🦊 Hello, London Summer.

Morning, London! Happy Thursday. Summer’s officially here. London’s buzzing, and everything smells faintly of sunscreen and bin juice. Some schools are staggering toward the finish line next week, while others have a few more weeks of packed lunches and PE kit dramas to survive. Kids are plotting water fights and lie-ins. Parents are bracing for six weeks of snack negotiations and lost Crocs. London parents, we’re a breed apart. 😎

There’s talk of yet another heatwave around the corner, so get those trendy water bottles ready. I’ve yet to visit any of the so-called London beaches this year (check last week’s issue if you missed it) but I hear Costa del Croydon is gearing up for an August debut. May your SPF be strong and your patience stronger.

All in all, peak London summer is just getting started. Lidos, pop-ups, street festivals, and your yearly reminder that yes, the Tube can and will melt. Stay hydrated and have fun out there.

. LONDON SNIPPETS .
Bits that caught our eye

🐘 Puppet Stampede Incoming. This weekend, London gets The Herds, a massive migration of life-sized puppet animals stampeding in from the Congo on their way to the Arctic. Elephants, lions, giraffes and more, all made from recycled materials. Miss it and you’ll be kicking yourself all the way to Manchester. Full story

🦕 150 Million Years Young. The Natural History Museum just unveiled a brand new dino: Enigmacursor Mollyborthwickae (try saying that with your mouth full of raisins). It’s small, speedy, and actually made of real prehistoric bones, not just the usual museum copy-paste. On permanent display from today, so go pay your respects to the new kid in fossils. Full story

👑 Shiny New Bridge. A new Queen Elizabeth II memorial is coming to St James’s Park, complete with statues of Her Maj and Prince Philip, and a translucent glass bridge inspired by her wedding tiara. Designed by Lord Foster, the modernist who once butted heads with King Charles, it’s a “light touch” tribute with some seriously regal shimmer. Full story

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

Fun Fact: A potato can power a light bulb. Stick a copper and zinc electrode into a spud, and its natural acids will help conduct electricity. One potato won’t light your home, but string a few together and you’ve got yourself a small LED-powered science experiment. Veggie magic. 🥔💡

London Fact: In Dulwich Park, there’s a tiny, colourful post-box hidden at the base of a tree where kids can leave letters for fairies, elves, or even Father Christmas. It’s maintained by the park, and yes, letters have been known to get replies. Proof that in South London, the postal system extends to the magical realm. No stamps required. 📮🧚

. EVENTS SCOOP .
What’s on this week?

🧱 The Play Pavilion @ Hyde Park
Date & Loc: Ongoing until August, Hyde Park
An immersive LEGO powered world where kids (and grown-ups) can build, explore and let imaginations run wild. Part art, part playground.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎶 The Magic Flute @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: Jun 26, Southbank
.. and the Bird that would be free. Spread your wings with this high-spirited family show about birds and breaking free, based on Mozart’s The Magic Flute.
Age: 5+ | Price: £15 | Info

🦌 The Herds: Climate Stampede @ Seven Dials
Date & Loc: Jun 27, West End
Giant animal puppets charge through the streets in this theatrical climate protest-meets-parade, with performances from Matilda The Musical and Royal Opera cast along the route. Ends at Somerset House.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🧚 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland @ Royal Opera & Ballet
Date & Loc: Jun 26-28, Covent Garden
Journey through Wonderland with Alice and encounter a host of curious characters in Christopher Wheeldon’s unique theatrical interpretation.
Age: 5+ | Price: from £34 | Info

🎭 The Wiz @ Questors Theatre
Date & Loc: Jun 26-28, Ealing
The Wiz is a soulful, re-imagined version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, blending African American culture, pop music, and urban storytelling.
Age: 7+ | Price: £14 | Info

🧘‍♂️ Garden Meditation @ Kensington Palace
Date & Loc: Jun 27, Kensington
Daily 30-min guided meditations in the palace gardens led by Kadampa Meditation Centre. Take a mindful pause in royal surroundings.
Age: Under 16s welcome with adult | Price: no cost | Info

🕺 Family Freestyle @ Sadler’s Wells
Date & Loc: Jun 27, Angel
Get moving with your mini! A fun, high-energy dance session for 2–4yos and their grown-ups, led by pro dancers. Wiggles, giggles and good vibes.
Age: 2-4 yo | Price: £4 | Info

🎶 Mini Makers @ Walpole Park
Date & Loc: Jun 27 & Jul 4, Ealing
Creative sessions for under-5s with messy play, music, and movement. A joyful mix of textures, tunes and tiny wiggly humans.
Age: under 5s | Price: £15 | Info

🌞 The Summer Fete @ Royal Wharf
Date & Loc: Jun 28, Royal Docks
A family-friendly day by the river with live music, street food, games, crafty workshops, and fitness to kick things off.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎉 50th Birthday Party @ Jacksons Lane’s
Date & Loc: Jun 28, Highgate
A joyful jumble of circus, music, pop-ups, food and family fun as this iconic arts venue turns 50. Workshops, crafts and storytelling trails included, surprises guaranteed.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

💃 RE:DANCE @ The Scoop
Date & Loc: Jun 28, London Bridge
25+ youth dance groups take the stage for a high-energy outdoor takeover, with guest acts, audience moves and a DJ-led after party.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎨 Rainbow Bracelet Making @ Horniman Museum
Date & Loc: Jun 28, Lewisham
Celebrate pride making rainbow bracelets.
Age: 3+ | Price: no cost | Info

🧘‍♀️ Family Film Club: Flow + Yoga @ Barbican Centre
Date & Loc: Jun 28, Barbican
A heartwarming animated tale of animals rebuilding after a flood, plus a pre-film family yoga session to get everyone centred and stretchy.
Age: 6+ | Price: £5 | Info

🛡️ Hands on Armour: Mighty Mirrors @ Wallace Collection
Date & Loc: Jun 28, Marylebone
Try on real and replica armour while learning how mirror plates once dazzled on the battlefields of India and Iran. Shiny, hands-on history.
Age: 5+ | Price: no cost | Info

🚂June Steam Up @ Museum of Water & Steam
Date & Loc: Jun 28-29, Kew
Pistons, pumps and plenty of puff. Explore the mighty steam engines that powered London, with live engine demos running throughout the day.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £5 | Info

🪁 Kite Display @ Parliament Hill Fields
Date & Loc: Jun 29, Hampstead Heath
Watch the pros from The Kite Society of Great Britain pull off sky-high stunts, tricks and musical routines in one of London’s breeziest beauty spots.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎵 Let’s All Dance: Puss in Boots @ Arts Depot
Date & Loc: Jun 29, North Finchley
A magical friendship between a musical young man and a clever cat comes to life in this ballet take on the classic tale.
Age: 3+ | Price: £12.75 | Info

🌳 Outdoor Theatre: The Wind in the Willows @ Fulham Palace
Date & Loc: Jun 29, Fulham
Join Ratty, Mole, Badger and the unstoppable Toad for an unforgettable outdoor adventure!
Age: 4+ | Price: £14 | Info

🎺 Lambeth Mustrax Festival @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: Jul 1, Southbank
Prepare to be astounded by the energy, enthusiasm and joy of over 400 children as they join to form a giant Musitrax wind band.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎉 Summer Festival @ Young V&A
Date & Loc: Jul 5, Bethnal Green
Creative celebrations for families to move, play and make together. Two sessions (0-2 2-5 yo)
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

📖 Story Explorers Festival @ British Library
Date & Loc: Jul 5, King’s Cross
This one sold out fast (no surprise), but tickets occasionally pop back up, worth checking!. A magical day of storytelling, theatre, music, planting and messy fun. From rainforest soundtracks to moon myths and zine-making, it’s a full adventure for curious minds.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost (book req) | Info

🌍 Our Story with David Attenborough @ Natural History Museum
Date & Loc: Ongoing, South Kensington
Get ready to immerse yourself in the epic tale of people and planet in this new 360° experience, presented by Sir David Attenborough.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £20 | Info

🦖 Jurassic World: The Experience @ Battersea
Date & Loc: Ongoing, Battersea
Step through the iconic gates and explore 10 immersive zones from the blockbuster dino franchise.
Age: 3+ | Price: from £25 | Info

🎭 The Paper Dolls @ Little Angel Theatre
Date & Loc: Ongoing, Islington
When a little girl cuts out a string of paper dolls she takes them by the hand and together they go on a fantastical adventure whirling through their home and garden.
Age: 3-8yo | Price: from £13 | Info

🎭 Krafty the Urban Fox @ Little Angel Theatre
Date & Loc: Ongoing, Islington
Follow a curious fox on a magical night-time city adventure.
Age: 2-5yo | Price: from £13 | Info

📚 Story Explorers: Imaginary Worlds @ British Library
Date & Loc: Ongoing, King’s Cross
Sold out for May, but June has slots. Expect books, sounds, odd creatures, and a furry octopus.
Age: 2-9yo | 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.

. MUSIC .
The Scoop’s Soundtrack

. 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!