July 2023: What's on London with kids

How is it a new month already? We’re speeding into summer - or perhaps limping towards the holidays…

This week I submitted my formal Unpaid Parental Leave (UPL) request to work. I’ll be taking six weeks off again this summer to spend with the kids, using a combination of annual leave and UPL. I know from your DMs that not enough parents are aware of their rights to take UPL. Take a read of my Instagram stories if you’re struggling to stretch your annual leave over the school holidays.

Last weekend the kids had a blast at the The Bomb Factory Chelsea Summer Programme. After bashing rocks from the Thames to make watercolours they did what kids do with a giant canvas, tons of paint, and total artistic freedom!

At Mbilla Arts Celebration Day we lino-printed designs inspired by the bold patterns of South African artist Esther Mahlangu and joined in with African drumming.

I had a sneak peek at the Young V&A revamp, took a trot round the latest edition of Sculpture in the City and was enthralled by the new V&A Photography Centre.

And the first episode of The Exhibitionists Podcast is now on Spotify! Co-hosted by myself and Catherine from Cultural Wednesday, it’s a friendly chat about our 6 must-see exhibitions this summer in London.

I'd love to hear what you've been up to - hit reply, post in my Facebook group or DM me on Instagram.

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July 2023: What’s on London with kids

I’ll have a whole post on school holiday activities soon! Before that, there’s a few weekends (and school strikes) to fill, plus events worth getting in the diary. So here’s my guide to what to do with the kids this month:

1. The Young V&A reopens on 1 July. Their Summer Festival (8-9 July) features a large-scale physical installation by Leap Then Look, music, puppetry, dance and hands-on activities. Free.

2. Enjoy engaging activities and performances whilst celebrating diversity and unity in the Pride Family Area at St Giles-in-the-Field. 1 July, free.

3. Meet legendary Caribbean poet, playwright and short story writer John Agard in Story Space Read Aloud at Tate Britain. 1 July, free.

4. There’s 70+ events for Kensington and Chelsea Festival, from circus and outdoor arts to family shows. Don’t miss Luke Jerram’s Mars: War & Peace. 1 July-31 August. Free/paid.

5. Celebrate the wonderful richness of Horniman Museum’s local community in Crossing Borders. Join in with activities, performances and workshops run by local newly arrived people. 8 July, free.

6. Westminster Abbey’s Summer Fete features a 60ft inflatable obstacle course, a birds of prey display, children’s activities, speed composing and Morris dancing. 8 July, free entry.

7. Discover the wonderful world of archives in Working in the archive - Family Day at London Metropolitan Archives. Handle 400-year-old parchment, repair damaged documents and start building your own family tree to take home. 8 July, free. Ages 5+.

8. Drive a replica Mars Rover, drum your way to better health, play the floor is magma and more in the Kids Zone at The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition. 8-9 July, free.

9. Play giant vintage arcade games in Battersea Power Station, including the World’s Largest PAC-MAN, Atari Pong® Arcade Table and Tetris, . 8-9 July, free. Part of The Battersea Games.

10. Create your own collage artwork for Children's Art Week at RAF Museum London. 15 July, free.

11. Build your own worlds, invent your own games, be inspired by others and leave ideas for players to come in REPLAY: A Limitless Recycled Playground at Southbank Centre. 8 July-3 September. £, book.

12. The Festival of Archaeology (15-30 July) is the biggest archaeological celebration in the UK. London highlights include make your own fossil (15 July, free), Mudlarking and heritage craft day at Southwark Cathedral (29 July, £) and Festival of Archaeology Grand Greenwich Finalé (30 July, free).

13. London Chess Fest returns to Trafalgar Square with a living chess set, free chess lessons from top UK players, 100s of chess sets to play and blindfold chess! 16 July, free.

14. Get stuck into China’s Hidden Century with Little Feet: Exhibition Explorer at British Museum. Discover this fascinating period in China's history, with multi-sensory exploration stations. 18 July, free. Under 5s.

15. Growing Curiosity: The Science of Gardens at the Garden Museum explores the science of our gardens and the natural world through a hands-on, interactive exhibition of children’s book illustrations. 19 July-14 September, free.

16. Take an interactive guided tour exploring the body relative to space and history and create a moving collage in Family Workshops Stay and Play sessions at Goldsmiths CCA. 23 July, free. Ages 5+.

17. Join in with child-centred theatre workshops, make large paper models and enjoy classical ballet at Festival14: Family Fun at Canary Wharf. 28-30 July, free/£.

18. Game on with 160 consoles from five decades you can actually play on. Power Up! opens permanently at Science Museum from 27 July. I don’t think Museum Boy will ever leave. £.

19. Explore radical art techniques inspired by trailblazing Impressionist Berthe Morisot in Family Festival: Mark Makers at Dulwich Picture Gallery. 22 July, £.

20. Stack, tilt and balance 400 brightly coloured geometric cubes to create an ever-changing artwork in Uniqlo Tate Play: Rasheed Araeen, Zero to Infinity at Tate Modern. 22 July-27 August, free.

I’ll share more July events as they are announced over on my Instagram stories.

Weekend activities: 1-2 July 2023

Still not sure what to get up to this weekend? Here’s a few more ideas. Click the links for timings and any booking information.

1. First Look Family Day at National Portrait Gallery. 1 July, free.

2. It’s your last chance to see Gaia at Landmark Arts Centre. Closes 2 July, free.

3. Rock climbing wall and activities by Royal Institute, Westminster Abbey and Tate Britain at South West Fest Festival Day, 1 July. free.

4. Creative Workshop with Josh Bilton at MyPlace, Romford. 1 July, free.

5. National Meadows Day at Morden Hall Park. 1 July, free.

6. Autism and Sensory Needs Friendly Pond Dipping at WWT London. 1 July, £.

7. Circus Sensible and African Acrobatic Circus at Battersea Park London. 1-2 July, free.

8. Time Travel Club x Bricks McGee: Let's go LEGO workshop at The National Archives. 2 July, £.

9. Youth First Look at National Portrait Gallery. 2 July, free.

10. Storytelling and photomontage workshop at Open Sundays at Pitzhanger. 2 July, free.

11. Hampstead Beach at JW3 returns. 2 July-3 September, free.

Have a fantastic weekend! Do tag me in your cultural outings - me and my followers want to know how you got on!

Until next time,

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