inspiration for free days out in london
Free activities in the city
Looking to entertain the kids on a shoestring ? We’ve compiled a list of free activities for children of all ages. Scroll down for more info!
If you’re aware of other free days out in London, which aren’t listed below, please let us know by emailing info@hackneyfoodbank.org
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Free Outdoor Cinema at Kings Cross
June 29th - August 26th
Everyman on the Canal, returns to King’s Cross with a full programme of blockbusters, including Some Like It Hot, Grease, Dune: Part One, Paddington and The Devil Wears Prada, alongside cult classics, family favourites, Wimbledon and a handful of surprises still to come.
Curl up in front of a family favourite film at this waterfront open-air cinema.
Click here for more info
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Summer fun at the Southbank
June 10th - September 2026
Head to the Southbank Centre this summer and enjoy a musical interactive art installation by artist Luke Jerran and much more.
Click here for more info
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Events at Hackney Libraries
There’s loads going on at local libraries this summer, including film screenings, crafts and creative writing.
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Free School Holiday Club
Daubeney School is offering a free Summer holiday camp for those eligible for free school meals. There’ll be arts and crafts, sports, tuition and learning.
Book by emailing info@alh.org.uk or Call 0208 432 6699
Daubeney Primary School, E5 0EG
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Royal Docks Summer Splash
July 25th - August 17th 2026
Summer Splash is back and it’s free! Enjoy family-friendly dock swimming and sandpits. There’ll also be outdoor performances at this summer spectacular.
Click here for more info.
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horizon 22
Visit London’s highest free viewing platform. It’s situated on the 58th floor of a tower block in Bishopsgate and offers amazing views of the Thames and Tower Briidge. Book well ahead to avoid disappointment.
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visit the pelicans!
Did you know that there are pelicans in St James’ Park? They were presented to King Charles II by a Russian ambassador in the 1600s.
You’ll find them close to the bridge to Duck Island (head to the Horse Guard Parade park entrance). Feeding time is 2.30pm each day!
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FOUNTAINS KINGS CROSS
Little children love the fountains at Kings Cross. The 1,080 jets are individually controlled and lit. Kids run in and out of them! Bring swimming costumes or a change of clothes!
It’s open daily during daylight hours.
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the wellcome collection
‘The Coming of Age’ exhibition explores experiences and perceptions of ageing, from adolescence to later life, and asks how societies can adapt for us all to age better.
It features 150 artworks and objects, from historical artefacts to works by renowned artists.
Admission is free. This exhibition runs until November.
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hackney city farm
Open Tuesday to Sunday, this city farm offers a chance to get close to a range of farmyard animals. Admission is completely free. Find the farm at Goldsmiths Row (E2 8QA)
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Activities with Hackney Council
During the school holidays, Hackney Council will once again be teaming up with a number of schools, sports activity providers and community services to offer a wide range of exciting activities and a daily healthy free meal.
It’s first-come first-served so book your place early!
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freightliners farm
Located in Liverpool Road, Islington, this city farm is wonderful. There are pigs, sheep, cows, chickens, rabbits, ducks and more.
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museum of the home
This museum at 136 Kingsland Road offers exhibits about how homes have evolved over the decades. Check out a typical room from the 1800s or the 1970s!
Admission is free. Open Tuesday to Sunday.
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The Young V&A
Located on Cambridge Heath Road in Bethnal Green, this is very much a hands-on doing museum.
There’s a play gallery and toys from throughout the decades. This place is a must-see!
Open daily - 10am - 5.45pm.
Admission Free.
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The Science Museum
Packed with exhibits that will blow your mind, this free museum in South Kensington is so special.
Until January 2026, they have a Future of Food exhibition exploring how advances in ecology and biotechnology could change food in the future.
There are also cars and aeroplanes from through the ages and their space exhibition is incredible. There’s a fun interactive space for pre-schoolers downstairs.
Open daily 10am-6pm
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the design museum
The Design Museum’s collection is an important record of the key designs that have shaped the modern world. It tells the history of mass production, from the manufacturing innovations of the nineteenth century up to the digital and making revolution of the last few years
.224 – 238 Kensington High Street.
Open daily from 10am. Admission: free
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grant museum of zoology
Established in 1828 as a teaching collection in comparative anatomy, the Grant Museum of Zoology is now home to around 68,000 zoological specimens, including extinct and extant animal species, fluid preserved specimens, taxidermy, glass and wax animal models, fossils and pinned entomology.
University College London , 21 University Street , WC1E 6DE.
Open: Tuesday – Friday: 1pm-5pm and Saturday: 11am-5pm
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The British Museum
2 million years of human art, history and culture.
Come face-to-face with objects from the Sutton Hoo ship burial, explore the wonderful collection of the Islamic world and learn more about Egyptian mummies.
Open daily from 10am.
Admission free.
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London walks
TFL has compiled a list of brilliant walking routes. It’s a great way to discover more of the city. Each walk takes around half an hour.
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Watch Tower Bridge open
You can get a good view from the banks of the Thames with a lovely grassy area near City Hall where you can have a picnic and watch the bridge open.
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National Maritime Museum
There are child-friendly tours, several excellent play spaces and a giant map for kids to leap around on. Advanced booking is recommended.
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Tate Modern
See some of the world’s most exciting modern and contemporary art at Tate Modern's art gallery. On display are paintings, sculptures and large-scale installations from artists around the world.
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Mudchute Farm
Visit one of the largest inner city farms in Europe with 32 acres of countryside and over 100 animals for all to enjoy in the heart of East London.
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Crystal Palace Park
Explore this family-friendly park where you can pet animals in a children’s farm, get lost in a Victorian maze, skateboard in the skatepark or admire dinosaur statues that were erected in the 1850s.
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Barbican Conservatory and Art Gallery
Visit London's second largest conservatory in London. Tickets must be booked in advance. There are also tours and exhibitions to see - check out their upcoming events here:
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Short Walks with TFL
TFL has compiled a list of brilliant walking routes. It’s a great way to discover more of the city. Each walk takes around half an hour.
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Shakespeare Walk Adventure Playground
This Stoke Newington playground is free and children aged six-16 can be dropped off. There are staff on hand to keep an eye! Open weekdays during the holidays: 12pm-5pm.
