Finding autism-friendly activities during the school holidays can be challenging, especially when busy crowds, noise and unpredictable environments make typical summer outings difficult. Thankfully, London has a growing number of SEND-friendly events, relaxed sessions and sensory-considerate experiences designed specifically for autistic children, children with additional needs and their families.
From quiet museum mornings and relaxed exhibitions to sensory play, outdoor adventures and SEN-friendly entertainment, these events offer families the chance to enjoy London attractions in a more supportive and welcoming environment.
This guide brings together the best autism-friendly things to do in London during July and August 2026, including dates, prices, locations and what to expect.
📚 Discover Children’s Story Centre – Stratford
⭐ Mighty Mega (FREE)
Saturdays until 29 August 2026
10:30am–12pm
Mighty Mega is one of London’s most established SEND programmes for children. Designed for disabled children and children with SEND aged 5–11, these relaxed sessions combine storytelling, arts and crafts, LEGO, creative workshops and sensory-friendly activities.
The sessions are intentionally flexible:
- children can arrive late or leave early
- breaks are encouraged
- children can join activities at their own pace
- siblings are welcome
During summer 2026, Mighty Mega takes place at Grassroots Children’s Centre in West Ham while Discover Children’s Story Centre undergoes refurbishment.
💷 Price: FREE (booking required)
📍 Location: Grassroots Children’s Centre, West Ham
E15 3DB
🧱 Discover – Story Street SENsory LEGO® Play
1 & 15 August 2026
11am–4pm
A sensory-friendly LEGO experience for children who enjoy building, creating and imaginative play.
These sessions allow children to explore LEGO activities in a calmer environment, with less pressure to follow structured activities. Children can drop in, build and create at their own pace.
💷 Price: Included with Discover admission
📍 Location: Discover Children’s Story Centre
E15 4QZ
🌈 Discover – Story Street x LEGO Group
1–31 August 2026
Throughout August, Discover hosts a month of LEGO-inspired creativity, including building, storytelling, crafts, music, yoga and imaginative play.
The programme has been developed with input from Discover’s Mighty Mega SEND Club, helping make activities more welcoming for neurodivergent children and families.
💷 Price: Included with admission
📍 Location: Discover Children’s Story Centre
E15 4QZ
🌿 Gunnersbury Park Museum – Relaxed Sessions
27 July 2026
10am–12:30pm
17 August 2026
2pm–4pm
These dedicated relaxed museum sessions are designed for children and young people aged 5–25 with autism, ADHD and other additional needs.
Families can enjoy:
- sensory-friendly activities
- object handling
- crafts
- games
- archaeology activities
- a quiet room
- indoor picnic space
Visitor numbers are reduced to create a calmer museum experience.
💷 Price: FREE
📍 Location: Gunnersbury Park Museum
W3 8LQ
🏰 Hampton Court Palace – Relaxed Magic Garden Sessions
28 July 2026
2 August 2026
19 August 2026
The Magic Garden opens in a quieter format for autistic and SEND children who may find normal playground crowds overwhelming.
Families can enjoy:
- adventure play
- climbing
- tunnels
- outdoor exploration
- reduced visitor numbers
A lovely choice for children who enjoy active outdoor play but need a calmer environment.
💷 Price: £1 per person
📍 Location: Hampton Court Palace
KT8 9AU
🦖 Natural History Museum – Relaxed Exhibition Viewings
29 July 2026
1 August 2026
(plus additional relaxed dates)
The Natural History Museum offers relaxed access sessions for autistic, neurodivergent and disabled visitors.
These sessions include:
- reduced visitor numbers
- quieter galleries
- a calmer atmosphere
- flexibility to move around and take breaks
Summer highlights include relaxed access to Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep.
💷 Price: Exhibition-dependent (usually around £12–£25); carer arrangements vary
📍 Location: Natural History Museum
SW7 5BD
🚀 Science Museum – SENsory Astronights
1–2 August 2026
One of London’s most memorable SEND experiences, SENsory Astronights is an overnight museum adventure created specifically for SEND families.
The evening includes:
- exploring galleries after hours
- science workshops
- interactive activities
- shows
- sleeping inside the museum
- breakfast and morning activities
The event is designed with smaller numbers and a more flexible approach than a standard museum sleepover.
💷 Price: £35 per person
📍 Location: Science Museum
SW7 2DD
⛵ National Maritime Museum – SENsory Sailors
8 August 2026
(and monthly sessions)
A fantastic free SEND session for children under 13 and their families.
Led by disabled creatives and SEND specialists, sessions include:
- sensory play
- crafts
- storytelling
- museum exploration
Families can move at their own pace, take breaks and use quieter spaces.
💷 Price: FREE (booking required)
📍 Location: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
SE10 9NF
💦 Kensington Memorial Park – SEND Splash Pad Sessions
Tuesdays and Sundays during summer
A dedicated quieter splash pad session for children with disabilities and complex needs.
These sessions offer:
- fewer crowds
- accessible facilities
- Changing Places toilet
- a calmer water-play experience
Perfect for children who love water play but struggle with busy splash parks.
💷 Price: FREE
📍 Location: Kensington Memorial Park
W10 6BZ
📖 Brompton Library – Autism-Friendly Rhyme & Move
Every Friday during July and August 2026
10:30am–11:30am
A gentle autism-friendly session for preschool children.
Children can enjoy:
- songs
- rhymes
- movement
- stories
There is no expectation to sit still or participate in one particular way — children can join in, watch or take breaks.
💷 Price: FREE
📍 Location: Brompton Library
SW3 1JJ
📮 The Postal Museum – Post Early Relaxed Event
Monday 17 August 2026
10am–5pm
A dedicated relaxed event for autistic and neurodivergent visitors and their families.
Developed with input from Ambitious about Autism and autistic young people, the session offers a calmer way to enjoy the museum.
Families can explore:
- 🚂 Mail Rail underground railway
- interactive galleries
- Sorted! play area
- museum exhibits at a relaxed pace
💷 Price: £3.50 per person
(booking required)
📍 Location: The Postal Museum
WC1X 0DA
💡 Lightroom London – David Bowie: You’re Not Alone Relaxed Sessions
Relaxed sessions:
- 8 July 2026
- 29 July 2026
Lightroom’s immersive David Bowie exhibition uses giant projections, music and archive material to explore Bowie’s life and career.
The relaxed sessions are designed for visitors who benefit from a more flexible environment.
Please note:
- the experience includes music
- the room is immersive and visually intense
- headphones may be helpful for sound-sensitive children
💷 Price: Around £25 (varies by ticket type)
📍 Location: Lightroom London, King’s Cross
N1C 4DY
🖼️ FRAMELESS – Chilled Session
Monday 3 August 2026
FRAMELESS Chilled Sessions are dedicated relaxed sessions for disabled and neurodivergent visitors.
Features include:
- reduced capacity
- quieter audio
- adapted lighting
- sensory spaces
- chill-out area
- freedom to move around
A great choice for children who enjoy immersive colours, movement and visual experiences.
💷 Price: Standard ticket price; free carer ticket available
📍 Location: FRAMELESS London
W1H 7AP
🎡 Babylon Park London – SEN Morning
First Sunday of every month
10am–11am
Summer dates:
- 5 July 2026
- 2 August 2026
Babylon Park’s SEN Morning gives autistic children and children with additional needs the chance to enjoy rides and games in a calmer environment.
Sessions include:
- reduced noise
- adjusted lighting
- fewer visitors
- relaxed access to attractions
Great for children who enjoy:
- rides
- arcade games
- movement
- visual stimulation
💷 Price: Around £5 per person
(Carer arrangements available)
📍 Location: Babylon Park London
NW1 8QU
🤸 Flip Out Brent Cross – SEND Sessions
Saturdays (including summer holiday dates)
Flip Out’s SEND sessions are designed for children who enjoy active sensory play.
Sessions include:
- reduced music
- no flashing lights
- fewer visitors
- a calmer atmosphere
Ideal for children who benefit from:
- jumping
- climbing
- physical movement
- sensory regulation through activity
💷 Price: Around £9 per jumper
(Carers free)
📍 Location: Flip Out Brent Cross
NW2 6LW
🫧 Inflata Nation Colindale – Disability Friendly Sessions
Specialist disability-friendly sessions run regularly
(check holiday timetable before booking)
These sessions provide a calmer inflatable play experience with:
- reduced numbers
- lower music
- relaxed play
- carer support
A great choice for children who seek movement and physical sensory input.
💷 Price: Around £10–£15
(Carer arrangements available)
📍 Location: Inflata Nation Colindale
NW9 6TH
🌳 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Children’s Garden Quiet Sessions
29 July 2026
4:15pm–6pm
30 August 2026
8:30am–10am
Kew’s Children’s Garden Quiet Sessions allow SEND families to enjoy the play space at a much calmer time.
Sessions include:
- reduced visitor numbers
- no queues
- quieter exploration
- sensory-friendly activities
A wonderful option for children who love nature, climbing and outdoor discovery.
💷 Price: FREE (booking required)
📍 Location: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
TW9 3AE
🌈 Final Thoughts: The Best SEND-Friendly Summer Days Out in London
London has an impressive range of autism-friendly and SEND activities available during the summer holidays, from free museum sessions and sensory play to immersive experiences and outdoor adventures.
For families looking for the calmest experiences, SENsory Sailors, Gunnersbury Park Relaxed Sessions, Kew Quiet Sessions and Discover’s Mighty Mega are excellent choices. For children who love movement and sensory input, Kensington Splash Pad, Flip Out, Inflata Nation and Babylon Park SEN Morning provide opportunities for active play in a more supportive environment.
Whether your child prefers dinosaurs, LEGO, trains, art, nature, water play or immersive experiences, these London SEND events offer families more opportunities to enjoy days out that are designed with autistic children and children with additional needs in mind.
London Autism Mum 