Six weeks of school holidays can feel like a long stretch, but there’s no shortage of fun (and mostly free) ways to keep little ones busy in and around Hackney and beyond.
From fountains to farms, and epic views to splash zones, here’s a round-up of activities that are open, family-friendly, and guaranteed to earn you some serious parenting points.
Start with a view
Horizon 22 at 22 Bishopsgate is London’s tallest free viewing platform, perched on the 58th floor. You can see past Wembley and spot Tower Bridge below. Book a free ticket up to two weeks in advance for a genuinely wow-inducing outing.
Sky Garden in the Walkie Talkie (Fenchurch St) is another great option, three levels of lush greenery and sky-high views. Free but you’ll need to book ahead.
Closer to home…
The Clissold Park Splash Pad is a guaranteed hit with little ones. Think tipping buckets, fountains, and water jets in the heart of Stoke Newington. Slots go fast, booking opens five days in advance at 10pm.
Freightliners City Farm (Islington) and Hackney City Farm (Haggerston Park) are both free and fab for a quick visit with goats, chickens, pigs and even bees.
Young V&Ain Bethnal Green is a brilliant indoor option, completely reimagined and filled with hands-on exhibitions, creative zones, and design-led activities for kids aged 0–14.
Dino Trail & Cinema Combo at King’s Cross
From 2 May to 30 September, the King’s Cross Dinosaur Trail invites explorers to pick up a trail map and sticker sheet at Lightroom in Lewis Cubitt Square (open 10 am, closing 5:30 pm Sun–Wed, 7:30 pm Thu–Sat), then trek around Lewis Cubitt Square in search of hidden dinosaur clues. Finish your map and plunge into a prehistoric surprise, perfect for curious little ones
Stick around Granary Square on sunny evenings from 30 June to 17 August for Everyman on the Canal, King’s Cross’s free open-air cinema experience. Featuring over 100 family favourites, blockbusters, Wimbledon broadcasts, plus bold, vibrant designs by Yinka Ilori, just bring a blanket and
Need more ideas?
The Science Museum, Natural History Museum, Horniman, and Grant Museum of Zoology are all free and offer hours of kid-friendly discovery. And if you find something brilliant not on this list, we’d love to hear about it!
Image Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Horizon_22_Gallery.jpg
