Things to do in London this weekend!

Calling all junior explorers — the holidays are here and that can only mean one thing, it’s time for an adventure!

But where to start? We’re here to help! This page is where you can find fun, family-friendly things to do during the school holidays, all recommended by Nat Geo Kids.

We’ve started by rounding up seven things to do in the capital, London!

1. Make a splash at the Natural History Museum!

Having said goodbye to Dippy the Diplodocus skeleton earlier this year – don’t worry, he’ll be back soon! – the museum has unveiled an even bigger star attraction in their main hall – a ginormous blue whale skeleton!

Head over to museum to see this 25m giant suspended in a diving pose above your head. Next, swim on over to the Whales: Beneath the Surface exhibition to explore the extraordinary lives of whales.

Where? South Kensington

Visit nhm.ac.uk.

2. Become an insect explorer at Kew Gardens!

Discover brilliant bugs at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in their summer Insect Adventure Camp! Experience hands-on activities, mini-beast adventures, animation and performance and discover the amazing relationship between plants and our planet’s insects – from butterflies to bees, flies to moths.

Plus, experience life as a bee inside The Hive — an interactive experience that allows you to experience the buzz of life as a bee!

Where? Kew

NAT GEO KIDS READERS GET 20% OFF ENTRY TO KEW GARDENS!

To visit using your 20% discount, book tickets at kew.org  or call 0844 995 9672*, using the code NGKIDS2017, before 4 September 2017.*

Book at kewgardens.com.

3. Hear the bells chime at Big Ben!

‘You can do that anytime!’ we hear you cry! False – from 21 August 2017 the famous bell is due to stop ringing for up to four years.

Where? Westminster

Read more about it, here!

4. Zoorassic Park at ZSL London Zoo!

Travel back over 65 million years and set foot in the world of dinosaurs – where everything’s out to eat you (well, almost everything!).

Your mission? To track down some of the biggest and fiercest animals to have walked the planet, and come face-to-face with them, too!

Where? Regent’s Park

Visit zsl.org.

5. Take a snail trail tour of the Royal Parks!

Discover the miniature world of invertebrates (animals without backbones) by following the path of a giant snail tour around London’s Royal Parks. With storytelling, badge-making, bug bingo, scavenger hunts, games, craft making, web weaving and a grasshopper-jumping competition, there’s no end of bug-tastic fun to be had!

Not only is it free, but you’ll be helping support the important scientific research happening in the parks, protecting and preserving the weird and wonderful wildlife that call them home!

Where? Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park, St James’s Park – see link below for schedules.

Visit royalparks.org.uk.

6. Measure up to giant animal artworks!

This roar-some exhibition of life-size animal paintings by Omra Sian will transport you deep into the heart of the African Savannah, the Arctic Circle, the Amazon rainforest and into the world’s oceans!

You’ll come face to face with some of the planet’s most iconic wildlife species in their natural habitats. And guess what? It’s free!

Where? Royal Horticultural Halls, Westminster

Visit artworldconservation.com

7. Head to the beach — in the city!

Something fishy’s happening over at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London, a beach has formed in the middle of this urban landscape…

With one thousand tonnes of golden beach sand, food, fairground rides, a beach bar and a giant paddling pool – there’s no end of fun to be had!

Where? Stratford

Visit queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk.

*Calls cost 7p a minute plus your usual network charges.

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Discount code is valid only for pre-purchased Adult Day and Child Day Admission tickets for entry to Kew Gardens from 15 August – 3 September 2017 inclusive. Offer can only be used once, for an unlimited number of tickets.     Visitors must attend on specified chosen date. Not valid for Gift tickets, Family tickets, or other ticket types, or in conjunction with any other offer or for events for which there is a separate charge.  Additional Standard Gardens Entry T&Cs apply – see kew.org for details.

What fun activities do you get up to during the school holidays? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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