Fun things to do with kids in South Kensington

The children's library has reopened providing children with easy access to a wide range of interactive resources.

Are you big on museums, but short on time? NHM's knowledgeable visitor assistants have designed just the dinosaurs tour for you. It will introduce you to some of the Museum's most famous and imposing specimens. One hour

From babies to teens, RCM Sparks run a variety of inspiring events for a range of abilities, including family workshops, concerts and courses

A new app from the Museum which encourages kids and their favourite grown-ups to head outdoors and learn fun facts about UK wildlife. Grab your phone or tablet to explore the nature on your doorstep.

Discover where the real and wizarding worlds intertwine, and how the wonders of the natural world have inspired myths, legends and magical creatures for generations. 

If you would like to keep up to-date with everything that is happening at our amazing science and arts institutions in South Ken, why not sign-up to our weekly newsletter. Bursting with great content, you'll be spoilt for choice. Every fortnight, there's something different to see and do, from fantastic new exhibitions and wonderous collections to unique, one-off events to tantalise and excite.

My Dino Mission AR is aimed at 7-10 year olds and enables budding young palaeontologists to help a stranded dinosaur get back to its own time period many millions of years ago. Combining the latest augmented reality technology with STEM skills, children can recognise a dinosaurs’ species, what it eats, likes and needs to survive. Young explorers can care for and capture fun photos of themselves interacting with their new dinosaur friend in the backdrop of their home or back garden

Go on a small safari with a handy guide to the minibeasts that live in the Wildlife Garden and their habitats. Then, complete the NHM's leaf bingo by spotting fabulous foliage in the Museum's outdoor space. There's an incredible variety and volume of life in the garden just waiting to be discovered.

Following a major revamp, the Science Museum's popular IMAX cinema has now re-opened. Enjoy heart-pounding audio, awe-inspiring images and immersive 3D shots on a screen the size of four double decker buses.

For over 300 years, steam has been the driving force behind the working factories, shipping and railways that are essential for trade. Even now, steam turbines generate the majority of the electricity we use every day, both at home and at work. See the huge, red Burnley Mill engine in action.

Revealing the beauty of the science and maths that shape our everyday lives, this unmissable experience will ignite your curiosity, fuel your imagination and inspire you to see the world around you in new and exciting ways.

Are you ready to go on an adventure? This trail takes you on a journey through V&A galleries, exploring some of the incredible cultures and traditions you can see. You will discover objects that are hundreds of years old, uncover secret meanings behind animals and colour in art, and learn about some of the wonders of the museum, from an emperor's throne to dragons, from plaster casts to wigs!

Discover the magic of Hyde Park in the palm of your hand! A free scavenger hunt game using mobile phones that takes you on an adventure through one of London's most popular parks.

Trace the remarkable story of steam and how it shaped the world we live in today. Steam has been the driving force behind British industry for 300 years. Without it, the Industrial Revolution could never have happened. Even now, steam provides 75% of the electricity we use every day.

Showcasing extraordinary medical artefacts including the world’s first MRI scanner, Fleming’s penicillin mould, a professional pianist’s prosthetic arm and even robotic surgery equipment.

Mathematics is too often perceived as dry and complex, but this new gallery will tell stories that place the subject at the heart of our lives, exploring how mathematicians, their tools and ideas have helped to shape the modern world.

Welcome, naturenauts! Are you ready for an adventure? Grab your phone or tablet to explore the nature on your doorstep.

If you love cinema, and you’re 25 years old or under, the 25 and Under £5 Scheme at Ciné Lumière is for you! Whether you want to see the latest releases or discover French classics, attend special Q&As or explore world cinema, enjoy discounted tickets with no booking fees.

Get up close with nature, discover fascinating creatures and intriguing science with these top tips for family visits and a self-guided tour. Can't make it to the Museum? There are still plenty of ways to get involved online with live talks, dinosaur crafts and ways to explore nature in your local area

Discover the magic of the parks in the palm of your hand! Their free scavenger hunt game for your mobile phone takes you on an adventure through some of London’s most popular parks. Move at your own pace and discover interesting sights and uncovering photo challenges, amazing facts and games for all ages to enjoy.

Explore this cultural district and discover the history of the area with this free walking tour from Go Jauntly, curated by the Royal Geographical Society as part of the programme for Kensington + Chelsea Art Week.

Get a feel for how scientists work by having a go yourself. Come and explore hundreds of real nature specimens that form the evidence museum scientists use in their daily work.

A unique fountain memorial to Princess Diana designed to reflect her spirit of life and love of children.

Explore the rich diversity of mammals, from polar bears to pygmy shrews in the Mammals gallery. -

Pattern Pod is an amazing multi-sensory area for children under 8 years old. Fun, interactive exhibits encourage them to recognise and copy patterns.

The Garden is an exciting interactive space, created especially for children aged 3–6 and their parents and carers in the basement of the Museum.

Explore and have a great adventure in the playground with a huge wooden pirate ship which is the centrepiece of the Diana, Princess of Wales' Memorial Playground.

Escape the city bustle with a wander through a tranquil haven for plants, pondlife and insects. Home to thousands of British plants and animals, more than 3,300 species have been identified in the garden since it opened in 1995. Advanced booking to the Museum is recommended.

Based at Imperial College London, a unique Saturday science tuition featuring specialists in science education and highly qualified scientists.

Ciné Kids screenings cater to children aged 4 and over – and their families – so they can discover the best animated films. In English, French or French with subtitles. Including Despicable Me and Paddington.

Family favourite The Muppet Christmas Carol will be screened with live orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall as part of our 2021 Christmas season. This show will take you on a magical journey through the classic Charles Dickens story performed by the Muppets.

My Christmas Orchestral Adventure returns in 2021 and Albert’s Orchestra is poised and ready for a magical journey through classical music. Oh no! Father Christmas has lost his map on a practice run of his delivery route! Thankfully Albert's trusty ensemble has found it but they need your help to return it to him ahead of the big day!

Narrated by Jim Carrey and using incredible 3D technology, Under the Sea will leap off the screen and take you on a fascinating journey to discover the mysteries of the ocean floor.

Explore the science of who you are through intriguing objects, provocative artworks and hands-on exhibits. Discover what your voice sounds like as a member of the opposite sex, morph your face to see what you’ll look like as you age, or collect DNA to catch a criminal.

March 2021 marks the Royal Albert Hall's 150th year and they would love you to join them in the celebrations, with major commissions from British artists, headline performances from musical legends, and a series of showcases promoting the next generation of talent.

The Institut français' Click & Collect is back. Simple, safe and free to use, all you have to do is order on line, wait for confirmation and go along and pick-up.

Experience Earth like never before in a breath-taking portrait of the planet captured from the International Space Station on the biggest screen in Europe. See fantastic images of the Earth from the Space Station and gain a new understanding of how wonderful and unique our planet is.

Discover more about some of the curious and creepy cures used to keep us healthy in days gone by. This interactive science show will delight and disgust the whole family!

Chart 250 years of science and technology and discover some of the most iconic items that have shaped our society. The Making the Modern World gallery presents some of the Museum’s most remarkable objects.

Explore the different time periods dinosaurs lived, sort the facts from the myths about why they died out, and find out what our scientific research has taught us about these prehistoric giants.

Inside the Cocoon see hundreds of Museum specimens. Marvel at beetles and butterflies, metre-high plants, huge tarantulas and historic herbaria.

Through dramatic film footage, exhibits, interactive games and our famous earthquake simulator, explore how the powers within shape the world in which we live.

The trail will include creative looking, thinking and drawing activities as you explore the museum and exhibitions. The trail asks the user to consider what it's like to be a designer, maker and user of some of the wonderful objects in the collection. Takes 30 - 40 minutes.

As the European Space Agency's first British astronaut, Tim Peake spent six incredible months aboard the International Space Station. Using VR technology, get a 360° look inside a Soyuz capsule and retrace Tim's 400km journey back to Earth from the ISS.

From dinosaurs to mammals, explore the amazing diversity of life on Earth. Follow our planet's evolution and walk beneath a 25.2-metre blue whale skeleton. Take a journey through our spectacular Earth sculpture and find out about the tremendous forces that shape our planet. See scientists at work in the Darwin Centre and enjoy the tranquil habitats of our Wildlife Garden.

Help to explode some rocket-fuelled bubbles, melt some marshmallows, and learn all about the challenges of space in this free interactive family show. This show is suitable for children aged 5 and above.

Fly Kids is a pay-as-you-go flight simulator that lets your child experience the sights and sounds of flying with the Red Arrows during one of their aerobatic displays.

With never-before-seen footage and the latest underwater filming techniques, this epic documentary transports you to the farthest reaches of this majestic land and reveals that what happens there affects every single one of us.

If your child has ever wanted to explore the museum after dark, or if the idea of spending the night in one of our iconic galleries fills them with excitement, then they’ll love Astronights, a sleepover for children. With workshops, shows and activities—and breakfast and an interactive science show to boost your morning energy—it will be a night they never forget.

A free coding session. You and your family can choose what you want to create, go at your own pace, and decide how you like to work—on your own or teamed up. From total beginners to programming experts, everyone is welcome.

Head to the Science Museum website to book your free admission tickets and explore their incredible galleries and exhibitions this summer.

Don't forget to pre-book for your free entrance ticket to access both free displays and paid exhibitions.

Book your free timed entry ticket to the V&A and spend your day exploring their miles of galleries or dip into the exciting array of exhibitions and displays. Their café and shops are also open.

Book your free timed entry ticket to the Natural History Museum and explore the nation’s finest collection of natural history specimens.

Listen up and hear the beat! Time to take a closer look at this hidden hardworking hero… your heart. Get your blood pumping in this fun, family-friendly workshop where you can make your very own working stethoscope and put it to the test.

Hyde Park has a fleet of rowing and pedal boats on the Serpentine and the UK's first Solarshuttle, a magnificent vessel which glides across the lake powered only by the sun. The Solarshuttle carries up to 40 passengers and the pedal and row boats hold up to 6 persons each.

The much acclaimed Ciné Lumière offers a wonderful choice of movies for the whole family to enjoy together, from the recently released Cruella to movies for the youngest family members, The Reason I Jump, and relaxed screenings tailored for children with sensory difficulties.

Dawnosaurs is a free event for children with neurodiverse conditions (including autism and other sensory processing difficulties) to enjoy the Museum with their families and siblings, free from the hustle and bustle of the general public. Visitors have access to a wide range of galleries and activities, supported by experienced, autism-aware facilitators. This event is best for children aged five to 15, and siblings are welcome.

Get ready to fall in love with Kensington and Chelsea again this summer post-lockdown. They’re celebrating what the borough has to offer with exciting events and activities taking place from June to September and you’re invited to join in the fun. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from parks, high streets and museums, to libraries, local businesses and more.

Celebrating the life and work of one of the best loved children's authors of the 20th century. Featuring original watercolours, drawings and manuscripts, as well as personal artefacts, including letters and photographs, this exhibition will bring to light the places, people and animals that inspired some of Potter's most beloved characters.

With the climate crisis more urgent than ever, The Royal Parks’ Learning team and partners are playing a vital role in raising awareness and encouraging individuals to do all they can to be a hero for nature.

These striking Augmented Reality (AR) creatures encourage you to reconsider your relationship with spiders – moving you from fear to protection. Two giant AR spiders lurk outside the Gallery and if you share a photo of a real spider or web, you will be able to interact with a third!

Have you ever wanted to have a sleepover with a giraffe? Or spend the night camped beneath a blue whale? This unique sleepover gives kids aged 7 to 11 the chance to explore the Museum after dark while taking part in fun and educational activities.

Delight the little one with a sensory storytelling class designed to boost their development and nurture a love for books. And afterwards, don't miss the chance to explore the rest of the Museum with a ready-written self-guided tour.

Find something you couldn’t live without; create an interesting shadow. Students can follow their curiosity and work together to complete the challenges while exploring the fascinating world around them.

Seven simple ways to create a wildlife-friendly garden. The amount of wildlife on our doorsteps is astounding but is increasingly being lost to hard surfacing and paving. Wildlife needs a helping hand. and even small changes can help. Here are seven easy ways to make your garden a haven for wildlife.

Growing native wildflowers is an excellent way to provide the right food for pollinating insects, making life better for your local wildlife. If you haven't got a lot of space, you can grow wildflowers in a container. You'll be able to enjoy a burst of colourful and interesting flowers while watching visiting bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Whether you have a garden, porch or windowsill, find out how you can choose plants that not only look fabulous but are loved by invertebrates.

Save floor space in your balcony or window allotment with these pretty hanging plant pot.

No watering can? No problem. Follow this guide to make one out of an empty milk bottle.

Invertebrates are all around, but sometimes we have to look quite hard to find them. Make it your mission to go out and search for these fantastic creatures. You’ll need to be fast, quiet and alert when hunting bugs, just like a real spy... keep ‘em peeled.

Taking apart gadgets such as a travel alarm clock, disposable camera, headphones, propelling pencil or a tv remote control is a great way to explore beneath the surface of objects, to find out and question how something works or how it was made.

This simple bee hotel will provide a home for a variety of solitary bees, including red mason bees and leafcutter bees.

Bring nature to your doorstep by keeping wild birds fed with a home-made bird feeder. Follow our steps to build a seed feeder from a reused plastic bottle.

What do you think is the fastest invertebrate in your garden? Why not go on a bug hunt to search for invertebrates? You could look under logs, flowerpots and around window sills to find invertebrates with different numbers of leg.

Find out how to create a wildflower meadow in your garden, or a meadow-in-a-pot for your front steps or windowsill.

Let’s learn about the circular economy. Design a plantable card from recycled paper.

Download Mission: Invertebrate's free activities and information sheets to see London’s green spaces in a whole new way. Whether you’re at home, in your local park or one of the incredible Royal Parks, these resources will help you and your family discover fascinating nature on your doorstep.

Just like us, bees and other pollinators need a drink of water to survive. Find out how to create a bee bath to give our bees a helping hand with this video from Mission Invertebrate.

Boost your family's wellbeing with a magical mystery nature tour. Time in nature is essential for keeping us healthy and happy, even through winter's colder, darker months. Explore some of the key reasons why and venture out for some nature therapy.

Rediscover some amazing galleries and more. Whether you're a space enthusiast or a codebreaking expert, choose a family trail to guide you around our inspiring free galleries this summer. You can also explore their programme of free family activities including storytelling sessions and interactive shows.

Chelsea History Festival is taking place 17 - 26 September 2021 and there's plenty for all the family! They have a variety of events to inspire budding young authors and their new ‘Street through Time’, where you can journey through 2000 years of London history and clash blades at Sword School.

As part of the Great Exhibition Road Festival, join acclaimed green poet Martin Kiszko an inspiring, engaging and hilarious stand-up poetry show for children. Book your free ticket and head over to the Royal Albert Hall and enjoy in the relaxed setting of the Elgar Room..

Say the word meadow and it immediately conjures up images of distant lazy days, the smell of hay and wildflowers, the sizzle of summer heat and the sound of the wind and crickets in long grass. Meadows are often portrayed as a natural habitat but that’s not quite the case. Find out what makes a meadow and why they are so important or better yet learn how to create your very own wildflower meadow.

Feeling inspired and creative? Want to be the next Agatha Christie or Robin Stevens? Join the Institut français' writing workshop to stimulate and unearth those hidden talents. Suitable for ages 6+.

Feeling inspired and creative? Want to be the next Amma Asante or Michaela Coel? Join the Institut français' writing workshop to stimulate and unearth those hidden talents. Suitable for ages 6+.

Brilliantly bilingual throughout, the South Ken Kids Festival is an occasion to highlight children’s writing, illustration, translation, and children’s books in all their glory. It includes workshops with illustrators, talks with authors, film screenings, as well as performance, translation, film-making and virtual reality labs.

Set against the backdrop of the Waterhouse building, the Ice Rink at the Natural History Museum is one of the most magical places to be this winter. Whether you can dance on ice like Torvill and Dean, or you skate more like Bambi, a visit to the Museum’s Ice Rink is a must this festive season.

The Cirque du Soleil sun is rising! The intermission is over: Cirque du Soleil will reopen their dazzling luminous spectacle, LUZIA, at the Royal Albert Hall in January 2022. 2022 will also mark 25 years since Cirque du Soleil first brought its captivating magic to our stage with now over 3.5 Million spectators witnessing its awe-inspiring acrobatics.