Popular Free Summer Holiday Activities for Kids in London 2026

The six-week summer holidays are here, and if you're staring down weeks of I'm bored with a shrinking budget, you're not alone. This guide rounds up the best free and low-cost summer holiday activities for kids in London, borough by borough, so you can fill the holidays without emptying your wallet.

Where Can I Find Free Splash Parks and Paddling Pools in London?

London has dozens of free splash parks and paddling pools open throughout the summer holidays, and they're one of the easiest ways to keep children cool and entertained without spending a penny. Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens has a pirate ship and sand pit alongside water play. Coram's Fields in Camden and Russell Square Gardens in Bloomsbury both have free paddling pools popular with under-8s. In South London, Brockwell Park in Herne Hill has a lido with reduced family rates, and Battersea Park's Adventure Playground offers shaded areas for hot days. Check your local council website before setting off, as opening times shift with the weather and some pools close for maintenance mid-week.

What Free Events Are Local Libraries Running This Summer?

Every London borough library runs the Summer Reading Challenge, a free scheme that rewards children for reading six books over the holidays with stickers, certificates and a small prize. It runs from late July to early September and is open to children of all reading levels, including pre-readers who can read picture books with a parent. Libraries in Hackney, Islington, Wandsworth and Ealing also host free craft sessions, storytelling mornings and coding clubs for school-age children. It's worth ringing ahead, as popular sessions at branches near tube stations like Highbury and Islington or Clapham Junction fill up quickly during the first fortnight.

Which Museums Offer Free Family Activities in the Holidays?

London's major museums are free to enter and run holiday-specific trails and workshops throughout August. The Natural History Museum in South Kensington has dinosaur trails and half-term explainer talks, while the Science Museum next door runs free daily shows in its Wonderlab-adjacent spaces (though Wonderlab itself carries a charge). The V&A East Storehouse in Stratford has hands-on family activities most weekends. The Horniman Museum in Forest Hill is a South London favourite, combining free galleries with an aquarium and gardens that keep toddlers happy for a full morning. Arrive early in peak weeks, as popular trails can run out of activity sheets by lunchtime.

How Can Families on a Budget Make the Most of the Summer Holidays?

Budgeting for six weeks off school is genuinely tough, and it helps to mix free days with the odd paid treat rather than trying to do everything. Look out for kids-eat-free deals at family-friendly cafes across London, many of which run promotions on weekday lunchtimes when it's quieter. Buggy-friendly venues listed on mummy.london's cafes and venues guide are a good place to start if you want somewhere relaxed to refuel between activities. Borough-run adventure playgrounds are free and often overlooked in favour of paid soft play, and many parks run free holiday sports camps for a taster session before you commit to a paid week.

What Should I Pack for a Day of Free Activities With Young Children?

A little preparation makes free days out far smoother, especially with a toddler or baby in tow.

• Sun protection - hat, SPF50 suncream and a shaded buggy attachment, even on overcast days
• Refillable water bottles - most parks and museums have free water fountains for topping up
• A picnic and snacks - cafes near major attractions get pricey and busy in the holidays
• A change of clothes - essential if a splash park or paddling pool is on the agenda
• A lightweight buggy or carrier - cobbled paths in parks like Greenwich Park are hard going with a heavy pushchair

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Summer Reading Challenge free for all London children? Yes, completely free and open to children in every London borough through their local library. Children simply need a library card, which is also free to register for at any branch.

What age groups do most free London summer activities suit? Most splash parks, library events and museum trails are designed for children aged 2 to 11, though many venues also run baby and toddler sensory sessions. Always check the specific age guidance for workshops, as some coding or craft clubs are aimed at over-7s only.

Do I need to book free summer activities in London in advance? Some library workshops and museum trails require free advance booking, particularly in the first two weeks of the holidays when demand is highest. Splash parks, paddling pools and general park access are almost always drop-in, with no booking needed.

Are there free summer activities specifically for babies and under-2s? Yes, several museums and libraries run baby-specific sensory and rhyme time sessions during the summer holidays, and parks like Coram's Fields have shaded, buggy-friendly areas suited to younger babies. For a fuller list of baby and toddler sessions running through the summer, browse mummy.london's baby and toddler classes directory.

Whatever the weather does this summer, London has plenty to keep the whole family entertained without spending a fortune. Explore mummy.london's full directory of kids activities and parties and entertainers to plan the rest of your six weeks.