Fantastic free family days out in London

Having a family can be expensive. Having fun doesn’t have to be. Thankfully, there is a lot on offer for families in London including many activities that are totally free. Hurrah! From city farms to art activities to parks, here are some of our favourite free days out in the capital…

By Misti Traya

City farms – a breath of fresh air

City farms are great destinations with little ones. Not only are there animals to see but there are different seasons to experience. Children can observe the natural world around them and see how it changes with the seasons. Whether it’s observing a pupa becoming a butterfly or snowdrops giving way to sunflowers, city farms are the ultimate outdoor classrooms.  In the gardens, children can see how crops are grown. They can even help tend to them.

1) Kentish Town – On Wednesdays during term time, they offer baking with dough to under 5s. There is also Garden Explorers on Tuesdays and sewing lessons on Wednesdays. Saturday Club has a different theme each week. Leaf prints, snail races, and garden hunts are a few. There are activities for adults too like Zumba and a gardening club for the 60+ crowd.

2) Hackney – Though all the animals are lovely, donkeys Larry and Clover are probably the most famous. (I remember seeing a shirt on a guy on the tube years back featuring Larry’s mugshot. It was great. I’ve noticed it’s not available in the shop. Please bring it back!)

The shop is a great place to buy farm eggs and local honey, and they also offer reasonably-priced arts classes.  

3) Spitalfields – They have rare breed animals, beautiful gardens, a bug hotel, a tree house and best of all a butterfly garden. The animal dollies available for purchase in the shop by J & P Knitter Sisters are among my favourite presents to give.

4) Vauxhall – They have llamas! Who doesn’t love a llama? And seasonally-themed activities.

5) Stepney – Every Saturday they host a farmers’ market that’s become a neighbourhood favourite. They also offer free courses. Presently, they are in the middle of a six week course called Growing and Knowing that teaches you everything you need to know about wildflowers.

7) Surrey Docks – This is a lovely farm in Rotherhithe where you can book an appointment to feed lambs It’s £7 but worth it.

8) Mudchute – Here, it really feels like a bit of proper country has been dropped in the middle of a metropolis. The glass towers in Canary Wharf are the backdrop to these otherwise bucolic environs. There is a children’s nursery and an after school club. There is also a free playgroup, and there are llamas. Riding lessons are available.

Art activities – “Every child is an artist…”

…Or so Picasso said. When my daughter was in nursery, her father worked near Trafalgar Square. Sometimes we’d meet him for lunch. Whenever we did, we’d pop into the National Portrait Gallery. One day we walked into room 7 and she saw a painting of King Charles II and burst out laughing. “Haha! They think they’s poodles!” Viewing art with a child’s eyes is a wondrous experience.

1) Tate Modern – Personally, Louise Bourgeois’s Spider (above) is more than enough reason for my family to go. That said, this branch of Tate is very kid-friendly. Start with Start Display to introduce your little ones to some museum’s most famous pieces. Every third Saturday of the month, is Play Sound Voice which is experimental and techy and plays with voice and movement. Artist Travis Alabanza leads this experience. 

2) The National Gallery – For under 5s, this is my favourite museum to visit on a Sunday because of their brilliant  Magic Carpet Storytelling. Each week, the museum’s magic carpet lands in front of painting which is where the children sit and hear an enchanting tale inspired by the picture before them.

3)  The National Portrait Gallery – There’s usually something good on for kids. This April, children can sign up to make shadow portraits or design their own jewellery inspired by pieces from the Elizabethan Treasures exhibit. They can also create their own miniatures or partake in a family photoshoot.  

4) V&A Museum of Childhood – Enchanting doesn’t even begin to describe it. This is the ultimate museum for little ones in London. It displays toys and games from decades, even centuries past. It’s best for young children or older children who can appreciate what they’re seeing, and definitely great for grown-ups. They have a sandbox, a dressing up box, a sensory station, a designated play area for children under 2, a reading area, and a play kitchen. There are rocking horses to ride and a robot and every day, someone reads stories to the children. Check with the desk for story times.  

5) The Horniman Museum – If you’re okay with taxidermy, this is one of best collections around. Animals and insects from all over the world are on display here. Upon entry, you will be greeted by their famous stuffed walrus who was acquired during Victorian times. Because the people in charge of stuffing him had never seen a walrus, they didn’t realize he was supposed to have folds of skin. Instead he is puffed out like the largest seal you’ve ever seen. His image is on the biscuits in the cafe (below):

6) The Natural History Museum – This is education at its most entertaining. And did I mention dinosaurs? They have dinosaurs! And loads more fun for families. As their program of events is vast and ever changing, do check their page before visiting.

7) The National Maritime Museum – I took my three year old to see Nelson’s coat, the one he was wearing when fatally wounded at Trafalgar. Poor thing. She was so disappointed when we arrived because she heard me say Nelson’s goat. Alas, she quickly bucked up once she discovered Ahoy! which is an interactive gallery for children ages 7 and under that offers a taste of ship life. There is also another gallery called All Hands where kids can create art and shoot a cannon to sink some dastardly pirates.  

8) The British Museum – This is one of the most impressive art collections in the world, boasting The Rosetta Stone and sculptures from the Parthenon. There are great activity trails for children and gallery backpacks filled with activities and tons of art materials to borrow. There is also a highlighted trail of twelve prize objects. My favourite is the Aztec turquoise serpent. Throughout the year, there are lots of free events.

9) The V&A – There is so much for children to see and do here. It’s a full day in and of itself. Check the families page to see about workshops, performances, and special tour trails before visiting. During summer months, cool your feet in the fountain in the John Madejski Garden. It makes for the most elegant paddling pool.   

Park Life

And of course, there’s always the park. Here are our family faves…

1) Victoria Park – This has a special place in my heart as it was my local park when I first moved to London. Not only is it beautifully landscaped and well maintained, but it has two amazing playgrounds and a seasonal splash park. The Pavilion Cafe also serves some of the tastiest snacks. Their cardamom buns (or as my girlfriends and I call them–cardie mum buns) are the best around.  

2) The Diana Memorial Playground in Hyde Park – It feels like Never Land which is appropriate since Peter Pan was the inspiration. This is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.

3) Greenwich Park – In my opinion, boasts the most beautiful view out of all the Royal Parks. It’s located on a sloping hill filled with ancient trees and Roman ruins and a view of the Thames. At the bottom of it, right next to the boat pond, is the playground. Across from that is the Queen’s Orchard where the fuzziest bees help pollinate heritage fruit trees, some of which date back to the 1500’s.  

A day in London can prove the best things in life really are free…Have fun!

Misti Traya is a writer from London and mum to a 7-year old daughter.

At the Children’s Furniture Company we believe kids’ furniture should be practical but with a sprinkle of magic dust. Browse our range of children’s beds, bookcases, wardrobes and more here.