Hello! Inspired by the summer holidays, here’s an enticing selection of storytelling for kids and their adults. (Updated June 2026.)
There’s so much family storytelling in London, so lets get started… Immerse the kids in a story, expland your imagination and enjoy!
(Westminster) One of the most delicious storytellers in the world, Olivia Armstrong, can often be found storytelling here for all ages! Check upcoming dates here.
(Wimbledon) This little theatre is a stalwart of traditional storytelling. As well as interactive storytelling-themed events, they run regular a “Sunday Stories” with various well known and fantastic professional tellers from around the world. I loved telling stories there! Although these are aimed at all ages, they often get lots of smaller children.
(WC2) Free colourful family storytelling: “Little Explorers” for under fives.
(Dulwich) Absolutely loads of storytelling! Much of it run by our friend Rosie Tells Tales. More here.
5) Your local bookshop
(London-Wide) Why not try some of London’s independent Children’s Bookshops for regular storytimes, storytellings, workshops and one off author visits. We especially like Round Table Books, Aligator’s Mouth, The Childrens Book Shop, Pickled Pepper Books, AllGood Bookshop and Chicken and Frog (which is just outside London in Essex.)
(various, London) Storytelling is often a key ingredient in “Let Nature Thrive” roadshows popping up in different Royal Parks during the holidays. There is also storytelling as part of Hyde Park’s Discovery Days which happen three days a week, every school holiday.
7) London’s local libraries
(Local to you) Stop in at your local borough library. Many have a rhyme time story and singing session run by the librarian and many have a much wider storytelling programme too. There are often storytelling events there as part of special celebrations like the Summer Reading Challenge and Black History Month and they are very often FREE!
8) Discover Childrens Story Centre
(Stratford) Cheerful, flavoursome sessions generally based on or inspired by books… Often run by Discover’s own “story-builders”. They also host book-themed birthday parties. Loads of sessions for 0-3s and 2-5s! Check out their calendar here.
9. Royal Maritime Greenwich
(Greenwich) Includes traditional favourites the Cutty Sark, the Planeterium and the National Mariume Museum. Costumed historical storytellers, “SENsory sailors” regular weekly storytelling and many special events with excellent professional tellers.
10.The Globe
(Bankside) The Globe has been mixing up its storytelling offerings for several years now and generally has a fantastic variety of of family events (although it seems to have paused it’s Family Storytelling programme.) This summer it will collaborate with Polka Theatre to offer family storytelling sessions from 0-4 years and “A World Elsewhere”- family workshops for older children which feature storytelling.
And a bonus…. National Archives
(Kew, West London) An unexpectedly gorgeous programme of musical and sensory storytelling for families.
If you want to book a professional children’s storyteller, click here to book Vanessa or George.
