What to Do in May with your Children in London?
We have all been waiting for May to happen considering the cold and rainy weather we had in April. Not only May offers two bank holiday weekends but also half term holiday at the end of the month. I have found the following activities in London worth doing with your kids for this month of May 2024. Let’s go!
1. Take your children to see a family friendly play
The Colour of Dinosaurs
This play is suitable for children aged 6+
Wimbledon based Polka Theatre is hosting a great kids friendly show called The Colour of Dinosaurs. Aimed at children between 6 and 12 years old, the play involves some great interaction between a band and the audience around the science and of course dinosaurs. Expect to hear great songs, engaging stories and lots of fun during this 1-hour play.
📆 : 11 May – 9 June 2024
📍: Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, London SW19 1SB
Handa’s Surprise
This play is suitable for children aged between 2 and 5 years old
If you have younger children, not to worry as the Polka Theatre is also showcasing a 35 minutes play worth attending to. Handa’s Surprise is a classic children’s book that takes place in Kenya.
The tale follows the journey of Handa who is walking to the next village to see her friend Akeyo. Handa’s Surprise is a great play where the audience is invited to participate. Expect to see puppetry, live music and a great production for this exciting show.
📆 : 22 May – 23 June 2024
📍: Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, London SW19 1SB
2. Legion Life in the Roman Army – British Museum
The British Museum needs no introduction and is probably one of the most popular museums in Europe with an incredible collection of Egyptian artefacts. However, there is a temporary exhibition not to miss this Spring which is called Legion – life in the Roman army. You and your children will learn how soldiers used to live in the fort and how their life was dedicated to the Roman empire. Moreover, you will understand how soldiers were recruited with specific criteria such as height, medical exams and more. As the exhibition is closing this summer, it is advisable to book your tickets in advance (only adults pay) and pick an early morning session to avoid queuing outside the museum.
📆 : until 23rd June 2024
📍: British Museum, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
3. Go to the top of London at The Shard
With sunny and longer days happening in May, it might be worth to pre-book a session to go on the top of The Shard. The Shard offers one of the best vantage points in London. The views from the observation deck are truly breathtaking, especially on a clear day or at sunset.
The observation deck is situated on the 72nd floor, called “The View from The Shard,” which allows visitors to see London from a height of over 800 feet (244 meters).
On a clear day, you can see iconic landmarks such as the Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the London Eye, among others. There are also interactive touchscreen telescopes that provide information about the landmarks visible from the observation deck.
📍: The Shard, 32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG
4. Frameless – an Immersive Art Experience
Technology has really opened the full spectrum on how we can appreciate art. Usually it is hard for parents to entertain their children with classic art works. However interactive experiences such as Frameless are a good way to introduce art to your family. The venue is located near Marble Arch and is divided into 4 sections where you can fully appreciate different artists’ work. Typically, you would need to spend around 20 minutes in each room so you can fully appreciate the show while you are sitting down on the floor with your kids. Expect to pay over £75 for a family of 4 if you pre-book your tickets.
📆 : until 31st December 2024
📍: Frameless, 6 Marble Arch, London W1H 7AP
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6. Enter the world of Sherlock Holmes at the Sherlock Holmes Museum
If you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes and enjoy immersive and small museums, then visiting the Sherlock Holmes Museum can be a delightful and memorable experience. Located at 221B Baker Street in London, the museum is set up to resemble the fictional detective’s famous residence as described in the stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Inside, you’ll find rooms furnished in Victorian style, with wax figures depicting scenes from the stories and showcasing various artefacts related to Sherlock Holmes and his adventures. Visitors can explore the study where Holmes and Dr. Watson would have worked, as well as other rooms filled with memorabilia and exhibits.
Keep in mind that the museum can get quite crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons, so you may want to plan your visit accordingly to avoid long queues.
📍: Sherlock Holmes Museum, 221b Baker St, London NW1 6XE
6. Delight young children with a great Roal Dahl story musical ‘The Enormous Crocodile
“The Enormous Crocodile” is a children’s book written by Roald Dahl, first published in 1978. It tells the story of a greedy and boastful crocodile who lives in the lush rivers of Africa and enjoys eating children. The crocodile devises various cunning plans to catch and eat the children who play near the river, but he is repeatedly foiled by other animals in the jungle.
The story features a cast of colourful characters, including Muggle-Wump the monkey, the Roly-Poly Bird, and Trunky the elephant, who all work together to outsmart the crocodile and save the children from becoming his next meal.
Starting mid may, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is welcoming a brand new musical production around the book and promises to be a fun outdoor activity for the whole family.
📆 : 17 May – 8 June 2024
📍: Open Air Theatre, The Regent’s Park, Inner Cir, London NW1 4NU
7. A morning stroll at Borough Market followed by street food
If you fancy a nice morning walk in one of the best food markets in Europe, you can’t go wrong by picking Borough Market. It’s one of the oldest and largest food markets in London, dating back to the 12th century.
Borough Market is known for its diverse range of food stalls, offering everything from fresh produce and meats to baked goods, cheeses, spices, and international cuisines. Many of the stalls offer samples of their products, allowing you to taste before you buy. It’s a great opportunity to try new flavours and discover unique foods.
Finally, the market is good spot to try different restaurants around like Brindisa for tapas or Roast for a traditional English breakfast.
📍: Borough Market, London SE1 9AL
8. A day out at Richmond Park to see Bluebells and more
Nothing beats a family day out at Richmond Park especially in Spring, If you happen to have bikes for every member of your family, it is time to take them and explore Richmond park at your own leisure.
The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and other animals. Children especially enjoy the opportunity to spot deer roaming freely in their natural habitat. Remember to keep a respectful distance and avoid feeding or approaching the wildlife too closely.
Richmond Park offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes and landmarks, including the Isabella Plantation, Pembroke Lodge, and King Henry’s Mound.
Don’t forget to stop by the different cafes including the Colicci Roehampton Gate Café (my favourite coffee in West London)
9. Put on your best costume and visit MCM Comic Con
MCM Comic Con is a popular event that celebrates various aspects of pop culture, including comics, movies, television shows, anime, gaming, and more.
One of the highlights of MCM Comic Con is cosplay, where attendees dress up as their favourite characters from comics, movies, TV shows, anime, and video games. You’ll see a wide range of elaborate costumes and creative interpretations of beloved characters.
The convention typically hosts numerous exhibitor stalls selling a variety of merchandise, including comic books, graphic novels, toys, collectibles, artwork, apparel, and more. It’s a great place to shop for unique and exclusive items related to your favourite fandoms.
Don’t forget to visit the Tree House especially designed for children lf all ages. Your children will be able to do many activities around superheroes such as face painting, craft and even some storytelling sessions.
Gaming is a significant aspect of MCM Comic Con, with dedicated gaming zones featuring video game demos, tournaments, competitions, and tabletop gaming sessions. You can try out the latest video games, participate in gaming events, or enjoy board games and card games with fellow attendees.
📆 : 24-26 May 2024
📍: ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL
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