When travelling to the capital of the UK, a city of nine million people, you’ll be spoilt for choice when looking for something for the whole family to do.
With so many things for families to do in London, it can be hard to know where to start. However, with our guide, you’ll find 19 of the best things to do in London with kids.
If you’re wanting to splash out on a day, you can find some excellent family activities. There are also loads of budget-friendly and even free options in London too. With lots of outdoor options, parks and playgrounds, London truly does have something for everyone.
Read on to find out where you’ll explore in London next.
Family friendly things to do in London with under 5s
Little ones love to have something to do, so in this section - we’ve outlined some great hands-on activities for under 5s. From family-friendly raves to modern-day Jurassic Park, you’ll find something for your little ones.
Little Angel Theatre
The Little Angel Theatre is a great option for little ones as they’ll get to watch magical and creative puppet shows.
A lot of these shows are inspired by picture books such as 'Wow! Said the Owl'. So, if your kids love a bedtime story, the Little Angel Theatre is just the choice for your tots, as they’ll be able to watch reimaginings of stories they love.
Big Fish Little Fish
Can your little ones never sit still, and more importantly do they like a boogie? Well, Big Fish Little Fish is the perfect activity for your family. There’s something for parents to enjoy here also, as the family-friendly disco crew is reminiscent of the early rave ’90s culture in its most wholesome form.
Parents can enjoy the music, kids can get stuck in, and there are plenty of activities on show also. Like synthesiser workshops and hula-hoop demonstrations, we’re sure this will be perfect for your youngsters.
Crystal Palace Park
Close to Crystal Palace Overground, you’ll find Crystal Palace Park. At this park, you’ll find full-scale model dinosaurs, which have been in the park since 1854. It’s like Jurassic Park, but safer - making it one of the best things to do in London with kids!
Crystal Palace Park was restored in 2002, but don’t be fooled, you’ll still find the dinos that were there in the Victorian period. Even though the dinos may not be scientifically accurate anymore, we can guarantee your kids won’t mind as they explore the park. You’ll also find a maze and farm here, perfect for a jam-packed day.
Kew Gardens
If you’ve got a tiny tot who’s mesmerised by all things nature, Kew Gardens is an excellent choice.
Especially perfect for London’s unpredictable weather, the Temperate House at Kew offers a cosy heat, perfect to keep those little ones warm.
Kew Gardens also features the largest Victorian glasshouse, which reopened in 2018 after five years of restoration.
If Kew Gardens is deemed a ‘breathtakingly beautiful space’ by David Attenborough, we’re sure your children will love it just as much. Since it first opened in 1863, Kew Gardens contains species that are extinct anywhere else and some notable species include a tree as old as the dinosaurs!
Travel by train and enjoy 2FOR1 entry to this botanical wonderland.
The Science Museum
Small children love having something to do - and the science museum certainly promises this. The Science Museum has a section called The Garden, which is a free play zone where youngsters can put on an apron and get stuck in.
Here, children can play with water and boats, explore lighting and make shadows, and also delve into the science of sound. Keep your kids engaged for hours.
Horniman Museum and Gardens
The Horniman Museum and Gardens offers an extensive museum and 16-acre garden, meaning you and your family will be immersed in the serenity of nature. Best of all, the entry to the gardens and museum is completely free, making it one of The best museums for kids London.
The museum also has an Aquarium, and a Butterfly House - great if your kids want an immersive experience. In the aquarium, there are even low-level viewing windows and signs so kids can get involved with ease.
The Horniman Museum also has a variety of activities and events for families throughout the year. This includes the farmers' market which happens every Sunday, where you can find food sellers, live music and entertainment.
Family friendly things to do in London with tweens
Got a family full of tweens? In this section, we delve into all the cool things to do in London with tweens. Find something that will engage the whole family with our suggestions.
Sandbox VR
Do you have some keen gamers in your family? Well, Sandbox VR is the perfect place for your tweens to let off some gaming steam. Pick a team of two to six members and enter a virtual world of gaming. With six games to choose from, your tween will be spoilt for choice. Adults must sign a waiver and remain on the premises throughout the experience, but you don’t have to play.
BFI Imax
If you’ve some film buffs in your family always dying to see the latest blockbuster - look no further than the BFI Imax. Screenings at BFI Imax offer a screen almost as high as five double-deckers. Screenings here also include action short films about nature and space. So, get your 3D glasses ready, you won’t want to miss this one.
Queens Skate Dine Bowl
Queens Skate Dine Bowl is certainly one of the fun things to do in London with family. This nearly 100-year-old entertainment centre is perfect for tweens. With a groovy bowling alley, a skating rink, arcade, curling, darts and a MEATliquor restaurant - your family will be spoilt for choice.
If your tweens are beginners or pros at skating, this rink will have something for everyone. You can hire penguins for support, or free skate if you’re an experienced skater.
If your tweens love a good old burger bar, simply wander over to MEATliquor after they’re done with their activities. You’ll also find a pool table and fun photo booth at the restaurant too.
Madame Tussauds
Are your tweens after some epic photo opportunities for their social media? Make the most of your Madame Tussauds visit and Pose next to Barack Obama, the royal family, Shrek, King Kong, and E.T.
You can also find the Star Wars gallery at Madame Tussauds. Here, you’ll find various scenes from the franchise made from wax models - from heroes to villains, your family can see all the characters they know and love.
Snap a photo of Yoda, Han Solo, Darth Vader and Luke as they go to battle and live out your ultimate sci-fantasy.
Get 1/3 off your Madame Tussauds tickets when you travel by train!
London Eye
Take your teens to the London Eye to get an exceptional view of the capital to see all of London’s greatest landmarks and attractions, such as the Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. The London Eye lasts for around 30 minutes, so is perfect for a brief view of the entire city.
The London Eye is Europe’s tallest observation wheel, so it’s not one to miss out on. If you want some more information on the London Eye, make sure to check out our blog - the Ultimate Guide to the London Eye Experience.
Get 1/3 off your London Eye tickets when you travel by train.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus
Hop-on hop-off buses are a great way to see the city whilst cutting out some of the walking. If you see a landmark that you want to explore with the family, hop off the bus, and hop straight back on once you’re done.
Some buses around London also feature a live commentary which is great to keep the teens engaged.
Pick different kinds of tickets, such as the 24-hour or 48-hour ticket, giving you as much time as you want to explore the capital. Get discounted tickets when you travel by train.
Comedy Club 4 Kids
This club was set up at the Edinburgh Festival in 2005, but can now be found in Soho Theatre. At the Comedy Club 4 Kids, you’ll find adult comedians who have censored their material to make it tween-friendly. Some past line-ups have included Phil Jupitus, who did a sketch about his life as a panda and James Acaster, who used the audience to crowd-source a letter home to his parents.
There are also chances for your youngsters to flex their comedic skills. This club runs fortnightly workshops for youngsters to practise their comedic routines!
Family friendly things to do in London with teens
If you have a family of teens, this section outlines something that caters to this age range - from theatres to dungeons, we cover a great variety.
Shakespeare’s Globe Story & Tour
Do you have some teens who are passionate about literature? If this is the case, The Globe Theatre isn’t an experience to miss for kids and adults alike. Expert guides will show you around the theatre, bringing it to life. Your family will learn about the past of the Globe and how it came to stand on Bankside as seen today.
Tickets also give access to the immersive exhibition, so your family can really understand what Shakespeare meant when he stated “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” Try on some of the Globe’s costumes, smell the Elizabethan London-smelling boxes and create a thunderstorm on stage.
The London Dungeon
If your family has some teens who are after a spook, then the London Dungeons are the perfect choice. The London Dungeons opened in 1974 and have stayed just as popular.
At the dungeons, you’ll find a series of rides and rooms that are based on the gruesome history of London. The London Dungeons are always moving with the time, so expect frequent updates to the rooms and experiences. This experience is for over-12s only.
Get 1/3 off your tickets when you travel by train.
The Unicorn Theatre
This theatre venue near Tower Bridge performs shows that are catered to a teenage audience. The Unicorn Theatre was founded in 1947 and has been transformed by the artistic director Purni Morell.
Morell has directed some groundbreaking shows for teens touching on subjects like fundamentalism. The theatre does actually offer a variety of shows aimed at babies all the way to older teenagers, so there’s really something for everyone.
Camden Market
Take your teens to Camden Market to see the energetic mix of stalls, we promise they won’t be disappointed as we’ve deemed it as one of the 13 cool things to do in Camden Town. From markets to music and a variety of cultures, there will certainly be something for your teens.
If they love a bit of vintage shopping, Camden Market is the place for all things second-hand.
Equally, if your teens are foodies, there are various street food stalls, for you and the family to try out. All in all, Camden is a trendy, unique place - perfect for teens to explore.
The West End Theatre
Take your teens to the West End Theatre to see some of their favourite productions live. At the West End Theatre, you can expect world-class productions and musicals - perfect for gripping the imagination of your teens’ minds.
This activity will unlikely be cheap, but it certainly ticks one off The London Bucket List for any teen who loves theatre. From The Lion King to Back to the Future and Mamma Mia - watch your family’s favourite films on the big stage.
Thames RIB Experience
If you’ve got some thrill-seeking teens on your hands, taking a speedboat across the Thames is one to get their adrenalin pumping.
See all the sites of London while speeding down the Thames. From the landmarks to the sites, you’ll be treated to it all. Be assured that the speedboats are equipped with safety jackets and qualified drivers - so you’ll be safe whilst your teens are soaking it all in, quite literally.
Get stuck into visiting the capital with your family
Clearly, London has something to offer for every family. So whether you’re after thrill-seeking experiences, cultural experiences, activities or foodie places - you’re sure to find things for kids to do in London.
London’s perfect mixture of history and modernity means that whatever your family’s interests are, you’ll be able to delve into the rich culture of the city. Find the perfect experience for your family with our guide.
From theatres to speed boating to dungeons, you’ll be spoilt for choice on what to do and where to go.
When are you planning on visiting London next?
Cheap train tickets to London
If our guide has inspired you to visit the capital, you’re in the right place. We offer a great variety of cheap train tickets to London so you can save on travel, and spend more on experiences.
- Know when you’re travelling – we’ve got Advance tickets that won’t break the bank.
- Travelling with the kids? Our Family Travelcard allows your kids to travel to London for just £1!
- Going as a group? With GroupSave you can save 1/3 off your train travel when travelling with 3-9 people.
- Going when it’s not busy? Our Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets give you some of the cheapest train tickets around.
So, what are you waiting for? Your adventure starts here.
