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Things to Do with Family in London

London works well for family trips because many of its biggest attractions sit close to parks, museums, theatres, and easy public transport links. You can spend a morning exploring dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, take a break in Hyde Park, then continue to an aquarium or family show. There are also plenty of options for rainy days, younger children, and teenagers.

Why London Works Well When Travelling With Family

London works well for families because it combines major attractions, spacious parks, and family-friendly neighbourhoods across a well-connected city. South Kensington brings several museums together, while South Bank combines riverside walks with attractions and entertainment. Families can also switch from busy sightseeing to quieter outdoor spaces without changing the type of day completely.

  • South Kensington: Natural History Museum and Science Museum make it easy to combine educational attractions.
  • South Bank: Riverside walks, the London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, and entertainment suit different ages.
  • Greenwich: Museums, Greenwich Park, and riverside areas create a varied full-day family outing.
  • Regent's Park: Open spaces and London Zoo allow families to combine animals with outdoor breaks.
  • Central parks: Hyde Park and St James's Park provide useful spaces for children to play and families to pause between attractions.

Best Things to do in London With Kids

The Natural History Museum

  • Best for: Ages 4+
  • Time needed: 2–3 hrs

Explore dinosaurs, fossils, giant animals, and interactive exhibits in a dramatic setting.

Indoor · Free entry

Science Museum

  • Best for: Ages 5–12
  • Time needed: 2–3 hrs

Hands-on galleries and space, technology, and engineering displays make science easier to explore through play and discovery.

Indoor · Interactive

London Zoo

  • Best for: Ages 3+
  • Time needed: 3–4 hrs

See animals from around the world and combine the visit with a walk through Regent's Park.

Indoor + outdoor · Stroller-friendly

The London Eye

  • Best for: Ages 5+
  • Time needed: 1–2 hrs

Take in panoramic views of London's skyline from enclosed observation capsules without a long walking route.

Indoor · Central location

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

  • Best for: Ages 7+
  • Time needed: 3–4 hrs

Explore authentic sets, props, costumes, and behind-the-scenes details from the Harry Potter films.

Indoor · Advance booking

Hyde Park

  • Best for: All ages
  • Time needed: 1–3 hrs

Give children space to run, play, walk, and take a break between central London attractions.

Outdoor · Pet-friendly

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

  • Best for: Ages 3+
  • Time needed: 1.5–2 hrs

Walk through underwater displays and see sharks, rays, penguins, and other marine life.

Indoor · All-weather

The London Transport Museum

  • Best for: Ages 3–10
  • Time needed: 1.5–2 hrs

Explore historic buses, trains, and transport exhibits while learning how London has moved around the city over time.

Indoor · Interactive

Best Museums in London for Kids

Natural History Museum

  • Best for: Ages 4+
  • Time needed: 2–3 hrs

Dinosaurs, fossils, giant animal specimens, and interactive displays make this museum in South Kensington a strong first choice for families. Also visit the nearby Science Museum or Victoria and Albert Museum.

Free entry

Science Museum

  • Best for: Ages 5–12
  • Time needed: 2–3 hrs

Located beside the Natural History Museum, its hands-on displays on space, engineering, aviation, and medicine give children plenty to explore beyond traditional museum exhibits.

Free entry

Young V&A

  • Best for: Ages 0–14
  • Time needed: 1.5–2 hrs

This museum is designed specifically with children and young people in mind, with collections, play spaces, design objects, and interactive areas. Great for younger children who may find larger museums overwhelming.

Free entry

London Transport Museum

  • Best for: Ages 3–10
  • Time needed: 1.5–2 hrs

Children can explore historic buses, trains, and transport displays while discovering how London's transport network developed. Its Covent Garden location also makes it easy to combine with local markets.

Free entry

National Maritime Museum

  • Best for: Ages 5–12
  • Time needed: 1.5–2.5 hrs

This museum focuses on ships, navigation, maritime stories, and family-oriented displays, giving children a different way to explore London's history. Pair the museum with a stop at Greenwich Park.

Free entry

Best Parks and Outdoor Spaces in London for Families

Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens

  • Best for: All ages

Open lawns, walking paths, playground areas, and space to slow down make it a useful stop between Central London attractions, especially with younger children.

Diana Memorial Playground

  • Best for: Younger children

The large play area includes a wooden pirate ship, play structures, and sensory spaces inspired by Peter Pan. Combine it with Kensington Gardens or nearby museums for a balanced family day.

St James's Park

  • Best for: Younger children

The central location, open spaces, water features, and resident pelicans give younger visitors something to look for during a city walk. It’s the perfect stop between Buckingham Palace and Westminster.

Greenwich Park

  • Best for: All ages

Open lawns, wide paths, viewpoints, and space to run make this a useful outdoor break from museums and historic attractions.Vists nearby National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory, or Greenwich Market.

Regent's Park

  • Best for: All ages

Large gardens, open spaces, playground areas, and its proximity to London Zoo make it easy to build a varied family day.

Zoos and Aquariums in London

London Zoo

  • Best for: Ages 3+
  • Time needed: 3–4 hrs

Families can see animals from around the world at this popular zoo in Regent's Park. Allow several hours because the attraction involves a lot of walking.

Indoor + outdoor

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

  • Best for: Ages 3+
  • Time needed: 1.5–2 hrs

See sharks, rays, penguins, and other marine life here. It provides an indoor alternative when London's weather is unpredictable, and its South Bank location makes it easy to combine with the London Eye.

Indoor

Whipsnade Zoo

  • Best for: Ages 3+
  • Time needed: Half day

The larger setting of this zoo gives families more space to explore animal habitats and spend a full day outdoors. Consider it when your family wants a dedicated day out.

Outdoor · Day trip

Battersea Park Children's Zoo

  • Best for: Ages 2–8
  • Time needed: 1–2 hrs

A smaller, more manageable zoo with farm animals, monkeys, and play areas designed specifically for younger children. Easily combined with Battersea Park playground.

Outdoor

Golders Hill Park Zoo

  • Best for: Ages 2–10
  • Time needed: 1–2 hrs

A free-entry mini zoo with deer, birds, and small animals, plus a playground and butterfly house nearby. Great for pairing with a picnic on Hampstead Heath.

Outdoor · Free entry

Hanwell Zoo

  • Best for: Ages 2–10
  • Time needed: 1–2 hrs

A small community zoo with lemurs, meerkats, birds, and small mammals. Perfect for younger children to explore without long walking distances, and as a quieter alternative to central London zoos

Outdoor

Theme Parks and Entertainment for Kids in London

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

  • Best for: Older children / Teens
  • Time needed: 3–4 hrs

Kids can explore the sets, costumes, props, and behind-the-scenes details from the Harry Potter films on this immersive visit. Advance booking is important because there are timed entry slots.

Indoor · Outside central London

Chessington World of Adventures

  • Best for: Ages 7+
  • Time needed: Full day

Combines rides, themed areas, and a zoo into one attraction, giving families different activity levels throughout the day. Check height restrictions before planning rides for younger children.

Outdoor + indoor · Day trip

LEGOLAND Windsor

  • Best for: Ages 4+
  • Time needed: Full day

LEGO-themed rides, interactive building zones, miniature world displays, and live shows make it a highly engaging day trip for younger children. Located just outside London, it works best as a dedicated day out.

Outdoor + indoor · Day trip

Thorpe Park

  • Best for: Older children / Teens
  • Time needed: Full day

High-adrenaline roller coasters, water rides, and themed attractions make it ideal for families with older children looking for excitement. Not suitable for younger children due to height restrictions on many rides.

Outdoor · Day trip

Shrek’s Adventure! London

  • Best for: Ages 4+
  • Time needed: 1.5–2 hrs

A walk-through immersive experience with live actors, storytelling, and interactive sets that bring the Shrek universe to life in a playful, theatrical way. Located on the South Bank, it pairs easily with the London Eye or SEA LIFE London Aquarium.

Indoor · Interactive experience

The Paddington Bear Experience

  • Best for: Ages 3+
  • Time needed: 1–2 hrs

An immersive, story-led experience where children step into Paddington’s world through themed rooms with interactive moments. A good option for younger children who prefer gentle, narrative-led attractions over high-energy rides.

Indoor · Interactive experience

Family-friendly West End shows

  • Best for: Ages 7+
  • Time needed: 2–3 hrs

Musicals and family productions offer an evening activity after daytime sightseeing. Choose the production based on its recommended age, running time, content, and theatre location.

Indoor · Afternoon / Evening

Things to Do in London For Kids of All Ages

London is easiest with toddlers when you keep travel short and build the day around parks, playgrounds, and one major attraction. Choose one major attraction per half-day and leave room for snacks, naps, and playground time.

  • Young V&A: Child-focused indoor option with play and creative spaces.
  • Diana Memorial Playground: Large outdoor play area in Kensington Gardens.
  • SEA LIFE London Aquarium: Indoor attraction for a weather-proof outing.
  • St James's Park: Easy central outdoor break between major sights.
  • London Transport Museum: Great for train or car-loving toddlers and young children.

Children in this age group can handle a wider mix of museums, animals, parks, and shorter entertainment experiences. It’s best to alternate indoor attractions with outdoor breaks instead of planning two large museums consecutively.

  • Natural History Museum: Dinosaurs and animal specimens.
  • Science Museum: Hands-on science and technology displays.
  • London Zoo: Animal-focused half-day.
  • London Transport Museum: Vehicles and interactive displays.
  • Diana Memorial Playground: Outdoor play break.
  • The London Eye: Short sightseeing experience with limited walking.

Older children can usually handle longer museum visits, bigger attractions, and full-day experiences. Check height restrictions before booking rides and allow travel time for attractions outside central London.

  • Science Museum: Space, engineering, and technology.
  • Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: Strong choice for Harry Potter fans.
  • London Zoo: Longer animal-focused visit.
  • The London Eye: Central London views.
  • Chessington World of Adventures: Rides and animals.
  • National Maritime Museum: Ships, exploration, and maritime history.

For older children, mix major sights with interactive, entertainment, and experience-led activities. Give teenagers some choice over the day's activities to balance family sightseeing with their interests.

  • Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: Strong option for Harry Potter fans.
  • West End shows: Evening entertainment with age-appropriate productions.
  • Science Museum: Space, engineering, and technology.
  • London Eye: Skyline views without a long walking route.
  • Immersive experiences: Interactive alternative to traditional sightseeing.
  • Greenwich: Combine museums, the park, and riverside areas.

Practical Information

  • Public transport: London's public transport makes it possible to reach most family attractions without relying on taxis. The Tube is useful for longer journeys, while buses can be easier for shorter trips, when you want to avoid stairs and the route is above ground. Both are wheelchair and stroller friendly.
  • Walking: Works well in areas where attractions are near eachother, such as South Kensington, Westminster, Covent Garden, and the South Bank. With younger children, avoid long walking routes between major sights just to reduce transport use.
  • Taxis: They can be useful after an evening show, with tired children, or when travelling with substantial luggage. Child-seat requirements and availability should be checked before booking.
  • Hop-on hop-off buses: These can be useful for families who want sightseeing combined with transport. Consider them when your children enjoy looking out of the window more than navigating stations.
  • Spring and autumn are often the most balanced, with moderate crowds and manageable weather for combining museums with parks and walking routes.
  • Summer brings the warmest conditions and the longest daylight hours, which is ideal for outdoor attractions, but it also coincides with peak tourist numbers and school holidays, meaning longer queues and higher demand for timed-entry attractions.
  • Winter is quieter overall and works well for museums, aquariums, and theatre visits, although shorter daylight hours and colder weather limit outdoor time. Some seasonal attractions and outdoor experiences may also reduce hours or close temporarily in winter
  • School holidays have a major impact on crowd levels, especially at major family attractions such as museums, zoos, and the London Eye. Booking in advance is necessary.
  • Step-free access and mobility needs: Many major attractions, including museums, aquariums, and the London Eye, offer step-free access, lifts, and accessible toilets. However, older Tube stations may have stairs or limited lift access.
  • Visual impairment: Some museums and experiences offer tactile exhibits, hands-on learning areas, audio guides or descriptive tours. Staff are usually available to help guide families through quieter or less crowded routes if needed.
  • Hearing impairment: Several attractions provide subtitled or captioned exhibits, visual guides and interactive displays, and hearing loop systems. Just check accessibility pages before visiting or request support on arrival.
  • Sensory needs: Many London attractions include quiet rooms or designated calm spaces, ear protection and special early opening or relaxed sessions (on request). Try to plan visits during off-peak hours (weekday mornings) or check sensory maps showing noisy or busy areas
  • Booking support: Contact attractions ahead of time when you need accessible seating, wheelchair spaces, companion arrangements, sensory sessions, or specialist assistance.
  • Planning: Build extra time into the itinerary for accessible routes, transfers, rest stops, and quieter breaks.
  • Group attractions geographically: Pair South Kensington museums, Regent's Park with London Zoo, or Greenwich attractions to reduce unnecessary travel.
  • Plan one big attraction at a time: Younger children may enjoy the trip more when you alternate major attractions with free time.
  • Keep an indoor backup: London weather can change quickly, so have a museum, aquarium, or indoor attraction ready.
  • Check age restrictions: Shows, rides, immersive experiences, and some activities have their own age or height rules.
  • Check stroller access: Look at step-free routes before travelling, especially when using older Tube stations.
  • Build in playground breaks: Parks such as Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and Greenwich Park can provide useful resets between attractions.
  • Book family shows carefully: Check running time, recommended age, content guidance, and theatre location before booking.
  • Check child ticket rules: Children's fares and free-entry policies differ between attractions and transport services.
  • Avoid overloading your itinerary: Leave spare time for food, toilets, queues, naps, and unexpected discoveries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Things to do in London With Kids

Start with the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, London Zoo, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, major parks, and family-friendly entertainment. The best combination depends on your children's ages and interests. For a first trip, group attractions by area rather than trying to cover the whole city in one day.

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