Best Attractions for Families in London: 15 Picks (2026)

Published: September 2026 · Last updated: September 2026 · Facts checked: September 2026 · Curated by Clara Whitby, The Londonologist.

London is one of the best cities in the world for a family trip. It has aquariums and zoos, wizards and wax celebrities, dinosaurs, a marmalade-loving bear and some of the finest theatre on earth. Below are fifteen attractions that keep children entertained and grown-ups happy, grouped so you can plan by mood and weather, with an honest note on what is free and how to keep the cost down.

The Big-Ticket Days Out

• 1. The Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour. Step onto the real sets, the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, Platform nine and three quarters, and ride a green-screen broomstick. It is at Leavesden, north of London, so allow a half day, and it sells out, so book months ahead, ideally a tour that includes transport. Check studio tour tickets.
• 2. The London Eye. A gentle 30-minute turn high above the Thames in an enclosed pod, thrilling for children without being scary. See our guide to London Eye tickets.
• 3. The Tower of London. A real castle with the Crown Jewels, the ravens and the Beefeaters' storytelling tours, history that grips even reluctant kids. See whether the Tower of London is worth visiting.
• 4. HMS Belfast. A Second World War warship moored on the Thames, all narrow ladders, gun turrets and secret decks to explore. Under fives go free. Check HMS Belfast tickets.

Animals, Dinosaurs and Science

• 5. ZSL London Zoo. In Regent's Park, home to lions, penguins, gorillas and a butterfly house, with daily talks and feeding times. Weekdays are quietest. Check London Zoo tickets.
• 6. SEA LIFE London Aquarium. Glass tunnels, sharks, jellyfish and turtles, right by the London Eye, stroller-friendly and perfect for a rainy day.
• 7. The Natural History Museum. Dinosaurs, a vast blue whale skeleton and a hands-on Discovery zone, in a building that looks like a cathedral. Free entry. See our guide to the best free museums in London.
• 8. The Science Museum. Next door in South Kensington, with space rockets, flight simulators and the hands-on Wonderlab gallery. Also free, though special exhibitions and Wonderlab may be ticketed.

Characters, Celebrities and Wonder

• 9. Shrek's Adventure! London. A 4D bus ride and live-actor storytelling beside the London Eye, aimed squarely at ages four to ten.
• 10. Madame Tussauds. Selfies with superheroes, pop stars, sports legends and the Royal Family in wax, plus a Marvel 4D experience and a Star Wars zone. Allow two to three hours.
• 11. The Paddington Bear Experience. A newer interactive walk-through at County Hall on the South Bank, following the marmalade-loving bear from Peru to Paddington Station, gentle and lovely for younger children. Check Paddington tickets.

West End Shows the Whole Family Will Love

An evening at the theatre is a highlight of any family trip, and London does it better than anywhere.

• 12. The Lion King. Disney's classic with breathtaking puppetry and unforgettable music, at the Lyceum. Best for ages six and up.
• 13. Wicked. The untold story of the witches of Oz, with soaring songs and a message of friendship, at the Apollo Victoria. Recommended for about seven and up.
• 14. Matilda The Musical. Roald Dahl's clever, cheeky heroine brought to life by a child-led cast, at the Cambridge Theatre. A perfect family night out.

Check family show tickets   Compare attractions and shows

Free Family Fun

• 15. The Diana Memorial Playground. A magical Peter Pan-themed playground in Kensington Gardens, with a giant wooden pirate ship, teepees and a sensory trail. Free, but arrive early on weekends, and pack a picnic.

Add the free Natural History and Science Museums above, the royal parks, and the free views along the South Bank, and a family can fill days in London without paying for entry at all. See more in our guide to the landmarks not to miss in London.

The Family Money-Saver

Families rack up ticket costs fast, so this is where a pass earns its keep. Merlin's Magical London Pass bundles five of the attractions on this list, Madame Tussauds, the London Eye, SEA LIFE, Shrek's Adventure and the London Dungeon, for far less than five separate tickets, though note the Dungeon is scary and aimed at older children and teens. For a wider trip, the Go City London pass covers the Tower, the Zoo and many more. Do the maths against single tickets in our guide to combo tickets and passes.

See the Merlin family combo   See the Go City pass

Tips for a Family Trip to London

• Book the big ones ahead. The Harry Potter studios, the shows and the Merlin attractions sell out, especially in the holidays.
• Cluster by area. The Eye, SEA LIFE, Shrek's and Paddington are all on the South Bank; the Natural History and Science Museums sit together in South Kensington.
• Save the free ones for the gaps. Build paid attractions around free museums and playgrounds to keep the budget sane.
• Match the attraction to the age. Shrek's and Paddington suit little ones; the Dungeon, Wicked and the studio tour suit older children and teens.
• Use a pass if your list is long. A Merlin or Go City pass beats separate tickets once you are visiting several paid attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What attractions are best for families in London?

The standouts are the Harry Potter Studio Tour, the London Eye, London Zoo, SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, the Natural History and Science Museums, the Tower of London, the Paddington Bear Experience, HMS Belfast, the Diana Memorial Playground and a West End family musical such as The Lion King or Matilda. Together they cover animals, science, characters, history and theatre.

What is the best London attraction for young children?

For toddlers and young children, the gentle picks are the Paddington Bear Experience, Shrek's Adventure, SEA LIFE, London Zoo and the Diana Memorial Playground. The London Eye is fine for most ages, while the scarier or longer attractions suit older children.

Are there free attractions for families in London?

Yes, and they are excellent. The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum are free, the Diana Memorial Playground is free, and the royal parks and South Bank walks cost nothing. You can fill several family days in London without paying for entry.

What is the best value ticket for a family?

If you are visiting several of the Merlin attractions, Madame Tussauds, the London Eye, SEA LIFE and Shrek's, Merlin's Magical London Pass is far cheaper than separate tickets. For a wider mix including the Tower and the Zoo, a Go City London pass usually wins. Add up your family's list against the pass price first.

What West End shows are good for children?

The Lion King is the classic family choice, dazzling for ages six and up. Matilda suits a similar age with its child-led cast, and Wicked works well for about seven and up. Book aisle seats for younger children who may need to wriggle, and check each show's recommended age.

Is the Harry Potter Studio Tour suitable for families?

Yes, it is one of the most popular family experiences in the country, loved by children and adults alike. It is at Leavesden, north of London, so it is a half-day trip, entry must be pre-booked and sells out, and a tour that includes transport from central London is the easiest way to go.

What is good for a rainy day with kids in London?

London is built for rainy days. SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, Shrek's Adventure and the Paddington Bear Experience are all indoors, and the Natural History and Science Museums are free and huge. A West End matinee is another perfect wet-weather plan.

How do you get around London with kids?

The Tube and buses are cheapest, and under 11s travel free on them with a paying adult, but they are hard work with a buggy in the crowds. Grouping attractions by area helps, and for a stress-free day some families use a private car with child seats, door to door, which is a comfort rather than a saving.

The Bottom Line

London spoils families for choice. Pick a couple of blockbuster days out, balance them with the free museums and a playground, save one evening for a West End show, and let a Merlin or Go City pass carry the ticket cost if your list is long. Book the big attractions ahead, group them by area, and you have the makings of a trip the whole family remembers.

About the Author