Summer in the city: Cultural things to do with kids over the holidays

Six weeks; a 1008 hours. Think about what you could achieve with 1008 uninterrupted hours. Actually, don’t — because the six weeks I’m talking about are the ones where you’re expected to entertain school-age children, while keeping the rest of your life afloat. There’s something quietly satisfying about smuggling a bit of culture into those long summer days. Consider this list, then, the cultural equivalent of hiding extra carrots in a Bolognese.

Yoshitomo Nara’s work rightly has a magical hold over children, teens and adults alike. Until August 31, the Hayward Gallery is hosting the largest-ever European retrospective of the Japanese artist, with more than 150 works of art to enjoy. Themes include rebellion, home, nature, music and dreams. It’s striking, soulful, and a great conversation starter for budding young artists. southbankcentre.co.uk

The Tate’s new large-scale installation in the Turbine Hall is called Thunder, Crackle and Magic, created by Turner Prize nominee Monster Chetwynd. Running from July 19 until August 25, it is loosely based on Mozart’s Magic Flute — it’s never too early to get them started on opera — but go for a spectacle of theatre, with enough monsters and villains to keep even the most wildly imaginative little ones happy.

The new V&A venue is finally here, V&A East Storehouse. Consider it the national museum of absolutely everything: there are three storeys of curiosities to explore, with more than 250,000 objects and 350,000 books. There’s everything from vintage Vivienne Westwood clothing to motorbikes to ancient bronze statues. Whatever your lot are into, it’s likely to be here too. Open now.

Kew’s Treetop Walkway is a cathedral of culture for the leafy-inclined. Climb 118 steps to the canopy and meet fungi, lichen, and bugs living the high life. Back on ground level, kids can run riot in the Children’s Garden — complete with trampolines, tunnels and hammocks — or explore giant wooden sculptures that explain how trees grow.

From lab-grown meat to climate-conscious snacks, the Science Museum’s new exhibition (July 24—January 4) asks: how will we eat in the future? It’s a fun, free and interactive way to explore how science is reshaping food — and yes, they’ll actually learn something between asking you for more snacks.

If your child loves surrealism and rabbits, and perhaps even playing cards, in August head to the Royal Opera House for their fantastical Alice in Wonderland Adventure Tour. With an actor as the guide, go backstage to peek at ballet shoes, view costumes up close, and maybe even glimpse the Royal Ballet rehearsing. Add a lunchbox picnic, a bespoke Eat Sleep Doodle gift to colour, and a dedicated family space, and you’ve got yourself two-and-a-half hours of cultured fun.

Lego meets architecture at this colourful outdoor commission by Sir Peter Cook. The Play Pavilion, open until August 10, is an immersive play space next to Serpentine South in Kensington Gardens, designed to explore the creative possibilities of play. It’s all about interaction, imagination, and letting kids explore — with just enough design kudos to feel like a proper cultured day out.

A screen? Bear with. The Prehistoric Planet, which opened last week and runs till November 2, is an immersive experience at Lightroom. A 360-degree CGI feast, it will have kids roaring their heads off, as they’ll be surrounded by lifelike dinosaurs who roam across vast digital landscapes. It’s educational, cinematic, and lasts just under an hour.

Drop into the National Portrait Gallery throughout this summer for family-friendly workshops inspired by its collection. With artist-led activities like collage, 3D paper sculpting, and zine-making, your child can explore faces and expressions — that aren’t yours! — while making something genuinely cool to take home.

As well as the Natural History Museum being full of exciting things to look at, including in the garden — did you know they have a garden? — this summer, head there to watch Our Story with David Attenborough, an epic and immersive tale of people and planet. It’s on until January, and is a huge 360° cinematic experience, recommended for those 8 and over (with no under-4s). Also worthwhile is the T.Rex Show with Teach Rex, a free event for neurodivergent children.

For something equal parts calming and educational, head to the British Museum for its Ancient India-themed summer programme. Every Wednesday in August there’s a free drop-in storytelling session for children aged 6+. Think Gods, tigers and ancient myths. Pick up a Museum Explorer trail while you’re there and turn your visit into a scavenger-hunt-style wander.