Streatham with children: playgrounds, books, rhymes and performing arts
Streatham offers a choice between a woodland-and-playground outing on the Common and a smaller indoor visit to the library. The Common has open space for a picnic, a large children’s playground and paths through woodland; the library adds books, baby rhymes and chess. For more active plans, compare a booked swim or skate at the Ice and Leisure Centre with PSSA’s term-time dance, singing and drama groups at Dunraven. Choose one main stop and check the individual activity’s times and access needs before travelling.
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A flexible outdoor outing on Streatham Common
Streatham Common has a large children’s playground, woodland, grassland, meadows and streams, with space for a picnic. The neighbouring Rookery is a formal garden, giving a different shape to a walk. The council lists a café and toilets as well as a seasonal paddling pool; do not plan an autumn visit around the pool being open.
The common itself is open 24 hours. That does not establish the hours of individual facilities or the Rookery. Its listed address is Streatham High Road, SW16 5NR.
- Streatham Common
Play in the large children’s playground, explore woodland and meadows, or bring a picnic.
Books, baby rhymes and chess at Streatham Library
For an indoor outing, Streatham Library has children’s books and magazines, children’s computers and baby-changing facilities. Wheelchair access is through the Pinfold Road side entrance, which has an automatic door and ramp. A disabled toilet is listed.
Wriggle and Rhyme is a free interactive session for babies and toddlers under two with their parents or carers. The council currently lists five Tuesday sessions from 27 October to 24 November 2026, each 10:00–11:00. Chess Club is free and open to all ages and skill levels, with the same five Tuesday dates listed at 16:30–19:30. Follow the current listings below rather than assuming additional weekly dates.
The library is at 63 Streatham High Road, SW16 1PN. It opens Monday 13:00–20:00, Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00–20:00, Thursday and Friday 10:00–18:00, Saturday 09:00–17:00 and Sunday 12:00–17:00; it is closed on bank holidays. Call 020 7926 6768 with session enquiries.
- Streatham Library
Browse children’s books and magazines, with baby rhyme-time, under-fives storytelling and a mixed-age chess club.
- Wriggle and Rhyme
Songs and interactive rhymes for babies and toddlers under two, with their parents or carers.
- Chess Club
Play chess at a library club open to all ages and skill levels.
Swimming, skating and soft play
Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre has an indoor ice rink, two swimming pools and a soft-play area for young children. Ice-skating lessons and a Learn to Swim programme are offered. Check the particular activity’s timetable, admission conditions and booking options: general centre opening hours are not a guaranteed swimming or skating slot.
The operator currently reports the pool hoist unavailable for maintenance and the car-park lift out of service. If either affects your visit, call 020 8677 5758 before travelling. The centre is at 390 Streatham High Road, SW16 6HX.
- Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre
Choose swimming, ice skating or the soft-play area for young children at this High Road leisure centre.
Term-time dance, singing and drama at Dunraven
PSSA runs Thursday term-time groups at Dunraven Secondary School, 94–98 Leigham Court Road, SW16 2QB. Minis is for ages 4–6 at 17:00–18:00; the main group is for ages 6–14 at 17:00–20:00. Children work on dance routines, group singing, improvisation and scripts, with performance opportunities.
PSSA advertises Minis at £36.75 per month or £140 per 12-week term, and the main group at £92 per month or £350 per 12-week term. Trials cost £5 for Minis and £10 for PSSA, credited towards the term total pro-rata. Monthly payments spread the cost across the year; monthly and termly card payments automatically renew each term. Voucher payments require termly rebooking. A PSSA T-shirt is required on enrolment and added to the first invoice; check its cost at booking.
These are independent drop-off classes: parents do not stay in the studio. Choose the payment method when booking the trial and tell PSSA before the second class if you do not want to continue. Terms are booked as 12-week blocks; notify PSSA within two weeks of an auto-enrolment notification if you do not want to return. Trials depend on a subsequent place being available; full classes have a waiting list. Check the linked listings for preparation and complete visit terms.
- PSSA Minis: dance, singing and drama
Learn dance routines, sing and act with PSSA at Dunraven Secondary School.
- PSSA: dance, singing and drama
Learn dance routines, sing and act with PSSA at Dunraven Secondary School.
Choose the outing that fits your day
Pick the Common for an open-ended outdoor visit, the library for books or a listed session, or a booked activity for a more structured day. For a child under two, check the library rhyme session; for an older child, compare chess with the age-specific PSSA groups.
For Better Start baby and stay-and-play groups at Streatham Hub, The Hut and Sunnyhill, check the council’s current timetable and arrange registration and booking with the centre. The retained autumn timetable is not a set of dated tickets, particularly around school holidays.
Useful sources
- Lambeth Council visitor and activity information
- Lambeth Council visitor and activity information
- Active Lambeth visitor and activity information
- Lambeth Council visitor and activity information
- Lambeth Council visitor and activity information
- PSSA visitor and activity information
- PSSA visitor and activity information
- Better Start access and booking
