June in London. The sun finally remembers it exists. The school term is limping towards the finish line. And you are already staring at the calendar wondering how to fill the weekends without hearing “I’m bored” before 10am. I have been there.
So I have put together a list of genuinely fun things to do with your children this June. No overhyped tourist traps. No activities that require a second mortgage. Just solid, family friendly events that might even make you forget you are a tired parent for an hour or two. Here are my top 10 picks.
1. Trooping the Colour: The one with the bearskin hats
Yes it is the big royal parade. But hear me out. Kids love uniforms, horses, bands and waving flags. They do not care about the politics. They just want to see the shiny carriages and the soldiers who do not move a muscle.
The Colour is on Saturday 13 June along The Mall. It is free to watch. Get there early, bring snacks, and prepare to explain why the King has a birthday in June when his real one is in November. I still do not fully understand it myself.
2. Mundo Pixar immersive experience. Your sofa will feel very boring after this
I have not seen this yet but I am told it is like walking inside a Pixar film. The kids will recognise every character. You will probably cry at the Up house. It opens in June and tickets are selling fast.
Check the official site for dates. Take tissues.
3. A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Shakespeare for people who normally run away from Shakespeare. The outdoor setting is gorgeous. The fairies are funny. And there is something lovely about watching a play while the sun goes down and the kids are too busy watching the actors to ask for your phone.
It runs from 20 June to 18 July. Tickets start at £15. Bring a blanket and a jumper because London evenings are still London evenings.
4. Dragon Boat Festival in Greenwich: Make dumplings, not a mess at home
The Greenwich Centre Library hosts this on Friday 19 June. It costs £15 for two adults and one child, or £20 for a sibling ticket. You get to watch Face Changing Opera, make sticky rice dumplings called zongzi, and craft lucky sachets.
The best part? The mess stays at the library. You just come home with the dumplings.
5. World Ocean Day Festival at the National Maritime Museum
Free. Indoors. Educational without being boring. The kids will love the interactive science shows and crafts. You will love that it does not cost a penny. It happens on Saturday 6 June at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.
If the weather is terrible, this is your backup plan. If the weather is lovely, go anyway and then walk through the park afterwards.
6. Clissold Park FEASTival: Eat your way through Stoke Newington
This one is for the parents as much as the kids. Global street food, a mini funfair, a land train called Grumpy Geoff (I am not making that up), and free entry to the park. It runs from 12 to 14 June.
You can eat your feelings while the kids ride the train. That is what I call a successful weekend.
7. Boppin’ Bunnies Live at Woolwich Works
This is perfect for toddlers and young children who need to burn energy. A live world folk band gives them real instruments to play along with. Violins, a cello, a Celtic harp. It sounds fancy but it is actually very noisy and very fun.
Saturday 13 June at 10.45am. Check ticket availability here.
8. Climate Stories in Kilburn Grange Park: Crafts without the guilt
A free drop in workshop for children aged 3 and up. They make art, tell stories about nature, and learn about the environment without feeling like they are in a school lesson. It happens on Saturday 27 June at 1pm.
I like this one because it is free, outdoors, and children come home tired and happy. Three wins.
9. Radiate Windrush Festival: Music, food and a vintage car display
Sunday 21 June from midday. Caribbean culture, live stage performances, street food that will make you wish you had a second stomach, and a vintage car display that my son would not stop talking about for weeks. Tickets start at £5.
The atmosphere is joyful and welcoming. You will leave with a full heart and probably a full belly too.
10. Teddy Bear Picnic at Fulham Palace Walled Garden
Do not roll your eyes. This one is adorable. Bring your child’s favourite teddy (yes that mangled bear that has seen better days) to a proper picnic with games, crafts, and outdoor theatre. It is on Sunday 7 June at 11am.
Check the booking link here. And remember to bring a blanket. And wet wipes. And spare snacks for when the teddy gets hungry.
You do not have to do all ten. Pick two or three. Leave the rest for another weekend. The point is to enjoy June, not to exhaust yourself trying to be the perfect parent.
London in the summer is wonderful. The parks are green, the evenings are long, and there is always something happening. You just need to know where to look.
Now go book something before the tickets sell out. And if you see a woman at the Dragon Boat Festival trying to fold a dumpling and failing miserably, come and say hello. It is probably me.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
