Morning, London! Happy Tuesday. Yes, Thursday. We found it.

London's looking a little different these days. The parks have gone from Wimbledon green to Weetabix. Turns out July was officially the driest on record. Who knew we'd be wishing for a tiny bit of drizzle?

Meanwhile, the school WhatsApp groups are slowly waking up again. New parents asking about school shoe rules. Whether the pasta still comes with tomato sauce. Existing parents wondering how quickly they can mute the chat without looking rude.

Before all that properly kicks off, there's still plenty of summer left. Costa del Croydon is back. An upside-down electricity pylon has appeared outside Ally Pally. And yes, you can even watch WALL·E from a floating cinema. All below!

Let's go.

🚖 Robotaxis Get the Green Light in London. Self-driving taxis have been granted licences by TfL, though a human driver still has to sit behind the wheel for now. Journeys could begin later this year. So yes, driverless taxis are coming, just not quite without drivers yet. Full story

🛍️ The Road Outside Harrods Is Getting a Glow-Up. Hans Crescent, the stretch between Harrods and Knightsbridge Tube, is getting a makeover with more seating, better lighting, extra greenery and space for public art. Luxury shopping is one thing. Somewhere to sit after it? Even better. Full story

✏️ Giant Doodles Have Taken Over the West End. Five giant sculptures by artist Mr Doodle have popped up across Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and St James’s as part of a free summer art trail. They'll be around until the end of August. A good excuse to let the kids shout, "I could draw that.". Full story

🙃 London Upside Down @ Alexandra Palace
Date & Loc: Aug 6-10, Alexandra Palace N22
Artist Alex Chinneck has planted a giant upside-down electricity pylon outside Ally Pally. London views on one side, large-scale architectural weirdness on the other.
Age: All ages | Price: No cost | Info

🖖 Star Trek Warp Trail @ Science Museum
Date & Loc: Aug 6-Sep 13, South Kensington SW7
Calling all future captains. Pick up a free trail map and hunt for iconic Star Trek props, costumes and hands-on discoveries as you explore the museum.
Age: All ages | Price: No cost | Info

👑 Meet Anne Boleyn @ Tower of London
Date & Loc: Aug 6-14, Tower Hill EC3N
Meet one of England's most famous queens as Anne Boleyn returns to the Tower. Live performances, stories from Tudor court and plenty of chances to ask questions.
Age: All ages | Price: Included with admission | Info

🐰 Alice in Wonderland @ Soho Theatre Walthamstow
Date & Loc: Aug 5-16, Walthamstow E17
Follow Alice down the rabbit hole in this magical stage adaptation packed with stunning puppets, colourful costumes and all your favourite Wonderland characters.
Age: 5+ | Price: from £19.50 | Info

🐉 Zog: Live on Stage @ Cadogan Hall
Date & Loc: Aug 6-23, Chelsea SW1
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's lovable dragon takes flight in this fun-filled musical adventure.
Age: 3+ | Price: from £19.50 | Info

🧱 Story Street x The LEGO Group @ Discover Children's Story Centre
Date & Loc: Aug 6-31, Stratford E15
LEGO fans, this one's for you. Discover's outdoor play street is back for summer, packed with brick-building, crafts, dress-up, painting, yoga and loads of hands-on activities.
Age: All ages | Price: Incl. w adm. | Info

🎨 Serendipity Island @ Tate Modern
Date & Loc: until Aug 31, Bankside SE1
A free, interactive art experience that turns the Turbine Hall into a giant maze of play, music and movement.
Age: All ages | Price: no cost | Info

🎨 Summer Family Festival @ National Portrait Gallery
Date & Loc: Aug 6-7, Trafalgar Square WC2
Drop in for some great free artist-led workshops inspired by this year's Portrait Award. There'll be collage, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking and plenty to make and take home.
Age: 3+ | Price: No cost | Info

🎨 Weird and Wonderful Figurines @ Sir John Soane's Museum
Date & Loc: Aug 6 (Thu), Holborn WC2
Celebrate the museum's quirky collection by creating your own miniature figurines in this free drop-in family workshop.
Age: 4+ | Price: no cost | Info

🏰 Family Day: Knights and Dragons @ Westminster Abbey
Date & Loc: Aug 6, Westminster SW1P
Calling all young knights. Head into Westminster Abbey's beautiful gardens for a morning of dragon hunts, knight training, storytelling and medieval-themed crafts. Expect plenty of hands-on fun, including making your own dragon to take home.
Age: Families | Price: No cost (booking required) | Info

🎬 Floating Cinema Club @ Canada Water Dock
Date & Loc: Aug 6-31, Canada Water SE16
Watch free films on a floating outdoor screen with the dock as your backdrop. Bring a blanket and catch family favourites like Elemental and Wonka, alongside feel-good classics throughout August.
Age: All ages (family films vary) | Price: no cost | Info

✨ Harry Potter DroneArt Show @ Sandown Park Racecourse
Date & Loc: Aug 7-8, Esher KT10
Watch the Wizarding World light up the night as 1,200 drones recreate iconic Harry Potter moments to the unforgettable film soundtrack.
Age: All ages (under 3s free) | Price: from £16 | Info

📚 Family Day @ Two Temple Place
Date & Loc: Aug 7, Temple WC2R
Step inside the "house of stories" for a free family open day packed with interactive trails, storytelling and creative activities inspired by the building's hidden tales and characters.
Age: All ages | Price: no cost | Info

🐰 Peter Rabbit @ Morden Hall Park
Date & Loc: Aug 7-8, Morden SM4
Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny leap off the page in this charming outdoor theatre show.
Age: All ages | Price: from £14 | Info

🎨 Upgrade Yourself Festival @ Somerset House
Date & Loc: Aug 7-8, Somerset House WC2
A free creative festival packed with hands-on workshops, talks, networking and activities designed to inspire self-expression and new ideas. Free food and drinks too.
Age: 16+ | Price: no cost | Info

🏖️ Costa Del Croydon @ Centrale Shopping Centre
Date & Loc: Aug 7-31, Croydon CR0
A rooftop urban beach complete with sand, splash zones, games, street food and daily family activities.
Age: All ages | Price: no cost | Info

📄 Club Origami @ Little Angel Studios
Date & Loc: Aug 7-9, Islington N1
A magical mix of puppetry, dance, live music and, of course, paper. Little ones are invited to rip, fold, scrunch and create as this interactive show turns simple sheets into an imaginative world of play.
Age: 2-5 | Price: from £13.50 | Info

🎨 Backyard Biennial Neighbourhood Party @ Whitechapel Gallery
Date & Loc: Aug 8, Whitechapel E1
A free, one-day neighbourhood festival spread across multiple venues with live performances, hands-on workshops, art installations and family activities celebrating the local community.
Age: All ages | Price: no cost | Info

🎬 Summer Screens: WALL·E @ Canada Square Park
Date & Loc: Aug 8, Canary Wharf E14
Grab a picnic blanket and settle in for a free outdoor screening of Pixar's much-loved WALL·E. A perfect summer evening for the whole family under the stars.
Age: All ages | Price: no cost | Info

🎼 BBC Proms: Relaxed Prom @ Royal Albert Hall
Date & Loc: Aug 9, South Kensington SW7
A relaxed, family-friendly Proms concert where everyone is welcome to enjoy world-class live music in a more informal atmosphere.
Age: All ages | Price: from £13 | Info

🎬 Summer Screens: Film Club @ Canada Square Park
Date & Loc: Selected dates in Aug, Canary Wharf E14
Bring a picnic blanket and settle in for free outdoor movie nights under the stars. From family favourites on Saturday mornings to recent blockbusters, sing-alongs and cult classics, there's something for everyone across the summer.
Age: All ages | Price: No cost | Info

🏴‍☠️ Treasure Island @ Arches Lane Theatre
Date & Loc: until Aug 16, Battersea SW11
Ahoy! Join Jim Hawkins on a swashbuckling adventure packed with pirates, buried treasure and plenty of laughs.
Age: 6+ | Price: From £20 | Info

🎭 Dog Man: The Musical @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: until Aug 16, Southbank SE1
If your kids are obsessed with Dog Man, this one's a no-brainer. Dav Pilkey's crime-fighting hero leaps off the page in a funny, fast-paced musical packed with silly jokes, catchy songs and plenty of heart.
Age: 5+ | Price: from £31 | Info

🎨 SideWays Play @ Young V&A
Date & Loc: Aug 7, 14 & 21, Bethnal Green E2
A lovely free sensory play session designed especially for under-5s. Little ones can explore colours, textures, sounds and interactive play spaces at their own pace, while parents are invited to help shape this brand new experience.
Age: Under 5s | Price: No cost | Info

⚡ Pokémon GO Summer Quest @ Shoreditch
Date & Loc: Aug 8-9, Shoreditch E1
Grab your phone and head out on a Pokémon-themed adventure around Shoreditch. Complete challenges, hunt for Pokémon, solve clues and unlock rewards as you explore the neighbourhood.
Age: 9+ | Price: No cost | Info

🎬 101 Dalmatians (1961) @ The Garden Cinema
Date & Loc: Aug 8-12, Covent Garden WC2
Treat the family to Disney's much-loved classic on the big screen, with a free children's activity afterwards.
Age: 5+ | Price: Pay What You Can | Info

🐯 There's a Tiger in the Garden @ Polka Theatre
Date & Loc: until Aug 9, Wimbledon SW19
A magical stage adaptation of the award-winning picture book by Lizzy Stewart.
Age: 3-7yo | Price: From £15 | Info

⚔️ Arthur @ Polka Theatre
Date & Loc: until Aug 9, Wimbledon SW19
A brand-new musical adventure inspired by the legend of King Arthur.
Age: 6–12yo | Price: From £10 | Info

🌊 Blub @ Polka Theatre
Date & Loc: Aug 13-23, Wimbledon SW19
A gorgeous first theatre trip for the tiniest audience members. This gentle show takes babies on an underwater adventure through music, movement, light and sensory play.
Age: 6-18 months | Price: £26 (baby + adult) | Info

🎈 Action Arena @ Chiswick House & Gardens
Date & Loc: Aug 15-16, Chiswick W4
Think giant inflatable obstacle courses, climbing, bouncing and racing. There's a mini course for younger children and an XXL version for bigger thrill-seekers.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £8.95 | Info

🐊 The Enormous Crocodile @ Lyric Hammersmith
Date & Loc: until Aug 22, Hammersmith W6
Roald Dahl's greediest reptile is back, snapping his way through the jungle in search of a tasty snack.
Age: 3+ | Price: from £15 | Info

🧚 Fairy Tales @ British Library
Date & Loc: until Aug 23, King's Cross N1C
The British Library opens a fairy tales exhibition with books, original illustrations, theatre costumes, puppets and pop-ups.
Age: 3-10yo | Price: £11.50 | Info

🌿 Church Street Goes Wild @ Church Street
Date & Loc: until Aug 23, Marylebone NW8
A family-friendly street festival celebrating nature, with wildlife activities, crafts, performances and plenty of hands-on fun.
Age: All ages | Price: No cost | Info

🎶 Storytelling and Music Sessions @ Royal Albert Hall
Date & Loc: until Aug 27, South Kensington SW7
A gentle 30-minute session designed especially for babies, toddlers and their grown-ups. Stories, songs, instruments and plenty of opportunities to sing, move and join in together in one of London's most iconic venues.
Age: 0-5yo | Price: £7 | Info

🌳 Summer in the Park @ Brent Cross Town
Date & Loc: Until Aug 30, Brent Cross NW2
A whole summer of free family fun, from skateboarding, football and parkour to arts, crafts and outdoor games. Drop in for as much or as little as you like, with activities for all ages.
Age: All ages | Price: no cost | Info

🎨 Allen Jones: Taking Shape @ Camden Arts Projects
Date & Loc: until Aug 30, Camden NW1
Six decades of work by one of Britain's most influential Pop Artists come together in this free exhibition of paintings, sculptures and a major new piece created especially for the show.
Age: Older kids & teens | Price: No cost | Info

🎉 Notting Hill Carnival Children's Parade
Date & Loc: Aug 30 (Sun), Notting Hill W11
The more family-friendly side of Notting Hill Carnival, with colourful costumes, steel bands, dancing and plenty of Carnival atmosphere. If you've always wanted to experience it with the kids, Sunday is the day.
Age: Best for 5+ | Price: No cost | Info

✏️ Tom Gates EPIC Adventure @ Kew Gardens
Date & Loc: Until Aug 31, Kew TW9
Fans of Tom Gates can doodle, crack codes, enjoy live music and tackle creative activities inspired by Liz Pichon's bestselling books.
Age: Everyone | Price: Included w/ adm. | Info

🦁 Disney’s The Lion King Exhibition @ London Zoo
Date & Loc: until Aug 31, Regent’s Park NW1
The masks, puppets and costumes from Disney’s The Lion King have taken over London Zoo for the summer. Get a close-up look at the craftsmanship behind the West End hit and spot iconic characters.
Age: All | Price: incl. w. adm. | Info

🦖 Dinosaur World Live @ Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
Date & Loc: Until Sep 6, Wembley HA9
Dinosaurs stomp, roar and come face-to-face with the audience in this action-packed live show.
Age: 3+ | Price: from £10 | Info

🐭 The Gruffalo @ Lyric Theatre
Date & Loc: until Sep 6, Shaftesbury Avenue W1D
If you've read The Gruffalo approximately 4,732 times, here's your chance to see it live instead. Julia Donaldson's much-loved story comes to the West End with brilliant puppetry, catchy songs and all your favourite woodland characters.
Age: 3+ | Price: from £10 | Info

🐱 Cats @ Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Date & Loc: until Sep 19, Regent's Park NW1
One of the world's most famous musicals returns to the magical setting of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. If you've never seen Cats, this is probably the place to do it. Big songs, incredible dancing and a summer evening under the stars.
Age: 5+ | Price: from £15 | Info

🎵 Luke Jerram: Stepping Out @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: until Sep 30, South Bank SE1
Turn a walk into a musical adventure at this interactive artwork where your footsteps trigger changing sounds and melodies.
Age: All | Price: No cost | Info

🎭 Twelfth Night @ Kew Gardens
Date & Loc: Ongoing, Kew TW9
Pack a picnic and settle in under the stars as Shakespeare's Twelfth Night comes to Kew Gardens.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £12 | Info

🎨 Luna Loves London @ Discover Children's Story Centre
Date & Loc: Ongoing, Stratford E15
Climb aboard the big red bus and explore Luna's London, where little ones can crawl through a giant storybook, make art, dance under a disco ball and discover a city full of imagination.
Age: 0-8yo | Price: £5.50 | Info

🙏 If this makes your week a bit easier, pls think of two parents who'd love it, or drop it in a WhatsApp group. Takes 20 seconds. Please don’t ignore me 😂.
Appreciated, kind Londoner!

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