Priceless London Wonderground, South Bank
Among the cabaret, circus shows, collection of preserved freak animals and other Coney Island-style attractions at the South Bank's Priceless London Wonderground is a terrifyingly high-spinning swing ride, the Star Flyer, the tallest travelling ride in the country at 60 metres, offering amazing views (tickets £7, minimum height 1.2 metres). Or see children's shows such as Handa's Surprise, a theatre production of a tale set in Kenya (17-26 August, £7.50), and Hairy Maclary (3-6 September, £10).
• Jubilee Gardens, off Belvedere Road, London, SE1, 0844 545 8282, pricelesslondonwonderground. Until 30 September
More London free festival Southwark
Watch free family theatre and music at The Scoop, an amphitheatre by City Hall between London Bridge and Tower Bridge on the South Bank. Ancient Greek drama the Oresteia is on Thursday-Sunday until 5 August, featuring the Trojan Horse, Agamemnon and Orestes at 6.30pm, 8pm and 9.30pm respectively – watch one part or all three. There's music from West End Kids on 8 August, and singing sessions from 8-31 August Wednesday to Friday.
• The Scoop, The Queen's Walk, SE1, morelondon.co.uk/events, no booking
Paddling pools and water City-wide
Fountains, pools and lidos are great places to head with kids on hot days. London-baby.com has a brilliant list, including Kensington Memorial Park, with fountains, a sandpit and climbing frames; Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground at Kensington Gardens, with water play area, musical instruments and sandpits, Duke of York Square in Chelsea, and the V&A museum courtyard paddling pool.
Make & Do Camden Arts Centre
Fun creative activities led by artist Polly Brannan take place every Sunday for families at the galleries, where you can also see strange robotic sculptures by Bruce Lacey, and visit the cafe, bookshop and gardens. Most of their kids' short summer holiday art courses have sold out so this is a great chance to work with proper artists.
• Arkwright Road, NW3, 020-7472 5500, camdenartscentre.org. Activities Sun 2pm-4.30pm until 16 September
GPS Hunt Westminster
A new app that you download to follow a treasure hunt through Westminster is available through Huntfun (huntfun.co.uk/FamilyGPS/home.php), opening kids' eyes to details they usually miss around the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street and Westminster Abbey. It currently costs just £6 with the code GPS 123, via the website. Other cities available.
