Activities for children and young people
Find free and low-cost activities for children and young people this summer, from holiday courses to drop-in sessions.
Drop-in activities for under 5s
Our libraries offer free rhyme time, story time, and stay and play sessions.
Best Start Family Hubs run free stay and play sessions, including for children with developmental delays. Local community organisations offer free and low-cost activities.
Dates: Various, every week
Location: Across Camden
Find out more:
Libraries
Best Start Family Hubs and community organisations
Sports and physical activity holiday programmes
Free and low-cost activities for children and young people aged up to 17, including multi-sports and gymnastics schemes, Girls Get Moving sessions, football coaching and more. Booking needed
Dates: Monday 20 July to Friday 28 August
Location: Across Camden
Find out more about sports and physical activity holiday programmes
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
For 5 to 16–year-olds who live in Camden and are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Free activities and meals included. Booking needed
Dates: Tuesday 21 July to Tuesday 1 September
Location: Across Camden
Find out more about the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
Youth programmes
Youth centres and voluntary sector youth projects run free and low-cost activities for children and young people aged 12 to 19 (up to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities).
Dates: Tuesday 21 July to Tuesday 1 September
Location: Across Camden
Camden Summer University
13 to 19-year-olds who live in Camden, go to a local state school or attend a council-run youth centre can choose from free courses in arts and media, sport and fitness, work and life skills at high-profile venues across the borough, including the British Museum and London Zoo. Booking needed
Dates: Wednesday 22 July to Friday 21 August
Play schemes
Low-cost play schemes for 4 to 12-year-olds with a range of activities and trips.
Dates: Tuesday 21 July to Tuesday 1 September
Location: Across Camden
Under 16s swim for £1
Children aged under eight need to be accompanied by an adult who is also swimming.
Dates: Before 10am during school holidays and weekends all year round
Location: Camden leisure centres
Activities for children and young people with SEND
There’s a range of activities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Camden.
Find out more about activities for children and young people with SEND
Summer Reading Challenge
Children aged 4 to 11 can join the Summer Reading Challenge – visit your local Camden library to sign up. This year’s theme is Read to the Beat, which celebrates the power of music to move, inspire and connect us through the magic of reading.
Find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge
These activities are taking place as part of the Summer Reading Challenge:
Library park pop-ups
Free themed activities for four to 12-year-olds to celebrate reading and music in nature – drop in.
Dates: Tuesday 21 July and Tuesday 25 August, 3 to 5pm
Location: Talacre Town Green, NW5
Dates: Wednesday 22 July and Thursday 27 August, 3 to 5pm:
Location: Polygon Road Open Space, NW1
Dates: Wednesdays from 22 July to 26 August, 3 to 5pm
Location: Kilburn Grange Park, NW6
The Legend of Heart Library show
Interactive show inspired by African folktales, for ages 5 to 9. Free, drop in.
Date: Saturday 11 July, 10.30am to 11.30am
Location: Swiss Cottage Library, Avenue Road, NW3 3HA
Date: Saturday 11 July, 2 to 3pm
Location: Highgate Library, Chester Road, N19 5DH
Storytelling/reading and craft activities
Join a Summer Reading Challenge-themed storytelling/reading and craft activity for children aged 5 to 12 (4 to 12 at Holborn Library). Free, drop in.
Dates: Tuesdays from 21 July to 25 August, 11am to 12 noon
Location: Kentish Town Library, 262-266 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2AA
Dates: Wednesday 5 August, Wednesday 19 August, Friday 7 August, Wednesday 2 September, 12 noon to 1pm
Location: Ground floor children’s library, Holborn Library, 32–38 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA
Dates: Thursdays from 23 July to 27 August, 4 to 5pm
Location: Swiss Cottage Library, 88 Avenue Road, NW3 3HA
Arts and crafts club
Join a Summer Reading Challenge-themed arts and crafts club, for children aged 5 to 12. Free, drop in.
Dates: Wednesday 29 July, Tuesday 4 August, Wednesday 12 August, Tuesday 18 August and Wednesday 26 August, 3.30 to 4.30pm
Location: Ground floor Children’s library, Pancras Square Library, 5 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG
Musical Family Learning workshops
Booking needed – email libraries@camden.gov.uk
Date: Tuesday 14 July, 1 to 3pm
Location: Queens Crescent Library, 165 Quee’s Crescent, London NW5 4HH
Date: Tuesday 21 July, 11am to 1pm
Location: Kentish Town Library, Kentish Town Road, NW5 2AA
Date: Thursday 6 August, 11.30am to 12.30pm
Location: Pancras Square Library, Pancras Square, N1C 4AG
Date: Monday 17 August, 12 noon to 1pm
Location: Holborn Library, Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA
Date: Tuesday 18 August, 11am to 12pm
Location: Kentish Town Library, Kentish Town Road, NW5 2AA
Date: Monday 24 August, 3 to 4pm
Location: Holborn Library, Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA
Songwriting workshop
9 to 11-year-olds can discover the joy of songwriting in a fun, inclusive and creative workshop. Whether you are new to music or already love making it, everyone is welcome to take part. In this session, you will explore how songs are made by writing lyrics, creating melodies, and sharing ideas with others. Free, limited spaces – booking needed
Date: Tuesday 28 July, 4.30 to 6pm
Location: Holborn Library, 32-38 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA
Cycling training for children
Free cycling courses, from complete beginners to building road skills. Children’s courses consist of two 45-minute sessions on consecutive days. Booking needed
Dates:28 to 29 July, 30 to 31 July, 4 to 5 August and 6 to 7 August
Location: Haverstock School, 24 Haverstock Hill, NW3 2BQ
Find out more about cycling training for children
New cycle pump track at Harrington Square Gardens (NW1)
Young riders can practice on short, sharp laps.
Family Dance Day at Coram Fields
Join a free day of dance performances and activities created especially for children under 12 and their families. Free, drop in. Organised by The Place.
Date: Saturday 18 July, 11am to 4pm
Location: Coram’s Fields, 93 Guildford Street, WC1N 1DN
Coram’s Fields Playday
Join a family-friendly celebration of children’s right to play. This year’s theme is 90 Years of Play, as Coram’s Fields turns 90. Live performances, inflatables, creative workshops, sensory zones, animal encounters, sports challenges and more. Free, drop in.
Date: Wednesday 5 August, 12 noon to 4pm
Location: Coram’s Fields, 93 Guilford Street, WC1N 1DN
Tennis sessions at St Pancras Community Association
Children and young people aged 8 to 16 can learn fundamental skills of tennis from instructors from UCL at these free sessions. Some equipment is available if needed, but participants are encouraged to bring their own racquet and tennis balls. No booking needed, just register for free SPCA Wellbeing membership and drop in.
Dates: Mondays, 4.45 to 5.45pm until 27 July
Location: St Pancras Community Association, 67 Plender Street, NW1 0LB
Films for the Family at The Garden Cinema
Join The Garden Cinema for family films for all ages. Screenings are ‘pay what you can’, which means you can pay as much or as little as you can afford. On Sundays, films are followed by free fun and creative activities for children. Booking needed
Dates: Saturday and Sunday mornings, and additional weekday screenings in the school holidays.
Location: The Garden Cinema, 39-41 Parker Street, WC2B 5PQ
Find out more about Films for the Family at The Garden Cinema
Wonderful Wildlife Weekends and Family Nature Discovery at Camley Street Natural Park
Drop-in for free family nature activities. Activities include using nets to look at animals found in the pond and looking under logs to see what minibeasts we can find as well as seasonal craft activities. Aimed at children of all ages and parents/carers together – all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Dates: Sunday 12 July, Sunday 26 July, Sunday 9 August, Sunday 23 August, 1 to 3pm, and Mondays from 20 July to 24 August, 1 to 3pm
Location: Camley Street Natural Park, 12 Camley Street, N1C 4PW
Nature Storytime at Camley Street Natural Park
Learn about nature through a free, drop-in interactive outdoor storytelling session aimed at children under 5 and their families/carers, Stories will be followed by a nature-themed craft activity or habitat exploration. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Dates: Mondays from 20 July to 24 August 10.30 to 11.30am
Location: Camley Street Natural Park, 12 Camley Street, N1C 4PW
Find out more about Nature Storytime at Camley Street Natural Park
Gardening Club at Holborn Library
Join a free a hands-on indoor planting session. We will be doing various seasonal jobs, such as harvesting, taking cuttings and tending to our plants. Booking needed
Dates: Thursday 27 August, 4 to 6pm
Location: Ground floor Children’s library, Holborn Library, 32 – 38 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA
August Arts Club at Coram
A creative workshop for 9 to 11-year-olds exploring a new theme each week including mask making, nature-inspired art and more. Workshops run by art therapists, all materials provided and no experience needed. Free for Camden residents. Booking needed
Dates: Wednesday 5 August, Wednesday 12 August, Wednesday 19 August, 2 to 4pm
Location: Coram (Pears Pavilion), 41 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ
LEGO at Camden Libraries
LEGO Robotics
Hands on, fun way to learn about programming and robotics. Free, drop in.
Dates: Thursdays, 4 to 5pm
Location: West Hampstead Library, Dennington Park Road, NW6 1AU
Ages: 6+
Dates: Thursdays, 4.30 to 5.30pm
Location: Highgate Library, Chester Road, N19 5DH
Ages: 7 to 12
Find out more about LEGO robotics
LEGO League
Build robots, write code and get started learning about programming. For children aged 6 to 12. Booking needed – email libraries@camden.gov.uk
Dates: Mondays (except bank holidays), 4 to 5pm
Location: West Hampstead Library, Dennington Park Road, NW6 1AU
Find out more about LEGO league
LEGO free play
Drop in to build, create and play at our LEGO free play sessions. Free, drop in.
Dates: Mondays (except bank holidays), 4.30 to 5.30pm
Location: Swiss Cottage Library, 88 Avenue Road, NW3 3HA
Ages: 5 to 8
Dates: Thursdays, 4 to 5pm
Location: Kentish Town Library, 262-266 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2AA
Ages: 4 to 8
Threading Organisms 3.0: Upcycling family workshops at Holborn Library
Get creative with artist Tere in this free drop-in workshop, transforming old textiles into something new.
Dates: Saturday 15 August, Saturday 29 August, Saturday 5 September, 11am to 1pm and 2 to 4.30pm
Location: Holborn Library, 32 – 38 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA
Find out more about Threading Organisms 3.0: Upcycling family workshops
Crafternoon at Camden Town Library
Free drop in children’s craft sessions, with a different theme every week. For children of all ages.
Dates: Mondays (except bank holidays), 4 to 5pm
Location: Camden Town Library, 218 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD
Arts and crafts club at Queens Crescent Library
Free drop in seasonal craft activities for children aged 4 to 8.
Dates: Wednesdays, 4 to 5pm
Location: Queens Crescent Library, 165 Queen’s Crescent, NW5 4HH
Phonics and reading sessions at Queens Crescent Library
Free fun one-to-one interactive sessions designed to build strong reading foundations through games and engaging activities for children aged 4 to 6. Booking needed
Dates: Saturdays, 11am to 5pm
Location: Queens Crescent Library, 165 Queens Crescent, NW5 4HH
Lancelot Ribeiro: Family art making workshop at Swiss Cottage Gallery
Free, drop in family workshops in conjunction with the Lancelot Ribeiro exhibition. Looking at Lancelot Ribeiro’s abstract landscapes, the family workshop will explore how he used different materials and techniques to play with light, colour and form. Suitable for all ages.
Part of Love Camden’s South Asian Heritage Month programme
Dates: Thursday 23 and Thursday 30 July, 3.30 to 4.30pm
Location: Swiss Cottage Gallery, 88 Avenue Road, NW3 3HA
Find out more about Lancelot Ribeiro: Family art making workshop
Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Club
Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust runs Young Persons’ Club (12 to 17-year-olds), which meets weekly – free membership includes access to activities as part of their Culture Club. Free places are available for those who cannot afford it for paid-for events and trips such as their under 18s Pride Prom (Friday 17 July), summer camp (26 July to 2 August) and Queer Garden Party (Saturday 22 August).
Dates: Wednesdays, 5 to 8pm and Sundays, 12 noon to 3pm
Location: In Euston area – receive address upon joining
Bloomsbury Football at St Pancras Community Association
Children aged 8 to 12 can learn new ball skills and improve their game at these free friendly sessions. No booking needed, just register for free SPCA Wellbeing membership and drop in.
Dates: Mondays, 4.45 to 5.45pm
Location: St Pancras Community Association, 67 Plender Street, NW1 0LB
Sunday Fun–Day family workshops at Lauderdale House
Relaxed, drop-in workshops for children aged 4 to 10, including crafts related to specific periods in Lauderdale House’s history. Children must be accompanied by a parent/carer. Free, no booking needed.
Dates: Sunday 12 July and Sunday 16 August, 11am to 3pm
Location: Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill, N6 5HG
Find out more about Sunday Fun-Day family workshops at Lauderdale House
Script in a day: Writing for stage and screen at the Roundhouse
Workshop for 15 to 17-year-olds, led by an industry professional, taking participants from a blank page to a finished short script in one session. £5 – booking needed
Date: Saturday 11 July, 10.30am to 12.45pm
Location: Roundhouse Studios, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH
Circus skills and aerial drop in at the Roundhouse
11 to 14-year-olds can learn physical confidence, coordination and teamwork from industry professionals. £2 a session, drop in – booking opens 30 minutes before the sessions starts.
Dates: Wednesdays until 15 July, 4.30 to 6pm
Location: Roundhouse Works Backstage Studio, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH
Find out more about circus skills and aerial drop in at the Roundhouse
Intro to VR graffiti and digital street art at the Roundhouse
Workshop for 15 to 17-year-olds to learn how to create immerse 3D murals using professional VR tools. £10 – booking needed
Date: Saturday 25 July, 11am to 4pm
Location: Roundhouse Studios, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH
Find out more about intro to VR graffiti and digital street art at the Roundhouse
On-air radio bootcamp at the Roundhouse
Workshop for 11 to 14-year-olds to master professional recording equipment and learn how to captivate audiences through the power of sound. £10 – booking needed
Date: Tuesday 18 August, 11am to 4pm
Location: Roundhouse Studios, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH
Stop–motion animation: make a film in a day at the Roundhouse
Workshop for 11 to 14-year-olds to learn how to make your own professional stop–motion animation in one day. £10 – booking needed
Date: Thursday 20 August, 11am to 4pm
Location: Roundhouse Studios, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH
Find out more about stop-motion animation: make a film in a day at the Roundhouse
Family station at the British Library
Drop-in for free, family-led creative and sensory play activities, and a reading corner with braille and tactile editions. For children of all ages. Fully accessible and suitable for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Dates: Last Sunday of the month (26 July, 30 August), 11am to 3pm
Location: British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB
British Museum family activities
Families can explore the British Museum through free museum explorer trails or via digital Museum Missions, which are specially crafted challenges that guide your family through the galleries. Visitors aged 6 to 16 can also explore the museum with themed backpacks filled with activities, with a dedicated backpack for under 5s and resources for children aged 3 to 11 with additional sensory needs. Free, £10 refundable cash deposit required.
Dates: Backpacks and printed family trails available on weekends and school holidays, 10am to 12.30pm and 1.15 to 4.30pm
Location: Pick up backpacks and printed family trails from the Families Desk, located in the Great Court. British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG
Urban Nature Club at Camley Street Natural Park
Hands-on nature workshop with creative, interactive activities. Themes change each week and include survival skills, folklore, birds and trees. Aimed at 6 to 12-year-olds but younger siblings also welcome – all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Booking needed, £10 per family – if this is not affordable, email learning@wildlondon.org.uk for a free place.
Dates: Wednesdays from 20 July to 26 August, 1 to 3pm
Location: Camley Street Natural Park, 12 Camley Street, N1C 4PW
Find out more about Urban Nature Club at Camley Street Natural Park
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Arts and culture
Get creative, pick up a new skill, or discover new worlds at local exhibitions.
Physical activity and wellbeing
Try new ways to get active in Camden, from cycling training and kayaking to volunteering in parks and green spaces.
Community festivals and events
Come along to community festivals and events that bring people together with music, dance and more activities.
