London: capital days out for all the family

Five cool ideas for entertaining the kids – young and old – during those long summer days, including robot encounters and Star Wars props.

Robots

Science Museum, until 3 September

Come face to face with a 16th-century mechanised monk and an uncanny communications android while you learn how and why we create these curious machines.

Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition

The O2, until 3 September

Feel the force and explore the characters from Star Wars in this interactive exhibition. The stunning collection features some 200 props, models, costumes and artwork from the original films.

Sensational Butterflies

Natural History Museum, until 17 September

Follow the trail through a tropical habitat of flowers, vines and foliage, among hundreds of beautiful live butterflies and moths. A kaleidoscopic treat in the city centre.

The Robot Zoo

Horniman Museum and Gardens, until 29 October

This exhibition features larger-than-life animals innovatively recreated using machine parts and gadgets to reveal how their real-life counterparts see, eat, hunt and hide.

Quentin Blake: The Life of Birds

House of Illustration, until 1 October

An impressive display of drawings both old and new from the great illustrator that capture the character and behaviour of our avian friends.