20 Best Things to Do in London with Kids: Ultimate Family Guide

20 Best Things to Do in London with Kids
The Ultimate Family Guide

London is one of the world’s greatest cities for families. With 22+ free world-class museums, iconic landmarks, indoor adventures for rainy days, and enough Harry Potter magic to last a lifetime, there is no shortage of things to do in London with kids whatever their age, budget, or interests. This guide covers the 20 best family activities in London — from free museum visits and Thames river cruises to immersive experiences and outdoor adventures.

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The Natural History Museum is one of the best free things to do in London with kids and consistently tops family activity lists. The dinosaur exhibits are genuinely spectacular — the blue whale skeleton in the main hall alone is worth the visit. Children can borrow activity backpacks with trail challenges suited to their age. Free entry every day with no booking required for the permanent collection.

Right next door to the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum is another outstanding free London activity for children. Interactive exhibits cover space exploration, engineering, flight, and technology across seven floors. The Wonderlab interactive science gallery is paid but worth booking for children aged 7 and over. The rest of the museum is completely free.

The British Museum welcomes over 6 million visitors annually and its permanent collection is completely free. For families, the Egyptian mummies, the Rosetta Stone, and the Sutton Hoo helmet are highlights that genuinely capture children’s imaginations. The museum runs family trails and activity sheets available from the information desks. Best visited on weekday mornings to avoid weekend crowds.

One of London’s most iconic free family activities, the Changing of the Guard takes place at Buckingham Palace and is completely free to watch from the street. The ceremony features military music, ceremonial uniforms, and impressive formations that children find genuinely exciting. Arrive at least 45 minutes early for a good viewing position, especially during peak season.

Hyde Park is one of the best free outdoor family activities in London. The Diana Memorial Playground in the northwest corner is specifically designed for children aged 12 and under, with a large wooden pirate ship as its centrepiece. The park also has the Serpentine Lake for paddleboats, open-air concerts in summer, and wide open spaces for picnics and ball games.

The Harry Potter Studio Tour in Watford — 20 minutes from Euston by train — is consistently rated one of the best family days out near London. Walk through original film sets, see costumes and props, explore Diagon Alley, and drink Butterbeer. Tickets sell out weeks in advance, especially during school holidays. Book early. The round trip transport ticket includes return travel from London, simplifying the journey with children.

A 30-minute rotation on the London Eye gives children one of the most memorable views of the city — Big Ben, the Thames, and the London skyline stretching in every direction. Book fast-track tickets online in advance to skip queues that can exceed an hour during peak season. The Eye is particularly special at sunset when the light on the Thames is spectacular.

The Tower of London is one of the most captivating London attractions for children. The Crown Jewels, the famous Beefeater Yeoman Warder tours with their dramatic storytelling, medieval armour, and the ravens all genuinely capture children’s imaginations. Allow at least 2 to 3 hours. Children particularly enjoy the interactive elements in the White Tower and the outdoor spaces between towers.

Located on the South Bank next to the London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium is one of the most popular paid activities in London for kids. Home to over 400 species including sharks, rays, seahorses, and penguins, it offers a walkthrough tunnel beneath a shark tank that younger children find both thrilling and unforgettable. The penguin feeding sessions are particularly popular — check the schedule on arrival.

A hop-on hop-off bus tour is one of the most practical things to do in London with young children. It covers all the major landmarks — Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s — with multilingual audio commentary, and lets you get on and off at your own pace. For tired families with young children, staying on the bus for the full loop and watching the city pass by is genuinely enjoyable. 24 and 48 hour passes available.

SpyScape near Hyde Park combines an interactive spy museum with escape game-style challenges developed with CIA experts. Suitable for children aged 6 and over, it is one of the best rainy day indoor activities in London for kids who like challenges, puzzles, and physical activities. Each visitor gets a personalised spy profile at the end based on their skills across the missions.

Oxygen at The O2 is one of the best indoor activities for kids in London who need to burn energy. Alongside interconnected trampolines, there are ninja-style obstacle courses, climbing walls, and high-energy activity zones. The O2 location also makes it easy to combine with food at the surrounding restaurants for a full family day out in Greenwich.

A West End show is one of the most memorable things to do in London with children of all ages. The Lion King, Matilda the Musical, Disney’s Frozen, and Back to the Future the Musical are all consistently excellent for families. Matinee performances are less expensive than evening shows and better suited to younger children. Check the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for same-day discounted tickets.

Hamleys is the world’s most famous toy store and a genuine free London attraction for kids — entry is free even if you do not buy anything. Seven floors of toys, demonstrations by staff performing tricks and experiments, and the sheer spectacle of the shop itself make this one of the most entertaining free indoor experiences in London. The LEGO displays and the ground floor demonstrations are particular highlights for children.

A Thames river cruise is one of the best things to do in London with kids for a different perspective on the city. Children love seeing Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, and the South Bank from the water. City Cruises hop-on hop-off services depart from Westminster, Embankment, Tower, and Greenwich piers. The Speedboat experience is particularly popular with older children and teenagers.

London Zoo in Regent’s Park is one of the world’s oldest and most beloved zoos and a classic family day out in London. Home to over 700 species including gorillas, lions, giraffes, and tigers, it offers close encounters, feeding sessions, and talks throughout the day. The Gorilla Kingdom and Land of the Lions are particular highlights for families with children of all ages.

Hampton Court Palace is one of the best family day trips from London, reachable in 35 minutes from Waterloo. The famous hedge maze is a highlight for children, and families can borrow dress-up costumes to explore the Tudor kitchens, dining halls, and royal apartments. The sprawling grounds with deer park offer hours of free-range exploration that children love. Particularly good value in January and February when prices are significantly lower.

A Harry Potter walking tour takes families through the real London filming locations from the movies — Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross, Diagon Alley, Gringotts Bank, and more. One of the most popular family tours in London for children who love the wizarding world. Tours run daily with expert guides who bring the stories to life at each location.

The Brigit’s Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour combines a traditional British afternoon tea service with a sightseeing tour of London’s major landmarks on a vintage Routemaster bus. One of the most enjoyable and unique things to do in London with children — particularly popular for special occasions, birthday treats, and families who want to combine sightseeing with a memorable dining experience.

For families who want to cover the most ground with the least stress, a private sightseeing tour with Chauffeurz in an executive vehicle is one of the most practical family activities in London. No navigating public transport with pushchairs and luggage, no queuing for buses, and the route can be customised entirely around your children’s interests. The Mercedes V-Class accommodates larger families comfortably.

Plan Your Complete London Family Trip

Use our complete guides to plan every part of your London family holiday — from finding the right hotel to getting around the city stress-free.

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For private airport transfers with child seats and door-to-door family sightseeing tours across London, Chauffeurz Premium Services offers fixed pricing and no surge charges.