Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in London, West
To search the listings, enter a keyword, location and/or date in the boxes below.
When entering a location, select the best location match from the list that appears, then click Go.
Click here to clear your search.
Horrible Histories® Gorgeous Georgians trail
17th February-31st August 2025
Venue: Osterley Park and House
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Inspired by the Horrible Histories® books, dive into the world of the Georgians with an interactive family-friendly trail around the house, garden and parkland.This 10-stop, interactive trail is designed...
My Neighbour Totoro
10th March-2nd November 2025
Venue: Gillian Lynne Theatre
Website: www.lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/my-neighbour-totoro
Don’t miss the theatrical event of 2025 as the record-breaking, award-winning My Neighbour Totoro transfers to London’s West End. Find your spirit with the return of the “awe-inspiring” (Time Out)...
Horrible Histories Terrible Thames
3rd April-3rd September 2025
Venue: Tower Bridge Quay, London
Website: www.birminghamstage.com/shows
There are incredible stories, glorious views, exciting sea shanties and even the chance to sing yourself. Whether you love Horrible Histories or just want a sightseeing tour of the Thames, this is the...
Cats in Cartoons
5th April-7th September 2025
Venue: The Cartoon Museum
Website: www.cartoonmuseum.org
From Garfield to Simon’s Cat, Krazy Kat to Bagpuss and everything in between, there is a long line of iconic cartoon cats. For the first time, The Cartoon Museum is collecting many of the greatest cats...
Summer by the River 2025
29th May-31st August 2025
Venue: London Bridge City
Website: www.londonbridgecity.co.uk
From Thursday 29th May the banks of the iconic River Thames will undergo a mesmerising transformation into a riverside refuge, filled with sunshine, entertainment, and unforgettable experiences for all...
Hammersmith Summer Festival
6th June-22nd July 2025
Venue: Hammersmith Lyric Square
Website: www.hammersmithlondon.co.uk
Hammersmith Summer Festival is back with free entertainment. They're showing Wicked on Thursday 17July, Bend It Like Beckham on 24 July and to celebrate the start of the school holidays Inside Out 2 on...
The Tiger Who Came To Tea
14th July-7th September 2025
Venue: Theatre Royal Haymarket
Website: www.tigerstealive.com
Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos! A stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem... expect...
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
15th-20th July 2025
Venue: Chiswick House and Gardens
Website: www.chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk
Beneath the watchful gaze of its grand domes and towering trees, fairy mischief and moonlit enchantment await. Step into this timeless landscape, where Shakespeare’s beloved characters have been waiting...
101 Dalmatians The Musical
18th July-30th August 2025
Venue: Eventim Apollo Hammersmith
Website: www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Get ready to go paws-itively dotty for the smash hit musical 101 Dalmatians, at the Eventim Apollo this summer, for six weeks only.Dodie Smith’s classic canine caper is brought to life on stage with...
The Dream Fairies
18th July-31st August 2025
Venue: Kew Gardens
Website: www.theatreonkew.starlight-tickets.co.uk
Join the magical fairies as they go on an exciting musical adventure. The audience is invited to dress up and join in the fun! Everyone is welcome to join this sparkling adventure with a special visit...
The Smeds and The Smoos
18th July-7th September 2025
Venue: Lyric Theatre
Website: www.tallstories.org.uk/dates-and-tickets/the-smeds-and-the-smoos
A joyful tale of star-crossed aliens. Music, laughs and interplanetary adventures for everyone aged 3 and up, from Tall Stories – the company that brought you The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom live...
Family Fun Day: BIG science
19th July 2025
Venue: The Royal Institution
Website: www.rigb.org
The Royal Institution are celebrating Summer with an event full of a variety of science topics and having one BIG science Saturday. In true Ri fashion, you'll explore activities and demonstrations throughout...
Fireman Sam - The Great Camping Adventure
19th July 2025
Venue: Beck Theatre
Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
Norman wants to go on an adventure, so when two famous animal explorers arrive in Pontypandy, he decides to follow them into the mountains. But when Norman discovers a rare red squirrel, one of the explorers...
Theatre on Kew: Alice in Wonderland
19th July-31st August 2025
Venue: Kew Gardens
Website: www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/alice-in-wonderland
This critically acclaimed, outdoor theatre production set against the magical backdrop of the gardens, is packed with much-loved colourful characters, music, original songs and laughter.Tickets to Alice...
Dance Through India
20th July 2025
Venue: Harrow Arts Centre
Website: www.harrowarts.com
From the energetic beats of Bharatanatyam to the colourful folk dances of Punjab, prepare to be swept away by a spectacular celebration of rhythm and heritage. Collect your Dance Passport upon arrival,...
Summer School
21st-25th July 2025
Venue: Ealing Fields High School
Website: www.eganperformingarts.com
Join Egan Performing Arts for a fun packed week of singing, dancing, acting, arts, crafts, yoga and more!Includes an EPA Summer School T-shirt for each child. Wrap around available, email eganperformingarts@gmail.com...
Home education day: biodiversity
22nd July 2025
Venue: Fulham Palace House and Garden
Website: www.fulhampalace.org
Join a guided session to survey and record the diverse species across the Palace grounds. Learn about the crucial role of bees in our ecosystem during a special talk with the beekeepers. Get up close with...
Bill the Duck Food Trail
23rd July-1st September 2025
Venue: Headstone Manor and Museum
Website: www.headstonemanor.org
Join mascot Bill as he embarks on a delicious journey through Harrow’s rich food history. Explore the diverse flavours that have shaped the local community, with fun food-inspired activities along the...
Dawnosaurs: Relaxed Morning Visit
23rd July 2025
Venue: Natural History Museum
Website: www.nhm.ac.uk
Neurodivergent children and their families have the opportunity to explore the museum before anyone else and enjoy activities around different themes. This event is best for children aged 5-15, and siblings...
Family Workshops at Japan House London
23rd July-31st August 2025
Venue: Japan House London
Website: www.japanhouselondon.uk/whats-on
Explore the cultures of Japan this summer holiday with a series of free family workshops at Japan House London. During each workshop, participants can enjoy learning about Japan and unleashing their creativity...
Robin Hood
23rd July 2025
Venue: St Paul's Church
Address: Covent Garden
Website: www.actorschurch.org
From songs around the campfire to archery competitions and sword fights the story of Robin Hood is brought to life in a fun and entertaining way for all generations and fans of this adventurous legend....
Summer holidays: Rail Adventures
23rd July-31st August 2025
Venue: London Transport Museum
Website: www.ltmuseum.co.uk
From the first underground railway to the opening of the Elizabeth Line, the Museum will be celebrating key milestones in London’s railway’s history and the stories of people who made them possible....
Family Workshop: Changing Landscapes
24th July 2025
Venue: Headstone Manor and Museum
Website: www.headstonemanor.org
Celebrating 60 years of Harrow History! Make your own abstract, painted collage to represent the changing terrain of Harrow over 60 years. There will be painting, cutting and sticking. Remember to wear...
Magical Matilda Celebrations
24th July-31st August 2025
Venue: The Roald Dahl Museum
Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org
The Roald Dahl Museum is celebrating the author’s much-loved novel Matilda this summer, with workshops and activities including science experiments and creating miniature gardens. There’ll be daily...
Magical Matilda Celebrations
24th July-31st August 2025
Venue: Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre
Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org
Roald Dahl Museum is celebrating the author’s much-loved novel Matilda this summer, with workshops and activities including science experiments and creating miniature gardens. There’ll be daily storytelling,...
Early Birds
26th July 2025
Venue: Science Museum
Website: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
This event is suitable for those who benefit from visiting the museum free from the hustle and bustle of the general public (for example, individuals with autism spectrum conditions or sensory processing...
Hooves and Horses
26th July 2025
Venue: The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace
Website: www.rct.uk/event/hooves-and-horses-03-2025
Enjoy fun and interactive arts and crafts activities for the whole family, inspired by the incredible collection and stories of the Royal Mews. Summertime crafts include camera-less photography (weather...
Play in the Park
26th July 2025
Venue: Kensington Gardens
Website: www.royalparks.org.uk/whats-on/play-park
The Play in the Park project offers a free play programme of fun, creative activities and events inspired by the Royal Parks’ wildlife and open spaces. This is a public event for children, young people...
Children's Garden quiet sessions
27th July 2025
Venue: Kew Gardens
Website: www.kew.org
Kew are closing the Children’s Garden to the public to allow children with special educational needs and disabilities, like Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or sensory processing needs, and their parents...
Party on the Pier 2025 – Chiswick Pier
27th July 2025
Venue: Chiswick Pier
Website: www.chiswickcalendar.co.uk/event/party-on-the-pier-2025-chiswick-pier
Party on the Pier is the annual highlight down at Chiswick Pier and a great day out for all the family. The fun starts at 11am when the Pier House opens and the first free boat trip sails.Get the children...
Holiday workshops: Cosmetic chemistry (ages 9-11)
28th July 2025
Venue: The Royal Institution
Website: www.rigb.org
Students will explore the difference between acids and alkalis and how they react to form a salt. Using this knowledge they then make their own personalised bath bombs.This workshop is a great introduction...
Holiday workshops: Designing for plants (ages7-8)
28th July 2025
Venue: The Royal Institution
Website: www.rigb.org
In this playful and creative workshop, young designers are introduced to the idea of architecture through the eyes of a plant. With a seedling as their special “client,” children are invited to imagine,...
Forest School Holiday Camp – Syon Park
29th-31st July 2025
Venue: Syon Park
Website: www.syonpark.co.uk/syon-park-events
Redbeard Forest School camps are run in the historic grounds of Syon House in a dedicated Forest School base camp during the school holidays. For more information email: scott@redbeardforestschool.co.uk...
Terrific Tuesday - July
29th July 2025
Venue: Chiltern Open Air Museum
Website: www.coam.org.uk
Join Chiltern Open Air Museum for a Victorian themed family activity day. Enjoy crafts, clay modelling with the Dacorum and Chiltern Potters Guild, storytelling, see traditional spinning demonstrations,...
The Wind in the Willows
29th-30th July 2025
Venue: St Paul's Church
Address: Covent Garden
Website: www.actorschurch.org
Multiple award-winning Illyria celebrates Kenneth Grahame’s timeless tale of friendship, laughter, the longing for home and the lure of adventure. Enjoy it all summer across the UK where the story is...
Summer Nature Roadshows
30th July 2025
Venue: Regents Park
Website: www.royalparks.org.uk
Visit Regents Park this summer for free drop-in activities perfect for families, nature-lovers and budding environmentalists! Solve clues on the detective trail to celebrate summer wildlife, take a closer...
Summer Nature Roadshows
30th July-21st August 2025
Venue: Bushy Park, Kensington Gardens, Richmond Park, St. James's Park, The Green Park, The Regent's Park & Primrose Hill
Website: www.royalparks.org.uk/whats-on/summer-roadshows
Free drop-in activities for families, nature-lovers and budding environmentalists! Solve clues on the detective trail to celebrate summer wildlife, look at nature specimens at the mini museum and get creative...
Action Arena
31st July-3rd August 2025
Venue: Chiswick House and Gardens
Website: www.chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk
The UK’s biggest touring inflatable assault course comes to London for the first time. There is something for all the family, with the Mini course for small adventurers, and the XXL course for the big...
Horrible Histories - Barmy Britain
31st July-31st August 2025
Venue: Apollo Theatre, London
Website: www.birminghamstage.com/shows
We all want to meet people from history! The trouble is everyone is dead! So get ready for Horrible Histories live on stage with the best of Barmy Britain. It’s the history of Britain with the nasty...
Shepherd’s Bush Green Funfair
1st-17th August 2025
Venue: Shepherd’s Bush Green
Website: https://irvinleisure.co.uk/upcoming-funfairs/shepherds-bush-green-summer-family-funfair-2
The number of tokens per ride varies.Tokens are on sale at the fair and online with contactless payment available on all rides.Online Token Discount – book your tokens online in advance to save money.
The Baddies
1st-24th August 2025
Venue: Cadogan Hall
Website: www.cadoganhall.com
The Baddies love being bad. They roar, spook and cast spells to try and scare a little girl… but will they succeed? With songs by Joe Stilgoe, The Baddies is a wickedly hilarious adaptation by Freckle...
Rogues and Highwaymen
2nd-3rd August 2025
Venue: Chiltern Open Air Museum
Website: www.coam.org.uk
Meet The Crew of the Phoenix and discover the dangerous and thrilling world of 18th century outlaws. Watch daring sword fights, from gentlemanly duels to fierce cutlass battles. Feel the heat of battle...
SENsory Astronights
2nd August 2025
Venue: Science Museum
Website: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
SENsory Astronights is an overnight event for families with members who benefit from a more relaxed museum atmosphere. Experience all the excitement of our Astronights in a more calm and free-flowing environment....
The Tempest
2nd August 2025
Venue: Harrow Arts Centre
Website: www.harrowarts.com
Shakespeare’s most magical play bursting with mayhem, comedy, romance, and surprises! With heaps of audience participation, this mesmerising show will be brought to life in unforgettable style, perfect...
Tom Gates Epic Stage Show
2nd August 2025
Venue: Beck Theatre
Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
Tom Gates epic Stage Show comes to the theatre bringing alive the illustrations and music that makes Tom Gates hugely popular around the world. With catchy tunes and hilarious performances, this fantastic...
Play in a Week (age 5-10) Youth Theatre Workshop
4th August 2025
Venue: The Emmet Room
Website: www.questors.org.uk
Using props and costume as a starting point, via games, group activities and individual acting challenges, you will work to create an entirely new play based on the group’s ideas for characters and stories.A...
Summer of Art at National Gallery
4th-17th August 2025
Venue: The National Gallery
Website: www.nationalgallery.org.uk
For the first two weeks of August, participate in a super fun, arts-based programme with daily activities the whole family can enjoy. It’s all free, no bookings required and you can even take your...
The Hundred
5th-31st August 2025
Venue: Lords Cricket Ground and The Kia Oval, London
Website: www.thehundred.com
Oval Invincibles and London Spirit will be in action, with 10 matchdays across London this summer. The Hundred combines high-energy cricket with live music, street food, and family entertainment – making...
Depot family tours
6th August 2025
Venue: Museum Depot, 2 Museum Way, 118-120 Gunnersbury Ln
Website: www.ltmuseum.co.uk
From the tons of poo that accompanied the first horse buses, to why trains have bogies, take a highlights tour of the Bus and Train Sheds. You will be taken around part of the Depot by one of the Learning...
PlayDay 2025: Making each day an adventure
6th August 2025
Venue: Coram's Fields
Website: www.coramsfields.org/event/playday-25
Article 31 of the United Nation’s charter on the Rights of a Child states every child has the right to play. On the first Wednesday in August, Coram’s Fields hosts its annual fun-filled celebration...
Playday in the Garden
6th August 2025
Venue: The Design Museum
Website: www.designmuseum.org
Visit the museum’s Dame Sylvia Crowe Garden for a festival of play, creativity and design for children and families, exploring gardens and the creatures that inhabit them. Design a mini garden, become...
Summer Cycle
7th August 2025
Venue: Kew Gardens
Website: www.kew.org
At this cycling event enjoy exclusive after-hours access to the Gardens. Gardens trails will return, tweaked to showcase Kew’s summer highlights, along with lots for all the family to enjoy.Book now...
Summer Nature Roadshows
7th August 2025
Venue: Kensington Gardens
Website: www.royalparks.org.uk
Visit Kensington Gardens this summer for free drop-in activities perfect for families, nature-lovers and budding environmentalists! Solve clues on the detective trail to celebrate summer wildlife, take...
Britain at War
9th-10th August 2025
Venue: Chiltern Open Air Museum
Website: www.coam.org.uk
At this special weekend event, the living history re-enactment groups will be around the 45-acre site among the historic buildings, depicting different wartime periods throughout Britain's history, covering...
Science Museum - The Live Stage Show
9th August 2025
Venue: Beck Theatre
Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
Experience the brand-new stage show from Mark Thompson Productions which will ignite your curiosity, fuel your imagination and inspire you in new and exciting ways. This family production is sure to capture...
Play in the Park
14th August 2025
Venue: Regents Park
Website: www.royalparks.org.uk/whats-on/play-park
The Play in the Park project offers a free play programme of fun, creative activities and events inspired by the Royal Parks’ wildlife and open spaces. This is a public event for children, young people...
Victorian Weekend
16th-17th August 2025
Venue: Chiltern Open Air Museum
Website: www.coam.org.uk
Meet costumed re-enactors in the buildings and around the Museum site. Look out for shady characters including the rat catcher and his rats; street urchins, rogues and vagabonds. This Ragged Victorians...
Summer Nature Roadshows
21st August 2025
Venue: St James's Park
Website: www.royalparks.org.uk
Visit St James's Park this summer for free drop-in activities perfect for families, nature-lovers and budding environmentalists! Solve clues on the detective trail to celebrate summer wildlife, take a...
BBC Proms: CBeebies Prom - A Magical Bedtime Story
25th August 2025
Venue: Royal Albert Hall
Website: www.royalalberthall.com
Join CBeebies’ friends and a special guest in the Bedtime Stories chair as they share a magical musical tale. Don’t miss this entertaining exploration of the orchestra for little ones – full of fun...
Design Camp: Drawing and Storytelling for 8 to 11 year olds
27th August 2025
Venue: The Design Museum
Website: www.designmuseum.org
Combining observational drawing with zine-making, children will learn how to capture details through live sketching to then build a visual narrative on a zine or concertina book. 10am-4pm.
Family Workshop: Birthday Cake Bonanza
27th August 2025
Venue: Headstone Manor and Museum
Website: www.headstonemanor.org
Harrow is 60 years old, that’s a lot of birthday cakes! Using fabrics, felt, lace, ribbons, buttons and other fabulous bits and bobs design and make your own collage cake. It’ll look good enough to...
Milkshake! Live On Holiday
27th August 2025
Venue: Beck Theatre
Website: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
Join your favourite Milkshake! friends on Holiday with Smurfette, Dora, Pip and Posy, Blue from Blues Clues and You!, Milo, Milkshake! Monkey plus two of your Milkshake! presenters for an all-new adventure....
Pride and Prejudice Outdoor Theatre
31st August 2025
Venue: Fulham Palace House and Garden
Website: www.fulhampalace.org
Illyria brings Pride and Prejudice to life in this fast-paced, sparkling outdoor production filled with wit, romance, and sharp-tongued humour. Set in the beautiful walled garden of Fulham Palace, this...
ABBA for Kids
5th October 2025
Venue: Cadogan Hall
Website: www.cadoganhall.com
Featuring all your favourite ABBA hits including ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Waterloo’, ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’, ‘Thank You For The Music’, ‘Super Trooper’, ‘Money, Money, Money’, ‘Dancing...