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.

Explore art history and sharpen your pencils with these hands-on workshops. Recommended to book 3 sessions in a row to insure participants can learn, enjoy and create in the best conditions.

These interactive Kids sessions will bring a touch of magic to your Saturday mornings. Fun, educational and exciting discoveries in easy French.

Create your own design and devise your own machine by using soft circuits (electronics and paper), e-textile and recycled materials. This is the perfect workshop for little inventors to experiment with sciences, technology, design, arts & crafts.

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.

There’s a time to work and there’s a time to play! Discover board and role-playing games, from the good old classics to the newest creations. Bilingual and easy French

Enjoy activities for all the family and discover the stories of Kensington Palace. Time Explorers Station - activity bags for all ages from babies to 13 years & trails. Or Story Time - enjoy a well known story in the comfort of the palace and join in with themed toys. Aimed at 3 - 7 years olds,

Discover a series of playful, recreational & instructional digital sessions, where we explore the potential that video games and apps may hold. In French, ages 6-12

Kids French Lab now offers a fun-filled approach to learning French for kids, through songs, games and storytelling.

Read, play, sing, grow! Whether you love drawing, reading, clapping or dancing there will be something to enjoy on Wednesdays & Saturdays!

These immersive workshops for 7-12 year olds, develop your child’s coding skills while embarking on a mission to Mars! Through a mixture of coding and robotics, games and art the workshop is creative, collaborative and educational. Children work at their own pace, while supported by expert leaders.

Science Night is a special overnight event for 7–11-year-olds, featuring exciting hands-on workshops, science shows, and a sleepover at the Science Museum among the amazing exhibits—all followed by a tasty breakfast and a breathtaking film in our IMAX theatre.

A drop-in workshop for families inspired by the museum and the exhibitions. Free but bookable, these informal sessions focus on design and making activities for children aged 5–11. Last Sunday of every month.

Delight your family with a double-bill of classic musical stories for children at the Royal Albert Hall, with the charming Paddington Bear’s First Concert and seasonal favourite The Snowman™. The score is performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

A true holiday favorite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live to picture by the Cinematic Sinfonia and Crouch End Festival Chorus, conducted by Ben Palmer.

Birmingham Royal Ballet brings its especially-created version of this Christmas ballet back to the Hall. This enchanting production wowed audiences with its spectacular setting, grand ensemble pieces and ravishing Tchaikovsky score – it is without a doubt the quintessential Christmas treat for all the family.

Ever wondered what goes on at the Museum when everyone has gone home? Find out on a sleepover for kids.

Get out and about this summer with the Mayor’s new London Curriculum Family Explorer Trails which includes the 'Creative Quarter' in South Kensington. Taking you on a circular trail starting at the V&A, up Exhibition Road and through the Royal Parks.

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.

With stunning high definition 3D vision and flight simulator motion technology, you can see and feel for yourself what it’s like in the cockpit of a Red Arrow.

There's lots for families to see and do especially in the holidays, as well as enjoying a family-friendly café and shop. Kids go free!

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. -

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.

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

Explore how we’ve sent spacecraft to other planets, walked on the Moon and peered into the heart of our galaxy and beyond.

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 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

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.

V&A Secret Seekers is a new mobile game for families, launched to coincide with the opening of the V&A's Exhibition Road Quarter. Let eight characters from the V&A's history guide you on an exciting treasure hunt to uncover some of the secrets of the Museum.

Download the free Time Explorers app and try the new Digital Mission at Kensington Palace for children and their families.

Join us for Astronights and spend a night at the Science Museum with exclusive access to galleries after hours and the chance to sleep among our incredible objects.

ake part in a multi-sensory play session especially for the under 5s and their families, inspired by The 12 Days of Christmas. These sessions are led by our very own Visitor Experience Gallery Assistants.

Celebrate the festive season and design your own sensory Christmas tree decoration inspired by architecture. Led by Drop-in Design team.

You are warmly invited to a Victorian Christmas party exploring all things festive, from Christmas cards to trees. Find out how Victorian children entertained themselves on Christmas Day.

Dance with a Venetian Harlequin in the ballrooms of Europe, draw and decorate your own silver trophy, try on a medieval gauntlet or fabulous corset, or challenge yourself to become a master of your craft.

Play the Museum with our digital games. Go online to seek out the V&A’s secrets, get creative and take the apprentice challenge.

Have you ever wanted to fly your own jet? Come and take the controls on Fly 360°, the hands-on flight simulator. Get your adrenaline flowing by performing your very own aerobatic displays, barrel rolls and loop-the-loops, all as if you were really flying!

This year will see new and exciting attractions as well as the return of the Magical Ice Kingdom, the UK's largest outdoor Ice Rink, the iconic Giant Observation Wheel and shows from Zippos Circus in the Big Top plus a huge selection of food and drink stalls and more!

Experience iconic films from It's A Wonderful Life and Elf to Home Alone and Love Actually on the big screen at Kensington Palace this Christmas season. Located at the Pavilion on the Orangery Lawn, this is the perfect place to enjoy a festive film with the stunning Kensington Palace in the background.

Experience iconic films from It's A Wonderful Life and Elf to Home Alone and Love Actually on the big screen at Kensington Palace this Christmas season. Located at the Pavilion on the Orangery Lawn, this is the perfect place to enjoy a festive film with the stunning Kensington Palace in the background.

Track down Father Christmas on an orchestral adventure. Along the way you will ice skate on frozen lakes, go on a Sleigh Ride and enjoy a white Christmas, all without leaving the magical auditorium. You'll be singing, dancing and best of all, a full symphony orchestra will bring the adventure to life.

Enjoy a festive family screening of 1965 classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Join the Peanuts gang as they remind us what’s most important during the festive season! Introducing little ears to the jazzy sounds of the film, the screening will be followed by a performance from The Jason Frederick Cinematic Trio.

Join a family-friendly drop-in workshop! How many materials can you use in one sculpture? It’s up to you! Make your own crazy sculptures using a wide variety of materials to build your work, and if you get stuck grab a creative chance card to help with your ideas and try something unexpected! Free.

Create your own architectural house at the Museum this Christmas. Create your own modular building by Waugh Thistleton Architects and add it to a new city. This activity is drop-in for all the family and will take place in the Raphael gallery.

World famous, award winning, Glastonbury Festival performing, family rave sensation Big Fish Little Fish returns to the V&A. They'll be putting on a fun, modern twist on the traditional Christmas family event - bringing their own unique combination of rave music, crafting, fancy dress and intergenerational merry-making.

Consisting of over 60 gingerbread buildings designed and created by architects, designers and engineers, the Gingerbread City is a playful way to encourage conversation around the future of our built environment.

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.

Hot air balloons, gliders and flying suits will be brought to life in this fun, interactive storytelling session. Join us on a high-flying adventure through the clouds—then build your own beautiful flying machine.

Ever wanted to launch things across the museum? This is your chance! See how far you can launch your pompom in our catapult challenge. Put your skills to the test and you’ll be invading castles in no time!

There is something for everyone on a Storytastic Sunday. Explore the palace with activity bags, listen to Story Time or get creative in Make History workshops. Head along to Kensington Palace on the last Sunday every month to join in!

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.

Hyde Park's expert education team run a range of free and exciting nature-inspired activities for families. You could be pond dipping, helping your children discover an underwater world, sweep netting in the meadow or bug hunting at the minibeast hotel.

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.

There is something for everyone at the Institut Français over the summer. From workshops for creative photography, science and design, to game labs, art clubs and animated film. And much, much!

Available to borrow from Level 1, Sackler Centre, the V&A's award-winning backpacks are recommended for 5-12 years, whilst under 5s can explore sounds and textures with the Agent Animal bag. Discover curious ceramic objects, architectural inventions and incredible interiors.

A new theatre in the Jerwood Gallery will be unveiled for the premiere of award-winning drama The Wider Earth. The play, about the story of a young Charles Darwin, features a cast of seven, remarkable puppetry, an original score and cinematic animations to bring to life uncharted landscapes.

Join the museum as they delve into the science and history behind our nearest star as they celebrate the exhibition The Sun: Living With Our Star. There will be pop-up workshops exploring the science behind the Sun and hands-on interactive activities designed to delight and inspire the whole family.

This exhibition will explore the design and culture of videogames since the mid-2000s, investigating ground-breaking contemporary design work, creative and rebellious player communities and the political conversations that define this movement.

Totem takes you on a stunning journey into the Evolution of Mankind – from our original amphibian state to our ultimate quest for flight. Featuring Cirque du Soleil’s mind-blowing signature acts, Totem is an unforgettable spectacle for all ages.

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.

Dive down on an adventure thousands of metres below the waves to help our scientist explore life in the oceans. Kids will dive through a reef, come face-to-face with a giant squid and see if they have what it takes to survive 3,000 metres below the surface.

The awesome power, beauty and dark side of the sun is revealed in a major new exhibition this Autumn. Spectacular interactive experiences, unique artefacts, and stunning imagery shed fresh light on our evolving relationship with our closest star.

Based on the Apollo lunar landings, this film's exceptional 3D computer animation will fly you to the moon, where you can experience the sights and sounds of an Apollo expedition.

Fuel your adrenaline and feel what it's like to fly a low level mission in the RAF's latest Typhoon jet. Our new simulator takes you on an action-packed flight, demonstrating the aircraft's manoeuvrability through the beautiful landscapes of North Wales and the Lake District.

Tim Peake is your guide for an out-of-this-world virtual reality mission that puts you in the pilot’s seat of a Soyuz capsule. As the European Space Agency’s first British astronaut, Tim Peake spent six incredible months aboard the International Space Station.

Pick up a family trail activity from the trail stand in White Court for a fun way to spend the day at Kensington Palace with children aged 5-11 years.