10 Fun Things to Do in London During the School Holidays
10 Fun Things to Do in London During the School Holidays
Keeping children entertained throughout the school holidays can be a challenge, particularly when you need an activity that works for different ages, interests and energy levels.
Fortunately, London is packed with family attractions, museums, outdoor spaces and interactive experiences. From high-tech football games at TOCA Social to dinosaurs, historic ships and live theatre, here are 10 school holiday activities to consider.
School holiday activities in London at a glance
- Play interactive football at TOCA Social
- Experiment at the Science Museum
- Meet the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum
- Explore Cutty Sark and Greenwich
- Spend the day at London Zoo
- Discover the London Transport Museum
- See a family-friendly West End show
- Explore one of London’s Royal Parks
- Visit the South Bank
- Take a boat trip along the Thames
1. Play Interactive Football at TOCA Social
Best for: Active children, competitive families and rainy days
For a school holiday activity that feels completely different from a traditional soft-play centre, arcade or football pitch, head to TOCA Social.
TOCA Social combines football with interactive digital gaming. Instead of playing a full match, children kick smaller footballs towards giant screens and take on challenges based around accuracy, timing and high scores.
Games include smashing targets, defeating zombies, splitting atoms and competing to be the last player standing. Different difficulty levels mean children, teenagers and adults can play together—even when some family members have never played football before.
Explore the interactive games at TOCA Social.
Why children enjoy it
Each private game box turns football into something closer to a video game you can physically step inside.
Children can:
- Compete for high scores
- Try several different game modes
- Adjust the difficulty to suit their ability
- Play individually or as part of a team
- Watch their scores appear instantly on screen
Because everyone takes turns, parents and carers can join in without needing to play continuously. There is also seating inside the game boxes, making the experience suitable for mixed-age family groups.
TOCA Social’s games use several difficulty levels and smaller footballs, helping beginners and experienced players enjoy the same session.
More than just football
The experience does not end when the game finishes.
Families can order food and drinks, play additional table and arcade games, take photographs and watch live sport on the venue’s screens. This makes TOCA Social a convenient option when you want the activity and family meal covered by one booking.
Families can visit:
Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. Check the relevant venue page for current access times before booking.
TOCA Social is also completely indoors, making it a particularly useful option when school holiday plans are interrupted by rain.
2. Experiment at the Science Museum
Best for: Curious children and hands-on learning
The Science Museum offers free galleries covering space, technology, engineering and medicine.
Families looking for a more interactive experience can also book Wonderlab, where children explore scientific ideas through demonstrations and hands-on exhibits.
3. Meet the Dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum
Best for: Dinosaur fans and free family days out
See dinosaur fossils, explore volcanoes and earthquakes, and stand beneath the famous blue whale skeleton in Hintze Hall.
General admission is free, although booking an entry slot is recommended during busy school holiday periods.
4. Explore Cutty Sark and Greenwich
Best for: Young explorers and families visiting The O2
Step aboard Cutty Sark to explore the decks, discover how its crew lived and learn about the ship’s history.
You can extend the day with Greenwich Park, the National Maritime Museum or interactive football at TOCA Social at The O2.
5. Spend the Day at London Zoo
Best for: Animal lovers and full-day outings
London Zoo gives families the chance to see animals from around the world and learn about wildlife and conservation.
It can easily fill most of the day, so bring comfortable footwear and prepare for the weather.
6. Discover the London Transport Museum
Best for: Younger children and transport enthusiasts
The London Transport Museum in Covent Garden features historic buses, trains and interactive displays exploring how the capital moves.
Its central location makes it easy to combine with lunch, shopping or a theatre performance.
7. See a Family-Friendly West End Show
Best for: Musical fans and special treats
London’s West End offers musicals, plays and daytime productions for a wide range of ages.
Check minimum-age recommendations and book early, as popular school holiday performances can sell out.
8. Explore One of London’s Royal Parks
Best for: Free activities and sunny days
London’s parks provide plenty of space for picnics, playground visits, walks and outdoor games.
Popular family options include Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Greenwich Park and The Regent’s Park.
9. Visit the South Bank
Best for: First-time visitors and landmark-packed days
The South Bank brings together attractions including the London Eye, SEA LIFE London, riverside walks and street entertainment.
Booking ahead is recommended if you plan to visit one of the major ticketed attractions.
10. Take a Boat Trip Along the Thames
Best for: Sightseeing without spending the whole day walking
A Thames boat trip lets children see famous London landmarks while giving everyone a chance to rest.
A river journey to Greenwich works particularly well when visiting Cutty Sark, Greenwich Park or TOCA Social at The O2.
How to Plan a School Holiday Day Out in London
Book popular activities early
Timed attractions, theatre performances and immersive experiences can sell out during school holidays, even when general entry is free.
Avoid planning too much
One main booking and a flexible nearby activity will usually create a more enjoyable day than rushing between several attractions.
Good combinations include:
- TOCA Social at The O2 and Greenwich
- TOCA Social White City and Westfield London
- The Science Museum and Hyde Park
- A West End show and Covent Garden
- The London Eye and the South Bank
Prepare for the weather
Keep an indoor backup option available. TOCA Social, museums, theatres and indoor attractions are useful choices when outdoor plans are affected by rain.
Make the School Holidays More Memorable at TOCA Social
London has no shortage of museums, landmarks and famous family attractions. But when children want something active, competitive and completely different, TOCA Social offers an experience that is difficult to find elsewhere.
It is not a football lesson or a traditional match. It is a high-tech gaming experience where children can kick, compete, laugh and challenge the adults to beat their scores.
Choose between TOCA Social at The O2 and TOCA Social at Westfield White City, then book your game box for your next school holiday family day out.
Popular school holiday activities in London include interactive football at TOCA Social, visiting the Science Museum or Natural History Museum, exploring London Zoo, seeing a West End show and spending time in London’s parks. Booking a mixture of active, educational and relaxed activities can help keep children of different ages entertained.
Yes. TOCA Social offers adjustable difficulty levels and smaller footballs, making its interactive games accessible to children, beginners and experienced players. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult and are allowed before 8pm from Monday to Saturday and throughout Sunday at the London venues.
Families can visit TOCA Social at The O2 in Greenwich or TOCA Social at Westfield White City in Shepherd’s Bush. Both venues combine interactive football games with food, drinks and additional entertainment.
Indoor options for rainy school holiday days include playing at TOCA Social, visiting the Science Museum or Natural History Museum, seeing a West End show, exploring the London Transport Museum or visiting an indoor South Bank attraction.
No. TOCA Social is designed for football lovers and complete beginners. Players can select different difficulty levels, and the experience focuses on fun targets, challenges and high scores rather than playing a traditional football match. Learn more about how interactive football works.
Play at TOCA Social
Book a private box or two to play all of our games and enjoy interactive football experiences. Each box accommodates 12 players. Book to play, or just walk-in to enjoy our fantastic food and drinks, aswell as foosball tables, arcades, selfie booths and more.
*Prices vary by venue, day, time and availability, giving you more opportunities to find great value.
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