5 Free Things To Do In London During The School Holidays

The summer holidays are now here, which means parents up and down the country will be panicking about how they can budget their spending over the next six weeks while ensuring their children still have a great time. 

The good news is London is jam-packed with free things to see and do for children, so you can save your money on activities and make your trip there more comfortable and convenient by hiring a minibus to take you instead.

Here are just a few things you could get up to in the capital over the summer that won’t cost you a penny. 

Museums

London is full of world-renowned museums, so you can spend the summer making sure their education doesn’t slip by taking them to one of the many in the city. The most famous include the Natural History Museum, The Science Museum and The British Museum.

If you have already been to those, why not try out the National Maritime Museum, the Ragged School Museum, Young V&A or the Imperial War Museum for something different?

Changing of the Guard

Something that is quite a spectacle is the Changing Of The Guard, which takes place between Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace and Wellington Barracks. 

In the summer, it happens on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 1100 starting at St James’s Palace. However, it is best to check the schedule for the Changing Of The Guard to make sure you catch it and avoid disappointed children. 

It is quite impressive to see this historical tradition play out, so make sure you stop by if you are in the capital.

London’s gardens

London is one of the best capitals in the world for its abundance of outdoor space. It boasts beautiful Royal Parks where visitors can wander around freely, whether they take their children to a playground, enjoy a picnic on the grass, get active by rollerblading or cycling along the paths, or enjoy the summer sunshine at one of its many outdoor cafes.

Among the most famous parks in London that are well worth going to if your kids need a break from the hustle and bustle of city life are Hyde Park, St James’s Park, Regents’ Park and Holland Park. 

One of the capital’s Royal Parks, Hyde Park spans 142 hectares, while St James’s Park is home to London’s famous pelicans and swans, and there are more than 120 species of birds that can be spotted at The Regent’s Park, if birdwatching is your thing. It is also the only breeding ground of hedgehogs in London! 

One special park to visit is Kensington Gardens, which surrounds Kensington Palace, once the residence of the late Princess Diana. As well as beautifully landscaped gardens, the seven-mile Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk, and the famous Round Pond, there is a special place just for children. 

The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground includes a pirate ship with its own beach, a sensory trail, play sculptures, an adventure playground, and teepees. So magical is the playground that more than one million people visit it every year. 

Sky Garden

Another garden you need to visit when heading to London is one that is a little bit different from the rest. The Sky Garden is the capital’s highest public garden, situated at the top of an eye-catching glass building, designed by Uruguayan architect Rafael Vinoly. 

The botanical garden offers impressive 360-degree views of the capital, enabling visitors to enjoy walking through different climates while soaking up the sights of London’s most famous landmarks. 

There are also restaurants, bars, cafes and gift shops, so you always have somewhere to go when the kids are feeling peckish. 

Toy stores

London is home to the biggest and best toy stores in the country, so they are likely to be huge hits with the children. 

Head to Hamleys on Regent Street, which is thought to be the oldest and largest toy shop in the world, having opened its doors in 1881. 

The store is spread across seven floors and children love it as much for its interactive displays, as they do for the plethora of toys it stocks. 

Lego fans should also head to The LEGO Store London, located in Leicester Square. Here they will find demonstration tables, a minifigure factory, a pick and build wall, and mosaic maker. But most importantly, they will be astounded by the sheer abundance of Lego sets, toys and displays they come face to face with. 

Be warned though, The LEGO Store London is extremely popular and there is often a long queue outside of eager children waiting to go inside and take a look.