Unlock the Ultimate Guide: 43 FREE and FUN Things to Do in London with Kids This May

Check out this in-depth guide showcasing over 30 FREE and fun activities for kids in London this May , with options for the May half term included. Remember to share this valuable resource with your friends, family, school communities, and on Facebook groups.

If you receive specific benefits such as Universal Credit, you may want to explore our blog post. It provides information on accessing significantly discounted tickets for various attractions, including London Zoo and the London Transport Museum.

If you’re looking for places where kids eat FREE/£1 then check out this post.

1. Build a LEGO® Star Wars™ Darth Vader™ and Princess Leia™ and take them home with you!

Join the special LEGO® Star Wars™ building event featuring Darth Vader™ and Princess Leia™ on May 4th and 5th! Create these iconic characters at your local LEGO store from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on May 4th and from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM on May 5th. Due to the popularity of Star Wars, expect long queues, especially as this event is free. To secure your spot, it’s recommended to arrive early. Find your nearest LEGO store here.

2. Sound Explorers – Young V&A

Head to Young V&A in Bethnal Green for a lovely free event tailored for little ones! This informal session invites you and your child to explore the museum display through sound and music, allowing for listening, play, and creativity. Sessions occur on Fridays during term-time at 10:30 AM and last for 40 minutes. Due to limited spaces, attendance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Find more information here.

Address: Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA – Bethnal Green is the nearest station.

3. Little Feet, Life In The Fort – The British Library

Explore the British Museum this May with a free event designed for under 5s! Join other young children and their caregivers to discover what life was like for Roman soldiers through engaging multi-sensory activities. This session will inspire imagination, encourage creative exploration, and involve artwork suitable for all. Feel free to drop in anytime between 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM. For further details, click here.

Address: 96 Euston Rd., London NW1 2DB. Kings Cross is the nearest station.

4. Uniqlo Tate Play Holiday Make Studio: Kinetic

Head to Tate Modern this half term! This May Half Term, you and your kids can transform the South Tank into a playground for your moving masterpieces. Explore a variety of squishy stuff, sturdy objects, and interesting bits and bobs to unleash your creativity. Work together to craft hanging sculptures that sway, swing, and swirl with tactile and visual appeal. Find more info here and book the relaxed hour here.

Address: Millbank London SW1P 4RG. The nearest station is Vauxhall.

5. Tots At The Dock – Museum of London Docklands

Visit the Museum of London Docklands for FREE monthly play sessions inspired by the rich history of London’s Docklands. Discover more information here.

Address: No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL. Canary Wharf and West India Quay are nearby stations.

6. Free fun at the Garden Museum

Visit the Garden Museum this May for a range of free events, from kids creating their own artwork to storytelling sessions. Check out this link to see what’s available, including activities that require pre-booking and those that are drop-in.

Address: 5 Lambeth Palace Rd, London SE1 7LB. Vauxhall is the nearest station.

7. Visit the Apple Store

Discover free and entertaining activities for kids in London at Apple’s workshops, where you can create your own emoji, code your first app, or compose a theme song. While these workshops are entirely free, remember to secure your spot by booking in advance.

The diverse London locations, including Battersea Power Station, Regent Street, Brompton Road, White City, Brent Cross, Stratford City, Bromley, Regent Street, Bentalls Centre, and Covent Garden, offer convenient options. For more details and to book a session, check the provided link.

Address: multiple locations

8. Virgin Media Gamepad at The O2

Located at The O2 in London, Gamepad offers the finest in the gaming world. It’s open to everyone for free, but if you’re an O2/Virgin Media customer, you can secure a spot through the O2 Priority app. Additional details can be found here.

Address: Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX. The nearest station is North Greenwich.

9. Art In The Docks

Every Saturday morning, your children can join a free art class. It’s free to join, suitable for all ages, and all materials and equipment will be provided. Please note that there is a maximum capacity of 30 for this event, and it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The class runs from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and is ongoing. Find more information here.

Address: 25 Shackleton Way, London, E16 2XJ. Gallions Reach is the nearest station.

10. Dawnosaurs: Relaxed Morning Visit – Natural History Museum

At the South Kensington branch of the Natural History Museum, neurodivergent children and their families can embark on exclusive early access tours and participate in themed activities, taking place on Saturday, May 18th, from 8:00 to 10:00 am. Book here.

Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD. The nearest station is South Kensington.

11. Little Swifts – RAF Museum

The RAF museum offers frequent, FREE engaging sessions tailored for preschoolers (ages 2-5), featuring arts and crafts, games, stories, and songs. Reserve your spot ahead of time here. Book here.

Address: Grahame Park Way, London NW9 5LL. The nearest station is Colindale.

12. Polka Theatre

The Polka Theatre not only presents fantastic paid shows throughout the year but also offers a café and both indoor and outdoor play areas that are open to everyone, free of charge. Find the opening times here.

Address: Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB. Wimbledon and South Wimbledon stations are both a short walk away.

13. FREE Paddlesport

Experience paddlesport for FREE! Designed for young Londoners aged 8 to 17, these sessions run every Sunday from February 4 to October 27, 2024, 2pm to 3.30pm, even during school holidays. Perfect for beginners, with a maximum of 16 spaces per session. Be sure to pre-book! Led by a skilled British Canoeing instructor team at The Pirate Castle, Gilbey’s Wharf, Oval Road, London. Contact info@thepiratecastle.org or call 020 7267 6605 for details and to reserve your spot.

14. Free family activities at museum of the Order of St John

A range of free activities for kids of all ages. Take a look here.

Address: Museum of the Order of St John, St John’s Gate 26 St John’s Lane London EC1M 4DA.

15. Paws on the Wharf – Canary Wharf

Explore this exciting activity with your children in London: Paws On The Wharf, an accessible and inclusive art trail running from March 25th to May 17th, 2024. Stay tuned for the trail map, coming soon at this link!

Address: Canary Wharf

16. Let’s Get Creative – Orelans House Gallery

Visit Orleans House Gallery for a family-friendly creative activity. Let’s Get Creative is designed for families with children aged 4-11 years, but everyone is welcome to join. These free sessions are held regularly throughout the year. Find more information here.

Address: Orleans House Gallery, Orleans Road, Twickenham TW1 3BL. St Margaret station is a short walk away.

17. Free Family fun at Royal Academy

You can find numerous free events for families at Royal Academy. SEND and under 5 sessions available too. More info here.

Address: 6 Burlington Gardens, London, W1S 3ET

18. Little Explorers – National portrait Gallery

Visit the National Portrait Gallery for free monthly sessions tailored for children under 5. Dive into the gallery and its collection with your family, engaging in stories, songs, and creative activities. Book here.

Address: St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE. Charing Cross station is a short walk away.

19. FREE IKEA events

Numerous free IKEA events are happening at various IKEA stores. Explore your local store’s offerings here.

20. We’re going on a Bear Hunt, Hunt

Kingston First presents ten brilliant and distinctive bear sculptures arriving in Kingston upon Thames! Inspired by Michael Rosen’s beloved children’s book ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,’ you can explore these bears in the town center from March 29th to June 7th, 2024. More info here.

Address: Kingston

21. Caribbean takeover – National Maritime Museum

Head to the National Maritime Museum for a unique event celebrating the fusion of cultures from Africa, the Caribbean, and Britain. Thjs will take place on May 18th. Expect free workshops and fabulous performances dedicated to honoring Black history and culture in Britain.

Address: Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF

22. Relaxed Mondays – Cartoon Museum

Relaxed Monday events at The Cartoon Museum are tailored for children and young people with autism spectrum conditions or sensory processing differences. It is free, but it’s crucial to book in advance. Each participant requires their own ticket, and at least one member of your group should be between 5 and 25 years old with autism spectrum conditions or sensory processing differences. The drop-in workshops are geared towards ages 8-14, and refreshments will be provided during the events. Book here.

Address: 63 Wells St, London W1A 3AE

23. Family Day: Fun with Faces – National Portrait Gallery

Explore the National Portrait Gallery for free, fun activities this May half term! Bring faces to life through engaging hands-on activities where you can mould, shape, paint, and animate to create your own portraits of significant individuals. Experiment with various materials and unleash your creativity while exploring different styles and techniques. This event is free with limited availability on a first-come, first-served basis.
More info here.

Address: National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London, WC2H 0HE

24. Open the Disney Store

Unfortunately, there’s only one Disney store left in London. However, here’s something cool you can check out: did you know that every morning, the Disney store starts its day in a super magical way?

The lucky first person in line gets to use a giant key to open the store and even receives a smaller version of the key to keep! You can’t pre-book this experience. The store is open Monday to Saturday from 9 am and on Sundays from 12 pm. For more, check out my TikTok for a short but adorable glimpse of this experience.

Address: 350-352 Oxford St, London W1C 1JH

25. FREE mini golf Canary Wharf

Craig and Karl’s FREE mini-golf course returns to Canary Wharf for another year, running from Saturday, April 6th to Sunday, September 29th, with daily hours from 12 pm to 6 pm.

Address: Montgomery Square, Canary Wharf, London

26. Hampton Court Gardens

Discover the Garden Open Days at Hampton Court Palace, available for free. Secure your spot by booking here.

Address: Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU

27. FREE gaming at Samsung KX

Experience the ultimate gaming immersion at one of Samsung’s four gaming stations featuring cutting-edge technology that brings you closer to reality than ever before. Don’t miss the cool gaming bus, available for everyone to use for free. Be sure to check the website for more details.

Address: 1 Stable St, London N1C 4DQ

28. The Kings Cross family Trail

Looking for some family fun this school holiday in London? Why not join the King’s Cross Family Trail? Meet George the cat as he leads you through adventures, introduces you to friends, and shares captivating tales. Grab your pocket book map and sticker book from the Visitor Centre and let the detective fun begin!

Address: Kings Cross, London

29. Decorate a Flowerpot – Charing Cross library

Head to Charing Cross Library this May half-term for a fun activity. Decorate a flowerpot to brighten up your home or garden! Book here.

Address: 4-6 Charing Cross Road London WC2H 0HF

30. Drawing Quest – V&A South Kensington

Don’t miss this free drop-in event at V&A South Kensington! Join their drawing workshop designed for families of all ages. Take on creative challenges and contribute your drawings to a giant mural! Find all the info here.

Address: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL

31. The Mini Farm Adventure

A delightful opportunity for children can cuddle and hold adorable tiny chicks, baby goats, friendly sheep, guinea pigs, ducks, and more! This event is happening on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Hurry, as spaces are limited per session. Reserve your spot here.

Address: Queen’s Gate Gardens. Opposite 45 Queen’s Gate Gardens, south side. London SW7 5LY

32. Royal Parks

Visit the Royal Parks website to discover the exciting outdoor activities they’re offering this May, from nature roadshows to creating plant prints. Explore more details here!

33. Brockwell Bounce

Brockwell Bounce is a free family festival held in Brockwell Park. No tickets needed—just come and enjoy! Visit the website for all the details.

Address: Brockwell Park, Brockwell Park Gardens, London SE24 0NG

34. National Gallery

The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square is celebrating its 200th anniversary with a fun filled weekend event. There will also be a couple of additional free events in May. Find all the information on the website here!

Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN. Charing Cross station and Leicester Square station are both a short walk away.

35. The Microsoft Experience Centre

Immerse yourselves in the ultimate gaming experience at The Microsoft Experience Centre‘s Xbox Lounge. Add excitement to your Saturdays with the Minecraft Build Challenge for kids aged 8 and above, running from 1 pm to 2 pm! Your kids might even win a cool prize! While the Minecraft gaming challenge requires pre-booking on the website, feel free to walk in at any other time.

Address: 253-259 Regent St., London W1B 2ER

36. Gunnersbury Park and Museum

Explore free and fascinating fun this May at Gunnersbury Park and Museum with Object Detectives. Get a close-up view of artifacts and special objects from the museum’s collection. Can you follow the clues to discover what they are, what they’re made of, and what they reveal about life in the past? While admission is free, donations as little as £2 are appreciated. Find out more details here.

Address: Gunnersbury Park, Popes Ln, London W3 8LQ

37. Art Sundays – Dulwich Picture Gallery

Visit Dulwich Picture Gallery for free monthly creative activity sessions where families can get inspired and make art together. Find more information about these sessions here.

Address: Dulwich Picture Gallery Gallery Road, London SE21 7AD

38. Free Family Day: Budding Builders – Westminster Abbey

Create your own miniature Westminster Abbey to bring home with you! Explore the fascinating history of the Abbey and the remarkable individuals behind its creation along the way. Collaborate to envision the Abbey using only newspaper materials. Then, enjoy captivating dragon-themed storytelling as you uncover the intricate stonework details. Find more information and book your spot via the link provided!

Address: Westminster Abbey, 20 Deans Yd London SW1P 3PA

39. FREE Pet’s At Home workshops

Pets At Home typically offers FREE workshops for kids during the school holidays. Keep this link saved and regularly check it for updates.

40. The Emperor of Rock storytelling – The Museum of London Docklands

Immerse yourself in a storytelling adventure tailored for kids aged 5 and up. Follow Sadie, a seamstress from the Swinging Sixties East End, as she strives to design a dazzling costume for ‘The Emperor of Rock’. Find more info here. Also at The Museum of London Docklands your kids can take part in a fashion show, handle object from their fashion archives and even create their own clothes using an iPad. There’s lots of free fun happening this May.

Address: No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL

41. Meet the Gruffalo, then Embark on a Nature Adventure – Westfield White City

Head to Westfield White City on Saturday, May 25th and Sunday, May 26th starting at 12pm for a chance to meet the Gruffalo! Calling all young explorers! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to encounter the Gruffalo near Next at Level 0. After your meet-and-greet, dive into an adventure with our Nature Hunt Extravaganza! Kids, grab your Nature Hunt sheet and explore the reserve, marking off your discoveries along the way.

Address: Ariel Way, London W12 7GF

42. SmileyWorld® Art Trail

Explore the SmileyWorld® Art Trail happening from March 29th to May 19th, encompassing both indoor and outdoor locations at Battersea Power Station!

Address: Battersea Power Station

43. FREE Mini LEGO® Star Wars™ Giveaway

At 9am, make your way to your local Smyths store for an exciting intergalactic celebration! Smyths Toys is honoring the 25th anniversary of LEGO Star Wars™ on May the 4th at all stores nationwide starting at 9am. Fans can join in the fun and receive a FREE GIVEAWAY (while supplies last) by participating in an in-store mini build activity to craft their own creation to take home! Don’t miss out—this event is for ages 6 and up, and one giveaway is offered per child.

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