September can be one of the loveliest months to explore London with children. The school routine is back, the summer crowds begin to ease and there are still plenty of weekends when the weather is good enough to get outside.
For London families, September 2026 is particularly busy, with major city-wide festivals, free museum activities, riverside events and plenty of reasons not to spend the whole weekend recovering from the school run.
Explore London for Free During Open House Festival
One of our favourite September events is Open House Festival, which takes place from 12-20 September 2026. Hundreds of buildings and spaces across all 33 London boroughs take part, with opportunities to explore places that are not normally open to the public. All festival events are free to attend, although some require advance booking.
Explore the Open House Festival 2026 programme
Discover Totally Thames
The Totally Thames Festival runs throughout September, celebrating the river with arts, heritage and family activities. One particularly child-friendly event is Hop, Paddle, Splash!, running 5-12 September for children aged three to seven.
See the full Totally Thames programme
See London Differently During London Design Festival
From 12-20 September, the London Design Festival spreads exhibitions and installations across Bankside, Chelsea, Shoreditch, Soho and Fleet Street Quarter.
Browse London Design Festival 2026
Spend a Day in Greenwich
Greenwich remains one of London's easiest family areas. At the National Maritime Museum, families can find regular free activities. On 26 and 27 September 2026, the museum hosts Unboxing the Universe, a family science theatre show.
See family activities at Royal Museums Greenwich
Go Back to the Dinosaurs
When London weather does what London weather does, the Natural History Museum is an easy fallback, with dinosaurs, volcanoes, mammals and free family activities.
Plan a family visit to the Natural History Museum
Step Inside a Story in Stratford
Discover Children's Story Centre in Stratford reopens on 12 September. September includes storytelling with Trish Cooke on 19 September and Don't Squish a Slug on 20 September.
See what's on at Discover Children's Story Centre
Make September Weekends Count
Choose one major outing, one free local activity and one spontaneous afternoon each weekend. Use Daddy.London's family guides and Weekend Generator to find ideas that match your children's ages, location and budget.