Things to do with kids in Westminster

Westminster is the London most visitors picture, and it is where much of the city's family theatre sits. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child plays here, a jaw-dropping, time-turning two-part production at the Palace Theatre with West End level stagecraft and a Kids Week offer worth watching for. The Play That Goes Wrong is billed as one of the funniest shows in London and suits families with children aged eight and over. Booking well ahead is the difference between a good seat and a restricted view. Between shows, the free options carry the day. St James Park has lots to explore and views of Buckingham Palace, and Victoria Embankment Gardens is a peaceful spot to sit when everyone needs twenty minutes of nothing. The National Gallery runs children's family workshops and a Summer on the Square family art festival. The Buckingham Palace State Rooms open to visitors through August. The Bonsai Treehouses exhibition is a green escape with family workshops for children who like nature and design. Hamleys London is the toy shop children ask for by name, and it programmes hard: an opening ceremony, Letters to Santa, a Twinkle Town Parade and a Santa Bear meet and greet. For a proper treat, The Chesterfield Mayfair serves an award-winning sweetshop-themed afternoon tea with refillable sandwiches. Wicked, SIX The Musical and The Lyric Theatre are listed here too.