It’s the Easter holidays, which means – for better and for worse – back-to-back days with the kids. Happily, London is jam-packed full of fantastic cultural events to keep the whole family entertained. Below are our top picks.
Ongoing
The Balloon Museum
Never before has an art exhibition caused such chatter at the school gates. This massive show, which has toured the world, boasts room after room of ball pits, balloons of various sizes, giant striped inflated balls, and other blown-up toys in bright colours. Basically, perfect for the kids.
Balloon Museum London, to April 14, family ticket (two adults and two children) from £28.10; balloonmuseum.world
Bluey at Kew Gardens
Bluey is here!
— Kew Gardens (@kewgardens) March 29, 2024
Join the Heelers for family fun at Kew until 14 April: https://t.co/fDPs85q5uZ
Included with entry to the Gardens. pic.twitter.com/COq3fUuWmf
Kew Gardens is always a lovely option for a family day out, but over the holidays the botanical garden is putting on a series of special interactive activities inspired by Disney+’s Blue Heeler puppy, Bluey. Described as being “perfect for budding adventurers”, there are Bluey-themed outdoor activities, games inspired by episodes of the hit show, and opportunities to both meet Bluey and learn about the plants and wildlife native to her home in Australia.
Kew Gardens, to April 14, included with entry tickets (adults £22.00, children from £5.50); kew.org
Cute at Somerset House
Described by the Standard as “a must-visit for any adult child of the internet age, or indeed any parent of the internet age”, this exhibition about cuteness in contemporary culture is a brilliant option for slightly older kids (there’s a small amount of material engaging with more adult content). It’s rammed full of stimulating eye candy, from cat memes to a gaming arcade, to Hello Kitty contact lenses to a “sleepover room” – accompanied by a loud, upbeat soundtrack.
“Apart from the dark ending, the kids will love it, even if they don’t know what any of it means yet, and parents will find it sickeningly interesting,” said the Standard.
Somerset House, to April 14, £18.50/concessions from £11; somersethouse.org.uk
The Art of the Brick London: A LEGO Art Exhibit
This mega show, which has been exhibited in over 100 cities around the world, sees more than a million Lego bricks used to make over 100 sculptures – including a 6-metre-long reproduction of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton and a recreation of Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. There’s also a ‘play and build area’ where kids are invited to make their own Lego artworks.
The Boiler House 152 Brick Lane, to June 9, adults from £19.90, children from £14.90; theartofthebrickexpo.com
Terrible Thames Tours
“Tremble in terror at the Tower! Sizzle at the Savoy! Get gobsmacked by the Globe!,” says Horrible Histories, introducing its Thames history tour, returning after a three-year hiatus. Expect your kids to be shocked and delighted as award-winning theatre producers bring to life London’s truly astonishing history – all while sailing down the Thames.
Tower Bridge Quay, to August 31, adults £25, children £15; terriblethames.com
Young V&A
Searching for Easter eggs 🪺
— Young V&A (@young_vam) March 31, 2024
We hope you’re having a restful Easter break.
📸- Printer’s proofs, Peter Rabbit’s Painting Book, Frederick Warne & Co., based on the storybook illustrations by Beatrix Potter, Great Britain, 1991 pic.twitter.com/AyixymPHEa
Head to the East End’s Young V&A, formerly the V&A Museum of Childhood, to see its permanent collection and its joyful inaugural exhibition, Japan: Myths to Manga, which looks at how landscape and folklore has inspired and shaped Japanese art, design and technology over the years. And, for those heading over today, there are two related workshops: an origami session for kids aged 8+, where artist Toshiko Kurata will help the family make dragons and other creatures, and a clay workshop for kids aged 4+, where visitors will be invited to design and make Yokai characters (Japanese supernatural beings) with air dry clay which can be taken home.
Young V&A, ongoing, £12.00; vam.ac.uk / vam.ac.uk
Power Up at the Science Museum
Looking for a family day out this Easter? We’ve got you covered, with an array of fun-filled, fascinating activities to make your visit unforgettable! Check out what’s on below 👇 pic.twitter.com/AmLKD3csTj
— Science Museum (@sciencemuseum) March 28, 2024
There’s loads going on at the Science Museum over the break, including screenings of 3D films in IMAX, a music exhibition and interactive galleries. Our pick of the bunch is Power Up, which features 160 consoles taken from the last five decades of gaming. Visitors are invited to play the various games, and with everything from Pacman, Minecraft, Mario Kart and virtual reality experiences to engage with, there’s really something here for all the family.
Science Museum, ongoing, adults and children £12, three year olds and under go free; sciencemuseum.org.uk
One-off Easter Events
The Camouflage Unit Camp at the Imperial War Museum
This special activity ‘camp’ with actors teaches kids about the employment of deception and illusion in the African deserts during the Second World War. There are code-breaking exercises, model-making sessions, desert disguises to try on, and an introduction to some of the mirror tricks used by the Camouflage Unit in Operation Bertram in Egypt in 1942.
London Imperial War Museum, April 8 to 12, free; iwm.org.uk
Plants and Poems and London Transport Museum
It’s always fun taking a closer look at the city’s trains, tubes and automobiles. But there are some extra treats for the kids at London’s Transport Museum this Easter, with poetry, science, creative writing and storytelling workshops, which bring the museum’s history to life and introduce ideas about the benefits of green spaces and plants in the city.
London Transport Museum, April 4 to 9, off peak annual pass £22.50, kids go free; ltmuseum.co.uk
Meet the Romans at the British Museum
To all who are celebrating, we wish you an excellent Easter.
— British Museum (@britishmuseum) March 31, 2024
These little chicks are sure to brighten your day.#EasterSunday
🔍 Drawn by Frank Paton, produced 1856-1909 pic.twitter.com/6vllp8aJmv
Rock up to The British Museum’s pop up ‘Roman zone’ on April 5 and you’ll be able to see Roman re-enactors explore themes from Legion: life in the Roman army, the museum’s current major exhibition which brings into focus the daily lives of the enlisted men. There’s also a mask workshop (April 6 to May 4) where kids can design a mask inspired by the museum’s astonishing objects, which is then printed out for taking home.
The British Museum, various dates, free; britishmuseum.org
Joyful Landscapes at the Dulwich Picture Gallery
This one-day event responds to the gallery’s current exhibition, Soulscapes, a moving multidisciplinary show featuring more than 30 artworks from artists from the African diaspora, which uses landscapes to reflect on belonging, memory and joy. Expect workshops, trails and activities, food and drink.
Dulwich Picture Gallery, April 6, adults £15, kids free; dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
Habitat Heroes with Wild Fangs at the Horniman
There’s always tonnes on at Forrest Hill’s Horniman Museum, and April promises more fun, with a dinosaur and a tea exhibition, family craft Saturdays, lectures, music nights and a Sunday market. Habitat Heroes is also returning. It’s an experience with live animals where kids can learn fun facts about the natural world, and the weird and wonderful creatures that inhabit it.
Horniman Museum, April 8, one child and one adult together cost £7.50; horniman.ac.uk
Jurassic Encounters: Animal Show at the Natural History Museum
It’s a fact that never fails to delight: the descendants of dinosaurs continue to roam the earth today. In this ethical 45-minute interactive animal show, kids are introduced to some of the creatures – including snakes, lizards and tarantulas – whose ancestors lived alongside the gigantic reptiles millions of years ago.
Natural History Museum, April 10, adults and children £8; nhm.ac.uk
Bunny Hunt at Hampton Court
There are Easter egg hunts, and Easter egg hunts, and this is a special one: not only is the bounty hidden in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII’s famous home, but visitors search for Lindt gold bunnies, trying to match historical figures with the red ribbons tied to the bunnies.
