The summer holidays are here, and schoolchildren up and down the country are off for six weeks, with some private schools off for longer. As wonderful as it is to spend special time with your kids, it can be hard to keep them entertained constantly.
If you're looking for some super fun ideas for days out, you've come to the right place. We've compiled a list of some of the best places to take your children and give them a summer they won't forget.
How we chose the best places to go with your kids over the holidays
- Kid-friendly: We've looked for the ultimate kid-friendly activities to do over the school holidays. Whether you're looking for a one-on-one day out with your child or a big family affair, we have the most exciting options kids will love.
- Easy transport: Travelling with kids needs to be hassle-free, all of the options below have parking/and or easy travel links.
- Fun for the grown-ups: All of the options below will be enjoyable for grown-ups or grandparents.
Things to do in London
FRAMELESS
© David ParryLondon has immersive experiences aplenty, but one that is well worth a visit and fun for both adults and children alike is FRAMELESS, located by Marble Arch. If you've not been before, the experience consists of four galleries where paintings by famous artists, from Monet to Van Gogh, are projected across the walls, floor, and ceiling while emotive music plays. Little ones will have the best time gazing up and around at the colourful displays and running around in the spacious rooms, which all makes for fun photo opportunities.
The Colour Monster experience is also on during selected times in the Blank Canvas gallery, bringing to life Anna Llenas' famous picture book that helps children understand, name, and manage their emotions through colour. In the four main galleries, there will also be a playful Easter Art Trail to spot hidden details within the artworks.
For more information and tickets, visit here
Ramses and the Pharaohs' Gold Exhibition at Battersea Power Station
The School holidays are the perfect time to get out of the house and learn something new at a museum, and this Easter, Neon at the Battersea Power Station is hosting an incredibly exciting exhibition where the ancient world of Ramses II is impressively presented.
Children will love the quest the exhibit holds: 180 jaw-dropping treasures waiting to be discovered. Mini-explorers will adore the 'Pharaoh's Quest', a state-of-the-art digital scavenger hunt with hidden clues alongside an interactive adventure through time.
Visitors will be able to devour recreations of moments in history, from the Tomb of Queen Nefertari to the monumental Abu Simbel temples. There are also various crafting competitions, with special Easter prizes up for grabs.
A wonder for adults too, the action-packed exhibition is brimming with artefacts that are on loan from Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.
For more information and tickets, visit here.
Children's Afternoon Tea at The May Fair Hotel
There's just something about the art of afternoon tea - it's a true quintessential activity for all ages.
With that in mind, The May Fair Hotel is offering a fabulous take on the classic British tradition, inviting grown-ups and kids to enjoy an indulgent afternoon together. Served in the establishment's sumptuous May Fair Kitchen, the tea features child-friendly sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and mouth-watering cakes and chocolate treats; a family moment to cherish.
Easy to get to, it's a two-minute walk from Green Park station, with the leafy Hyde Park just a stone's throw away. Combining the thrills of the London skyline with decadent cake could just be the best combination for adults and children.
With helpful, friendly staff who are attentive and kind, it's a dreamy day out for all.
Available Thursday to Sunday from 12:30 pm to 4 pm. For more information and to book, visit here.
The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace
© Sam MellishIf your kids love horses, pageantry, and all things royal, then the Royal Mews is the place to be! Here, you can see real working horses, step inside a royal carriage, and even try dressing up as a coachman. The highlight is the dazzling Gold State Coach. Families can also watch the staff care for the horses and learn how royal transport really works.
This Easter, the Royal Mews is hosting a self-guided Easter trail which is included in your admission. There will also be drop-in arts and crafts activities, like painting Easter eggs, in the Livery Room on selected dates. Don't forget - under-5s go free, and the family pass means you can come back all year long!
For more information and tickets, visit here
Canada Water's 'Round The Dock'
The summer holidays can be a hugely expensive time for parents, which is why finding a free event is always a welcome discovery. Canada Water's 'Round The Dock' has music, markets, entertainment, and culture by the water, and it won't cost you a penny.
Alongside incredible live music is a whole host of family fun, from kids' workshops to outdoor movie screenings, which are all completely free of charge.
For more details on planning your visit, visit here.
The Paddington Bear Experience
© Alex BrennerEveryone loves Paddington Bear, and this immersive experience, which is located along London's lively Southbank, is ideal if your little one is a big fan. The interactive tour takes you on a trail of all of Paddington's most famous haunts: Mrs Bird's kitchen, deepest, darkest Peru and, of course, Mr Gruber's shop.
Every lasting detail is remembered and celebrated; the décor is fantastic, there are lots of activities for the kids to enjoy, and you can even meet Paddington himself and have a picture with the Marmalade-loving bear. It ends with a stroll down a real-life Windsor Gardens, which is exactly like the film and majorly nostalgic.
For more information and tickets, visit here
An unforgettable trip to the West End
© Manuel HarlanThere are too many shows on the West End to count, but Matilda is easily one of every kid's favourites. It's fun, it's entertaining, it's magical… The 2-hour 35-minute run time flies by!
If you have children who love watching the film at home, then don't hesitate to take them to the West End. It is sure to be an unforgettable trip that will have them talking about it for weeks after.
For more information and tickets, visit here
Paradox Museum London
The Paradox Museum London contains a plethora of paradoxes, yet one aspect isn't paradoxical: if you take your kids there, it is completely logical that they will have a great time. Nestled in Knightsbridge between two high-rise buildings and opposite Harrods, the museum starts as it means to go on even before you get in, with an infinity-mirrored entrance hall allowing queuers to enjoy their reflections many times over.
Once inside, the exhibits range from the small to the spectacular. One favourite is the Underground paradox, which allows participants to be photographed as though upside down in a Tube station. Another crowd-pleaser is the kaleidoscope paradox, where you can insert your face into a kaleidoscopic image.
All in all, if you're in London this summer and looking for a way to kill a couple of hours, then the Paradox Museum is well worth a visit.
For more information and tickets, visit here
Babylon Park
Located in Camden, Babylon Park is an indoor theme park with two floors of fun for all ages. From the thrilling drop tower to the gentle bumper cars, there's something for everyone. The indoor rollercoaster, a highlight for many, takes riders through a starry landscape full of twists, turns, chills, and chuckles. For those who prefer virtual reality, cutting-edge VR experiences offer otherworldly adventures that feel as real as they are fantastic.
Babylon Park is the perfect place for a school holiday outing. Kids can burn off energy in a safe and exhilarating environment, while adults can unleash their inner child.
For more information and tickets, visit here
The London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum is a must-see for inquisitive young minds. Tucked away in Covent Garden, a stone's throw from the station, it is brimming with the most fascinating installations and takes you on a real deep dive into travel throughout the years, presented interestingly and engagingly.
There are huge double-decker buses to climb aboard, old-style tube carriages to experience, plus two dedicated play zones for the under-fives.
As with many other London museums and attractions, your ticket is instantly converted into an annual pass, meaning you can come back an unlimited number of times throughout the year.
For more information and tickets, visit here
ABBA Voyage
If you're looking for a concert with a difference this Easter, then ABBA Voyage is just the ticket. Fans of the Swedish band will love seeing the incredible lifelike avatars of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad perform on stage in their very own purpose-built ABBA Arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
The pop group – famed for its hits including Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia – will have the whole family entertained and singing along. We recommend the dancefloor tickets for kids – there will be more flexibility and space to move around – while for grown-ups it may be as close to feeling like you're having a night out again.
Since it opened in 2022, over three million visitors have flocked to the East London venue, and it's easy to see why!
To book tickets, click here.
Family-Friendly hotel stays
Kids eat free at The Londoner
Getting away for a few days in the capital can become a treasured family tradition that children look forward to eagerly during school holidays. A home from home with a luxurious twist, The Londoner Hotel sits quietly in Leicester Square, a short walk from many landmark attractions. As the UK's first super-boutique hotel, there's a plethora of stylish yet family-friendly rooms with incredible views that kids will love.
When enjoying a meal in the hotel's leading restaurant, Whitcomb's, children under 12 eat free from the dedicated kids' menu when adults order two à la carte courses. The menu boasts a delicious array of relaxed Mediterranean dishes alongside meals such as fish and chips and homemade tomato pasta for choosy eaters.
Nothing personifies British cuisine like a mighty roast dinner, and Whitcomb's offers a mouth-watering, child-friendly Sunday Roast, including a fabulous activity and puzzle book - a helpful addition to any family meal.
Children will feel special and cared for with a selection of well-thought-out amenities, from baby cots to bathrobes. A highlight is the Retreat, a stunning wellness sanctuary that features a glorious swimming pool, surrounded by sumptuous cabanas, nestled in cosy yet chic partitions. Little ones can splash and play contentedly, and adults can take turns to enjoy the fully-equipped gym, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment or sip on a nourishing smoothie from Refuel, the on-site snack bar.
For more information and to book, visit here.
The 'Science Family Suite' at The Ampersand Hotel
Themed hotel rooms can have a certain gimmicky connotation surrounding them, often designed in bold, zany colours accompanied by a selection of jarring accessories. However, The Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington totally quashes this notion, housing the most fabulous child-friendly hotel room that's aimed at kids who are entranced with the wonderful world of Space.
© Amy MurrellThe 'Science Family Suite' is both stylish and enchanting. Sleeping up to four guests, this subtle, spacious room features a myriad of soothing etchings of planets on the walls, a pop-up galaxy-printed tent, a huge range of learning books and toys, as well as a roomy bunk bed in the shape of a rocket blasting into orbit. Hours of fun await, and the custom-made, interactive countdown game makes for an amazing sensory activity. This celestial haven features an adjoining master bedroom for adults, which is elegant but still in keeping with the astronautic vibe - children will love the miniature connecting door that's designed with kids in mind.
© Amy MurrellThere's a chic en suite bathroom featuring a bath-and-shower combination, stocked with Malin + Goetz amenities, and a delivery of hot chocolate for younger guests, complete with marshmallows and toppings that are out of this world.
A short walk from one of London's best-loved attractions, the Science Museum, it's the perfect accompanying day out.
For more information and to book, visit here.
Things to do near London
Audley End Enchanted Railway
If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise… Well, maybe not a teddy bears’ picnic but something equally as wonderful: a spellbinding railway ride passing more fantastic beasts than even JK Rowling could conjure up, culminating in a delightful, interactive performance where passengers help Cristabelle the Wishing Fairy and cheeky elf Orin with a task of the utmost importance in the magical world.
The railway is the centrepiece, but there is so much more to do at Audley End’s summer spectacular which can be accessed from London in just under an hour. As a lifelong lover of rivers, my favourite activity was a chauffeured punt along on the River Pant, which was so serene I did well not to drift off into a magical world of my own.
In between your locomotive and water-based adventures, be sure to take the little ones to get their faces painted which, unlike at many mainstream festivals, is all part of the admission price. My daughter, in keeping with the task she undertook to help Cristabelle (not to give away too much of a spoiler), chose to be transformed into a dragon. Luckily, given the forest setting and the presence of a magnificent wooden playground, the transformation didn’t involve her breathing actual fire.
For kids who aren’t just content spending hours going up and down slides, there are lots more fun things to do at the festival, including den building, magic mirrors and a mini "Railway Racer” track on which I witnessed some truly abysmal driving (think dodgems, not go-karts!).
You would also be remiss not to see the hourly show at the stage tent. We saw a performance from an eccentric professor, and while I ended up relieved not to be one of the grown-ups the haphazard academic corralled onto the stage, I was extremely grateful we chose to make the trip to Audley End for what was a memorable summer’s day out. You have until August 31 to do so too.
For more information and tickets, visit here.
Chessington World of Adventures
© Chris Read-Jones PhotographyOne of the closest theme parks to London (a 35-minute direct train from London Waterloo to Chessington) is Chessington World of Adventures, which is the perfect day out for families with children of any age. While older kids will get the most out of a visit (cue: Vampire roller-coaster), there's enough to keep even the smallest of adventurers entertained with the classic water rides, spinning boats, and flying elephants. Pre-schoolers will particularly enjoy the Gruffalo River Ride Adventure (a gentle but mesmerising ride down the river meeting famous characters from the book), and the Room on The Broom - A Magical Journey walkthrough, interactive experience. The tiniest adventurers under 90cm tall go free, and there's still plenty for them to get stuck into, such as the Dragon's Playhouse soft play zone, or the Jungle Rangers safari ride where they'll feel like they're driving their own truck.
What makes Chessington stand out from any other theme park is the attached zoo, Wanyama Village and Reserve, and SEA LIFE aquarium. Gorillas, giraffes, monkeys, sea lions, reindeer, and zebras are just some of the animals you can encounter in the resort. Over the school holidays until 12 April, the Easter Bunny will also be popping up at the resort, promising fun photo opportunities for the family.
And if you're wanting to extend your stay, then consider a sleepover at the Safari or Azteca Resort Hotels on site. There are standard and themed rooms aplenty, such as the Gruffalo room or the Room on the Broom room. But the newest offering are the five incredible PAW Patrol rooms (pictured) which feature a PAW Patroller-themed bunkbed, a control panel in the style of the iconic Lookout Tower complete with a periscope, and pictures of the lovable pups all splashed around the room, even the bathroom. Included in your sleepover stay is a 2pm early check in, complimentary access to the Savannah Splash Pool which is great for little ones, plus cooked breakfast and early access to the theme park the following day (9 to 10am, a full hour before general admission starts). Note, you still have to buy tickets to the theme park as part of your booking, which start from £29 per person.
This spring, the resort is also opening its dedicated PAW Patrol zone, which will include four pup-tastic rides and special meet and greets with the characters, although the exact opening date has yet to be announced.
For more information and tickets, visit here
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
© LegolandYou'd be hard-pressed to find a child who doesn't adore Lego - and what better place to visit than the legendary LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort? A relatively short drive from London, the theme park is easily accessible and is ready to welcome families with its vast car park.
This Easter, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort is offering specially priced short-break stays starting from £122 per person, which includes entry to the theme park, an overnight stay, plus breakfast the following morning. Other benefits include early park access and a free gift in your room for each child.
Our writers have visited the main Resort Hotel as well as the Woodland Village, so check out their reviews before you book.
If you can't make it to LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, LEGO stores across the UK are hosting free activities from 27 March to 4 April, including Easter egg hunts on shop floors, and LEGO building sessions where little ones will be taught how to make an Easter egg.
For more information and tickets, visit here
Leeds Castle
An hour from London sits the glorious Leeds Castle. An iconic establishment, it houses a 12th-century Norman castle with a surrounding moat that last belonged to Lady Baillie in the early 20th century.
© CHRIS LACEYThere's so much for children to do, from playing for hours in the wooden adventure playground to exploring the stunning maze and having a round of crazy golf. Not to be missed is the enormous sandpit - it's one of the biggest I've seen.
© Leeds CastleThe Little People, BIG DREAMS books are a huge hit with children, and until 31 August, there's an action-packed trail for kids to follow, featuring some of the world's most extraordinary women, including scientists, athletes, artists, activists, and leaders. Every stop on the trail pays homage to a plethora of inspiring women, from the late Queen Elizabeth II to Taylor Swift.
For more information and tickets, visit here.
Mannington
Just under two hours from London is one of Norfolk's most undiscovered gems - Mannington. The 500-year-old estate sits in the heart of the English countryside and is deliciously picturesque.
© ManningtonChildren love to be outdoors, and this stunning location is an ideal break from screens. There's an abundance of wildlife to be discovered, with easy paths to lakes, meadows and boardwalks that invite children to immerse themselves and enjoy nature at their leisure. A highlight is its natural play structure - kids can climb and clamber to their hearts' content, as well as enjoy a spot of croquet, giant Jenga, and giant Connect Four on the vast lawns.
For more information, visit here.
