Top Free Fun At The Barbican This Summer
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Escape the crowds and have a fun-filled free day out at the Barbican Centre this summer.
Barbican Conservatory
A hidden tropical oasis in a concrete jungle, The Barbican Conservatory rises up as a huge greenhouse and is one of London’s best kept secrets. Over 2,000 species of tropical plants tower, twist, twine and spill over the Barbican’s brutalist architecture.
Spot tropical fish swimming through the waters, catch colourful butterflies flitting through the air, or enjoy an afternoon tea amid the hidden delights of this glorious garden.
Squish Space
Produced by artists India Harvey and Lisa Marie Bengtsson, in collaboration with Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning, this multi-sensory adventure is a dream for the under 5s. Squish Space provides a safe environment for babies and young children to discover and play with different textures and materials, with sessions focusing on themes such as ‘Experiments in sound and light’.
Barbican Children’s Library
The library on Level 2 is open for anyone to walk in - go all the way through to the back and you’ll see the Children’s Library on the left, full of fantastic books and cosy cushions and bean bags to sit on.
There are four ‘buggy stations’ in the main library and a programme of events including film, puzzle, art and craft clubs (usually on Fridays or Saturdays).
Plus if you have older children, they are more than welcome to sit in the adult library and use the resources for free.
The Big Barbican Adventure
This is just the perfect way to spend a couple of hours exploring the Barbican Centre with kids. Simply collect a trail from the information desk on Level M, the mezzanine level, and you're off!
Work together as a family to solve the clues - these will take you around the Barbican, inside lifts, along the walkways and there's a secret prize at the end for anyone who cracks all the clues!
Square Mile London Greater London United Kingdom England
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BA (Hons) History and French
Henrietta RichmanBA (Hons) History and French
Henri is Kidadl's Product Director, responsible for design and development, as well as user experience. With 15 years of experience working for top magazines and newspapers in the UK, Henri joined Kidadl in 2017 as a content manager, ensuring that all projects are delivered on time and provide parents with the best resources for their children. In her free time, Henri enjoys exploring North London's parks with her two sons.
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2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.
