Editor’s Pick: Things to do in London with Kids In September

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. Here are my personal recommendations for things to do in London with kids in September 2026.

What’s New in September

The Bayeux Tapestry

Adults from £27 Under 16s FREE

The big cultural news this month is the arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum, returning to England for the first time since it was made almost 1,000 years ago. The extraordinary 70-metre-long embroidery tells the story of the events surrounding the Norman Conquest and Battle of Hastings in 1066, making this a particularly exciting one for school-age children who will almost certainly encounter it in their history lessons. Described by the British Museum as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, this is set to be one of London’s blockbuster exhibitions of the year, and a rare chance to see a piece of history most of us have only ever encountered in textbooks.

Pip and Posy LIVE

Tickets £16 (adults) | £14 (children)

Fans of Pip and Posy are in for a treat this September as the much-loved characters make their world stage premiere at Little Angel Theatre. Inspired by Axel Scheffler’s bestselling picture books and the BAFTA-nominated animated series, Pip and Posy Live on Stage follows the best friends on a new adventure through tangled jungles, slimy swamps and even high above the clouds in a big red balloon. Expect plenty of Little Angel Theatre’s trademark puppetry alongside toe-tapping songs and interactive play, in a show created especially for children aged 2–5. The production opens in London before heading out on a UK tour in 2027.

Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

Tickets from £31.50 | Kids £22/ Under 3s FREE

Opening at Frameless this September, the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards Immersive Experience brings some of the world’s funniest wildlife photography to life on a huge scale. Journey through seven different habitats, from jungles and grasslands to oceans and frozen landscapes, as 91 brilliantly timed photographs of grinning bears, surprised seals, mischievous monkeys and more are transformed through floor-to-ceiling projection and spatial sound. Designed for all ages, it’s a fun and accessible way to get kids interested in wildlife and photography, with an important conservation message behind the laughs. Best of all, the new experience is included with standard Frameless admission, alongside its four permanent immersive galleries. More Family Friendly Immersive Experiences Here.

Arcade Arena

Prices from £30 for one game; two-game tickets from £45 and all three from £50.

A brand-new immersive gaming destination is landing on London’s South Bank this September. Arcade Arena London, from the team behind The Crystal Maze Live Experience, brings three huge real-world games together under one roof. Race electric karts through digitally projected worlds in Chaos Karts, step inside a life-sized maze in PAC-MAN LIVE, or battle alien drones in the new London-exclusive Alien Invasion. Combining augmented reality, projection mapping and physical gameplay, this looks set to be an exciting new addition for gaming-mad families and older kids.

Big Dreams Early Years Festival

Performances from £13 | Some Events Free

Polka Theatre’s Big Dreams Early Years Festival returns this September for a weekend dedicated to brilliant theatre and creative experiences for younger children. Designed for ages 0–8, the programme brings together UK and international performances, puppetry, music, sensory experiences and plenty of opportunities to get involved. Highlights include a high-energy live show from World Book Day Ambassador MC Grammar, The Tale of the Loneliest Whale, a daytime Family Rave, and an interactive drawalong with much-loved children’s author and illustrator Nick Sharratt. There are also free creative activities running across the weekend, making this a lovely introduction to theatre for even the smallest family members.

Fleurs De Villes Diana

Adults from £32 | Kids (4-12 )£18

Making its world premiere at Somerset House this September, Fleurs de Villes DIANA is a spectacular floral celebration of the life and legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales. Fifteen extraordinary mannequins, created entirely from fresh flowers by leading British floral designers, will reimagine some of Diana’s most iconic looks, while telling the stories behind her humanitarian work and the causes she championed. Expect plenty of colour, artistry and wonderfully photogenic installations, as well as interactive moments throughout the exhibition. Presented in support of The Diana Award, a portion of every ticket sold will help fund the charity’s work empowering young people to create positive change.

Totally Thames

FREE (some events ticketed)

Celebrating London’s famous river throughout September, Totally Thames Festival returns with a packed programme of art installations, performances, boat races, heritage events and free family activities taking place on, beneath and alongside the Thames. Family highlights this year include the free Tidefest riverside festival, the spectacular Great River Race, historic ships at the St Katharine Docks Classic Boat Festival and hands-on mudlarking activities. Look out too for Turning the Tide, a striking new large-scale artwork by Turner Prize-nominated artist Catherine Yass, projected onto the disused Blackfriars Railway Bridge columns for four nights. With events stretching across 42 miles of river, it’s worth checking the programme to see what’s happening near you.

Barnum

Ages 8+

Roll up, roll up! Barnum the Circus Musical arrives at New Wimbledon Theatre this September, bringing the colourful story of legendary showman P.T. Barnum to the stage. Matt Rawle stars as Barnum in this spectacular new production, featuring a cast of more than 20 actor-musicians alongside acrobats, circus performers and plenty of theatrical showmanship. Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographed by Strictly’s Oti Mabuse, expect classic musical numbers, dazzling circus skills and even Barnum himself taking to the tightrope. A great pick for older kids who love big, all-singing, all-dancing theatre.

Don’t Miss: Closing Soon

Horrible Histories & Ramses and the Pharaoh’s Gold | NEON at Battersea Power Station | Until 13 September | Children from £14, adults from £30 Use discount code DAILYMUMTRA10
Last chance to take a terrible tour through Ancient Egypt as Horrible Histories brings the spectacular Ramses exhibition to life with actors, audience participation, plenty of gruesome history and the infamous Mummy Rap.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea | Theatre Royal Haymarket | Until 5 September | From £10
Last chance to catch Judith Kerr’s much-loved picture book brought to life in this charming 55-minute West End show, perfect for younger theatre-goers aged 3+. BOOK HERE

The Gruffalo | Lyric Theatre | Until 6 September | From £10
Tall Stories’ brilliant stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved story finishes its summer West End run this weekend, with an hour of songs, laughs and plenty of Gruffalo magic. BOOK HERE

In Other Worlds | Barbican | Until 6 September | Adults £20.50, children £7.50, under-5s FREE
Step into filmmaker and speculative architect Liam Young’s huge immersive world of films, soundscapes, sets and imagined futures before this visually spectacular exhibition disappears from the Barbican’s Curve. More

The Colour Monster Goes to School | Frameless | Until 11 September | Included with Frameless admission
There are just a few days left for little ones to colour their own Colour Monster and watch it appear on the gallery walls in this interactive immersive experience inspired by Anna Llenas’ much-loved book. More Info