31 Amazing Things to Do With Teenagers In London (That Teens Will Love)

Visiting London with a teenager is brilliant! I love taking my teenage boys there but I also know it can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with this wonderful city. There’s so many attractions, tours and experiences packed into London, choosing activities that will genuinely keep teens engaged can be a challenge!

What I love about London is that there are so many places and activities that teenagers will geninuely enjoy. There’s immersive history experiences, adrenaline-fuelled adventures, outdoor activities and chilled out options too! The challenge can be knowing which ones are worth your time (and money).

I’ve put this guide together based on my own experiences in London with my teens. Find everything from iconic landmarks to unique, lesser-known experiences will help you plan a trip your teen will love, whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a longer stay.

Best Things to Do With Teenagers in London – At a Glance

Top teen-approved activities in London include:

Thrill experiences like the ArcelorMittal Orbit slide and O2 roof climb

Immersive attractions such as the London Dungeon

Free museums including the Science Museum and Natural History Museum

Iconic sights like Tower Bridge, the London Eye and Camden Market

Unique experiences like Harry Potter tours, Monopoly Lifesized and ghost walks

Read on for these and lots more ideas!

Walk over Tower Bridge’s Glass Floor (A Thrill Teens Love)

A visit to Tower Bridge is educational and fun for teens!

Visit the magnificent Victorian Engine rooms. Learn about this incredible feat of Victorian engineering and discover how the bridge is raised to let tall boats through. Teenagers will enjoy walking across the glass floors, which are 42 meters above the River Thames.

It’s a great place to take an Insta selfie.

Ride The ArcelorMittal Slide – London’s Ultimate Adrenaline Experience for Teens

If you have a teen with an adrenaline seeking spirit, this is a must

Experience the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide.

Spiral down the UK’s tallest public artwork, shoot through light and dark and breathe in the dramatic cityscape views as you go.

Standing at 114.5m tall, the ArcelorMittal Orbit also gives you the chance to explore London’s famous skyline through stunning floor to ceiling windows. In addition, view the city’s landmarks from the outside observation walkway suspended 80m above the ground.

It’s based at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and is for the bravest only! You can reach speeds of up to 15mph on your descent.

Book your tickets here.

Take a High Speed Boat Tour of London

Take an exhilarating ride along the River Thames on a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) tour.

High-speed boat tours are one of the most exciting things to do in London.

The Ultimate London Adventure is one of the most popular speedboat trips. Blast your way from the iconic London Eye Pier for 50 minutes. Take in the incredible sights from Big Ben to London Tower Bridge. The Skippers make the trips informative and entertaining.

It’s a fantastic way to experience London from a new and exciting perspective.

Experience London’s Gruesome History at the London Dungeon

The London Dungeon will engage your teenager in the history of this amazing city. Travel back through 1000 years of London’s grisly past. Your immersive journey will include a descent into the dungeon and a medieval lift. Meet notorious figures like Jack the Ripper and Sweeney Todd and discover the gruesome fate of Guy Fawkes during his 10 days of torture.

The dungeon experience is brought to life by amazing actors, authentic sets and special effects. The dungeon is also home to drop dead ride: an exhilarating vertical free fall drop ride.

Don’t worry, the experience isn’t just scary, it’s hilarious too!

If you’ve already visited the London Dungeon, the London Bridge Experience and The Tombs is a similar attraction with a scare maze at the end. Read our review of the London Bridge Experience.

Discover Bloody British History at the Tower of London

The Tower of London is a 900 year old castle that housed and tortured famous and infamous prisoners. The Tower also houses the crown jewels.

Make sure you join a free Yeoman tour which will keep teenagers interested with tales of its bloody and interesting past, including treachery, executions and the legend of the ravens. Get up close and be dazzled by the crown jewels.

The Tower of London is a major tourist attraction so if you can, get there early or go off-peak (such as midweek) to avoid the crowds. Also, check out the what’s on page on their website to make sure you don’t miss out on any exciting exhibitions.

Ride the Mail Train at The Postal Museum

Take the underground train and travel on some of the old mail rail lines which run under London. Stop along the way to learn about the history from the early days until the rail line closed in 2003 (book in advance to guarantee your ride)

It’s a small museum but there are lots of interesting and interactive displays to look at too. Some highlights include the world’s only sheets of Penny Black stamps and a Victorian miniature rail car used by people and post!

There are also walking tours of the tunnels for people aged 12 and over.

Book your postal museum entry visit and underground rail ride.

Enjoy Epic City Views on the London Eye With Teenagers

My kids (aged 9 and 13 at the time) by the London Eye

The London Eye is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions, but it’s also one that teenagers will enjoy.

The wheel is 135m high so you can get some amazing views of London. The ride takes approximately 30 minutes.

Ride the IFS Cloud Cable Car for Affordable Skyline Views

A cheaper way to get amazing views of London is the IFS Cloud Cable Car. It crosses the River Thames between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks, just five minutes from the O2 by North Greenwich tube station.

There are some magnificent views of Canary Wharf and the O2. Cabins arrive every 30 seconds and the journey is 10 minutes each way. The only downside is that sometimes the queues are long.

Read our review of the IFS Cloud Cable Car.

More Amazing Ways to See London From Above (Viewpoints Teens Will Love)

The Millennium Wheel and the Emirates cable car are just two ways to see amazing views of London. If your teen enjoys climbing heights to experience stunning views, here are a few more suggestions:

Visit the Sky Garden – an indoor garden on the top of a skyscraper. You can book a free ticket for a Sky Gardens visit here.

The Shard – book at The Shard to experience London’s highest and best view. It’s 243 metres (800 feet) above the ground and the highest viewing platform in London.

Lift 109 – take Lift 109 to the top of Battersea Power station (109 metres /357 feet of the ground) for spectacular views of London’s skyline

Climb 311 steps to the top of The Monument to the Great Fire of London. It stands 61 metres high (202 feet). Experience magnificent views of the city of London from the top. If you plan to visit Tower Bridge and the Monument, you can get a 20% discount if you buy tickets to both attractions. Read about when my 13 year old son and I climbed The Monument to find out everything you need to know.

Horizon 22 – Head to London’s highest fee viewing platform. Located at the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, visitors can enjoy 300 degree panoramic views of the city, which include landmarks such St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, and the Tower of London. Tickets for Horizon 22 are free but you need to book well in advance.

Join a Harry Potter Walking Tour in London

If your teen is a Harry Potter fan, experience a Harry Potter walking tour around London with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. Discover Harry Potter filming sites and see parts of London that you wouldn’t discover by yourselves.

Highlights include passing The Leaky Cauldron, the secret wizarding inn. Explore the real Diagon Alley, where Harry buys his first wand. Even see the bridge destroyed by the Death Eaters in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”.

Take a Day Trip to Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour

Another one for Potterheads is a day trip to Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour. A bus will take you from London to the Warner Bros studios where you can see Harry Potter sets and the magic behind the films.

It’s a dream for Harry Potter fans. Discover behind the scenes secrets, step inside the Great Hall at Hogwarts, explore the wizarding bank of Gringott’s and climb aboard the Hogwarts Express.

Book Your Harry Potter Studio Tour day trip

Skate, Swim or Boat at Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of eight royal parks in London and it covers 350 acres. It’s one of the best parks for teens to visit, as there are lots of things to do. Why not hire some rollerblades from either Slick Willies or the London Skate Centre near Hyde Park? Then have fun skating through the miles of skate-ready paths and walkways in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.

Hyde Park is also a great stop for a picnic in between visiting London’s many attractions. If it’s a hot day, teens will enjoy dipping their feet in the Diana Memorial Fountain. On hot summer days another cooling off activity worth trying is taking a dip in the Serpentine Lido. 

You can also hire boats (pedalos and row boats) on the Serpentine between April and October or why not hop on a ride on the  Serpentine SolarShuttle, a magnificent vessel which glides silently across the lake, powered only by the sun. Find out more about boating at Hyde Park.

Explore Medieval Punishments at The Clink Prison Museum

The Clink Prison dates back to 1144 making it one of England’s oldest and most notorious prisons.

This is a small museum and is on the gory side so is a great way to bring history to life for teenagers. They are likely to be interested in the torture devices and reading the information boards with more indepth details. It is a quick attraction to visit. Allow at least an hour, but you might get around even quicker. Find out more at the Clink Museum Prison.

Take Celebrity Selfies at Madame Tussauds

Find the original Madame Tussauds in London. It first opened in 1835 on Baker Street and now features over 250 wax figures of the world’s most famous people as well as some amazing experiences. Journey through London’s history by jumping into an iconic black cab on the Spirit of London ride.

The different zones of wax models have the celebs that some teenagers want to meet, including icons such as Rihanna, One Direction, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Come face to face with some of the most famous people that have lived, including Michael Jackson, Madonna and Donald Trump.

The Marvel Universe 4D cinema is a favourite with teens. It costs a little extra but you can experience wind chilling, water soaking and face flinching special effects. Get as close as possible to Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Spider-Man and many more.

Teens can also explore the Chamber of Horrors which shines a light on 150 years of London’s gruesome crimes and criminals. Come face to face with wax models of serial killers including Jack the Ripper and the Kray twins. It’s not for the faint of heart and recommended for teens aged 16 plus (although younger teens can go in if the wish!)

Visit London’s Best Free Museums for Teenagers

London is jam-packed of free and interesting museums. Here are some that might interest your teen.

(It’s worth noting that even though these museums are free, some ask that you book a free ticket in advance of your visit – so check their website before you go).

The Science Museum

If your teen likes or studies science, the Science Museum is a good option. Highlights include the aviation gallery where you can see planes suspended from the ceiling, the space zone and the human body area.

Most of the science museum is free, however there are a couple of paid for galleries which are good for kids and teens. They include Power Up, an interactive gaming gallery, where you can explore five decades of gaming consoles and video games.

There’s also the WonderLab gallery which is jam-packed with hands-on experiences. It’s aimed at kids from 8 to 14, so maybe a little young for some teenagers, but if you have younger kids with you, it’s worth a visit.

Teens will also enjoy watching an immersive movie at the Science Museum IMAX 3D cinema.

The National History Museum

My 13 year old in the Natural History Museum.

Right next door to the science museum is the National History Museum. It’s huge and there are many exhibits. The life-sized dinosaurs are the most popular attraction for many families. As a family, we enjoyed the volcano and earthquake section the most. My 13 year old particularly enjoyed the earthquake simulator. The human evolution section is also very interesting.

Victoria and Albert Museum

In the same neighborhood as the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, you’ll find the Victoria and Albert Museum. My teen boys would probably vote to skip this one! However, if your teen loves fashion, jewelry or is studying a subject such as art or textiles, this museum may well interest them. Retrace the history of creativity through fashion, furniture, sculpture, photography, jewellery and more.

The Imperial War Museum

My own teenage son is interested in the history of war so next time we are in London, the Imperial War Musuem is on our list. It’s a free military museum on war and conflict. Important galleries on World War 1, World War 2 and the Holocaust feature personal stories to bring the experience to life. Teens may also like to see the range of tanks and aircraft. There’s also a new section on the conflict in Ukraine.

Eat, Shop and Explore Camden Market

If you teen loves shopping, especially from more independent shops and stalls – they will love Camden market. It has a unique and vibrant atmosphere.  Packed with small shops, street food and eateries for lunch and dessert – it’s the perfect place to wander, shop and eat. Find out about the shops located at Camden market.

Shop London’s Best Teen-Friendly Areas and Markets

Oxford Street – home to high street shops galore. Teenagers will love stores including Primark, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, Nike Town, Adidas and JD Sports.

Westfield, London – is the largest shopping mall in Europe and is ideal if you like all your shopping done under one roof. Based in Stratford, East London it’s the best place to shop on a rainy day.

Seven Dials / Covent Garden –find a variety of shops including vintage shops, high street offerings such as Zara and Urban Outfitters and the Apple Store among many others. Covent Garden is lovely to walk around and you can also enjoy the street performers. There’s plenty of food options when you fancy a break too.

Brick Lane Vintage Market – if your teenager loves vintage and sustainable fashion, Brick Lane Vintage market is situated in East London and is the place to go. In addition, try amazing street food at the Upmarket (Brick Lane Food Hall) on Sundays. Then partake in a round of Junkyard mini golf in Shoredtich (about 10 minutes walk away)

Step Aboard HMS Belfast – A Must-See Warship for Teens

Not far from Tower Bridge and the Tower of London is HMS Belfast. This is a great stop for teenagers. It’s World War 2 Navy warship, that is now a museum. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see inside a war ship and see what life is like. There are interesting displays of life aboard the ship, from the kitchen to infirmary to dental office to sleeping quarters. The engine room is something to marvel at.

It’s worth noting the ship is full of narrow steep ladders, which many teens will like. However, it’s not great if you have mobility issues or have a pushchair.

Discover London’s Dark Side on a Ghost Tour

London has a dark and somewhat gruesome history and therefore has some of the best ghost tours in the world.

Ghost tours are a great way to engage teenagers in the history of the city. There are many to choose from and you can also read our guide to 9 of the best ghost tours in London.

One of the top picks is the Cloak and Dagger Tour. A costumed guide takes you on a 2 hour ghost tour where you’ll discover the depths of London’s grisly past. The tour ends in a pub where you will watch actors recreate a murder which happened over 300 years ago!

Another dark tour that appeals teenagers is the Jack the Ripper tour. Head back to 19th Century East London with an expert guide. Learn about what life was like for the Ripper’s victims and the inhabitents in Whitechapel at the time. Try to figure out who committed the unsolved murders using the photographic evidence and true stories about the investigation.

For a more lighthearted experience, hop on a comedy london ghost bus tour. Combining humour and thrills, a vintage 1960s routemaster will take you to some of London’s most haunted locations.

Tour a Football Stadium or Sporting Venue in London

Do you have a football mad teenager? If you’re nodding yes, why not book a stadium tour? You can enjoy a stadium tour with most of the top flight London clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea or Tottenham.

At Tottenham’s stadium teens can also experience the Dare Skywalk which involves climbing the stadium walls!

Another option is a tour of the home of England football – Wembley Stadium.

Football not their thing? You can also book a tour of other sporting venues including Wimbledon for tennis fans and Twickenham for Rugby enthusiasts. Both Wimbledon and Twickenham also have museums to look around too.

If they love cricket, a tour of Lord’s – the home of English cricket will be perfect.

Enjoy a Teen-Friendly Afternoon Tea Experience

There are some fabulous places to take a teenager for afternoon tea in London. Here are some ideas:

Sketch – Sketch is Soho located just off Oxford Street and Regents Street which makes it perfect for combining afternoon tea with a shopping trip. You can grab afternoon tea in The Gallery or lunch in The Garden room. Sketch is the perfect venue for those Instagram pics. Check out Sketch’s Instagram account to see the beautiful rooms where you can dine.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tea at One Aldwych – inspired by the iconic Roald Dahl book, teens can indulge in snozzberry jam and chocolate swudge milkshake. It’s not too young for teens, in fact, it’s perfect for adults too.

Brigit’s Bakery Classic Afternoon Tea Bus London Tour – What’s more British then a red double decker bus?  Combining afternoon tea and a bus trip of course. Explore the streets of London on this vintage route master enjoying afternoon tea at the same time.

Peggy Porshen – If you have a teen who loves pink, head to the cute Peggy Porshen cafe. The afternoon tea is themed according to the season. There are branches in Belgravia and Chelsea and it’s best to book in advance as the cafes are small, so they get booked up quickly.

A Fashion-Themed Afternoon Tea at the Berkeley – With amazingly crafted cakes in the style of clothes and accessories, this  afternoon is ideal for the teen who loves fashion!

Explore London With Teens on a Treasure or Scavenger Hunt

Get your teen on board with exploring London on foot by trying a treasure / scavenger hunt. Solve clues sent to your phone in a treasure trail experience. It’s a great way to see parts of London you wouldn’t otherwise know about.

There are plenty of pre-planned treasure and scavenger hunts you can choose from and download to your phone. They are a great way for teens to discover London from another perspective.

Hidden City is the top rated London treasure hunt on Trip Advisor. Play a role in the story as you uncover secret locations, unravel riddles and solve puzzles. Pause for food and drinks at built-in break points. You can do this in teams of 2 to 5 players.

Treasure Trails have 50 trails you can undertake in several different areas of London. For just £9.99 it’s a very cost effective way to entertain teens for a couple of hours and discover a chosen area of the city.

Street Hunt Games are described as when scavenger hunt meets escape room meets murder mystery. This outdoor immersive game takes you on a journey to uncover hidden clues in London.

Play Monopoly Lifesized – A Fun Indoor Activity

If you’re looking for something different and fun to do in London, why not try a game of Monopoly Lifesized?

This new and immersive game lasts 80 minutes. Play with family and friends and move around the board. Complete challenges for a chance to buy London’s properties.

It is pricey, but if you’re not on a budget it’s well worth checking out!

Climb Over the O2 Arena Roof for Incredible London Views

An unforgettable 90 minute experience for adrenaline seeking teenagers is climbing over the roof of the O2. The 360 degree views from the top are amazing. On a good day you can see landmarks 15 miles away! Choose from options of sunlight, sunset and twilight climbs.

Challenge Friends and Family at Puttshack Mini Golf

Break up the sightseeing with a game of high tech mini golf. Puttshack Mini Golf has 2 locations in Bank and White City. The games are interactive and super fun. It’s the world’s first mini golf with automatic scoring. No having to add up the scores (and less opportunity to cheat!).

There are 9 holes in total so it’s a quick game but Puttshack is also brilliant to grab a bite to eat. With burgers, pizza and fries – most teenagers will be happy. Sometimes they also have an extra game offer for half price so it’s worth checking the website before you book.

Combine a Ghost Walk With a Night-Time Thames Boat Ride

A friend recently shared her teenage son’s favourite experience in London was a night time boat trip along the River Thames. They loved seeing the twinkling city lights and the chance to see London from a completely new perpective. The London Ghost Walk and River Boat Ride offers teens the same experience

Combine the magic of London’s iconic landmarks illuminated by night with a spine-chilling historical ghost walk? A knowledgeable guide recounts fascinating stories and eerie facts as you explore the city. Discover the haunted past of London’s parks, visit the city’s most infamous haunted house, and cruise the Thames to see London’s landmarks glowing in the night.

To see the River at night make sure you take note of the time it gets dark and book one one of the later trips.

If you’re looking for a fun indoor activity to do with friends and family, head down to Toca Social at the 02.

Have fun hitting targets with a football at a digital screen. Everybody can have a go, you don’t need to be any good at football to play. However teen football fans are sure to love it!

Cool Off With Outdoor Swimming and Lidos in London

As the weather is warming up in the city, a great way to cool down is to take an outdoor dip in one of London’s many swimming pools, lidos, outdoor swimming lakes.

We’ve already mentioned that you can swim in the Serpintine Lido in Hyde Park (teens will need to be accompanied by an adult.)  Other awesome lidos include Parliament Hill Lido, Tooting Bec Lido and Hamstead Heath Pool. Check out more of the best outdoor pools, lidos and lakes in and around London.

Even More Fun Things to Do in London With Teenagers

There are so many fun activities to do with teenagers in London it’s hard to list them all in one article. However, we’ll try and include a few more in this section. Read on for more ideas below:

The Old Operating Theatre – Climb up a 52 spiral staircase to the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe. This small, eerie museum will have teens drawing in their breath when they hear about the brutal nature of the surgeries that took place here (without anaesthetics).

Leake Street Arches – if you are near Waterloo station, this grafitti filled tunnel is free to visit and has some amazing street art.

Crystal Maze Experience – This  immersive, team-based adventure is inspired by the 1990s TV show, The Crystal Maze. In this live-action experience, teams of participants (usually 4-8 people) enter a maze where they must solve a series of challenges in different themed zones

Hot Tub on the Thames – For an activity with a difference why not take out a hot tub boat on The Thames? The hot tub water is heated to a balmy 38 degrees . You can take a boat out in all weathers (rain, sleet or snow!) Kids aged 12 and above can go in a hot tub boat as long as they are accompanied by 2 adults.

Coming to London soon? If you want to know where to eat, check out fun restaurants and dining experiences for teens. If you’re on a budget, make sure to check out 50+ fun ideas of free things to do in London.  

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