32 Fun Things to Do in London With Kids the Whole Family Will Love

London is one of the most popular family travel destinations in the world. In addition to being a fantastic gateway to the rest of Europe, there are a variety of things to do in London with kids that are educational, fun, and wildly popular.

When visiting some top London attractions with kids, you may need to spin the visit so that it caters to kids’ interests. My husband is brilliant at this technique so I’ve given you tips at sights where I think this can help. After all, you’ll need them to be patient with your spin through Harrod’s or fancy afternoon tea.

And, by the way, we lived in London and return often. We made an entire Harry Potter vacation out of our last trip and I was pleasantly surprised by how you can sightsee meaningfully using a themed itinerary.

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SAVE MONEY ON SIGHTSEEING

Take a look at The London Explorer Pass to decide which is best for your vacation.

Many fun things to do in London with kids are free, but when admission is required, make sure to buy it in advance to save time and money. Queues can brutal, especially if you’re waiting in them with young children. If you purchase tickets using links in this post, I may be compensated.

1. Tower of London

The Tower of London, built on the orders of William the Conqueror in the 1070s, plays a critical role in London’s history. Think Crown Jewels, an infamous prison, royal palace, ravens, Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes, Beefeaters, and more.

Visiting this World Heritage Site is a fun way to brush up on history with your kids. They’ll enjoy the famous ravens who are thought to guard the Tower. Be sure also to point out the Royal Beasts who once lived at the Tower and are today commemorated as statues throughout the complex.

Take advantage of Yeoman tours and the family-friendly activity trails and digital missions where you’ll help characters solve historic problems on the free Time Explorers app. The clues are around the Tower for you to find with your kids.

The missions are on an app and let you meet characters and go with them around the Tower on a mission to help them solve a problem from history. The clues are in the Tower for you to find with your kids.

STAY ACROSS THE STREET

The Tower of London is steps from Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square. The hotel has an arrow marker in the lobby that showcases how far an arrow from the Tower of London could reach when archers were a threat.

2. London Eye

The London Eye is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the Thames River. It provides stellar views of London. One revolution takes about 30 minutes.

So, for some kids, it can be a little slow. It may help to have some entertainment for them while you enjoy the view.

BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE

Ticket lines can be quite long. Buy tickets for London Eye to guarantee entry on the day you’d like to go.

3. London Zoo

Visit the world’s oldest scientific zoo. London Zoo, located in Regents Park, opened in 1828 and is a lovely way to spend a day outside.

London Zoo offers daily tours that allow you and your kids to get to know the animals. Tour the Reptile House (like Harry Potter). Meet the meerkats. Find out why a coati is such a crafty character. Get an up-close (and safe!) look at the lion pride. Find out about some little-known skills of the tiger. Elevate your day by booking one of their tours, workshops, or sleepovers.

AVOID THE QUEUE

London Zoo is part of Go City London. I recommend buying tickets in advance to avoid the lengthy queue. I made the mistake of getting stuck in it on a recent trip.

4. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

This tour is a must-do for Harry Potter fans and anyone interested in how movies are made. Scenes from the actual Harry Potter films were filmed at this studio, which opened to the public in 2012. 

You can see sets, costumes, and how the movies’ visual effects were created. Also, you’ll learn about how the animals were trained and even ride a broom like Harry for an amazing photo op.

You will need to buy tickets well in advance, either directly through the studio or with a tour company, to avoid disappointment as this is one of the most popular things to do in London with kids. I enjoyed this tour much more than I thought I would, and it made my list of best day trips from London.

Tickets: Shop Tours | Direct

5. Hamley’s Toy Shop

Founded in 1860 by William Hamley, the world’s oldest toy store is every kid’s delight. Step in the door of the flagship Regent Street store, which has been located there since 1881, to explore seven stories of wonder.

They often have demonstrations, exhibitions, and stunning new window displays that change with the seasons.

6. British Museum

Archaeology, history, and art abound in this wondrous museum filled with fantastic kid-focused activities and guides.

Go on a treasure-filled scavenger hunt and pick up a kids’ backpack (weekends only) at the Family Desk inside the Great Court. The backpack is filled with activities to complete during your visit. Kids also love seeing the Egyptian mummies and their mummified pets, the Rosetta Stone, and much more.

The British Museum is free, open daily, and centrally located at Russell Square. Based on extensive personal experience, we have a guide specifically for visiting the British Museum with kids.

7. Hms Belfast

Step onboard this nine-deck Second World War Navy warship famous for firing some of the first shots on D-Day. You’ll be able to see these guns and the engine rooms that are 15 feet under sea level while hearing stories from sailors.

This is a fantastic treat for kids who love history and want to see a real HMS ship.

8. Shrek’s Adventure London

The world of Shrek comes to life at Shrek’s Adventure London, which is also near the London Eye. You’ll ride a 4D bus driven by Donkey, look for Shrek in his swamp, navigate a mirror maze, and much more. Be sure to buy tickets in advance.

9. Natural History Museum

Curious kids and parents can explore nature and science with more hands-on, fun learning experiences at the Natural History Museum in South Kensington.

Here, kids can stomp like T. Rex as they learn about how these giant creatures lived, explore the nature trail with a guided tour, and use a magnifying glass in the science center to break things down to the smallest level. 

It’s conveniently also steps away from both the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. These museums are also free things to do in London with kids.

10. The Clink

The Clink Prison Museum showcases crime and punishment in England’s oldest prison during Medieval, Tudor, and Elizabethan times.

While the dastardly lived here, it’s actually educational and kid-friendly. Tours are suitable for ages 4 and up, and you’ll visit for an hour or so at most.

11. Hyde Park

Take a break from city life in the famous Hyde Park, located in the heart of Central London. Kids will love paddling boats out into the Serpentine Lake amid the swans. Bring a picnic (we often enter the park on the Knightsbridge side after picking up food at Harrod’s) to enjoy along the shore, where you can find seating. Also, take advantage of the playground.

Kids also like to walk along in the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, a shallow ring of rippling water that ebbs and flows like her life. It’s located in the southwest corner of Hyde Park.

Keep in mind that the park is 350 acres. So, while you might be keen to walk or jog the trails through the park, you may want to enter closest to the Hyde Park attractions you’d like to see.

12. Go Ape

Yes, you can travel down zip lines and climb along treetops at a high-octane adventure course in the city. It’s one of the popular things to do in London with kids that are a bit older.

Go Ape offers various courses so guests can pick a suitable challenge level and be comfortable climbing ladders, crossing rope bridges, traveling across zip lines, and traversing treetops.

Choose between three Go Ape locations in London: Battersea Park, Alexandra Place, and Cockfoster.

13. London Science Museum

Kids love the London Science Museum because it’s full of roll-up-your-sleeves hands-on activities. There are engineering demonstrations and multiple fascinating and interactive exhibits across seven zones in the Wonderlab. The museum has rotating award-winning exhibitions, so check their website before you visit to see what’s current.

Kids will love this year’s gaming exhibit, where they’ll get to try out the best computer games from the past 50 years. Or leave the noisy crowds behind to marvel at a 3D show in the museum’s Ronson’s IMAX theatre.

The museum is also home to “Billy,” the oldest steam train in the world. Museum entry is free. 

14. London Dungeon

Enjoy 1000 years of perilous English history for the whole family. Actors in full costume relay fun and fascinating stories about Black Death and the Gunpowder plot during 19 interactive shows.

Then, get your thrills on the two underground rides including a vertical free fall (put this on your London with older kids itinerary) and the Henry’s Wrath boat ride. Buy tickets to the London Dungeon in advance.

15. Buckingham Palace

Okay, let’s be honest: touring palaces doesn’t necessarily rank high on a child’s bucket list, but it’s an experience that can make their history books more relatable and one they’ll remember. London has a number of royal palaces, but there’s none quite so iconic as Buckingham Palace in St. James’s Park.

Kids tend to enjoy (though you will need to arrive early for a good viewing point) the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace. It’s a 45-minute ceremony at the palace’s forecourt every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 10:45 a.m. sharp.

You can book tours inside the palace, where you’ll wander through State Rooms and the magnificent halls and party rooms in which the King entertains. You can also visit the throne room. There’s even a guided one-hour tour designed especially for those with young kids.

16. Kensington Palace & the Princess Diana Memorial Garden

At Kensington Palace (where, up until last year, Prince William and Princess Kate lived), kids can go on a discovery adventure with a character from history and win a badge, also through the Time Explorers app. Interesting tours include visiting the childhood rooms of the princess who would become Queen Victoria and tales of those who worked at the palace. And don’t miss the spectacular Jewel Room.

After visiting the palace, you can take the kids to Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in the adjacent Kensington Gardens. Here, they can play on a giant pirate ship, check out sculptures, journey down a sensory trail, explore teepees, and play with toys inspired by Peter Pan.

17. Hampton Court Palace

Another great option for the whole family is Hampton Court Palace. Nestled in southwest London, this spectacular palace has quite the history because it was the home of the notorious King Henry VIII. Consequently, you’ll learn all about his dubious past of marrying then discarding many of his eight wives, never mind beheading some of them.

You’ll tour the magnificent Grand Hall and be transported back in time in the enormous kitchens, where you’ll learn through actor portrayals how 200 cooks produced more than a staggering 800 meals a day for the hungry household. You can also tour the sumptuous living areas of the royals and explore 60 acres of stunningly manicured gardens and a whopping 750 acres of historic parkland. Don’t miss the palace’s world-famous maze, and watch for roaming deer.

Hampton Court Palace is easily accessible via train from Central London, or for a real treat, catch the river boat there.

18. Open Top Bus Tour

London can get extremely crowded, especially if you’re visiting in summer, so an open-top bus tour is a fantastic way to beat the crowds (and people watch from above) and tour the city’s most famous landmarks without wearing your feet out. The open-air top part of the bus serves as the perfect viewing point as you tour London on various routes of your choice. Most buses now have a kid-friendly guided audio tour, and you’ll get earphones when you board.

You hop off at designated landmarks, where you can take your time visiting. Then, simply head back to the bus stop and hop right back on when another bus arrives. It’s the perfect family sightseeing experience, and plenty of buses circle the routes, so you never wait long. You can purchase one-day tickets or longer options. TootBus is a favorite for its ‘London Kids Tour’ and ‘London by Night’ options.

19. Afternoon Tea on a Bus Tour

Step up your bus journey in a unique style with one of Brigit Bakery’s ‘Afternoon Tea’ bus tour options. If you have little ones, what better first ‘afternoon tea’ experience than a Peppa Pig-themed one? You’ll tour Central London’s most iconic sights with a guided animation by Peppa on your table’s built-in tablet, enjoy games and singalongs with onboard entertainment, and feast on an array of sandwiches and cakes. Kids will leave with an activity book and travel cup.

Older kids may enjoy the sophistication of Brigit Bakery’s Classic Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. You’ll tour London’s most famous spots like Hyde Park, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Downing Street while munching on mini quiches, finger sandwiches, savory pretzels, plenty of sweet goodies, and a great variety of teas.

20. Covent Garden

You can spend hours strolling around this historic area in the West End of London and still not see everything it has to offer. But while Covent Garden technically covers 40 acres of land, it is most famous for its Piazza area. This beautiful and expansive cobbled courtyard always has live entertainment by the best street performers, from musicians to magicians to contortionists. The courtyard is surrounded by boutiques, stores, cafes, restaurants, and some of London’s most historic theaters.

Inside (and undercover for those rainy days), is a charming market place full of stallholders selling high-quality London photography and mementos, and beautiful crafts and trinkets. You can roam the arched alleyways and visit more upscale stores to buy unique souvenirs of your visit. The entertainment continues undercover and don’t be surprised to find an opera singer suddenly appear and start performing while you’re sipping on your latte in one of the Piazza’s many open-air cafes and eateries.

(We also think Covent Garden is a must-visit during the Christmas markets!)

21. London Transport Museum

Head to one corner of Covent Garden for the award-winning London Transport Museum. Chronicling over 200 years of London’s transport history, the museum brings to life the personal stories of both used and worked on the many modes of transport in England, including  

Kids will have a field day exploring all the transport options, from the old days to the more recent. There are lots of interactive activities, plus plenty of opportunities to board and pretend to ride buses, trains, trams, etc.

You can also join one of the museum’s Hidden London tours for an exclusive behind-the-scenes exploration into ‘forgotten’ historical Underground Tube stations. Choose from tours, including one that explains how Londoners lived in the tube stations during the Second World War when they were turned into bomb shelters. Or visit the bomb-proof shelter where former Prime Minister Winston Churchill sheltered in safety.

22. Madame Tussauds

This world-famous wax museum is over 250 years old but remains a huge favorite of tourists and locals alike. Located in the Baker Street area of London (made famous by Sherlock Holmes), the original Madame Tussauds has spawned duplicates worldwide.

The museum’s gruesome origins began during the French Revolution. After being released from prison in 1793, French sculptor Marie Tussaud had to prove her allegiance to the Revolution by creating ‘death masks’ of traitors and her former employers, the King and Queen. She eventually brought her collection to London and founded Madame Tussauds in 1835.

Luckily, the museum evolved, and today, it features five themed Zones, including the British royal family, Hollywood, the fashion world, and the Marvel Hall of Heroes. The four Experiences include the Chamber of Horrors and Marvel Universe 4D. You’ll gaze in awe at the life-size wax replicas of all your favorite movies, sports, music, historical, and iconic stars. And they’ll be staring right back—like only they can—waiting for their photo op with you! Get tickets and information.

23. A River Bus Tour

Kick back and enjoy the buzz of London while cruising in comfort on a riverboat tour along the River Thames – the famous water artery that winds through London. This is great for tired children who may need a break from crowds and the up-close excitement of many attractions on this list. You can opt to sit inside or outside on many boats.

The main option these days seems to be the Uber Boat by Thames Clipper, which has many different routes, including an Illuminated River tour after dark. A great trip is down to Greenwich, where you can visit the Planetarium and Royal Observatory.

This is obviously one for the dry days, and you can usually book trips on the same day with most companies. Just bear in mind that some Londoners use the boat to commute to work, so it’s probably best to avoid rush hour.

24. A Day Trip to Greenwich

Greenwich is a picturesque and historic town in southeast London, situated on the bank of the River Thames. Its centerpiece is Greenwich Park, which houses the Royal Observatory and Planetarium—both great fun for kids and anyone interested in astronomy. The Observatory is the home of Greenwich Mean Time, and tourists love to stand on the historic Meridian Line, which divides the eastern and western hemispheres.

The park itself is huge and beautiful. There’s a great kids’ play park area and lots of hills and parkland to roam. At the bottom of the park sits the National Maritime Museum, designed with children in mind and has many interactive activities and opportunities to learn about Greenwich. Like most museums in London, it’s free!

Across the street from the museum sits the Cutty Sark, a legendary ship that was once the fastest of its time. You can walk under the ship, tour it, and watch the shipkeepers maintain this maritime icon.

The Greenwich has many cafes, restaurants, family-friendly pubs, and unique shops to explore. The town is a 15-minute train ride from central London, or you can hop on the boat and arrive in style. Families can definitely spend the whole day here.

25. London’s Theater District

London’s West End theater district is akin to New York’s Broadway in that it has the world’s highest-quality theater and musical shows. Many family favorites like Les Misérables, The Lion King, Mamma Mia, Wicked, Matilda, and Shrek The Musical have been showing in London for years, and sometimes decades. For this reason and because there are so many options, you can often score great-priced tickets if you book at the last minute.

You can either go to the theater box office on the day of the show you choose or get in line at the Last Minute Ticket Booth in Leicester Square (I have done this more times than I can count). You can also buy tickets via their website.

26. Borough Market

London’s premier food market dates back to the 12th century, and it is quite the experience. Located mostly under the railway arches near London Bridge, Borough Market is jam-packed with every kind of food you can think of. It’s crowded, loud, bustling, and lots of fun!

The food traders who sell their goods at Borough Market are some of the city’s finest, and their displays are spectacular. From cheese to charcuterie to incredible cakes and pastries and much more. There’s incredible food from all over the world.

The market is also a great place to head for lunch, as stalls and shops selling every cuisine imaginable surround a (fairly small) seating area. Beware, though, it gets extremely busy at lunchtime as many local office workers head there on their break. Kids will love the spectacle of it all, but keep hold of their hand so they don’t get lost in the crowd or go before or after 12–2 pm.

27. Sherlock Holmes Museum

If you have an amateur sleuth, a Sherlock Holmes devotee, or a fan of the Enola Holmes movies, this museum will be right up their alley. The world-famous detective was said to have lived in this four-story townhouse from 1881 to 1904, and the museum recreates the period beautifully.

You’ll step back in time to gas-lit Victorian London to discover how Sherlock solved his most well-known cases, as guides in Victorian period costume create the mood and tell stories. There’s also a great gift shop with the world’s biggest collection of Sherlock Holmes memorabilia.

The museum is a one-minute walk away from Baker Street underground station.

28. The Globe Theatre

What’s a visit to London without a little Shakespeare? Granted, the famed playwright’s prose is not the easiest to decipher, but your high schooler will likely study Shakespeare at some point, so this is a great place to get them interested.

The iconic theatre is located along the River Thames, and you can’t miss its infamous thatched roof. Built in 1997, to recreate the original Globe Theatre, the current reconstruction has shows daily and constantly reinvents Shakespeare’s works to enthralled audiences. Plays are shown ‘in the round’ (the theatre is circular) and in the open air.

There’s also a fascinating (and undercover) exhibition with displays, costumes, and stage-prop demos to get kids involved and keen to learn more about Shakespeare’s life and work. This is definitely one for kids 8+ though.

29. Paddington Bear Tour

You can take a Paddington Bear tour around London to visit all the spectacular spots where Paddington adventured, starting when he arrived from Peru as a young bear — Paddington Station.

The all-day experience continues around the city to include boating on the canals to visit Primrose Hill, the film location of Windsor Gardens where Paddington and the Browns lived. You’ll stroll Little Venice to see where Paddington and his buddies went on a high-speed chase and more.

Stop to sip some tea and eat marmalade sandwiches in between to enjoy this excursion as Paddington would. You can take a self-tour or a guided tour.

30. Take a Harry Potter Tour (Tours for Muggles)

Straight from the Department of Tourism and Muggle Relations comes a walking tour adventure into the world of everyone’s favorite wizard and friends (and enemies) on the magical side of London.

If you can do one Harry Potter-centric activity in London, this is the one where you’ll see the most sights (and get the most value as it’s fairly inexpensive).

You’ll walk or take the Tube to various points around town where magic and muggles meet while reveling in Harry Potter trivia and learning some London history along the way. Book with Tours for Muggles.

31. Tower Bridge Glass Floor

You can also walk across the Tower Bridge on most days unless they have to lift it to let a boat through.

The Tower Bridge crossing is free, but grab a ticket to cross the glass floor walkway and visit the steam room and exhibition showcasing the bridge’s history.

The glass floor walkway connects the two towers and offers spectacular views of the city if you look up and the river if you look down (they even offer yoga classes on the glass floor walkway). 

32. Go Shopping

In addition to Hamley’s mentioned above, retail therapy is fun when in London with kids. Teens and tweens will enjoy Primark’s fast fashion, which has outlets all over the city. They’ll also love shopping for high-street fashion on Oxford Street.

The city’s most famous department store is Harrods in Knightsbridge. It’s definitely on the upscale end price-wise, but it’s great fun to wander through, even if you’re just window shopping. The food halls are busy but mesmerizing, and the window displays are amazing.

London With Kids for Less With Sightseeing Passes

The London Pass

The London Pass is a very popular way to save on the attractions you want to visit. It’s a digital sightseeing pass that allows you to visit over 80 attractions for a low price.

Decide on the number of days (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10) and purchase the pass ahead of time online. All you need to do is show the pass at each eligible attraction, and you’ll receive free entrance plus some perks like fast-track entry at select attractions.

London Explorer Pass

London Explorer Pass is a flexible sightseeing pass that allows visitors to choose from 2 attractions to visit within a 60-day period. It’s a good option for those who like to tour at a slower pace.

Tip: Children under the age of 11 ride for free on most public transportation with a fare-paying adult.

Where to Stay in London With Kids

We like Brown’s Hotel London and Four Seasons Ten Trinity.

What are your favorite things to do in London with kids?