What to Do with Children in South London Summer 2025 Edition

When the summer holidays roll in, the same question is on every parent’s lips: how do I keep little ones entertained without breaking the bank? Luckily, South London is packed with options, from green spaces to play cafés and community events. And the best bit? They’re all either free, or low cost, making them ideal activities in South London.

To help you decide what to do in the summer holidays in London, we’ve put together a list of some of the best South London activities that little ones (and grown-ups) will love. Let’s start with the great outdoors, shall we?

Outdoor Adventures in South London

South London is home to some of the city’s best parks, zoos and city farms, so you’re spoilt for choice for options for your little ones to explore nature, burn off energy, and discover the world around them.

Battersea Park & Children’s Zoo

Battersea Park and Children’s Zoo offers a fun and educational day out for all the family.  The park itself is free and a great place for little ones to explore, boasting multiple children’s play areas, a duck pond and a lake. The Children’s Zoo houses over 100 animals and children can also take part in animal experiences or let loose on the adventure playground.

Location: Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ 
Nearest Transport Link: Battersea Park Station or Queenstown Road (Battersea) 
Cost: Entrance to Battersea Park is free. At the Children’s Zoo, under 2s go free. Tickets range from £12-£15. Discounted family bundle tickets are available.

Vauxhall City Farm

Fact: You haven’t witnessed  joy until you’ve seen a child interact with an alpaca. 

At Vauxhall City Farm, your little one can meet farm favourites like alpacas, rabbits, chickens, and more. What’s more, the farm hosts regular child-friendly events.  

Need a parental pit stop? No problem. There’s an on-site café, serving coffees, teas, and snacks. Please note: the farm is closed on Mondays.  

Location: 165 Tyers St, London SE11 5HS 
Nearest Transport Link: Vauxhall or Oval Underground Stations  
Cost: Free entry, with suggested donation of £4. 

Indoor Escapes and Creative Play Time

Need things to do in London during the summer holidays that can’t be washed out by the (predictably) unpredictable British weather? We’ve got you. 

South London is packed with indoor escapes and play centres for children; perfect for your little one to hone their physical development and get a healthy dose of exercise.  

Tribe Time Play Café

Boasting a jungle-themed soft play, complete with a ball pit, slides and rope ladder, the Tribe Time Play Café is a sensory delight that your little one will love.  

Want to get involved? You’ve got it. Parents can join their children in the play area for free or relax in the cafe while little ones play. There are also special sessions for under 2s. 

Location: 357 & 359 Garratt Ln, London SW18 4DY 
Nearest Transport Link: Earlsfield railway station or Southfields Academy/Standen Road bus stops. 
Cost: £5.45 per child - adults can join their children for free! 

Apple Tree Children’s Café

This café and play centre has two South London locations - Herne Hill and Peckham Rye - with tunnels, slides and a climbing frame to explore. Both of the Apple Tree cafés are also right next to green spaces, with Peckham Rye Park and Brockwell Park just a few minutes’ walk away. 

Location: 134-136 Peckham Rye, London SE22 9QH / 27-29 Norwood Rd, London SE24 9AA 
Nearest Transport Link: Peckham Rye or Herne Hill railway station.  
Cost: £6.50 per child for a 90 minute play session. Each booking includes one free adult place per child.  

Croydon Central Library

Eager for your little one to explore the magic of books this summer? Be sure to stop by Croydon Central Library, which boasts a dedicated children’s section for young readers, as well as offering regular rhyme times for under 5s and dress-up events for older children. 

The library is located within Croydon Clocktower and there’s also an on-site café for parents to relax. A great option for calm mornings, screen-free afternoons or rainy-day downtime.  

Location: Katharine St, Croydon CR9 1ET 
Nearest Transport Link: Wellesley Road tram stop, East Croydon station or various local bus stops 
Cost: Free

Community Events & Pop-Ups

Aside from year-round activities, summer is also a brilliant time to explore pop-up events and summer activities in the school holidays. And South London has many to offer. 

Need a few ideas? Read on. FYI: Everything’s free of low cost, so you don’t have to worry about stretching your summer budget. 

Welcome to Wandsworth

Wandsworth Borough Council runs regular free and low-cost events for families via the Welcome to Wandsworth project.  

Pop-up events for summer 2025 include drama workshops, children’s singing groups and music jam sessions for under 5s. There are child-friendly activities across South London borough, including in Battersea, Tooting and Clapham.

Location: Across Wandsworth Borough  
Nearest Transport Link: Check individual events for location 
Cost: Tickets range from free to around £15. 

Southbank Centre

Want to expose your little one to a fabulous world of culture and imagination? Pay a visit to the Southbank Centre.  

An iconic, expertly-curated space, the Southbank Centre is full of things to do in London during summer holidays, featuring a children’s pop-up playground, a ‘little library’ with reading and rhyme time activities, as well as an outdoor food market with cuisines from around the world.  

Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX 
Nearest Transport Link: Waterloo or Embankment tube stations 
Cost: General admission is free. Some events and exhibitions require a paid ticket.

Finding Things to do in London During the Summer Holidays

You don’t need a huge budget to make the most of things to do in London during the summer holidays. Whether it's meeting farm animals at a city farm, exploring a library or running around at a soft play, there’s plenty to keep little ones entertained during the holidays.

For more local guides, early years inspiration, and information on nursery spaces near you, take a look at our Busy Bees Nurseries in South London.