Learning ease around excellence

Whilst there is seemingly much to do in a cosmopolitan city like London, there was something special about Family Sundays at the Royal Opera House; a playful, relaxed environment where serious work is being done beautifully; music rehearsed, sets constructed, stories staged with care and present within a magnificent, intentionally designed building.

That alone does something important; It normalises high standards and starts to make excellence feel familiar.

Children absorb far more than we realise through atmosphere: how people sit, listen, wait, applaud. How effort shows up as craft. How something can be absorbing without being loud or fast.

Whilst many families focus on discipline and achievement and how their children attain excellence, what’s often overlooked is the path to enabling children to feel ease around excellence in the first place, so it can be conceived to be achievable.

Nowhere would hold such standards, and for them to be so high, than somewhere which brings stories and magic to life like the Royal Opera House.

Family Sundays at the Royal Opera House: what they actually are

For those searching practically for things to do in London with family, Family Sundays are a series of enlivening, child-friendly performances and workshops designed to welcome younger audiences into the Opera House.

Upon entry we were greeted by a live and lively jazz band to mark the celebrations had truly begun. What followed was a series of informal performances where kids were invited to participate (and the ones who didn't were playing and chasing each other around the hall). Whilst performances and activities continue in the main hall, there are break out points for face painting, dressing up and arts and crafts which you can attend to at any time. The only other scheduled activity is a live theater for children in one of their smaller auditoriums and there are also child friendly snacks and happy meals available to purchase. The activities aside, the auditorium itself is grand and beautiful with natural sunlight pouring into the hall.

Why this is one of the best cultural activities for kids in London

London’s advantage, especially for families, is proximity to world-class institutions, especially those which aren’t (just) reserved for special occasions, but woven into ordinary weekends. Whilst institutionally they hold their place in the city, in History, they have taken their craft and constructed a joyful, immersive experience whilst allowing children to occupy a serious space comfortably.

For parents looking for meaningful things to do in London with kids, I can’t recommend this enough.

It was magical.