Looking for free things to do in London with kids this May? This is your go-to guide.
With two Bank Holidays and May half term, London is packed with free family events, pop-ups, outdoor activities and museums that are perfect for keeping the kids entertained without spending a fortune.
This list includes 30 + of the best FREE things to do in London in May, from limited-time events to must-visit spots that are great all month long. Whether you are planning a weekend day out or filling the half term calendar, you will find plenty of ideas here, including some May half term gems worth knowing about.
1. Crayola World of Creativity Pop-Up
A free creative pop-up in London this May Bank Holiday that is perfect for younger kids.
Expect hands-on colouring, crafts and interactive activities designed to spark imagination. Ideal if your children love getting creative and you want something easy and low effort.
Runs Saturday 2 May to Monday 4 May, 11am to 4pm. No booking needed, just turn up.
Location: OXO Gallery, South Bank, SE1 9PH
2. FREE LEGO Make and Take Event at Argos
A free LEGO Make and Take event is happening in London this May and it is perfect for little builders.
Children can take part in a hands-on LEGO building activity, guided by in-store staff, and the best part is they get to take their creation home. It is simple, fun and ideal for younger kids.
The event takes place on 2 May between 10am and 4pm. No booking is required, but it is first come, first served so it is worth arriving early.
London locations include Marble Arch, Holloway, Hounslow, Ilford, Kilburn, Old Kent Road, Old Street, Tottenham Court Road and Wood Green.
3. FREE LEGO Star Wars Giveaway at Smyths Toys
A free LEGO Star Wars giveaway is happening this May and it is one you need to be early for.
Kids can receive a FREE LEGO Star Wars polybag in-store, but it is strictly while stocks last and limited to one per child. Expect queues, so arriving early is key.
Takes place on Saturday 2 May from 9am.
Location: Available at Smyths Toys stores including London locations.
4. Vauxhall May Fair
A free family-friendly spring fair in London that is perfect for a relaxed day out with kids.
Expect live music, performers, workshops, face painting, farm activities and plenty going on across the day. Most activities are free, with small charges for selected extras.
Takes place Saturday 16 May and Sunday 17 May from 11am to 5pm. No booking needed.
Location: Vauxhall City Farm and Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, SE11 5HS
5. FREE Minigolf at Canary Wharf
One of the best free things to do in London with kids this May.
This colourful 9-hole minigolf course is completely free to play and perfect for all ages. It is ideal for a quick activity, after school visit or weekend day out.
Runs from 1 May to 27 September, daily from 12pm to 6pm. No booking required.
Location: Montgomery Square, Canary Wharf
6. Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival
A free family event in London that is perfect for a fun and slightly different day out with kids.
This annual festival celebrates puppetry with live performances, entertainers, workshops and a lively atmosphere right in the heart of Covent Garden. Expect plenty to see throughout the day, from shows to street performances.
Takes place on Sunday 10 May from 11am. Free entry with donations welcomed. No booking required.
Location: St Paul’s Church (Actors’ Church), Covent Garden
7. FREE Apple Store Kids Workshops
One of the best ongoing free activities in London for kids, especially if they enjoy tech, creativity or trying something new.
Apple Stores run regular free workshops where children can learn things like coding, filmmaking, music creation and digital art using iPads and other Apple devices. Sessions are hands-on and guided by staff, making them great for beginners.
These sessions run throughout May and beyond, but you do need to book in advance via the Apple Store website as spaces are limited.
Locations include Apple Regent Street, Apple Stratford City, Apple White City and other London stores.
8. FREE Pets at Home Pet Workshops
A great free activity for kids who love animals.
Pets at Home run free hands-on workshops where children can learn about pet care, meet small animals and take part in simple activities. It is ideal for younger kids and a really easy one to add to your plans.
These workshops run every school holiday throughout the year and are completely free, but you do need to book in advance via the Pets at Home website.
Locations: Available at Pets at Home stores across London.
9. FREE Relaxed Peppa Pig Meet and Greet
A free Peppa Pig experience in London designed for a calmer, quieter visit.
These relaxed sessions are perfect for younger children and those who may find busy environments overwhelming. Expect reduced noise, smaller groups and a more comfortable setting to meet Peppa Pig.
Sessions take place on selected dates including 2 May and 30 May. Spaces are limited so booking is required in advance.
Location: Peppa Pig Store, Battersea Power Station
10. Horizon 22 Free Viewing Platform
One of the best free things to do in London with kids if you want incredible views of the city.
Horizon 22 is London’s highest free viewing platform, offering 360 degree views across the skyline. It is a quick and easy experience, with a high-speed lift taking you to the top in under a minute.
It is completely free to visit. You can book a time slot in advance or try your luck with a walk-in.
Open daily with varying hours throughout the week.
Location: Level 58, 22 Bishopsgate, London
11. FREE IKEA Little Growers Club
A fun and free hands-on activity in London where kids can get creative and learn something new.
The IKEA Little Growers Club lets children take part in simple gardening activities like planting seeds and creating their own mini plant projects. It is a great option if you want something different from the usual day out.
Sessions take place on selected times on 27 May. Spaces are limited so booking is required in advance through the IKEA website.
Location: IKEA Greenwich
12. FREE Dawnosaurs Relaxed Morning at the Natural History Museum
A brilliant free experience in London designed specifically for neurodivergent children and their families.
Dawnosaurs offers early access to the Natural History Museum before it opens to the public, creating a calmer and quieter environment to explore. There are also themed activities and support from trained staff throughout the session.
Takes place on Saturday 9 May from 8am to 10am. Free to attend but booking is essential and tickets must be reserved in advance.
Location: Natural History Museum, South Kensington
13. FREE East Greenwich Fire Station SEND Open Day
A brilliant free day out in London designed specifically for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Kids can explore a real fire station, see fire engines up close and even try spraying water hoses. There will also be sensory areas, quiet spaces and hands-on activities to make the experience more comfortable and engaging.
Takes place on Sunday 10 May with two sessions available. Free to attend but tickets must be booked in advance.
Location: East Greenwich Fire Station, SE7 7RF
14. FREE Family Station at the British Library
A great free indoor activity in London for May half term, perfect for all ages.
The British Library’s Family Station is a creative drop-in space where kids can play, read, draw and explore a range of hands-on activities. It is relaxed, flexible and ideal if you want something easy to fit into your day.
Runs from 23 May to 29 May, between 11am and 3pm. No booking required, just drop in.
Location: British Library, London
15. FREE Sensory Friendly Workshop at the V&A
A brilliant free workshop in London designed specifically for neurodivergent children and their families.
The V&A South Kensington hosts a sensory friendly session where families can create, design and explore using a range of art materials in a calm, relaxed environment. There are breakout spaces available with sensory toys, blackout tents and ear defenders if needed.
Runs on 9 May from 11am to 4pm. You can drop in at any time, but it’s recommended to book a free ticket online.
Location: V&A South Kensington, London
Best for: Ages 5+
16. FREE Virtual Orchestra Experience at Southbank Centre
This unique free experience lets children step into a virtual orchestra and take part in an interactive music session like no other.
At the Southbank Centre, families can try a virtual reality experience where children wear a headset, choose an instrument and play alongside a professional orchestra. It is designed to be fun, creative and immersive, making it ideal for children who enjoy music or want to try something new.
The experience takes place at the Royal Festival Hall and runs across two days in May. There is no need to book, so families can simply turn up and join in.
Dates: 27 and 28 May
Times: 27 May from 11am to 3pm, 28 May from 11am to 5pm
Location: Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre
Price: Free, no ticket required
Age: Suitable for children aged 5 and over
17. FREE Star Wars Bounty Bear Adventures at Hamleys Regent Street
A fun and interactive experience for Star Wars fans, this free in-store activity at Hamleys lets children take part in a themed training session inspired by bounty hunters.
Located in the Star Wars area on the fourth floor, children can test their skills through a series of action-packed challenges designed to be engaging and immersive. It is a great option for younger fans who enjoy role play and hands-on activities.
The sessions run across selected dates in May and are held at set times throughout the day, so it is worth planning your visit around these.
Dates: 23 May to 31 May
Times: Monday to Saturday at 11.30am and 2pm, Sunday at 2pm
Location: Hamleys, Regent Street, Fourth Floor
18. House of MinaLima
If you have a Harry Potter fan, this is a must.
House of MinaLima is the design studio behind the Harry Potter films, and their Soho shop is completely free to visit. Inside, you will find artwork, prints and props from the films across multiple floors.
It feels more like a mini exhibition than a shop and is perfect for a quick wander if you are already in central London. No booking needed, just walk in. Of course, you will probably be tempted to buy something, but you can easily visit without spending any money
Location: 157 Wardour Street, London, W1F 8WQ
19. FREE Victorian Entertainment Activities at London Museum Docklands
Step back in time this half term with free Victorian-themed activities at London Museum Docklands.
Children can try hands-on crafts like paper theatre, enjoy music hall entertainment and explore what fun looked like before the internet. It is simple, interactive and great for a slower paced activity.
Dates: 23 May to 31 May
Location: London Museum Docklands
20. FREE Art Studio Family Workshop at The National Gallery
A free drop-in art workshop at the National Gallery this half term, perfect for creative kids of all ages.
Children can experiment with painting, printing and textures, creating their own artwork inspired by the gallery’s exhibitions. It is hands-on, relaxed and ideal if your kids enjoy arts and crafts.
Dates: 26 May to 28 May
Times: 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm
Location: The Roden Centre for Creative Learning, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
Spaces are first come, first served, so it is worth arriving early at busier times.
21. FREE Family Day: Family Portraits Remixed at National Portrait Gallery
A free creative workshop where families can reimagine portraits in fun and unexpected ways.
Children can experiment with costumes, poses and art materials to create their own unique family portraits, inspired by real artwork in the gallery. It is hands-on, creative and great for all ages.
Date: 26 May 2026
Time: 11am to 4pm
Location: National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London, WC2H 0HE
This is a drop-in session with limited capacity, so it is first come, first served.
22. FREE Drop-in and Draw at Dulwich Picture Gallery
A free creative drop-in session where kids can experiment with drawing and collage in a relaxed gallery setting.
Families can try observational drawing or get creative with different techniques and materials. It is simple, hands-on and great if your children enjoy arts and crafts.
Date: 16 May 2026
Times: 11am to 11:45am, 12pm to 12:45pm and 1pm to 1:45pm
Location: Dulwich Picture Gallery, College Road, London, SE21 7AD
This is part of Dulwich Festival and spaces are limited, so it is worth arriving early.
23. Visit a FREE City Farm in London
If you are looking for something simple, outdoors and completely free, visiting a city farm is always a great option.
London has some brilliant city farms where children can see and interact with animals, from goats and pigs to chickens and horses. It is an easy, low-cost day out that works for all ages and you can usually just turn up with no booking required.
Some of the best free city farms in London include Hackney City Farm, Mudchute Park and Farm, Spitalfields City Farm, Vauxhall City Farm and Deen City Farm.
Most farms also have small cafés or play areas, so you can easily spend a couple of hours there.
24. FREE Splash Parks and Water Play Areas
If the weather is warm during May half term, splash parks are always a winner and one of the best free ways to keep kids entertained.
Many of London’s splash parks and water play areas usually reopen around this time of year, so it is worth checking your local one. Popular spots include Clapham Common Splash Pad, Kensington Memorial park and the Princess Diana Memorial fountain.
Opening dates can vary depending on weather and maintenance, but most are expected to be open again by May half term.
For a full list of splash parks across London, check the blog. I have not updated it for this year just yet, so keep an eye out for the latest information.
25. FREE Nature Roadshows at Kensington Gardens, The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill
A free outdoor activity where kids can explore nature through hands-on games, crafts and mini investigations.
Children can take part in a detective trail, get creative with nature-inspired crafts and explore real specimens in a mini museum setup. It is interactive, educational and perfect if your kids enjoy being outdoors.
Dates: 27 May and 28 May 2026
Time: 11am to 3pm
Location: Kensington Gardens, The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill
This is a drop-in event, so you can arrive anytime during the session.
26. LEGO Star Wars N-1 Starfighter Build Event
Children aged 10 and over can take part in a free in-store LEGO Star Wars building event where they can build a LEGO Star Wars N-1 Starfighter and take it home. The event runs on 2 May from 10:00 to 12:00 and 3 May from 12:00 to 14:00 at LEGO stores. Availability is limited each day and operates on a first come, first served basis while stocks last. The build model cannot be purchased separately and is limited to one per person. This activity is intended for children aged 10+ and may not be suitable for younger children.
London locations: Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Battersea Power Station, Westfield Stratford City, Westfield White City
27. Nesquik Pink Cereal Café Pop-Up
A free, two-day pink-themed pop-up is coming to Covent Garden this May, and it is perfect for families looking for something fun and different to do in London. The Nesquik Pink Cereal Café will be serving up bowls of their new strawberry-flavoured cereal in a fully immersive space where everything from the walls to the tables, and even the milk, is completely pink.
This limited-time experience is designed to be fun, interactive, and very Instagram-worthy, with cereal-themed activities for kids and a unique setting that makes it feel more like an experience than just grabbing breakfast. The menu is simple, with just one option available, but the focus is on the atmosphere and the novelty of the all-pink concept.
It is completely free to attend, but it will be first come, first served, so expect queues, especially during peak times.
Location: 6 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, London
Dates: 9th–10th May
Time: 8am–4pm
28. Free McDonald’s Fun Football Sessions
These free football sessions for kids aged 5 to 11 are running on selected dates in May and are a great way to keep little ones active during the school holidays. Sessions are led by qualified coaches and focus on fun, skills, and confidence building.
London locations include Vauxhall Powerleague (SE11), Allen Edwards Primary School in Stockwell (SW4), and Ark Walworth Academy in Bermondsey (SE1). Spaces are limited and must be booked in advance.
29. Free Half Term Family Film Club at Fulham Pier
Head to Riverside Market at Fulham Pier for a free family film screening this May half term. Taking place on selected dates, this relaxed screening allows children to move around and enjoy the film in their own way, making it perfect for younger kids.
The film starts at 11.30am and runs for around 90 minutes, with screenings available on 25th and 26th May.
Location: Riverside Market, Fulham Pier
30. Chelsea in Bloom
This free annual event transforms the streets of Chelsea with incredible floral displays, and this year’s theme is “Out of This World”. Expect eye catching installations inspired by space, astrology, and celestial designs across the area.
Taking place from 18th to 24th May, you can explore displays around Sloane Square, King’s Road, Sloane Street, and Duke of York Square. It’s a great free activity to wander around with kids and spot all the creative designs.
More Ways to Save Money on Family Days Out in London
If you are looking for even more ways to save money on days out with kids, make sure you check out these guides:
- Places where kids can eat free in London
- Cinema money saving tips for families
- Universal Credit days out discounts
- My top money saving tips for theatre in London
These guides are regularly updated and packed with practical ways to help you enjoy more days out without spending a fortune.
