Best Things to Do in London with Kids This Summer
Planning a family day out in London this summer? From free parks and museums to a proper Sunday roast, here's how to fill the school holidays with things the whole family will enjoy — including where the kids eat free.
The school summer holidays mean six weeks of keeping little ones entertained across London, and thankfully the city is full of free days out to lean on. Between parks, museums and riverside walks, you'll want a relaxed spot to stop for lunch too. Humble Grape's family-friendly wine bars in Battersea, Canary Wharf and Islington are a welcome pit stop, with a proper kids' menu, Sunday roasts built for smaller appetites, and kids eating free every Saturday.
Top Family-Friendly Things to Do in London This Summer
Free Outdoor Days Out
London's parks are hard to beat on a warm day. Battersea Park has a boating lake, playgrounds and a small zoo, making it an easy half-day out for families near our Battersea wine bar — Battersea Park Children's Zoo is a nice add-on for younger kids, and the park's pedal boats and tennis courts suit older ones. Nearby, Vauxhall City Farm offers free animal encounters, and Clapham Common has open space for picnics and kite-flying.
Further west, Hyde Park's Diana Memorial Playground is a firm favourite, alongside the Serpentine for pedal boats and paddling in summer. A walk along the South Bank gives older kids street performers, the Golden Jubilee Bridges and ice cream stops all the way to Tower Bridge, while Coram's Fields near Islington has a dedicated children's play area, sandpit and mini farm — a short trip from our Islington wine bar.
Canary Wharf's own waterside walks and pop-up splash fountains are a good shout for families visiting our Canary Wharf venue, and Mudchute Park and Farm on the Isle of Dogs is a short DLR ride away for pony rides and animal paddocks. For a bigger day out, Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory combine green space with sweeping views over the city, and Hampstead Heath's lidos and playgrounds are worth the trip on a hot day.
Museums and Indoor Escapes
For rainy days — or simply an escape from the heat — London's big museums are free to enter and built for curious minds. The Natural History Museum's dinosaur skeletons and the Science Museum's interactive galleries are always popular with children, while the V&A's family galleries and the Horniman Museum's aquarium and gardens offer a quieter alternative. The Museum of London Docklands, close to our Canary Wharf venue, has a dedicated children's gallery and is an easy add-on to a waterside walk.
For something more hands-on, the Southbank Centre often runs free family workshops and outdoor performances over the school holidays, and the Tower of London — a short hop from our Bow Lane and Liverpool Street venues — brings history to life with the Crown Jewels and resident ravens. On a really wet day, indoor play centres and soft play venues across Battersea, Islington and Canary Wharf are a reliable fallback.
Family-Friendly Dining at Humble Grape
Kids Eat Free Every Saturday
Just in time for warmer days and longer weekends, little ones eat free at Humble Grape. Every Saturday from 12–4.30pm, one child under 12 enjoys our three-course Little Grape menu completely on us, for every dining adult.
How the Offer Works
The offer runs every Saturday, 12–4.30pm, at Battersea,Canary Wharf and Islington. One child under 12 eats free per dining adult, and each dining adult needs to order a minimum of one main or two small plates.
Where to Book
Tables can be booked ahead for Saturday lunch at any of our three family-friendly venues — Battersea, Canary Wharf and Islington. Weekends fill up quickly over the school holidays, so it's worth reserving in advance via our family-friendly dining page.
The Little Grape Kids' Menu
Our children's menu is designed for little legends who know what they want. Available on weekends at Battersea, Canary Wharf and Islington for £12, the Little Grape menu gives kids three courses to work through: veggies and butter bean dip to start, a choice of lasagne, macaroni cheese, grilled chicken or a roast dinner on Sundays, and ice cream or hazelnut and white chocolate cream to finish.
Family Sunday Roasts
Our Sunday roasts are built for the whole family, not just the grown-ups. Kids' portions are £12.50, with a choice of beef, lamb, pork or mushroom ballottine, served with all the trimmings — crispy potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and seasonal sides. Sunday roasts are available at Battersea, Canary Wharf and Islington.
Whether you're refuelling after a morning at the park or rounding off a museum visit, Humble Grape's family-friendly venues in Battersea, Canary Wharf and Islington are ready for the whole family — dogs included. Book a table for Saturday lunch or a Sunday roast this summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in London with kids in the school holidays? London's parks, riverside walks and free museums — including the Natural History Museum and Science Museum — offer plenty of low-cost family days out throughout the summer holidays.
Where can kids eat free in London? At Humble Grape's Battersea, Canary Wharf and Islington venues, one child under 12 eats free from the Little Grape menu every Saturday between 12–4.30pm, per dining adult ordering a main or two small plates.
Does Humble Grape have a kids' menu? Yes. The Little Grape menu is available on weekends at Battersea, Canary Wharf and Islington for £12, with three courses including a roast dinner option on Sundays.
How much is the kids' Sunday roast at Humble Grape? Kids' Sunday roast portions are £12.50, with a choice of beef, lamb, pork or mushroom ballottine, served with all the trimmings.
Is Humble Grape family and dog friendly? Yes — Humble Grape welcomes families with a dedicated kids' menu and Sunday roasts, and is dog-friendly too.
