London doesn’t just welcome families – it positively spoils them. From world‑class museums where dinosaurs tower overhead and rockets brush the ceiling, to royal parks filled with adventure playgrounds, pedal boats and pelicans, the capital is crammed with ways to keep children entertained. Yet with hundreds of attractions jostling for attention, planning a trip that balances big‑ticket sights with kid‑amiable fun can feel daunting.
That’s where this guide comes in. Drawing on tried‑and‑tested experiences from mummytravels, we’ve sifted through the options to pick 59 of the best things to do in London with kids – whether you’re wrangling a toddler, travelling with tweens or trying to please teens. From iconic landmarks to hidden corners locals love, indoors and out, rainy days and rare heatwaves, this list is designed to help families make the most of the city without wasting time – or patience.
Family friendly museums in London that kids will actually enjoy
Forget hushed galleries and “do not touch” signs: London’s best cultural spots for families are brilliantly hands-on. At Natural History Museum, kids can come face to face with roaring dinosaurs, feel the ground shake in the earthquake simulator and peer at creepy crawlies that look like they’ve marched straight out of a storybook. Over at the Science Museum, curious minds can launch rockets, build circuits and experiment with giant bubbles in the Wonderlab, while the London Transport Museum turns the capital’s history into a playground of vintage buses, tube carriages and pretend driver’s cabs. Even the Museum of London Docklands has a dedicated play zone for under-8s, where they can load cargo, dress up as dock workers and steer miniature ships.
- Natural History Museum – dinosaurs, volcanoes and after-hours torchlight trails
- Science Museum – hands-on experiments, space galleries and interactive shows
- London Transport Museum – mini city, play zones and vehicle-spotting in Covent Garden
- Museum of London Docklands – soft play, role play and riverside history
- V&A Museum of Childhood (Young V&A) – reimagined toy collections and creative maker spaces
| Museum | Best for | Top tip |
|---|---|---|
| Natural History Museum | Dinosaur-obsessed kids | Arrive early for the dino gallery |
| Science Museum | Curious tinkerers | Pre-book Wonderlab sessions |
| London Transport Museum | Toddlers and preschoolers | Use the day ticket for re-entry |
| Museum of London Docklands | Under-8s | Time your visit around free storytelling |
Outdoor adventures and unexpected green escapes across the city
From watery playgrounds to pocket-sized forests, London hides more wild corners than you’d ever guess from the Tube map. Kayak under the shadow of Canary Wharf’s glass towers, hunt for frogs in the wetlands at Walthamstow, or let little legs race scooters along the Serpentine before a pedal-boat spin. In spring and summer, head for the royal parks as early as you can: Richmond for deer-spotting at dawn, Greenwich for kite-flying with skyscraper views, or Regent’s Park when the rose garden is in full bloom and the boating lake opens. Even on a drizzly day,a pair of wellies and a promise of hot chocolate can turn a wander through Hampstead Heath into a miniature expedition,complete with mud,tree-climbing and city panoramas from Parliament Hill.
- Climb and roll down the grassy slopes of Primrose Hill, then count red buses from the top.
- Follow hidden waterways along the Regent’s Canal towpath between Little Venice and Camden, watching narrowboats slide past.
- Swap swings for zip lines at adventure playgrounds in Battersea Park and the Olympic Park.
- Pack a nature notebook for mini-beast hunts in woodland corners of Dulwich and Brockwell parks.
| Spot | Best for | Kid appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Hampstead Heath | Wild-feeling walks | Tree climbing, ponds, big views |
| Richmond Park | Day-long escape | Free-roaming deer, cycling trails |
| Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park | Modern green space | Climbing frames, fountains, scooting |
Hands on history from royal palaces to wartime bunkers
London’s past isn’t just something to read about – it’s something kids can step into, pull on, and even shout from the ramparts.At the Tower of London they can size up real suits of armour and hear spine-tingling tales from costumed Yeoman Warders, while at Hampton Court Palace, Tudor kitchens clatter into life and the famous hedge maze turns history into a race. Buckingham Palace opens selected rooms in summer, all glittering chandeliers and crimson carpets, and the Royal Mews nearby reveals gleaming carriages and horses that still take part in today’s ceremonies.Many sites now add family trails, dressing-up corners and interactive displays that invite children to touch, listen and experiment, rather than just shuffle past glass cases.
Below ground, wartime stories become surprisingly immediate as kids duck into dim corridors and peer at old maps lit by flickering bulbs. In the Churchill War Rooms they can sit at the Cabinet table and imagine decisions that changed the course of the war, while RAF-themed museums invite them to climb into cockpits and test their reaction times on flight simulators. To help choose the right experience for your family, compare a few of the most engaging spots:
- Tower of London: Crown Jewels, ravens and tales of prisoners.
- Hampton Court Palace: Tudor feasts, gardens and a classic hedge maze.
- Churchill War Rooms: Secret bunker, war maps and audio stories.
- RAF Museum: Historic aircraft, cockpits to explore and hands-on galleries.
| Site | Best for | Recommended age |
|---|---|---|
| Tower of London | Drama & royal intrigue | 7+ |
| Hampton Court | Costumes & gardens | 5+ |
| Churchill War Rooms | Wartime bunkers | 9+ |
| RAF Museum | Planes & pilots | 6+ |
Rainy day fun with immersive indoor attractions and theatre for children
When the clouds burst over the capital, London’s indoor worlds step into the spotlight. Step through the doors of immersive experiences like KidZania London, where children can try out more than 60 different “jobs”, or dive beneath the waves at SEA LIFE London Aquarium, wandering glass tunnels surrounded by sharks and rays. For something more high-tech, interactive museums such as the Science Museum and London Transport Museum combine hands-on exhibits with storytelling so kids barely notice they’re learning. Throw in imaginative spots like the V&A Museum of Childhood’s successor galleries at the Young V&A, and a gray day quickly becomes a technicolour adventure.
- See a West End show tailored to families, from magical musicals to toddler-friendly performances.
- Book a behind-the-scenes theatre tour to peek into costume stores and stand on famous stages.
- Join drama and puppetry workshops that let kids create their own mini productions.
- Combine matinees with nearby attractions to turn a rainy afternoon into a full cultural day out.
| Indoor Idea | Best For | Top Tip |
|---|---|---|
| KidZania London | Ages 4-12 | Book early slots to avoid queues. |
| Matinee Musical | School-age kids | Look for weekday discounts and booster seats. |
| Science Museum | Curious minds | Time your visit around live demos. |
| Puppet Theatre | Under-7s | Sit near the aisle for an easy escape. |
Key Takeaways
London doesn’t run out of ways to entertain curious young travellers – if anything, the real challenge is deciding what to leave for next time. From world‑class museums and historic landmarks to pocket parks, markets and unexpected corners of creativity, the city rewards families who are willing to mix the headline sights with a few lesser‑known discoveries.
Whether you’re planning a first visit or returning to explore a different neighbourhood, these 59 ideas offer a framework rather than a checklist.Dip into them according to your children’s ages, interests and energy levels, and don’t be afraid to slow the pace: some of the most memorable moments frequently enough happen between attractions, on a river boat, a double‑decker bus or in a local playground.
However you choose to piece together your days, London proves that a city break with kids can be as engaging for adults as it is for younger travellers – and that there’s always another adventure waiting on the next trip.
