Summer may be officially over and the school run back in full swing, but that doesn’t mean the family fun has to stop. This is the best month for getting out in London – The relentless summer crowds have thinned and yet the sun is still shining. This September a whole wave of new Family Friendly Art Exhibitions open in the city – grab a lightweight jacket and get stuck in! Here are my personal recommendations for things to do in London with kids in September 2025.
Open House Festival
FREE
London’s Open House Festival is a brilliant and free annual event that opens up hundreds of buildings not usually accessible to the public, from historic landmarks to modern homes. It’s an ideal family activity, transforming the city into an interactive learning experience with special kids’ workshops, engaging walking tours, and fun trails designed to inspire young minds and help them discover the stories behind London’s incredible architecture. It’s a unique opportunity to explore the city from a new perspective and is perfect for budding architects and curious kids.
Frieze Sculpture
FREE
For an accessible introduction to contemporary art, look no further than the free Frieze Sculpture exhibition in Regent’s Park. Transforming the park’s English Gardens into a stunning open-air gallery, this year’s collection features large-scale works from leading international artists curated around the theme of “In the Shadows.” It’s a fantastic, no-pressure way for families to engage with art, allowing kids to run and play amongst the sculptures and providing a beautiful, natural backdrop for a thought-provoking day out.
Theatre Picasso
Adults £14 Child £5 Under 12s FREE
If there’s one artist your child has likely heard of it’s probably Pablo Picasso. With his child like perspective and weird distorted faces he is a firm favourite with my own kids. From September 2025, Tate Modern will host “Theatre Picasso,” a major new exhibition marking the centenary of the artist’s iconic painting, The Three Dancers. This is no ordinary retrospective; the gallery will be transformed into a theatrical stage, exploring how performance and public personas influenced Picasso’s work. . It’s a fantastic opportunity for families to see well-known masterpieces like The Weeping Woman alongside other dramatic and often-overlooked works.
Frameless Tots
£26 (1 adult + 1 preschooler)
Held weekly, the Frameless Tots Multi-Sensory Classes are a wonderful way to introduce little ones to the world of art in a fun and engaging way. Designed specifically for pre-schoolers and their parents, these sessions take place within the stunning, immersive galleries of Frameless in Marble Arch. Combining storytelling and live music with movement and sensory play, the classes transform the digital art space into an interactive playground. It’s a perfect ‘anything goes’ outing for curious toddlers to explore light, colour, and sound in a unique, inspiring environment. More Family Friendly Immersive Experiences Here.
Somerset House Step Inside Weekender
FREE
This September, celebrate the anniversary of Somerset House’s transformation into a cultural hub with a free weekend of family-friendly events. Go behind the scenes and explore rarely seen spaces, from artists’ studios on Maker Street to the historic Deadhouse.
There’s something for everyone, including a pop-up basketball court, immersive disco experiences from the CUTE exhibition, and drawing workshops inspired by Peanuts. This is also your final chance to see the large scale installation by Turner Prize-winner Tai Shani (see video). As the sun sets, be sure to look up and see Waterloo Bridge glow “Somerset House Blue” as part of the Illuminated River project. More Info
David Bowie Centre
FREE (ticketed)
Have you visited the New V&A storehouse in East London yet? This innovative space, part of the new cultural quarter in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, redefines the idea of a museum by inviting visitors behind the scenes of a working collection. There is already so much to see but from September it will host the David Bowie Centre, a permanent and free-to-access home for over 90,000 items from the iconic artist’s life and work.
Opening on September 13th, the centre is a must-visit for fans and curious minds alike. The V&A’s first display will feature a rotating selection of around 200 items, including handwritten lyrics, original stage costumes like Ziggy Stardust ensembles, and rare props. A great family day out for both kids and adults. NB Whilst you can just turn up to the Storehouse, The Bowie Centre will require pre booked tickets – all free of charge.
NEW Space Gallery Opening
FREE
After four decades as an iconic staple of the Science Museum, the old Exploring Space gallery, which has inspired generations of Londoners, has been given a stunning and much-needed upgrade. The anticipation has been palpable, and the wait is finally over! Blasting off on Saturday, September 20th, the brand-new and free Space gallery promises a thrilling journey for aspiring astronauts and their families.
This new gallery brings together remarkable objects that celebrate both the first space age and the future of space exploration. Families can get up close to a three-billion-year-old piece of the Moon, brought back to Earth by the Apollo 15 mission, and see the radio headset worn by Neil Armstrong on Apollo 11. In a world first, the gallery will display two human-flown spacecraft side-by-side: the Apollo 10 command module that orbited the Moon in 1969 and the Soyuz capsule that returned Tim Peake to Earth in 2016
The Three Little Pigs
From £13.50
Join superstar piglets Bar, Bee, and Q as they venture into the big wide world to build their three little houses out of hay, sticks, and bricks. But can they outsmart the huffing, puffing, and slightly misunderstood Big Bad Wolf?
From the award-winning duo Stiles and Drewe this hugely entertaining adaptation of a classic tale is the perfect treat for young families that will leave everyone squealing with glee and howling with laughter. More Info
Chelsea Physic Garden Open Weekend
FREE
Step back in time at London’s oldest botanical garden, Chelsea Physic Garden, which is opening its gates for a special, free-to-attend weekend as part of the Chelsea History Festival. Typically, this exquisite walled garden, founded in 1673 for apothecaries, can be a costly day out for large families, making this a perfect opportunity to explore without the expense.
Over the weekend, the whole family can get hands-on with history and nature. Dive into pond-dipping, get creative with craft activities, and enjoy lively storytelling sessions. You’ll also encounter historical characters who will share fascinating tales of medicine and botanical art from centuries past. It’s a rare and brilliant chance to discover the hidden stories of this historic green oasis and its living collection of plants.
Danielle Braithewaite Shirley’s ‘The Delusion’
FREE
Struggling to tempt the kids away from their consoles for some culture? This could be the answer…
A groundbreaking new exhibition by artist Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley, The Delusion at Serpentine North Gallery is an immersive video game and installation that explores themes of societal division and censorship. Blending satire, participatory theatre, and cooperative gaming, the experience drops you into a fractured, post-apocalyptic future to re-examine how we communicate and connect.
