After a long journey home from a holiday in the Lake District, bed is beckoning. But I promised you a newsletter - and I’m a woman of my word.

This issue includes up to five 5 free things to do every day this week, plus Bank Holiday Weekend ideas.

Due to said weariness, I’ll keep this intro short - and I apologise in advance for any tired typos. I always share a link for every event so it’s easy for you to check the correct details.

Good things are meant to be shared! Pass along this newsletter to a friend and invite them to subscribe.

Free Summer Holiday Activities 2024: Week 4

Is your summer inspo running low? On the prowl for activities without the price tag? I’ve pulled together 5 free events each day, from London’s museums, parks, libraries, festivals, markets (and cemetries!).

I’ve allocated each to a date, but indicated when else they might run - so it’s worth checking each day’s listing, even if you’re not free then.

Click the event name to head straight to more information, and to book a coveted place, if needed.

And if your little ones are clamouring for more, check out my Summer holiday guide featuring over 160 London activities. I’ve even mapped them all out for you!

Daily drop-in

1. *LAST CHANCE* Our Street - The Curve Takeover at Barbican Centre, EC2. Until 23 August 2024, with special events on select dates.

2. *LAST CHANCE* UNIQLO Tate Play – Oscar Murillo, The Flooded Garden at Tate Modern, SE1. Until 26 August 2024.

3. Paint Room at Tate Britain, SW1. Until 1 September 2024.

4. Summer on the Square at Trafalgar Square, WC2. Until 1 September 2024.

5. Taylor Swift Songbook Trail at V&A South Kensington, SW7. Until 8 September 2024.

Monday 19 August 2024

1. In the Neighbourhood at Victoria Park, E9: Four days packed with free family fun from All Points East. Theatre performances from Half Moon, East London Shakespeare and Tamarind Theatre; drama workshops with Purple Moon; real tractors to sit in; baby sensory; shelter building; cricket tasters from Lords; West Ham football sessions; and much more! Drop in. Runs 19-22 August 2024, events change daily. Some allocated on a first come, first served basis.

2. Doodle Room with Curtis Creationz at Old Spitalfields Market, E1: Pick up a pen and work on drawings big or small to put your own mark on their summer Doodle Room. Drop in. Until 23 August 2024.

3. Careers Live at the Science Museum, SW7: Design flood defences using a wave machine and find out how to take care of nature with experts from the Environment Agency. Drop in. Runs 19-23 & 27-30 August 2024. Best ages 3-17.

4. Inside Out Festival: Opening Doors at National Portrait Gallery, WC2: Create your own portrait of an inspirational woman in your life in these artist-led workshops for all ages. Outdoors if weather permits! Runs 19-23 August 2024. Places allocated on a first come, first served basis.

5. Comic Creators Club at Hackney Central Library, E8: Learn how to create comics with artist Lily Ash Sakula. No experience necessary! Drop in. Runs the third Monday of the month. Ages 12-16.

Tuesday 20 August 2024

1. Discovery Days: Life Underground at Hyde Park Learning Centre, W2: Create an underground clay animal to take away, build a fox or badger den, take a minibeast hunt, and storytelling. Runs 20-22 August 2024. Drop in/register interest.

2. August Family Day - Upcycled Heirlooms at Museum of the Home, E2: Craft your own heirloom using recycled materials and building tools on the lawn. Plus interactive garden trolley, mud kitchen, and play tents. Drop in.

3. Seaside in the City at London Museum Docklands, E14: Beach-themed play space with seven role play areas, crafts, soft play sea and baby beach. Book/drop in depending on availability. Until 26 August 2024. Ages up to 8.

4. Head On! at National Army Museum, SW3: Design your own Army headwear in this hat making workshop. Drop in. Runs 20-23 August 2024.

5. Summer arts activities for families at Abney Park Cemetery, N16: New playspace offering hands-on crafting with natural materials, creating items like bark boats and summer-themed bees and butterflies. Drop in. Also 27 August 2024. Ages 3-10, younger siblings welcome.

Wednesday 21 August 2024

1. Let’s Get Bubbly at Museum of the Order of St John, EC2: Make a bubble wand and discover bubbly bugs. Drop in. Best ages 3-10.

2. Kids Summer Fun with Wumzum at Camden Market Hawley Wharf, NW1: Join Nigerian-British Illustrator Wumzum for an afternoon of creative printmaking for children and families. Plus free face painting and LEGO activities. Book.

3. Sketchbook Project with Barkingside Art Club at Exchange Ilford Loft, IG1: Design and personalize a sketchbook, experiment with prompts, and learn techniques for sketching. Take your custom sketchbook home to continue creating. Book. Ages 4-16.

4. Wandsworth Council's Paralympic Festival at Tooting Bec Athletics Track & Gym, SW17: Try Paralympic sports such as Goalball, Boccia and more! Taster sessions from local sports providers, performances from Baked Bean Charity and more. Book. Session 1 is for ages 5 - 17.

5. Nature Roadshow at Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park, KT2: Summery scavenger nature trail, mini-museum, story time, nature crafts, and interactive games. Register/drop in. Also 20 August 2024 at Roehampton Gate Gardens in Richmond Park, SW15 and 22 August 2024 at St. James's Park, SW1.

Thursday 22 August 2024

1. Little Investigators Family Workshop at The Building Centre, W1: Look at the spaces around us through sketching and model making. Book. Ages 6+, younger siblings welcome.

2. Summer Storytime at Shoe Lane Library, EC4: Hear children’s author and early years educator Jamel Carly Campbell read “Olu’s Teacher”, a great tale for those starting nursery. Plus songs and circle time games. I met him at a Walker’s Book event earlier this year - he’s fun and inspirational! Book.

3. A Puzzling Depot Summer Quest at London Transport Museum Depot in Acton, W3: Escape room-style games, code-breaking clues, hands-on object-building activities, and puzzles in this two-day immersive skills quest. Book. Runs 22 & 23 August 2024. £5 deposit, refunded after completion of both days. Ages 13-16. Email [email protected] for free route if cost of entry is a barrier.

4. Happy Marlo Joyful Beat & Breathe! at Seething Lane Garden, EC3: Combine drumming, singing, breathwork, and movement for an uplifting experience. Book. Ages 6-12.

5. Gelli Plate Printing with Flowers and Grasses at Garden Museum, SE1: Use real flowers and grasses to create gelli plate works of art. Drop in. Limited spaces allocated on arrival. Ages 3-12.

Friday 23 August 2024

1. Family Festival of Caribbean Culture at London Museum Docklands, E14: East Caribbean dance workshops, party with Playworker Amber, colourful crafts with Indo +Caribbean community artists, and cooking sessions. 23-24 August 2024. Drop in/book.

2. Greenwich Park Revealed Finale Family Festival, SE10: A silent disco skate jam and Tango class kick off this festival. 23-24 August 2024. Drop in.

3. Silence! at Royal Artillery Barracks, SE18: Greenwich+Docklands International Festival 2024 opens with a powerful fusion of percussion and pyrotechnics, celebrating Woolwich's industrial heritage. Presented by Les Commandos Percu. Just show up. Duration 50 minutes. Late start and crowds make it best for older kids.

4. International Slavery Remembrance Day at National Maritime Museum, SE10: Create Adinkra symbols from foam blocks and print them on colourful backgrounds. Learn how to play traditional African and Caribbean games. Drop in.

5. Family Event: Untold Stories – Visualising History at Benjamin Franklin Museum, WC2: Celebrate International Day for people from African Descent. Help tell the story about 36 Craven Street’s lesser-known 18th century young resident. Book. Also 30 and 31 August 2024. Aimed at ages 10-16, other children welcome.

Had a great time? Share the fun and tag me in your social media posts!

What’s free this Bank Holiday weekend 24-26 August 2024

And here’s a selection of completely free events taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Check the links for timings and to see if you need to book ahead.

1. Family Festival of Caribbean Culture at London Museum, E14. 23-24 August 2024.

2. Greenwich Park Revealed Finale Family Festival, SE10. 23-24 August 2024.

3. Sculpture in the City Little Art Critics TV, EC3. 24 August 2024. Ages 5-12.

4. Greenford Quay Canal Festival, UB6. 24 August 2024.

5. Bouquet Painting Workshop at Shepherds Bush Market, W12. 24 August 2024.

6. Little Angel Club Sporty Sensory Storytelling at Angel Central, N1. 24 August 2024. Ages 6 months-2 years.

7. Plus Little Angel Golden Medals and Mini Olympians at Angel Central, N1. 24 August 2024. Ages 3-9.

8. THAW at University of East London Docklands Campus, E16. 24-25 August 2024. Part of Greenwich+Docklands International Festival 2024.

9. Family and Children’s Day at Notting Hill Carnival, W10. 25 August 2024.

10. Kids Life Drawing Workshop at Samsung KX, N1. 25 August 2024. 

11. Jazz & Youth Culture Family Sunday at Coal Drops Yard, N1. 25 August 2024.

12. Parkworks leads a two-day programme of free street theatre, circus, dance and installations transforming Stratford Park, E15 into a theatrical and creative playground for families. 25 & 26 August 2024. Part of Greenwich+Docklands International Festival 2024.

13. 7 Days of Play with Assemble Play at Boston Manor House, TW8. 26 August-1 September 2024.

It’s definitely time for bed now! I’ll be back (hopefully refreshed!) over the Bank Holiday weekend with more free activities for the final week of the holidays.

Until then, wishing you many fun-filled days.

Bye for now,

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