31 Fun Things To Do In London With Kids (2026 Family Guide)

Are you coming to London with children and not sure what to do? In truth, there is so much to do in London with kids, it’s hard to know which attractions to pick.

Being a previous Londoner (I lived there for many years), I have lots of experience of cool things to do with kids in this amazing city.

I have recommended the most fun attractions as well as what to do if you’re on a budget!

[ez-toc]

Ride the London Eye

Take a ride on this gigantic Ferris wheel and experience amazing views of the city. This is a great activity for kids of all ages.

Located on the Southbank, the London Eye is opposite Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament so why not combine seeing these iconic buildings with a trip on the wheel?

On the downside, it is rather pricey so if you want to experience London with a view with kids, you could hop on a cable car instead (see below).

See the Sights from A Cable Car

A trip on the IFS cloud cable car offers breath-taking views of the city and is a great way to see London from a different perspective. The ride lasts for around 10 minutes and is suitable for kids of all ages.

You can use your Oyster card and a one way trip costs £6 for adults and £3 for children.

Experience Wonderlab at the Science Museum

Kids love Wonderlab at the Science Museum. Wonderlab is designed to inspire kids to learn about science through play. Seven different zones provide hands-on activities, live demonstrations, and interactive displays. Kids will have a blast exploring the wonders of science.

Watch lightning strike, have fun with forces on large slides and journey through space under a blanket of stars.

Entry to the science museum is free but there is an extra cost for Wonderlab. However, it’s definitely worth the extra price.

Build Sandcastles at the Diana Memorial Playground

The imaginative Diana Memorial playground, located in Kensington Gardens, was created in memory of Princess Diana. With a pirate ship surrounded by a massive sandpit, it’s great for young kids. Children can also explore the sensory gardens, tepees, swing and slides too. The best thing is it’s free!

Walk through the Ocean Tunnel at the London Aquarium

You’ll find the London Aquarium located on the Southbank right next to the London Eye.

It’s a great attraction for kids of all ages. The youngest of kids will love spotting colourful fish in Coral Kingdom. Older children will enjoy the interactive Rockpool area where they can learn about marine life up close. Other highlights include the rainforest adventure and taking a walk through the ocean tunnel as massive green sea turtles and sharks glide directly over your head.

Hop on the Top Deck of a London Bus

Kids loves going on the top deck of a double decker bus. There are two ways to do this. If you are on a budget, just use your Oyster card to go on one of London’s iconic red buses. Alternatively, you can book on a hop on / hop off bus tour which will take you around the capital with interesting commentary along the way.

Experience the Earthquake Simulator and Dinosaurs at the National History Museum

London has many free museums. One of the best for kids is the Natural History Museum. With its interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, the Natural History Museum is perfect for learning. From dinosaur skeletons to life-sized models of animals, your kids will have a blast exploring the wonders of nature.

If you have a dinosaur mad kid, the dinosaur gallery is a must see. Another highlight is the volcanoes and earthquake gallery where you can experience the Earthquake simulator.

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo

Photo Credit: Battersea Park Children's Zoo Facebook Page

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo is the perfect size for young children to walk around and see some exciting animals. Meet meerkats, lemurs, squirrel monkeys, donkeys and lots more. Kids will also love the sand pit and diggers. Enjoy some refreshments at the Lemon Tree Cafe too.

Visit a City Farm

If you are on a budget, London has a ton of city farms, many of which are free. Find Coram’s fields in Central London. It’s not far from the British museum so you can combine a trip to both attractions which are both free. As well as farm animals, Coram’s Farm has a playground and a zip wire to wear the kids out too.

Other cool city farms include Mudchute Farm, Vauxhall City Farm and Deen City Farm.

Have Fun at Shrek’s Adventure

Photo credit : Dave Pearce

If you have a child that loves Shrek, they can visit Far Far Away land right in the centre of London. It’s an immersive walk through experience that’s based on Shrek the movie.

The experience takes about 2 hours and is aimed at the 6 to 12 age group. It is quite expensive but kids do love it with rides and plenty of audience participation.

Highlights include the magical bus 4D ride and the mirror maze which is amazing and lots of fun.  Find out more aboutr Shrek's Adventure.

Visit the Tower of London

This historic fortress is the most popular tourist attraction in London and a great place for kids to learn about the history of London.

Participate in a Beefeater-led tour and hear the tales of its famous prisoners. See the Crown Jewels, climb the battlements and go up the Bloody Tower.  In addition, there are often family themed activities during weekends and school holiday as well as trail worksheets.

Book tickets for the Tower of London

See The Animals the London Zoo

With its diverse animal inhabitants, the London Zoo is a great place for kids to learn about wildlife. See exotic animals, such as gorillas, lions, and flamingos, up close and personal.

Take Boat Ride on the Thames

Kids will love a boat ride along the river Thames, taking in the sights of London from a different perspective. There are plenty of city river cruises and sightseeing trips you can take on the Thames with interesting commentary. If you're not fussed about commentary and don't mind a quicker ride, you can also hop on a Thames Clipper. The clipper is essentially a commuter boat but tourists use it to get from a to b too. They do a family roamer ticket which you can use all day.

Try and Indoor Play Centre (at a Museum or Somewhere Else)

It can be known to rain a lot in London particularly in the winter months. If you need to take the kids somewhere indoors, there are lots of indoor play centres and many have eductional value too. Here are a couple to try:

Play Base at The Army Museum

The Army Museum is free to visit and has a play base for kids aged 8 and under (for a small charge). In addition, there’s lot of fun gallery experiences and activities for families.

The Mudlarks Gallery at the Museum of London Docklands

This is a fantastic interactive space designed especially for younger children. Little ones can climb aboard a child-sized DLR train, explore a dock-themed play area, operate miniature cranes, try on divers’ helmets and enjoy hands-on water play. There are also giant building blocks and plenty of opportunities for imaginative play, making it one of the most engaging museum experiences for children in London. It's a great place for kids to burn off some energy while learning about London’s docklands and river history through play. You'll need to book in advance. Sessions are for 45 minutes.

Follow a Family Trail at the British Museum

The British Museum is another of London’s free museums. It has a vast collection of artefacts from around the world, including the Rosetta Stone and mummies from ancient Egypt. To entertain kids while you look around, get an activity backpack from the families desk. There are trails for kids according to their age. Kids can dress up, draw, play games and build.

Visit the London Transport Museum

Photo by Matt Brown

The London Transport Museum is a great attraction for kids, as it offers a fun and interactive way to learn about the history of London's transport system.

There's tons of interactive exhibits. Kids can climb aboard a range of historic vehicles, including a horse-drawn bus, a steam train, and a Routemaster bus, and experience what it was like to travel on London's transport system in the past.

In addition, there's plenty a family museum trail, under 7s play area, dress up and family friendly events.

HMS Belfast

Photo: Jorge Franganillo / Flickr

HMS Belfast is a museum that used to be a Royal Navy Warship. Kids will love exploring the ship. Climb ladders, crawl through narrow passages, dress up and experience what live used to be like for sailors aboard the ship.

Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace is one of the top places that tourist like to visit in London. If you're going with kids, try and see The Changing of the Guard while you're there. The ceremony takes place daily during the summer months, and every other day during the winter months, outside Buckingham Palace. It's free to watch.

The ceremony is a formal process where the Old Guard, made up of soldiers who have been on duty at the palace, is replaced by the New Guard. The ceremony begins when the New Guard marches from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace, accompanied by a band or corps of drums. The soldiers then carry out an inspection of the Old Guard, before the Old Guard hands over their responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace to the New Guard.

It takes about 45 minutes so can be tiring for little kids but you can just watch some of it before you move on!

Step into Paddington’s world at County Hall on the South Bank. This immersive, interactive adventure follows Paddington Bear’s journey, from boarding the train at “Paddington Station” to visiting Windsor Gardens, the Browns’ cosy home, and even the Peruvian jungle in a multi‑sensory walkthrough across 26,000 sq ft

Kids (and grown‑ups) can help prepare for the Marmalade Day Festival, solve puzzles, meet characters, dance with a Calypso band, and enjoy a marmalade sandwich.

Open daily (usually 10 am–6 pm), best booked in advance.

Find out more at the Paddington Bear Experience. 

Burn off Steam at London's Parks and Playgrounds

London’s Parks & Playgrounds
London’s green spaces are perfect for exploring, running wild, having a picnic and letting off steam. Here are a few highlights:

Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens: Lots of grass to play, you can hire a pedal‑boat at Hyde Park or paddle in the Diana Memorial Fountains and Kensington Gardens. Young kids will love the the Diana Memorial Playground (with pirate ship - as seen in the picture above!)

St James’s Park: Close‑up views of pelicans, they get fed most days around 2pm - check the website for more details. Also a great way to walk up to Buckingham Palace. 

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: a little way out of the city centre in Stratford, it's a great place to take kids. There's open‑air play areas, fountains, climbing frames, and the ArcelorMittal Orbit nearby

These parks offer a lovely balance of iconic London charm and safe, family‑friendly play areas.

If your children are fans of Harry Potter, a visit to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter is an unforgettable experience. Although located just outside central London, it's one of the most popular family attractions in the UK and well worth the trip.

Go behind the scenes of the Harry Potter films and explore authentic sets, costumes and props used throughout the series. Walk through the Great Hall, wander down Diagon Alley, visit the Forbidden Forest and see Platform 9¾ complete with the Hogwarts Express. Children will love discovering how the magical creatures, spells and special effects were brought to life on screen.

There are plenty of interactive experiences too, including the chance to fly a broomstick, pose for fun photos and sample a famous Butterbeer. Whether you're travelling with young witches and wizards or Harry Potter-loving teenagers, this magical attraction is guaranteed to be one of the highlights of your London trip.

Top Tip: Tickets often sell out weeks or even months in advance, especially during school holidays, so book as early as possible.

Always a  hit with kids and teen, this iconic waxwork museum lets families take selfies with lifelike figures of celebrities, superheroes, historical figures, and even Star Wars characters like BB‑8

It’s indoor (a great rainy‑day option!) and entertaining!

Top Tip: fast‑track tickets can help skip long queues.

Themed Afternoon Tea on a Bus

Combine sightseeing and treats with a themed afternoon tea on a vintage Routemaster. Options include:

Classic Afternoon Tea Bus Tour – family‑friendly, departing from Victoria/Trafalgar daily (for ages 5+)

Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour – complete with marmalade sandwiches.

Peppa Pig Afternoon Bus Tour - for kids who love Peppa!

Check out the Bridget's Bakery website for more themed options.

These 90‑minute tours weave iconic landmarks (Big Ben, Palace, Tower Bridge) and tasty cakes!

If you'd prefer afternoon tea while not moving, why not check out these other fun afternoon teas for kids in the city. 

Ride the Mail Train

The museum itself is packed with hands-on exhibits and interactive displays that help bring the story of the postal service to life. Children can discover how mail was delivered through the centuries, see vintage postboxes and postal vehicles, and marvel at the world's only complete sheets of Penny Black stamps. There's even a Victorian miniature rail carriage that once transported both people and post.

Families with younger children will love the indoor play area, Sorted!, where kids can dress up as postal workers, sort parcels, ride mini mail vans, and experience what it's feels like to work for the postal service through imaginative play.

For older children aged 12 and above, guided walking tours of the original underground tunnels offer an even more immersive experience.

Book your postal museum entry visit and underground rail ride.

Walk Over the Glass Floor at Tower Bridge

If your children enjoy a bit of a thrill, a visit to Tower Bridge is a must. One of the highlights is stepping onto the famous glass walkway suspended 42 metres above the River Thames. Looking down at the boats, buses and tiny people far below is guaranteed to get hearts racing!

As well as the spectacular views, families can explore the impressive Victorian Engine Rooms and discover how this iconic London landmark was built. Kids and teens will love learning how the enormous machinery once powered the bridge and seeing how it still lifts today to allow tall ships and river traffic to pass underneath.

Combining incredible views, fascinating history and a touch of adventure, Tower Bridge is one of London's most memorable attractions for families.

A visit to Hamleys is much more than a shopping trip – it's an experience that children will remember long after their visit to London. Spread across several floors on Regent Street, Hamleys is one of the world's most famous toy stores and is packed with toys, games, gadgets and surprises around every corner.

London’s West End is buzzing with family‑friendly shows:

The Lion King, Wicked, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child are long‑running favourites

101 Dalmatians: The Musical at Hammersmith Apollo, featuring puppets and fun for ages 5+

Back to the Future musical, Starlight Express, The Tiger Who Came to Tea are other options.

For a more hands‑on children’s experience, check out Unicorn Theatre (under‑10s), Globe’s Shakespeare adaptations, or shows at the National Theatre .

Discover Toys, Games and Childhood Adventures at the Young V&A

Looking for a free museum in London that children will genuinely enjoy? The Young V&A in Bethnal Green is packed with interactive exhibits, imaginative displays and fascinating collections designed to inspire young minds.

Reopened in 2023 following a major £13 million transformation, the museum celebrates creativity, play and childhood. Children can explore galleries filled with historic toys, games, dolls' houses, costumes and objects from different eras, while hands-on exhibits encourage them to touch, create, build and experiment.

There are plenty of interactive displays throughout the museum, making it feel more like an adventure than a traditional museum visit. The museum also hosts changing exhibitions and family activities throughout the year, giving families a reason to return again and again.

Parents will appreciate the bright, modern spaces and excellent café, while children will love discovering how toys and games have changed over the centuries. It's a fantastic free attraction for families and a great option on a rainy day in London.

Cost: Free entry, although some temporary exhibitions may require a ticket.

ArcelorMittal Orbit & Helix Slide

At Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the ArcelorMittal Orbit isn't just a viewing platform—it’s also home to the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide, “Helix”: 76 m high, 178 m long, with 12 loops and hair‑raising speeds up to 15 mph

Ride the lift 80 m up for breathtaking London views, then zoom down for about 40 seconds of thrill. Suitable for 8+, with parents and teens loving the adrenaline rush

You May Also Like...

Pin Me For Later

You May Also Like...