Category: London Play events

The London Adventure Play Awards recognise and celebrate great adventurous play – wherever it happens.

Award entries are in the form of short (2 mins max!) films made by children. As always, recognising and celebrating the special role of adventure playgrounds in children’s lives is the driving force behind this annual event. But we also welcome entries from other open access London play settings as well as play streets or play estates. Categories are below and entry forms can be downloaded, under.

• London Adventure Playground of the Year
• Weird and Wonderful Award
• Dream Team Award
• Best Flick
• Play Street or Estate of the Year

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Monday 28 September 2026

FREE AWARDS EVENT FOR ALL SHORTLISTED ENTRIES: THURS 29 OCTOBER (HALF TERM) 2026

WHERE: Greenwich and The Regents’ Parks and Kensington Gardens

WHEN: Selected dates Easter, May and Summer school holidays

All events run 12-4pm. Check back here for further details closer to the time.

Free nature-inspired play in The Royal Parks over the spring and summer 2026 as part of our partnership with The Royal Parks. London Play is leading on events in The Regents’ and Greenwich Parks; and supporting events in Kensington Gardens.

Easter holidays

• Tuesday 31 March Kensington Gardens
• Thursday 02 April The Regents’ Park
• Wednesday 08 April Greenwich Park

May half term

• Wednesday 27 May The Regents’ Park
• Friday 29 May Greenwich Park

Summer holidays

• Tuesday 04 August: The Regents’ Park
• Tuesday 11 August: Kensington Gardens
• Tuesday 18 August: Greenwich Park
• Tuesday 25 August: Kensington Gardens

WHERE: Mudchute Farm, Pier Street, London E14 3HP

WHEN: 10am – 4pm Thursday 30 July 2026

HOW TO ENTER: Download an application form below and send to enquiries@londonplay.org.uk by 20 July 2026

 Our much-loved Go Kart Build and Race will be returning to Mudchute Farm once again in 2026,  thanks to funding from the Barbara Ward Children’s Foundation.

Make soapbox style go karts from scratch and then race them. Playworkers, community organisations or groups are invited to sign up teams of children to take part in this day of proper adventure. Up to 15 teams will arrive to find a pile of wood, wheels, some metal bits and a few tools waiting for them. They will surpass their own expectations by building a fully operational vehicle, ready to push over the finish line!  Teamwork, creativity, strength, technical skills, agility and cooperation will be some of the challenges for the team to take on. 

Each group should comprise between 6-8 children and at least two adults accompanying them. No experience is necessary – London Play’s go kart engineers will be on hand to help. 

Schedule is below.

11.00am Arrival

11.15am Mandatory health and safety briefing

11.30am Build starts

14.30pm Build complete, group photo and parade lap of field

15.00pm RACES! This year we will have more races, so more children in each team can be part of the races.

15.50pm Prize giving

4pm Event ends

NOTE: This event is free to adventure playground groups and other free play provision. We will prioritise entry from these groups. For fee-paying play groups and others able to contribute, a nominal charge of £7/child is requested.