From free playground adventures to community support services — here's everything that won't cost a penny.
Upcoming events with free entry for families
Meet famous resident alpacas Rolo, Toffee and Cookie,, pet cuddly rabbits, and join weekend farm craft clubs . Enjoy Meet and Greet Experiences, getting up close and personal with friendly animals - must be booked in advance
Walk around the ancient palace grounds, discover the historic walled garden, and complete a Tudor leaf hunt along the banks of the Thames.
Explore 11 large-scale contemporary artworks in the English Gardens at The Regent's Park. Frieze Sculpture is a free outdoor exhibition and a relaxed option for families to combine art with time in the park.
Free family workshops and storytelling across half term at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.
Guided autumn nature walks, den building, acorn collecting, and wildlife track identification in ancient woodland near Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge.
Explore haunting history and spooky stories at the iconic fortress during October half-term. Children can spot spectral projections, solve ghostly riddles, and discover medieval secrets.
The world-famous photography exhibition opens its 2026 edition at the Natural History Museum, showcasing 100 stunning images of nature and wildlife. Children can learn about biodiversity, animal behavior, and conservation.
Take part in a craft, singing and storytelling session, especially for families with children under five years old.
Discover vibrant autumn foliage along the River Wandle, build den shelters in the woods, and collect fall leaves for natural crafts at this free National Trust park.
East London's unique immersive play space designed for kids 0-11 to build stories, explore fantasy play structures, and climb through a outdoor story garden.
The UK's national museum of art and design for children in Bethnal Green offers free interactive play galleries, optical illusion games, and weekend maker studios.
Explore 105 acres of urban wetlands in Barnes, observing migrating autumn wildfowl, building mud pies, and following seasonal nature discovery trails.
Tate Modern's free flagship family art programme transforms the Turbine Hall and Clore Studio into an expansive creative playground for kids of all ages.
An interactive, free indoor play space in West India Quay where kids under eight can load cargo ships, drive trains, and build dockland cranes.
Henry VIII's historic palace hosts spooky half-term fun with ghost trails through Tudor corridors and adventure outdoor play in the Magic Garden.
Meet friendly pigs, sheep, goats, and ducks in the heart of East London. Features weekend animal feeding sessions and child-friendly garden trails.
Spot migratory birds, kingfishers, and autumn wildlife across Europe's largest urban wetland reserve with binoculars and guided family trail sheets.
Descend beneath Guildhall Yard to discover London's original Roman Amphitheatre and try on gladiator helmets. A fascinating free historical adventure in the City.
Get creative in outdoor art tents and gallery spaces with hands-on painting, printmaking, and sculpture workshops for children in Dulwich.
Golders Hill Park is a beautiful landscaped park with plenty to see and do all year round for all the family. See fallow deer, ring-tailed lemurs, and exotic birds in Golders Hill Park before exploring colorful autumn gardens and the famous Pergola.
Hunt for life-sized Victorian dinosaur statues around the tidal lake while following a fun audio story guide. An iconic outdoor South London day out.
Free drop-in family play activities every Saturday.
Uncover eerie stories, complete the Halloween garden trail, and meet costumed storytellers in the Art Deco grounds of Eltham Palace. A grand autumn outing in South East London.
The world's longest-running motoring event, free to watch in London.
Free family fireworks in the heart of London, with live stage performances, food stalls and fairground rides. Gates open 3.30pm and the display starts at 6pm.
Free informal sound sessions for families with children aged 0-2.
A popular free bonfire night celebration in central London designed exclusively for children and their families. The park hosts glowing light performances, food stalls, and a child-safe fireworks display.
Songs, rhymes and stories for under-fives and parents or carers.
South London's biggest bonfire night celebration returns to Battersea Park with two nights of spectacular pyrotechnics, light shows, and family fun. Sunday night features a dedicated early family show with child-friendly light installations.
Family-friendly live jazz in the cafe from Trinity Laban alumni.
BORN N BREAD's family dance party with DJ sets, singalongs and feel-good tunes, following Saturday Sessions.
Create imaginative 3D drawings with architectural educators MATT+FIONA.
A huge musical fireworks display with a Mega Diwali show, full-size funfair, inflatable park, world food arena and free entry from 12–3pm.
An architecture-inspired creative workshop in a smaller group and sensory-adapted environment for families who would benefit from the adaptations.
Stories, songs and sensory play for ages 2-5, particularly beneficial to neurodivergent children.
Enjoy festive market stalls, choir singing, Santa's grotto visits, and light switch-on fun in Marylebone Village. A charming neighborhood celebration in Central London.
Majestic glowing 'Spirits of Christmas' light canopy sculptures soar above historic Regent Street, offering a world-class festive visual display for strolling families.
Browse wooden market chalets selling handmade wooden toys, churros, and festive gifts in Kingston's Ancient Market Place. Features live acoustic music and carousel rides.
Kew Gardens transforms into a magical glowing winter wonderland with over one million twinkling lights, illuminated botanical displays, and festive soundscapes. Families can stroll along the light trail, meet Father Christmas, and enjoy seasonal treats.
One of the world's oldest civic pageants features a three-mile procession of marching bands, giant floats, ceremonial carriages, and acrobatics through the City of London. Families can enjoy free street entertainment, museum zones, and river displays.
Take on a designer's creative brief together in Open Studio, using museum objects, materials and tools with help from creative facilitators.
An all-ages afternoon hosted by drag artists, with bingo, songs and games.
Stroll down Elizabeth Street amidst snowy shopfront displays, brass bands, and pony rides during Belgravia's festive launch weekend. A picture-perfect festive start.
A Snow Queen story adventure ending in Santa's grotto.
The Rooms Through Time decked for winters past, present and future.
London's spectacular winter festival opens in mid-November featuring ice skating, magical circus shows, giant observation wheel rides, and Santa Land for younger children.
Children explore museum jobs through activities and roleplay.
Santa's Covent Garden grotto plus festive characters in the galleries.
Gather around London's giant Norwegian spruce tree to hear live choir carols and admire the festive lights in Trafalgar Square. An iconic, free London winter tradition.
A free festive event with over 40 artists and makers, live performances and festive treats..
Outdoor spaces that are always free to visit
London is full of brilliant free playgrounds and outdoor spaces. Use our Playground Finder to discover rated parks and play areas near you.
Join the Mummy.London newsletter for hand-picked activities, classes, events, giveaways and family days out across London.
Charities, community groups and support services for families
Kids Museums & Attractions
Free volunteer-run museum of Barnet's history.
Kids Activities
Free Victorian gardens with a playground, ponds and a cafe.
Kids Activities
Wooded riverside park with a lake, playground and a Jacobean manor house.
Kids Museums & Attractions
One of only four windmills open to the public in Greater London.
Kids Activities
Revamped town-centre park with the River Wandle running through it.
Kids Museums & Attractions
Free museum of Kingston's story, from Saxon kings to the present.
Kids Activities
Community forest visitor centre with trails, play area and tea room.
Kids Museums & Attractions
Free museum at the Bank of England covering the history of money and the Bank, with interactive displays including a gold bar.
Kids Museums & Attractions
Free public rooftop garden and viewing terrace at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street (the Walkie Talkie). Free tickets are booked in advance on the official site.
Kids Activities
Brent Council park in Wembley with free onsite parking.
Kids Activities
Georgian Grade II listed house with public landscaped gardens, ornamental lake and orangery.
Kids Activities
Reservoir and local nature reserve on the Brent/Barnet border, with sailing clubs and birdwatching.
Kids Activities
Formal Grade II listed Victorian park in Harlesden with an aviary, playground and gardens.
Kids Activities
Hilltop Brent park with views across London, duck pond, walled garden, playgrounds and tennis.
Kids Museums & Attractions
Europe's first traditional hand-carved Hindu stone temple, open to visitors of all backgrounds.
Kids Activities
Large lake with sailing clubs, a children's playground and fishing, on the site of the old Crystal Palace reservoir.
Kids Museums & Attractions
Free museum of Croydon's story inside the Croydon Clocktower, open Wednesday to Saturday.
Kids Activities
Carshalton park with natural play features, a dog-free picnic area and artist studios.
Kids Activities
Woodlands, meadow, ponds and gardens for hands-on nature exploring, with a big schools and family events programme.
Kids Activities
60-acre lake with a sandy beach, miniature railway, playgrounds and Ruislip Woods walks.
Kids Museums & Attractions
Harrow's free local history museum in a moated 14th-century manor house.
Kids Activities
12th-century abbey ruins in ancient woodland, with fossil hunting, a play area and year-round walks.
Kids Activities
400 acres of ancient woodland with Foxburrows Farm, a new playground, sculpture trail and a barn cafe.
Kids Activities
Redbridge's biggest country park: lake sailing, rowing and windsurfing, a boulder park, play areas and the Boathouse cafe.
Baby & Toddler Classes
Free weekly story time and rhyme sessions at Greenwich Library for babies and toddlers.
Kids Activities
A hidden nature reserve on the Greenwich Peninsula with ponds, wildflower meadows and free family wildlife activities.
Kids Activities
A free splash pad in a beautiful Bexley park, with water jets and fountains perfect for hot summer days.
Kids Activities
Europe's largest urban wetland nature reserve, offering free family birdwatching trails, seasonal crafts and nature activities.
Kids Activities
A beautifully restored South London park with a wild swimming lake, adventure playground, café and meadows.
Kids Activities
A well-equipped staffed adventure playground offering free after-school and holiday activities for local children.
Kids Activities
A community garden near the Olympic Park offering family volunteering sessions, nature play and seasonal growing activities.
Kids Activities
A free splash park on Southend's seafront with jets, sprinklers and water cannons — a brilliant hot-weather day trip from East London.
Kids Activities
A beautifully designed playground with views of the Thames Barrier, featuring climbing frames, swings and splash play in summer.
Kids Activities
A small, hands-on petting farm in Bromley where children can meet and feed goats, donkeys, chickens and rabbits.
Kids Museums & Attractions
A beautifully quirky university museum housing around 67,000 specimens — from complete skeletons to microscopic creatures preserved in glass jars. Small, child-friendly and completely free. A hidden gem that sparks real curiosity in young minds.
Kids Museums & Attractions
The world-famous modern art gallery on the South Bank offers free family trails, Uniqlo Tate Play and Tate Draw — all designed to engage children with contemporary art in a fun, accessible way. New exhibitions launch regularly. Free entry to main galleries.
Kids Museums & Attractions
One of the most family-friendly free museums in London, with close to 100 aircraft on display across vast hangars. The 4D Theatre and Flight Simulator are huge hits, plus Little Swifts sessions for younger children. Free tickets must be pre-booked online.
Kids Museums & Attractions
Discover ancient civilisations from Greece, Egypt, Persia and beyond with free family trails, school holiday workshops and the world's greatest collection of human history. Museum Explorer Trails and Minecraft Masterpieces make this brilliant for older children.
Kids Museums & Attractions
A powerful and surprisingly family-friendly museum covering World War I and II with human stories at its heart. Free entry, regular storytelling for families, and a Flight Academy activity. The Churchill War Rooms and changing exhibitions add further depth.
Kids Museums & Attractions
The world's largest maritime museum, set in Greenwich with stunning park views. The AHOY! gallery for 0–7s is an immersive soft play with a maritime theme — children can stoke boilers, fire cannons and explore a ship's cabin. Free entry.
Kids Museums & Attractions
A wonderfully eclectic and beloved South London gem with anthropology collections, musical instruments, a butterfly house, aquarium and 16 acres of gardens. Free entry to the museum and gardens, with paid add-ons. Perfect for a whole day with little ones.
Kids Museums & Attractions
An absorbing look at London's river and dock history, housed in a 19th-century warehouse. Mudlarks (£3.50 per person, book ahead) is an award-winning interactive gallery for under-8s with water tables, sensory play and role-play activities. Free entry to main museum.
Kids Museums & Attractions
A reimagined branch of the V&A co-designed with young people, specifically for children and families. Explore design, imagination and play across three floors with sensory areas, sandpits, a storytelling stage and a finger skateboard park. Completely free.
Kids Museums & Attractions
Home to the iconic blue whale skeleton 'Hope', dinosaur galleries and 4.6 billion years of Earth's history. Permanently free with spectacular temporary exhibitions. A classic London family day out that never disappoints.