What to Do in May with your Children in London?
Ready to make May the month for memory-making? Whether you’ve got tiny tots, cheeky tweens, or you’re just a big kid at heart, London is absolutely popping off this May! Here’s your ultimate family-friendly guide to what’s on. And trust me, you’re going to want a bigger calendar.
1. Take your children to see a family friendly play
The Smeds and The Smoos at Pentland Theatre, Arts Depot
This play is suitable for children aged 3+
Julia Donaldson stans, you’re gonna want to snag tickets FAST. ‘The Smeds and The Smoos’ is being brought to life on stage at Arts Depot London. And it’s funny, charming and all-around adorable. Perfect for little ones (and big kids who know all the rhymes by heart). Expect catchy tunes, vibrant costumes, and lots of giggles.
📆 : 27th May – 1st June 2025
📍: Arts Depot London, 5 Nether St, London N12 0GA
Breathe Puppetry Experience at Woolwich Works
This play is suitable for children aged 18months+
Breath-taking puppetry, magical storytelling, and the kind of production that’ll have you wide-eyed alongside your kids. Breathe is a beautiful new experience exploring our relationship with nature — think giant puppets, dreamy visuals, and a sprinkling of theatrical magic. It’s short (55 minutes), sweet, and absolutely unforgettable.
📆 : 27th – 28th May 2025
📍: The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 St, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6HD
2. Jurassic World Exhibition at Battersea Power Station
Hold onto your butts, because the dinosaurs are BACK. Battersea Power Station is bringing prehistoric power with the Jurassic World Exhibition. Think life-size dinos, roars that’ll rattle your bones, and some seriously Insta-worthy photo ops. It’s like stepping straight onto Isla Nublar minus the running and screaming (hopefully). Perfect for dino-mad kids and nostalgic 90s parents alike. Just remember: don’t tap on the glass if you spot the T-Rex.
📆 : opens 23rd May 2025
📍: NEON at Battersea Power Station, Cringle St, Nine Elms, London SW8 5BX
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. First outdoor swim at Tooting Bec Lido
Summer is calling, and Tooting Bec Lido is answering with its gorgeous rainbow changing huts and London’s biggest outdoor pool. Whether you’re doing graceful swan dives or belly-flops that sound like thunder, this is THE spot to kick off the sunny season. Pack a picnic, bring those embarrassing goggles, and enjoy a splash-tastic day out. Warning: kids will definitely turn into mermaids and refuse to leave.
📆 : opens 1st May 2025
📍: Tooting Bec Lido, Tooting Bec Road, London SW16 1RU
5. 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. Chelsea in Bloom 2025
Florals for spring? Groundbreaking — but Chelsea in Bloom actually is. This isn’t just a few sad tulips, oh no. We’re talking jaw-dropping floral sculptures, entire shopfronts dripping in petals, and enough blooms to make you feel like you’re strolling through a real-life fairytale. It’s free, it’s fabulous, and it’s very much ‘chuck-on-a-flowy-dress-and-take-1000-photos’ vibes.
📆 : 19th May – 25th May 2025
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. Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave, West London Ealing
Swap the bedtime stories for banging tunes! Big Fish Little Fish Family Raves are legendary for a reason: glitter cannons, bubble machines, parachute dances, and serious throwback tunes. It’s like your old clubbing days but now you’re holding juice boxes instead of vodka sodas. Kids will love it. You’ll love it. Your inner 20-year-old will love it. Glow sticks at the ready! DJ Zero B will entertain you for 2 hours!
📆 : 17th May 2025
10. LEGO Festival 2025 at LEGOLAND Windsor
Can you ever really grow out of LEGO? (Answer: no.) Legoland Windsor is going all out with their epic LEGO Festival. Your family can see giant builds, hands-on workshops, live shows, and plenty of brick-tastic surprises. Your kids will be buzzing, and let’s be honest, you’ll lowkey be loving it too. Warning: stepping on LEGO barefoot still hurts at any age.
📆 : 3rd May – 8th June 2025
11. Feeding Time at London Zoo
If you thought your kids were messy eaters, wait until you see the animals at London Zoo during feeding time. It’s fascinating, hilarious, and a total crowd-pleaser. Catch the lions tucking into dinner, watch penguins wobble their way to a fishy feast, and maybe even spot a gorilla who eats with better manners than your toddler. Animal lovers, assemble!
📆 : 24th May – 1st June 2025
12. May Half Term Fun at the Postal Museum
Postboxes and letters might sound a bit…yawn? But trust me, the Postal Museum knows how to party! From dressing up in vintage uniforms to riding the underground Mail Rail train, there’s tonnes for kids to do this May half term. Plus, they’ll be running craft sessions and family trails. Who knew post could be so cool?
📆 : 26th May – 31st May 2025
13. Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet Festival
Punch and Judy shows, a brass band, street performers, and enough balloon animals to start your own circus. The May Fayre & Puppet Festival is pure old-school London magic. It’s quirky, colourful, and a brilliant free day out. Pack snacks, chase bubbles, and let your kids be charmed by the old-timey entertainment.
📆 : 11th May 2025
14. Bluey at the Cinema – “Bluey Let’s Play Chef”
Get ready to hear “Muuuum, can we go see Bluey pleaaaase?!” on repeat. Everyone’s favourite Aussie pup is hitting the big screen with brand new mini-episodes. “Let’s Play Chef” is packed with the kind of funny, heart-squish moments that Bluey does best. Grab the popcorn (and a tissue or two) and enjoy some quality family time with the world’s most lovable blue heeler.
📆 : from 2nd May 2025
15. Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth? at the Natural History Museum
Ready to launch into something seriously cool? The Natural History Museum’s brand-new exhibition, Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth?, is a full-on cosmic adventure. You can literally touch a piece of Mars, hug a chunk of the Moon, and snap the ultimate space selfie next to a meteorite that’s older than Earth itself (yep, 4.567 billion years old — no biggie).
Scientists are closer than ever to answering that HUGE question: Are we alone in the universe? Whether you’ve got a budding astronaut in the family or just love a good alien theory, this exhibition is out-of-this-world (pun fully intended).
📆 : opens 16th May 2025
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