It's the Summer holidays and that means at least 6 weeks of entertaining the kids at home.
Luckily in London there's plenty to do that's free and fun.
MUSEUMS
In London we are lucky to have so many amazing museums with FREE entry.
The Natural History Museum in Kensington is most famous for it's dinosaurs. Admission is free but book your free timed ticket. There's free activities including Lego 'build the change'.
They've also put together a list of free outdoor activities to do with the kids.
Perfect to combine with a trip to the Science Museum just around the corner.
The Horniman Museum is in Forest Hill and opened in 1901. It is full of anthropology, natural history and musical instruments. There's also gorgeous gardens to walk around with plenty to do.
The Young V&A is where families, children and young people can come together to imagine, play and design. It's based in Bethnal Green.
There's additional free activities on every Friday during the holidays.
The Tate Modern is a converted power station that's now an art gallery on the Southbank.
Until August 28th you can visit and take part in Rasheed Araeens changing sculpture.
The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square is hosting Summer in the square. A free arts festival for the month of August, there's daily sessions available for all.
FARMS
Go and visit some adorable animals at the farm, London has quite a few of them
Vauxhall City Farm is one of the most central farms in London. I love this farm as the alpacas are in the park! Open Tuesday until Sunday 10.30am-4pm.
Mudchute Park and Farm is in the middle of the Isle of Dogs. It's quite an amazing sight, sprawling grass land with a back drop of sky scrapers. The farm is spread over 32 acres and houses over 100 animals.
They have free playtime every Saturday 11-3pm
Deen City Farm is an educational petting farm with cattle and rare British animal breeds. There's also a riding school and a cafe.
They are opening later on Tuesday's during Summer and also holding a ukulele jam.
3) SHOPPING CENTRES
Shopping Centres run events to entice you to spend the day at their destination.
There's free arts and crafts and trails at The Glades in Bromley on selected dates.
The Surrey Quays shopping centre has a Summer pop up with free ping pong and events. There's free yoga, walball, plant workshops, art classes, music and climbing. Book your place on the website
There's free kids arts and crafts sessions and the brilliant Disco Yoga
are at Westfield Stratford 19th, 23rd, 26th
4) TRAILS AND WALKS
There's free walks and trails around London this August.
On the Southbank there's a Morph trail and in Covent Garden a gorilla trail
Find 70 different themed Morph characters around London until 20th August.
Download a map or the app, raising money and awareness of Whizzkidz.
15 life sized gorilla sculptures have been placed around Covent Garden. The sculptures are raising awareness for the conservation of gorillas in Africa. They are in Covent Garden until October.
Chimps are Family is a public art exhibition by Gillie and Marc in Kingston Town centre.
Perfect to combine with a day by the river or trip to Hampton Court.
5) PLAYGROUNDS
There are some amazing playgrounds in London you can access for free.
This innovative and fun playground is next to Battersea Power Station. There's also free sports and games at Battersea Power Station. There's plenty of deckchairs and giant seats by the river, so combine with a picnic.
Battersea Park, just the other side of the bridge, also has playgrounds for all ages.
Mayow Park in Sydenham is a lovely park with a cafe and plenty to do.
There's a kids playground, table tennis, zipwire and sports courts.
There's even areas where you can pick your own herbs for personal use.
The Diana Memorial Playground is located next to her former home in Kensington Palace. This playground even has a giant wooden pirate ship and has a Peter Pan theme and is near the Peter Pan statue in the park.
Kids Table work at various London restaurants, pubs and food halls. They offer a supervised kids corner and keep the kids entertained with crafts. Check out their social pages to see where they are going to be. Some venues you may need to book a table and dine.
7) FAMILY FILM SCREENINGS
There's free film screenings around London that are kids friendly
There's a family film Club at Canada Square Park on 12th and 19th August at 10.30am
Battersea Power Station is showing free outdoor films, most are suitable for older children.
8) PARKS
Royal Parks have free family trails and discovery days
They are antiques but the Crystal Palace dinosaurs are still fun to spot. There's also a boating lake, skate park and a maze.
9) LIBRARIES
Check out your local library for Summer events and challenges. Many libraries have reading groups and story time.
Better Libraries are offering a Summer Reading Challenge
Geocaching is the worlds largest treasure hunt and it's free. Download the app and discover the geocache neat you. You can make every walk into an adventure.
The thought of heading to an Ikea may bring you out in a hot sweat but Ikea is offering free crafting activities at their stores during the Summer Holidays. .
Smaland offers free supervised creches at their Greenwich branch. You get 45 minutes whilst you shop, with special festival Fridays sessions.
Join Ikea family to get a free hot drink when you visit weekdays.Kids also eat from 95p
There's branches in London in Hammersmith, Greenwich and Wembley The offerings vary from each store.
Remember to go and find the infinity room for a photo at the Greenwich branch.
FREE THINGS TO DO IN THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS IN LONDON
Greenwich Peninsula is located next to the 02 centre in North Greenwich.
There's lots of things to do in this area. The area is vibrant and fun, an explosion of colour.
The Now Gallery is free entry and has a hands on area to encourage play and creation.
There's a 6 hole crazy golf course designed by Yinka ilori and ping pong tables designed by Camilla Walala and art across the elevated walkway The Tide.
There's a free art walk from North Greenwich to Stratford called The Line.
There's also free live music sessions at weekends.
Inside the 02 you'll find Virgin Media Gamepad. A free gaming experience open to all.
All Points East is a festival in East London that has a program of free activities for the local community. The In the Neighbourhood festival takes place from Sunday 20th August until Wednesday 23rd August.
There's entertainment, arts and crafts, comedy and classes.
Firstly, the kids will love running through the fountains in Granary Square.
There's free pétanque to play until 10th September.
Free live music takes place on selected Sundays at The Summer Sounds Festival.
Pick up a free trail map from the visitors centre and go on an adventure around the area.
You've also got Camley Street Natural Park and Handyside play area to visit.
If you're kids love tech, head to the futuristic Samsung KX and see the future!
It may get very busy, and your child may want to keep everything but there's lots to do for free.
The staff are wonderful and go above and beyond to make sure everyone is having a wonderful time.
There's branches in Regent Street and Westfield that have Summer activities.
There's walk about characters, Summer beach, dance parties, crafts, games and even an open ceremony everyday at 10am. Check website for timings for each activity.
Please check any events with organisers as they may be subject to change with the crazy weather!
I will be updating this blog for any upcoming free events and ideas, so check back when you need inspiration.
If you need more inspiration take a look at things to do in August blog.
I hope this blog on free things to do in Summer holidays in London has been helpful.
I also hope that you've discovered something new.