Nine days out for dinosaur-mad kids

Dinosaurs are invading the city this summer. Check out these London stomping grounds for dino-mad mites

Written by

Wednesday 20 July 2016

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email WhatsApp

Advertising

An email you’ll actually love

Get into a relationship with our newsletter. Discover the best of the city, first.

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

1. Meet the Natural History Museum dinosaurs

Museums
Natural history
South Kensington

This is the first port of call for any dino fan. The famous Dinosaur Gallery features a triceratops skull and the first T Rex fossil ever found. The NHM shop is also great for gifts, from games and stickers to a cuddly triceratops. Dino Snore (August 12, £60) is a sleepover event that includes a torchlit trail and a dinosaur T-shirt making workshop.

Cromwell Rd. South Kensington tube.

Book online

2. Watch ‘Jurassic Park’ in Bushy Park

As part of Nomad Cinema’s summer season, gasp at Steven Spielberg’s classic 1993 dinosaur adventure while sitting under the stars. Pack a picnic, but be warned: roast chicken has been known to attract velociraptors.

Bushy Park. Sat Aug 27. £15, £7.50 children. PG rating.

Advertising

3. Play a round at Jurassic Encounter Adventure Golf

Sport and fitness
Golf
New Malden

It requires strong nerves to sink a shot under the steely gaze of a big lizard, but that’s the challenging appeal of this 18-hole course. Mini-McIlroys can play among waterfalls, prehistoric caves and a host of dinosaurs roaring their approval.

World of Golf London. From £9, £7 children.

Photograph: Crystal Palace Park

4. Spot the Crystal Palace dinosaurs

Attractions
Parks and gardens
Crystal Palace

Amble among the 30 full-scale dinosaur statues which have graced Crystal Palace Park since 1854. Mini-palaeontologists will enjoy spotting how much they differ from today’s more accurate renderings.

Crystal Palace Overground.

Advertising

5. Grab dinner at Jamie’s Dinersaurus

Restaurants
Fast food outlets
Piccadilly Circus

The West End may not seem an obvious place to find a stegosaurus, but there’s dinosaur decor by artist Jay Jay Burridge at Jamie Oliver’s dino-themed diner. Fare is classic American: burgers and pecan pie.

21 Shaftesbury Avenue. Piccadilly Circus tube.

6. Take a trip to Gulliver’s Dinosaur & Farm Park

There’s plenty of roaring, clawing and tail-thrashing going down here, thanks to 32 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs. Take the Jurassic River Ride, hop on the Dino Safari and get up close for that all important selfie with a ’saurus. Gulliver’s Land.

Milton Keynes Central rail. £9.95, children under 90cm free.

Advertising

7. Watch 'Dinosaur Zoo Live' at the Rose Theatre

Theatre
Private theatres
Kingston

From aahs at the sight of a cute baby triceratops to aarghs at a giant T Rex, kids will be thrilled by this interactive stage show with nifty animatronics plus some mega dino dung.

Rose Theatre. Kingston rail. Jul 30-Aug 1.

Read our full guide to the summer hols

Summer holidays in London

Things to do

Six weeks is a long time to keep anyone entertained, let alone your toughest critics. Don't panic though, we've got this year's school summer holidays totally sorted. Let the younger ones go wild at a city farm, send your teens to swot up at one of London's top museums, or take your pick of our favourite family-friendly events going on in the capital.

An email you’ll actually love

Get into a relationship with our newsletter. Discover the best of the city, first.

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

An email you’ll actually love

Get into a relationship with our newsletter. Discover the best of the city, first.

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!