🦊 Bank Holiday Heist

Morning, London! Happy Thursday. We’re heading into a long weekend and London is not holding back. Coldplay kicks off their 10-night Wembley run, so expect emotional singalongs and maybe the odd accidental kiss cam scandal. If you're going, choose your seatmate wisely.

The ever controversial Notting Hill Carnival is taking over West London this weekend, bringing music, crowds, culture, complaints and joy in equal measure.

And don’t forget, today is National Burger Day. Might be a good day to claim that cheat day, no? Lots of burger joints are doing limited-edition specials, so if you’re going all in, make it count. Got a favourite spot? Hit reply and let me know. Would love to find a new gem.

The forecast is still looking decent, but just a heads up. The remnants of Hurricane Erin could be heading our way next week with a bit of wind and rain. Make the most of the sunshine while it’s still playing nice.

Let’s dive in.

. LONDON SNIPPETS .
Bits that caught our eye

⚖️ Step Right Up: It’s Weigh-In Week at the Zoo. London Zoo is once again measuring every furred, feathered, scaly and slightly confused creature in its care. From penguins to capybaras (bribed with snacks), it’s part of a global effort to track endangered species. The animals are weighed, logged and if they cooperate, praised for staying within range. Full story

🌿 Big Leaves, Bigger Wow. Giant waterlilies have landed at Kew Gardens and they’re massive — we’re talking dinner-plate-for-a-dinosaur levels of big. The Victoria cruziana species can grow up to two metres wide and will be floating impressively at the Waterlily House all summer long. Even the most eye-roll-prone schoolkid might crack a smile. Full story

🎬 Tarantino’s Bringing the Drama. Quentin Tarantino is swapping film sets for footlights with his first-ever play, set to hit the West End next year. He’s even moving to London to work on it, with plans to hang around for two years — or until it flops, whichever comes first. Expect snappy dialogue, dark humour and probably a few suspiciously detailed shoe references. Full story

 .TRIVIA .
Think you know your London?

. CASUAL EINSTEIN .
2 for 1: Wow your kid, and outsmart the other parents

Fun Fact: Elephants are the only mammals that can’t jump. 🐘🪨 No hopping, no skipping, no trampolines. Just pure, four-footed commitment to the ground. They don’t need airtime. They’re already majestic.

London Fact: There’s a blue plaque in London for a man named Thomas Crapper, and yes, he worked in toilets. 🚽🔧 He didn’t invent the loo, but he helped popularise the modern flush and held several plumbing patents. His name? Unfortunate. His contribution to British bathroom history? Undeniable.

. EVENTS SCOOP .
What’s on this week?

🧸 Teddies on Holiday @ British Museum
Date & Loc: Aug 21, Bloomsbury WC1B
Join the under-5s for a playful journey around the world with the Museum’s travelling teddies. From pretend mosaics to teddy bear picnics and insect hotel crafting, it’s a buzzing morning of fun for tiny explorers.
Age: Under 5s | Price: no cost | Info

🔠 Hieroglyphs @ Bruce Castle Museum
Date & Loc: Aug 21, Tottenham N17
Decode the past and design your own golden name plate inspired by ancient Egyptian writing. A crafty afternoon perfect for mini scribes and pharaohs-in-training.
Age: 6-10yo | Price: no cost | Info

🎖️ Make Your Own Medal @ National Army Museum
Date & Loc: Aug 21-22, Chelsea SW3
Drop in and design your own Victorian-inspired medal using clay and craft materials in this creative workshop for families. No booking required.
Age: 7+ | Price: no cost | Info

🛡️ Enigmatic Emblems @ Sir John Soane’s Museum
Date & Loc: Aug 21, Holborn WC2A
Get inspired by Sir John Soane’s coat of arms and create your own in this hands-on printmaking drop-in. Held in the museum’s Art Room as part of artist-in-residence Simon Faride’s programme.
Age: 4+ | Price: no cost | Info

🎨 The Kids’ Table @ BOXPARK Wembley
Date & Loc: Aug 21, Wembley HA9
Drop in for a crafty afternoon with The Kids’ Table crew, who’ll keep little hands busy with arts and crafts while you enjoy top-tier street food. First come, first served.
Age: 3+ | Price: no cost | Info

🧱 Block Party: Summer LEGO Workshops @ Leadenhall Market
Date & Loc: Aug 21, City EC3V
Join Bricks McGee for free, guided LEGO drop-in sessions where kids (and grown-ups) build epic group creations. Last session: magical monsters.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎖️ Family Fun on Chapel Square @ The Guards Museum
Date & Loc: Aug 21–22, Westminster SW1E
March down to Wellington Barracks for guard-themed crafts, music, dress-up and chill-out zones with deckchairs. Timed perfectly with the Changing of the Guard.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

📰 Zine Together @ V&A South Kensington
Date & Loc: Aug 21–22 & 27–29, South Kensington SW7
Get hands-on with collage and colour in this drop-in session where families create zines inspired by the Design and Disability exhibition. Think joyful, playful spaces.
Age: 5+ | Price: no cost | Info

🏛️ Summer Holidays @ Queen’s House
Date & Loc: Aug 21-29, Greenwich SE10
Art workshops, songs, sensory play and surprise performances take over the stunning Queen’s House this summer. Expect creative crafts, character encounters, and plenty of imagination-fuelled fun.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

✂️ Summer Family Crafts @ London Museum Studios
Date & Loc: Aug 21-26, Farringdon EC1A
Get hands-on with playful crafts and creative activities inspired by the museum’s archives. Free, inclusive, and perfect for relaxed family time indoors this summer.
Age: 5+ | Price: no cost (book req) | Info

🔥 Great Fire of London Family Show @ Museum of London Docklands
Date & Loc: Aug 21–28, Canary Wharf E14
Help uncover the fiery chaos of 1666 in this lively, interactive show for families. From a tiny spark to a blazing city, discover the story behind the Great Fire, complete with noise, light, steam and surprises.
Age: 5+ | Price: no cost (book req) | Info

🧗‍♂️ Above & Beyond @ Beresford Square
Date & Loc: Aug 22, Woolwich SE18
Watch in awe as parkour artists scale Woolwich’s buildings in this soaring, high-energy spectacle. Featuring live music and a finale by the Citizens of the World Choir, it’s the epic opening to GDIF’s 30th festival.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎩 Magic & Marvels @ Queen’s Park
Date & Loc: Aug 22–29 (Wed & Fri), Queen’s Park NW6
Abracadabra! Enjoy free outdoor magic shows every Wednesday and Friday in August. Expect bunnies, jokes, and jaw-dropping tricks by a rotating cast of magicians.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎨 Self-led Family Crafts @ Hackney Museum
Date & Loc: Aug 23, Hackney E8
Drop in anytime for free, self-led craft and drawing activities inspired by Hackney’s communities and collections. Materials and instructions provided, just bring your imagination.
Age: 5+ | Price: no cost | Info

🛼 Roll’n Stroll Creative Club @ Dene Community Centre
Date & Loc: Aug 23, Peckham SE15
Mask-making, rollerskate cleaning, nail art, nature crafts, and a cosy baby corner, this arty morning is for skating families who love to get creative. Carnival flair meets community vibes.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

💃 Bring the Dance You Have @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: Aug 23, South Bank SE1
Whether you two-step or flamenco, join this epic day of global dance styles, workshops and open-air performances. The party runs all day on the Riverside Terrace, with DJs spinning late into the night.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🏰 Food Festival @ Hampton Court Palace
Date & Loc: Aug 23–25, East Molesey KT8
Bank holiday food fun in the palace gardens, with tasty stalls, live cooking demos, music, and hands-on family vibes. Come hungry, stay curious, and maybe learn how to turn a potato into foam.
Age: Everyone | Price: £26 (includes palace entry) | Info

🎉 Bank Holiday Party @ Big Penny Social
Date & Loc: Aug 24, Walthamstow E17
All-day summer celebration with DJs, live music, street food and family-friendly beach vibes at Walthamstow-on-Sea. Deckchairs, sand and ice cream by day, live band and dancing by night. Kids welcome until 7pm.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎪 Greenwich Fair @ Greenwich Park
Date & Loc: Aug 23–25, Greenwich SE10
Street theatre, circus, dance and wild outdoor fun take over Observatory Hill for this jam-packed weekend from GDIF. No tickets, no barriers.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎨 Oyster Art @ William Morris Gallery
Date & Loc: Aug 23, Walthamstow E17
Turn oyster shells into shimmering mini-masterpieces using classic William Morris designs in this drop-in family day. Decoupage, gold edges and plenty of crafty flair await under the People’s Pavilion.
Age: 5+ | Price: no cost | Info

🎭 Tate Play: Thunder, Crackle and Magic @ Tate Modern
Date & Loc: Ongoing until Aug 25, Bankside SE1
Step into three wildly theatrical sets in the Turbine Hall, packed with dragons, puppets, and playful chaos. Costumes on, imagination in overdrive, it’s part stage, part playground, all magic.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🏙️ Build Your Own Town @ IKEA Greenwich
Date & Loc: Aug 25, Greenwich SE10
Get crafty at IKEA with this hands-on session where kids design and colour their own mini town. Think paper buildings, wild colours and plenty of imagination. IKEA Family account needed to book.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost (book req) | Info

🕵️‍♂️ Family Activities @ Imperial War Museum
Date & Loc: Ongoing in August, Lambeth, SE1
Free, drop-in activities that bring real wartime stories to life through play, creativity and hands-on discovery. A great way to explore the museum together.
Age: 5-12yo | Price: no cost | Info

🎉 FUN DMC 10th Birthday @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: Aug 25, Southbank SE1
Celebrate 10 years of family-friendly block party vibes with FUN DMC. Expect disco, garage, hip-hop and R&B, spun by DJ Spin Doctor, plus dancing and a beatbox workshop on the Riverside Terrace.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🌊 Ocean: Above and Below @ National Maritime Museum
Date & Loc: until Aug 31 (closed Mondays), Greenwich SE10
Dive into storytelling, crafts and hands-on fun all about ocean life, deep-sea wonders and epic maritime journeys.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎁 The Wizard of Oz @ Pentland Theatre
Date & Loc: Aug 30, North Finchley N12
Follow the Yellow Brick Road with a cast of talented young performers (ages 7–17) in this one-hour musical finale to Impact’s summer theatre camp. Witches, winged monkeys and heartwarming friendships await.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £12 | Info

🎨 Art Sundays @ Dulwich Picture Gallery
Date & Loc: Aug 31, Dulwich, SE21
Get inspired by the gallery’s collection and the Rachel Jones: Gated Canyons exhibition in this hands-on family art session. Free and fun for kids aged 7–12 and their siblings. No experience needed.
Age: 7-12yo (all ages welcome) | Price: no cost | Info

⚓ Summer at the Docks @ Museum of London Docklands
Date & Loc: until Aug 31, Canary Wharf, E14
Dig, dance and discover London’s layered history with hands-on archaeology, live shows, Caribbean dance parties, and chilled creative workshops. Big energy or slow vibes, pick your adventure.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎨 Arts Festival @ Gabriel's Wharf
Date & Loc: Sep 6, South Bank SE1
Live music, roving performers, spoken word, crafts, crystal ball juggling and Japanese drumming; this vibrant riverside celebration mixes creativity, community and a touch of the unexpected. Pop into shops, decorate bunting, and soak up the South Bank vibes.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎨 Little Explorers @ National Gallery
Date & Loc: Sep 17, Trafalgar Square WC2N
Stories, songs and playful creative activities for under-5s and their grown-ups, all inspired by the Gallery’s portraits and sitters. A lovely way to explore art as a family. These free sessions usually book up fast, so grab a spot when they open (3 weeks before the event).
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost (book req) | Info

Let me know what you think! Your feedback helps us keep this section better and more useful for you.

. SPREAD THE LOVE .
Thank you for reading ❤️

Got any comments or suggestions? Feel free to reply; I’d love to hear from you.

Also, if you enjoyed this, feel free to share it with friends!