Free family days out. Welcome back to our monthly roundup of the best free things to do with children in the capital (and beyond). I’m Emmy and for the last five years I’ve been hunting down the best events and hangouts for Londoners with young kids and writing about them on my blog, bablands.com. I’ve learnt a lot about kids’ activities since I started blogging, but one of my most surprising discoveries is that the best stuff is so often free. With that in mind, I’ll be partnering with MoneyMagpie each month to bring you the best free days out for families in London and beyond.
Mourning the end of the long hot summer? Thankfully this month’s return to school doesn’t need to spell the end of the extracurricular family fun. Plus, it’s still (just about) warm enough to play outside – check out Camden Art Centre’s popular garden workshops and the hotly anticipated Frieze Sculpture trail in Regents Park for chances to soak up the last of those summer rays. Or, if you prefer your art with a roof on it, take a look at our indoor creative offerings, from arty fun for wee ones in Edinburgh to collaborative artmaking for all ages in Plymouth. And, of course, it’s all totally free.
Free Family Days Out in London
Family Workshops for children with SEND at Autograph
Gadgeteers Fun Day at the Barbican
Barbican & Community Libraries will host a Gadgeteers Fun Day inside the Barbican Conservatory and Garden Room on the 2nd, with activities including crafts, face-painting, and storytelling.
Uniqlo Tate Play at Tate Modern
For the latest instalment of Uniqlo Tate Play from the 3rd, participants will be encouraged to get messy with paint, taking inspiration from abstract artworks by Agnes Marten, Cy Twombly and Huguette Caland.
Summer Family Activities at Camden Art Centre
Head to the gallery’s beautiful garden and connect with nature through sensory activities in Rest (is a political act) on the 4th, then explore clothing through fabric decoration and movement activities in Clothing on the 18th.
Family Workshops for Children with SEND at Autograph
Children with SEND and their families are invited to get creative in this inclusive workshop on the 10th. Expect sensory play and the chance to experiment with texture, light, sculpture, and a variety of art materials.
Frieze Sculpture 2022 in Regents Park
Everyone’s favourite sculpture trail is back in the park’s English Gardens from the 14th, with 19 large-scale works by international artists including John Giorno, Ro Robertson and Ugo Rondinone.
Free Family Days out in the Rest of the Country
The South West
Head to The Clay Factory in Ivybridge, Plymouth, on the 3rd and discover The Art Playground, an exciting new community resource designed to allow people of all ages to come together and make art.
Wales
Grab your instruments and head down to Wrexham’s brilliant Tŷ Pawb on the 7th for a magical Family Jam Session for all ages led by folk musician Andy Hickie.
Scotland
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One) is hosting an Art Stomps for Under-5s session on the 10th, featuring sculpture-hunting and feel-good art-making for little ones and their grown-ups.
The North
Chester’s Grosvenor Museum will run Heritage Open Days on the 10th and 17th. Expect engaging children’s activities celebrating England’s rich history of invention, industry, and innovation.
For further inspiration from Emmy check out her previous blogs here .
