Things to do with kids during the school summer holidays in London

From July 18, the NHM’s wildlife gardens will reopen following a two-year upgrade designed to turn them into a ‘wildlife haven’ that takes you on a journey through 2.7 billion years of Earth histrory via plants, geology and represetations of animal life. It all sounds very exciting: all we really know so far is that there’s going to be a bronze sauropod statue, but even if the gardens were to simply reopen as they were before it’d be a treat.

The previous absence of a major permanent Paddington Bear attraction in London can possibly be attributed to the fact that in its own way, London itself is a major permanent Paddington Bear attraction. But with the meteoric success of the recent film adaptations of Michael Bond’s beloved stories it’s no surprise that the polite young bear is finally putting down roots in the capital with this lavish immersive theatre show which opened at the start of June.

Quite possibly the most aggressively ‘80s artefact in existence, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s revamped ‘Starlight Express’ is a musical about anthropomorphic roller skating trains that’s tailor made for fleeting tween attention spans. It’s deep as a puddle, but enormously fun.

It probably goes without saying, but this exhibition of all things Barbie is an essential stop for any child intersted in… Barbie. There’s no actual opportunity to play with any dolls, so manage expectations there, but as a journey through the history of the plastic icon it’s second to none.

Kew Gardens is a day out all in itself, but to really make your trip special, why not take in one of the three theatre shows the Australian Theatre Company is running there this summer? For tots there’s ‘The Dream Fairies’, ‘The Wind in the Willows’ for bigger kids, and at night ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ will wow families. Tickets include admission to Kew and for the kids’ shows the price difference between a regular Kew ticket is negligible.

New NHM exhibit ‘Birds: Brilliant & Bizarre’ doesn’t have an especially incisive story to tell beyond ‘birds are great!’ (It would be weird if it was ‘birds are terrible!’) but it is is, nonetheless, a beautifully put together journey through the story of our avian pals that mixes slick techy stuff with a thoughtful delve into the museum’s vast taxidermy vaults.

Billed as ‘London’s first paradox museum’ (maybe not exactly a shocker, that) the, uh, Paradox Museum is a collecton of over 50 exhibits and 25 immersive rooms, all united by a desire to BLOW YOUR MIND. Such concepts as an upside down tube station, a mirror maze and a ‘paradoxical sofa’ combine in what will all doubtless be some good Instagram-friendly fun. 

A touch of magic at Westfield London this summer with this official immersive CBeebies theatre adventure for ages zero to six featuring contributions from a host of beloved characters from the pre-school network, ranging from Mr Tumble to Bluey herself. 

Parents, you know the deal: there are limited number of kids’ films out every year and you’ll probably end up seeing them all. Here is the summer roster.

Despicable Me 4 – the latest installment in the Minions-featuring franchise is out already

Harold and the Purple Crayon - this long-gestating live action adaptation of a beloved American kids’ book drops August 1

Kensuke’s Kingdon – a young boy is shipwrecked in the animated Michael Morpurgo adaptation starring Sally Hawkins and Cillian Murphy. Out August 2.

Coraline (reissue) – this excellent stopmotion Neil Gaiman adaptation is back in cinemas for its fifteenth birthday from August 15.