolis, as well as new sculptures. Free.
The Foundling Museum will host Festive Sunday at the Museum on the 1st. Then on the 14th, create a Festive Glow Lantern with Laura X Carle and join other families in a procession through the museum galleries. Paid/Free with paid admission.
Well Done, Mummy Penguin is at the Albany from the 1st-24th. Aimed at ages 3-8, this magical adaptation of Chris Haughton’s newest picture book combines daring acrobatics, integrated sign language and heart-warming humour for the perfect winter treat. Paid.
artsdepot is the place to go for festive theatre this month. The Gruffalo’s Child runs from 3rd December to 5th January and is suited to ages 3+, then from the 12th-31st, The Fir Tree offers a playfully imaginative re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s festive tale for ages 6+. Paid.
Head to RIBA on the 4th for RIBA Baby: Songs and Stories Festive Edition. Turn RIBA into a delicious Gingerbread House, set off on a wintery musical adventure, and play and dance inside an igloo in this festive session combining music, storytelling, and architecture. Free.
There’s lots on for families at Barbican this month, including the return of First Light for babies aged 0-18 months from 5th-19th, and Family Film Club screenings of Stickman + The Gruffalo’s Child on the 7th and Animal Tales of Christmas Magic on the 14th. Paid.
Socks: The Art of Care and Repair by Celia Pym will be at Now from the 6th. The commission will transform the gallery into a creative workshop space, with a vibrant, colourful installation of 488 socks made by primary school children at its centre. Free.
Play Studio: Under-5s Pop-up is running at Tate Britain on the 6th, 13th and 20th. Try on a cape, climb through a tunnel and play peekaboo using artist-designed play items in this mid-week under-5s pop-up designed in collaboration with India Harvey. Free.
Head to Charles Dickens’ House on the 7th and 8th for Animal Tales: Stories from the Raven’s Beak!, an interactive animal story for Christmas told in a special storytelling space by Emily from Dragonfly Tales, and suited for children ages 5+ and their adults. Paid.
Young V&A invites SEND families to explore furniture designer Max Lamb’s tactile library of objects in Sensory Design: Assemble on the 7th. Then, on the 14th, the whole family can make sparkly art in Create! Studio for Families: Shining Celebrations. Free/paid.
There’s lots to choose from at Little Angel this month, including a Cosy Winter Homes workshop for 5-8s from 7th-14th, a Singing Mermaid Festive Gala for families on the 12th and a Singing Mermaid Family Workshop for 3-6s from 15th December to 5th January. Paid.
Marching Orders: Chaotic Christmas will be popping up at the National Army Museum on the 7th, 14th, 19th and 20th. Join a member of gallery staff for a fun-filled family tour and explore some of the festive stories and items in the museum galleries. Free.
Bow Families Special: Print Your Own Seasonal Cards with Katka Krajči will take place at Bow Arts on the 8th. Make your own stamps to work with from scratch, then use a range of festive coloured inks to print your designs onto coloured cards. Free.
British Museum will host Little Feet: Travel the Silk Roads on the 12th. Inspired by the museum’s Silk Roads exhibition, the session will see under-5s and their adults crafting travel packs, grooming camels and horses, and finding ships to sail or caravans to join. Free.
Versailles: Science and Splendour opens at the Science Museum from the 12th. Be transported to the French royal court to discover objects including Louis XV’s rhinoceros, a map of the moon by Jean-Dominique Cassini and Marie Antoinette’s watch. Paid.
Head to V&A on the 14th for Make it: Fashion, where artist Kim Chin will help you design your own fashion prints. Also on the 14th, the museum is will host Sensory Friendly: Design and Draw with Light for visitors with neurodiversity and their families. Paid/free.
Head to the RA with kids of all ages on the 15th for Family Studio: Magic Marks, focusing on ink and wax-resist techniques. Then on the 18th, Early Years Studio: Light and Dark invites under-5s and their adults to experiment with moods, atmospheres and effects. Free.
Mini Morris: Jingle Bells will take place at the William Morris Gallery on the 19th. Children aged 2-5 and their adults are invited to use natural materials and bells to create their own jingly, jangly festive decoration to take home and display. Free.
Discover is hosting a screening of Inside Out 2 on the 21st. Then, from 21st December to 5th January, That’s not my… Winter Craft Activity invites visitors of all ages to make their own festive, sensory characters using a variety of tactile materials. Free with paid admission.