V&A family events

Families looking for London museum events in April 2026 have plenty to enjoy across the V&A family events. From free exhibitions and family workshops to major openings, the V&A offers inspiring days out for children, teens and adults alike. At V&A South Kensington, visitors can enjoy the April Holidays festival from 1 to 2 April, with creative drop-ins, storytelling and sensory play. Highlights include Drop in Design: Toy Lab, Build a Story, and the final days of Divine Jewels.

Best V&A exhibitions and displays

After 1 April, V&A family events include standout free London exhibitions. At South Kensington, Tatreez: Palestinian Embroidery runs until 31 May, while Pieces of Space, Photography Now, Dimensions: Chinese Contemporary Studio Crafts and Lasting Impressions: Women Printmakers 1900 – Now continue through spring and summer. From 30 April, Urshi Now: Contemporary Japanese Lacquer opens and brings Japanese craftsmanship into sharp focus. The Gilbert Galleries also offer a strong mix of decorative art and historical insight.

Family workshops and tours at the V&A

The April Holidays programme continues until 2 April and suits families wanting creative Easter activities in London. Younger children can enjoy Design Baby Drop-in, while older children can head to Drop in Design: Toy Lab. Story-led sessions also feature in Pop-Up Performance: Build a Story. Meanwhile, regular guided tours add another layer. The Remarkable Women Tour runs every Saturday, and the African and Caribbean Heritage tour: Past Meets Present takes place on the first two Saturdays of each month.

Young V&A and V&A East highlights

Over at Young V&A, families can book Book Reading and Draw-along with Lauren Child on 25 April. It promises a fun mix of storytelling and creativity for younger children. Also worth noting, V&A East Museum opens on 18 April 2026, marking one of London’s biggest new cultural launches for families this spring. The opening exhibition, The Music is Black: A British Story, adds even more appeal. Tickets are available here:  For those who love design archives, V&A East Storehouse also remains a strong option for curious older children and teens.

Events after 1 April 2026

  • Divine Jewels – until 6 April 2026
  • April Holidays festival – 1 to 2 April 2026
  • Design Baby Drop-in – 1 to 2 April 2026
  • Drop in Design: Toy Lab – 1 to 2 April 2026
  • Pop-Up Performance: Build a Story – 1 to 2 April 2026
  • Remarkable Women Tour – Saturdays
  • African and Caribbean Heritage tour – first two Saturdays monthly
  • V&A East Museum opens – 18 April 2026
  • Book Reading and Draw-along with Lauren Child – 25 April 2026
  • Urshi Now: Contemporary Japanese Lacquer opens – 30 April 2026

By Fergus McCarthy

Fergus McCarthy is a seasoned publishing professional with over three decades of experience in the media industry. In 1993, he co-founded Parents News, a pioneering publication aimed at providing busy parents in Southwest London with essential information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly activities. Under his leadership, Parents News quickly expanded its reach from 60,000 to 192,000 monthly printed copies, establishing additional branches in Kent, South London, Northern Ireland, and Cornwall. In 1997, recognizing the potential of digital media, Fergus helped launch Parents News UK Online, which carried digital editions of the printed publication and offered a broader range of national information. The website's popularity soared, attracting up to 700 daily hits at its peak. Although Parents News transitioned to an online-only platform in 2017, Fergus continues to play a vital role as Publisher and Advertising Manager, focusing on providing value to businesses through effective advertorials.