11 Family-Friendly Things To Do in London
With London's wealth of museums, parks, and zoos, it’s hard to run out of things to do with kids—and a surprising range of activities are completely free. While the weather may not always be perfect, there’s plenty to do indoors and efficient public transit makes it easy to zip around the British capital to see the sights.
Many of London’s galleries, museums, and attractions are designed with children in mind, and you won’t struggle to find kid-friendly shows at London theaters, including at top West End venues and Shakespeare’s Globe. Whether you’re spending a full vacation or just a long weekend, this family London travel guide will help you make the most of your trip.
1. Meet some animals
Visit London Zoo to see lions, giraffes, penguins, tigers, and more.
London Zoo has been keeping little Londoners entertained since 1828—it’s the world’s oldest scientific zoo and one of the best family attractions in London. The zoo is home to hundreds of species across a variety of habitats, including Monkey Valley, which you can walk through as monkeys swing from the trees above; plus a reptile house; a farmyard; and an indoor rainforest. Smaller kids typically enjoy the city’s wealth of urban farms, such as Vauxhall City Farm and Hackney City Farm, both of which are free to visit.
Insider tip: A London Pass can be a great option for families, as it includes entry to many attractions, including London Zoo.
2. Enjoy a free museum
London’s museums are a joy for kids and kidults alike.
Whether it’s hands-on experiments at the Science Museum or marveling at dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, London’s museums are perfect for curious kids. The British Museum lets families explore ancient worlds from Egypt to Rome to Greece, while the Young V&A (formerly known as the Museum of Childhood) celebrates the history of play, with plenty of interactive exhibits to try. Best of all, entry to all the aforementioned museums is free.
3. Take in a West End show
Book a kid-friendly show in London’s West End theater district.
A West End show may not seem the first port of call for children, but a raft of productions are perfect for kids. Options include Matilda the Musical, Roald Dahl’s timeless tale of a bright girl who struggles at a monstrous school; The Lion King, which brings the much-loved Disney® movie to life; and Starlight Express, a spectacle that’s great for any kid who loves trains or skates. Older kids will appreciate Shakespeare’s Globe, which recreates the original Tudor theater and offers good value tickets, typically starting from £5. It's also worth checking what’s on at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre if you’re visiting in summer, as there are often shows ideal for families.
4. Enter the world of Harry Potter
Harry Potter fans will be spoiled for choice in London.
The Harry Potter movies were filmed all over the United Kingdom and a Harry adventure is a great family outing in London for any young fan. There is a wealth of Harry Potter tours to choose from, most of which explore locations including Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross station. Theater buffs can catch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre, while the ultimate Potter extravaganza is Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. There, you can explore sets including Diagon Alley and Gringotts Bank, plus sample real-life butterbeer.
Related: 10 Things Every “Harry Potter” Fan Should Do in London
5. See some world-class art
London’s art scene isn’t just for adults—there’s plenty for kids, too.
When it comes to family-friendly destinations, London’s galleries are right up there with its museums. Tate Modern, with its echoing Turbine Hall, delivers a wealth of modern art and regularly hosts free events tailored to its youngest visitors. The National Gallery lets kids discover pieces by the world’s most celebrated artists, including Monet, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Rembrandt. Even kids who aren't drawn to conventional galleries might enjoy the immersive Frameless, where art is brought to swirling, dynamic life on huge surrounding screens.
6. Take a walk on London’s dark side
Explore London’s dark history through its most ghoulish attractions.
Gore-minded kids of the Horrible Histories persuasion will be delighted and disgusted by the London Dungeon, a macabre crawl through the city’s underbelly. Head to the Tower of London to browse its torture exhibit and see the infamous Bloody Tower, or marvel at gory anatomical specimens showcased in the Hunterian Museum. Madame Tussaud started her empire on Baker Street and Madame Tussauds London still has a Chamber of Horrors, which anatomizes some of England’s darkest crimes.
7. Explore a ship on the Thames River
Climb aboard one of London’s historic ships.
A Thames cruise is often high on the list of London activities for children, but some of the city’s most exciting ships don’t even move. Kids love the Cutty Sark, a tall 19th-century tea clipper that’s docked in Greenwich, which you can explore via its decks and browse an on-site museum. In Southwark, you’ll find the Golden Hinde, an accurate replica of the 16th-century galleon that privateer and slave trader Francis Drake sailed around the world. Or, explore the narrow gangways and impressive guns of HMS Belfast, a World War II warship.
Insider tip: Don’t miss the family-friendly National Maritime Museum, which is a short walk from the Cutty Sark and has lots of interactive exhibits for kids.
8. Delve deep beneath the city
There’s more to underground London than the London Underground.
While London’s World War II tunnel network won’t open to the public until 2028, there are more ways to explore beneath the city streets. The Postal Museum is home to Mail Rail, an underground railway originally designed for transporting mail, while the Churchill War Rooms bunker shows how Britons fought under falling bombs. For another way to explore the city's underground, head to the London Bridge Experience and London Tombs for an underground experience as haunting as any ghost tour.
9. Take quirky pictures
Fortunately, you don’t need great weather to take great photos in London.
A London photoshoot is a memorable way to commemorate your vacation, but you’ll also find plenty of photo opportunities at some of the city’s family-friendly attractions—and they’re perfect for a rainy day. The Bubble Planet Experience blends the fun of a giant ball pit with up-to-the-minute VR, while the Twist Museum and Paradox Museum London both feature optical illusion exhibits that let kids learn through play—and result in some pretty great photos, too.
10. Shop for toys
London’s toy stores are guaranteed to delight.
London is perfect for a dose of retail therapy, whether you’re shopping for fashion, beauty products, souvenirs, or toys. For the latter, Hamleys is one of the top family destinations in London and arguably one of the world’s most famous toy shops. For more than 200 years the store on Regent Street has been the place to delight kids of all ages. Knightsbridge landmark Harrods has a toy department that shows how the elite among us live, or SugarSin Candy Store in Covent Garden sells candies that will please your kids and your inner child.
11. Sip on afternoon tea
Upgrade your kids’ tea parties with afternoon tea in London.
An afternoon tea is one of the most fun things for kids to do in London and there’s an array of options to choose from that are suitable for small diners. You can try afternoon tea on a double-decker bus or a river cruise, or head to a classic venue, such as the historic Fortnum & Mason department store, or even the afternoon tea service at the Orangery in Kensington Gardens, where you can get your sightseeing fix in as well.
Insider tip: You can learn to make your own classic afternoon tea in a cooking class.
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