In a city of nine million people, you can guarantee that you’ll find something for everyone to enjoy. And that counts just as much for the kids as adults. In fact, there are so many things to do in London with kids that it was hard to whittle this list down. From exploring the underwater world at the London Aquarium to traversing London’s largest adventure playground, Hobbledown Heath, here’s the Secret London lowdown on what to do in London with kids.
1. Explore London’s largest adventure playground
Hobbledown Heath is London’s largest adventure playground, so arguably one of the greatest things to do with kids in London, especially for the younger ones. With both indoor and outdoor playgrounds, a series of play villages amidst woodland, and even mini animal farms, there is plenty to get excited about.
What’s more, from July 20 to September 3, a summer extravaganza is coming to Hobbledown. The fun-filled festival will encourage kids into the great outdoors to get creative, with paint throwing (and a colourful Hobbledown Paint Parade), bubble fun, and even daily Birds of Prey shows.
Nearest station is Hounslow Central.
Hobbledown Heath is open daily: Mon–Thurs, 9.30am–5.30pm; Fri, 9.30am–7pm; and Sat–Sun, 9am–7pm. During school holidays, Hobbledown Heath opens at 9am.
2. Go for bounce at one of London’s great trampoline parks
Sick of the kids bouncing off the walls at home? Take them somewhere they can really channel that energy and do it for real, while you sit down with a cup of coffee and gawp at their cool moves. Here’s our roundup of some flippin’ good trampoline parks in London.
3. Explore huge digital artworks, inspired by South Korea
If you want to slip away from the buzz of London Bridge, go to PULSE: Beyond Delight in Borough Yards. This digital art exhibition allows you and the family to step right into artwork, inspired by the myths, reality, tradition, and innovation of Seoul, South Korea.
Younger visitors, in particular, will thoroughly enjoy the treasure hunt, which will see them seek out the 2D animal stickers dotted around the venue; once scanned on the Pulse: Beyond Delight app, they’ll transform into an intricate 3D animation. Equally, the weirdly fun gremlins room is sure to elicit some laughter.
Nearest station is London Bridge.
Pulse: Beyond Delight is open daily: Mon–Sat, 10am – 8pm; and Sun, 10am – 7pm.
4. Exit reality and enter a world of optical illusions
A world of optical illusions await at Paradox Museum, a mind-bending immersive experience that seeks to educate, delight, and play with your perception. The museum boasts 1.5 million yearly visitors worldwide, and has already wowed young and old in the likes of Paris, Miami, and Shanghai. Here in London, there are over 50 different installations, including a Zero Gravity Room, an Upside-Down Room, and a Camouflage exhibit.
Some rooms are geared more towards kids and teenagers, while others towards adults. There’s also information on the science behind some of the illusions for the inquisitive kids in your group.
📍 Nearest station is Knightsbridge.
🕒 Paradox Museum is open daily, from 10am. Closing times vary.
5. Immersive yourself in the world of Bluey and Hey Duggee
Inside Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush, you’ll find the CBeebies Rainbow Adventure: a fun-filled, interactive experience for your little ones. You’ll work your way through four immersive rooms, each themed around Hey Duggee, Bluey, JoJo and Gran Gran, and Mr Tumble and Friends, solving puzzles with the aim of restoring the colours of the CBeebies Rainbow. More about the experience here.
📍 Nearest station is Shepherd’s Bush.
🕥 CBeebies Rainbow Adventure is open Monday to Saturday, 10am–6pm (last entry 16:35). And Sundays, 12pm-6pm (last entry 16:35).
🎟️ More info here.
6. Travel back in time at the new Life Chronicles VR experience
You don’t have to step foot outside London to embark on an incredible journey. Life Chronicles is a fascinating virtual reality experience at Westfield Stratford that invites the whole family to slip on a headset and step billions of years back in time to witness the mesmerising evolution of our planet.
One moment you’ll be plunged into the cerulean depths of the ocean during a time when giant, deadly shrimp-like creatures ruled the waters, the next you’ll be holding your breath as you come face to, well, knee, with a looming Tyrannosaurus rex – it’s an epic and educational journey through the major evolutionary stages of Earth. Whatever the age, you’ll not only learn something new but you’ll emerge feeling like you’ve been on an otherworldly adventure.
📍 Nearest station is Stratford.
🕒 Open daily.
7. Pop into a world full of bubbles
Simply blowing bubbles is a fun pastime as a kid anyway, and Bubble Planet has taken this notion and multiplied it tenfold. Unlike traditional bubbles, the bubbles at Bubble Planet won’t disappear once popped. Instead, this museum of bubbles enlists all five of your senses in multiple rooms of multiple bubble types. There is a hot air balloon flight simulation room; a VR experience room, where you see the world as you become a bubble yourself; a room filled to the brim with oversized balloons; and much much more.
📍 Nearest station is Wembley Park.
🕒 Bubble Planet opens every day, apart from Tuesday. Times vary.
8. Spot sharks, stingrays and more at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium
Home to over 500 different species in 14 different themed zones, a visit to the SEA LIFE London Aquarium is a must if you’re looking for things to do in London with kids. There’s everything from gentoo penguins to red-bellied piranhas here, and it’s a great spot to teach your little ones about the underwater world and the marine creatures which reside within it.
Come face to face with the ocean’s most feared (and misunderstood) predators at the jaw-dropping ‘Shark Walk’, catch some rays – well, not literally – at the ‘Ray Lagoon’, tickle a sea anemone in the ‘Rock Pool’ and dodge the jellyfish at the aquarium’s stunning ‘Ocean Invaders’ exhibit. Snap up your tickets to the SEALIFE London Aquarium now.
📍 Nearest station is Waterloo.
🕒 The aquarium is open from 10am-4pm during the weekdays and 10am-5pm on weekends.
9. Indulge in afternoon tea and a dip in the pool at Pan Pacific London
Why not treat the kids to a slice of pool paradise – and cake – at Pan Pacific Hotel? The five-star (according to Forbes) hotel is working with luxury children’s brand Bonpoint to treat your youngsters to a dreamy Children’s Afternoon Tea. They can feast on finger sandwiches, scoff down scones and make short work of some chocolate almond macarons, all while unleashing their creative side by colouring in a postcard and working out a word search.
That’s not all, Bonpoint will also take over the hotel’s infinity pool during the dedicated children’s swimming hours, transforming it into a ‘playful paradise’ with mini deckchairs, pastel cushions and custom pool floats. There are even special children’s spa treatments, including the spellbinding Fairy Tale facial.
📍 Nearest station is Liverpool Street
🕒 Children’s Swimming Hours (up to age 16): Monday – Friday: 9am – 11am & 3pm – 5pm, Saturday – Sunday: 7am – 9am & 4pm – 6pm
10. Sleep among space rockets at the Science Museum
Explore the Science Museum after dark and camp out beneath the exhibits, including rockets and moon rocks. You’ll witness interactive demonstrations and take part in science experiments… even catch a documentary on the museum’s iconic IMAX screen. Read all about it here.
📍 Nearest station is South Kensington.
🕒 The next dates are June 21, and July 12.
11. Head to a huge indoor theme park, home to London’s largest arcade
Gravity MAX will be spread across three floors, boasting VR games, a karting track, a ginormous arcade, and so much more. They have an existing venue in Wandsworth, which is still mega, but this is set to be Gravity’s biggest and best venue yet. Here’s everything we know about it so far.
📍 Nearest station will be Stratford.
🕝 Opens May 2024. Exact hours TBC.
12. Learn all about the animals at London Zoo
Year round, the legendary London Zoo is a great family day out in London. Founded in 1828, it’s the world’s oldest scientific zoo, and houses almost 20,000 different animals, making it one of the largest collections in the entire United Kingdom. There’s everything here from African hunting dogs to pygmy hippos and Komodo dragons, and numerous different habitats to boot too. Add on a whole host of different experiences your wee’uns can get involved with – including being a junior keeper for the day – and you’ve got yourself a brilliant day out on the cards!
📍 Nearest station is Mornington Crescent.
🕒 The zoo is open daily from 10am-6pm.
13. Explore all the capital’s sights aboard a hop-on hop-off bus
As we near the end of our things to do with kids in London piece, let’s go with a classic. The English capital is chock-a-block full of iconic landmarks, and what better way to see them than by joining a hop-on and hop-off bus tour? With the ‘Tootbus London Discovery Bus Tour’, you’ll make your way around the heart of the city and see London’s best landmarks from the comfort of your very own open-top bus (some buses have a cover for rain).
Points of interest will include the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and many more.
📍 Various stations.
🕒 Available daily: Mon–Fri, 9am–4.20pm; and Sat–Sun, 9am–5pm.
14. Witness history coming to life at the Gunpowder Plot Experience
Daring conspiracies, traitorous companions, heart-pounding escapes; the Gunpowder Plot in your kid’s history books may have all of the facts, but I doubt it has any of these high-stakes thrills.
Luckily, The Gunpowder Plot Experience at Tower Hill Vaults combines the two, inviting you on a journey back in time to live out the events of the historic assassination attempt. Live actors, authentic sets and virtual reality will plunge you into the past. Just keep in mind that it is only suitable for children aged 10 and above – there are a fair few jumpy moments.
📍 Nearest station is Tower Hill.
🕒 Various dates and opening times, you can select your date & time directly in the ticket selector.
15. Get a rush of adrenaline at a thrilling aerial adventure park
Whether you’re a dab hand with heights or want to face your fears with some sky-high challenges, Gripped offers up an adrenaline rush unlike anything else in London. There’s a whole host of fear-conquering activities to try out, from high ropes to zip lines, trust jumps, and more. Do keep in mind that all activities have age and/or height restrictions – so not all of the activities are suitable for all children. To enjoy all of the activities, your kids will need to be at least 1.4m tall, but the net and trampoline park is available for everyone aged 4 and over. Read all about the Gripped adventure park here.
📍 Nearest station is Hounslow Central.
🕒 Open 7 days a week in the warmer months, 10am-5pm. Mostly open Friday to Sunday throughout the rest of the year.
16. Go for a race around the tracks
The award-winning London race track, Capital Karts, has unveiled an all-new child-centric racing experience. There’s no need to wait until they’re grown, with anyone aged 7+ and over 120cm in height able to strap in and race away. Designed with top-tier safety standards, and making use of a brand-new fleet of child-friendly karts, it’s thrilling but perfectly safe! There are also multiple sessions available for different age groups, making it even more fun for everyone involved.
Afterwards, kick back and shake off the adrenaline in the plush lounge area with panoramic floor-to-ceiling views. They’ve got plenty of snacks and drinks to recharge you before you hit the tracks for a second go-around!
📍Nearest station is Canary Wharf.
🕒 Capital Karts runs their kid-friendly sessions every Saturday and Sunday morning, and from 9am – 5pm on weekdays.
17. Splash about at a nearby water park
From hair-raising slides and inflatable assault courses, to tamer splash parks for younger kids, London and its surrounds are perhaps surprisingly full of some rather epic water parks. Head to Coral Reef Waterworld, which is just an hour from London, for one of the largest interactive water worlds in England, or consult our list of the best water parks in London for something closer to home.
📍 Various.
🕒 Various times.
18. Get lost in the music at a Candlelight concert
Captivating Candlelight concerts are also for kids— it’s never too soon to start appreciating good music. If your child is aged 8+, then taking them to a candlelit performance at a spectacular venue is sure to put a smile on their face. Young Swifties can enjoy a tribute to Taylor or fans of legendary groups like ABBA, Queen, and more will love hearing classical twists on catchy hits.
📍 Various.
🕒 Various times.
19. Get behind the wheel (kind of) on the DLR
Have you heard? Ten DLRs now have stickers to emulate control panels at the front of the train, meaning you your child can live out their “I’m driving the train!” moment in an even more convincing way. There is also a QR code attached to each panel that allows the ‘drivers’ to add Instagram filters to themselves – getting the coveted front seat on your journey has become even more attractive, right?
These 10 trains are part of a trial; if these ‘control panels’ prove popular, they’ll be rolled out to all 149 DLR trains. Find out more here.
📍 Various.
🕒 Various times.
20. Experience a Martian invasion with the teenagers in your life
Looking to bond with the older kids? This is one you’ll need to leave the little ones at home for. Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience is a two-hour explosion of the senses.
Your group will be transported back to 1898, where you’ll experience a Martian invasion; live actors will guide you through interactive scenes, enhanced virtual reality, and stunning sets. There’s pyrotechnics, there’s Jeff Wayne’s iconic score – it can feel so real in parts that you may have a hard time remembering you’re a stone’s throw from the relatively calm world of the Gherkin, Horizon 22, and the Sky Garden…
📍 Nearest stations are Tower Hill and Fenchurch.
🕒 Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience is open Thurs–Sun.
21. Step behind the scenes of one of London’s most famous theatres
The Globe Theatre will enchant kids and adults alike, with Shakespeare’s Globe Story & Tour. Expert guides will bring the theatre’s history to life, detailing the landmark’s past with the plague and fire, and look at how it came to stand on Bankside today.
Tickets also include access to the theatre’s immersive exhibition, where younger visitors can have a go at creating a thunderstorm on stage, as would have been done in Shakespeare’s day, try on some of the Globe’s most iconic costumes, and even take a whiff of some Elizabethan London smelling boxes.
📍 Nearest stations are Blackfriars and Mansion House.
🕒 Shakespeare’s Globe Story & Tour runs daily.
22. Learn about the natural world at the Natural History Museum
‘Dippy’, the nation’s favourite dinosaur, may be off on his travels again, but there’s plenty to see at the iconic Natural History Museum. A visit here will also give you the chance to view ‘Hope’ the blue whale, and exhibits on venomous insects, earthquakes, tornadoes and other features of the natural world. The museum also recently gave its gardens a whole makeover, extending its exhibitions and learning opportunities out into the verdant acreage.
📍 Nearest station is South Kensington.
🕒 The museum is open daily from 10am-5.50pm.
23. Take an intergalactic trip to the world of Avora
Who’d have thought another world lay just a train ride away? Hop off at Hoxton overground station and head to the world of Avora. At the multi-sensory Avora: Family Immersive Adventure, you’ll follow a storyline that’ll take you on a journey to the lush world of Avora, while following a mission set by a greedy CEO.
The experience is aimed at children aged 6–13. On the world of Avora, they’ll partake in fun sensory games, sip on two unique drinks (non alcoholic, obviously), engage with the native ‘Avorians’, and generally create some unforgettable memories. Actors and beautiful set design make the experience all the more fun.
📍 Nearest station is Hoxton.
🕒 Avora: Family Immersive Adventure is usually open every Sunday, between 12pm–3.30pm. There are often weekday opening hours during school holidays; please see the website for more information.
24. Venture to the top of the world at Battersea Power Station
Elsewhere at the destination venue of Battersea Power Station, Lift 109 is an utterly uplifting activity to do with kids – quite literally. Step into the glass lift for unrivalled, 360-degree views of the surrounding area, as you ascend one of the iconic building’s chimneys (you’ll travel 109 metres up – hence the name).
As well as the astounding views, Lift 109 also has a selection of carefully curated multi-media displays in the Turbine Hall A waiting area, where you and the kids can delve into the building’s history, and learn how it generated energy.
📍Nearest station is Battersea Power Station.
🕒 Lift 109 is open daily: Mon–Wed, 10am–6pm; and Thurs-Sun, and school holidays, 10am–8pm.
25. Travel down the Thames and soak up the views
London is famous for its waterways, and some of the best views in town come from the network of canals, reservoirs and bloomin’ huge river that criss-crosses it. From exhilarating speedboat rides out to the Thames Barrier to Uber Boat by Thames Clippers , which make the journey from Putney all the way east to Woolwich, there are plenty of ways in which to explore the mighty River Thames.
For something a bit different and a great day out with the kids, why not charter your own boat and give the little ones the chance to be captain?!
📍 Various stations.
🕒 Schedules vary; please check with specific service providers.
26. Escape to Egypt without boarding a plane
Give your kids the gift of travel – but without the hefty price tag and often-times chaos of air travel. Instead, make your way to Stratford for Horizon of Khufu, an Ancient Egyptian immersive experience that’ll truly make you feel as though you’re travelling through both time and borders.
Using progressive VR technology, Horizon of Khufu will whisk you and your family back 4,500 years to explore the Great Pyramid of Giza, delving into the engaging and educational history of one of the Seven Wonders Of The World.
📍 Nearest station is Stratford.
🕒 Open daily.
27. Sing along to some show tunes at a West End musical
Who doesn’t love a musical, hey? We’re lucky here in London with a musical theatre scene that’s the envy of the world. Mormons, witches, lions, genies – you name it, there’s a musical with basically everything here.
Kid-friendly options in town include the Tim Minchin-helmed ‘Matilda’ and ‘Disney’s The Lion King’ – an award-winning show which follows Simba on his journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands. Hakuna Matata!
📍 Various stations.
🕒 Various dates and start times.
28. Take a deep dive into the magical world of Harry Potter
London for kids I hear you ask… Our beloved capital is pretty much the epicentre for all things Harry Potter, so if your young’uns are fans of the franchise then they’ll be happier than the winner of the house cup. After all, where can you pose for a photo at the Platform 9¾, go on a walking tour of filming locations – including The Leaky Cauldron and the Ministry of Magic – and watch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – all in one day?! Here’s our guide to some spellbinding spots that Harry Potter fans will love.
As if that wasn’t enough, you can also stay at a distinctly Hogwartsian hotel room at Georgian House in Pimlico. Expect stained glass windows, stone walls, archways, trunks, cauldrons, and four-poster beds hung with velvet curtains, all hidden behind a secret door.
📍 Various stations.
🕒 Various dates and opening times.
29. Meet all the farmyard friends at the Hackney City Farm
When you hear the word ‘London’, we’re sure the first thing that springs to mind isn’t ‘farmyard’, but London Town always has a way of throwing up surprises. Perfect for kids, Hackney City Farm is one of the best spots in the city if you’re looking to make some friends of the animal variety.
It’s free, is situated smack-bang in the middle of Hoxton and Cambridge Heath, and has pigs, ducks, geese, goats, sheep and a resident celebrity donkey called Clover, who does parades all over London when the time permits. If you’d rather stay south of the river, Vauxhall City Farm is another great family activity in London will give you the chance to meet a pair of alpacas who starred in none other than ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ – get your photo requests ready.
📍 Nearest station is Hoxton.
🕒 The farm is open every day, except Mondays, from 10am-4.30pm.
30. Clamber about in a Peter Pan-inspired play park
Make your way to London’s beautiful Kensington Gardens, where you’ll find the incredible Diana Memorial Playground, built in memory of the late Princess Diana. Diana famously loved the innocence of childhood, much like a certain Peter Pan. So, rather fittingly, this play space was created right by her former Kensington Palace home, with a huge wooden pirate ship at its centre. Read all about it here.
📍 Nearest station is Queensway.
🕥 The Diana Memorial Playground is open all year round, opening at 10am each day. Closing times vary with the daylight, but you can find out more about that here.
31. Step inside an interactive Shrek-themed adventure
Keeping with the theme of donkeys, the next addition to this roundup of the best things to do in London with kids will allow you to meet another famous mule – this time of the animated kind.
‘Shrek’s Adventure’ will let you jump into an action-packed fairytale world and escape to the land of Far Far Away with an 70-minute immersive adventure, featuring 12 captivating live shows. Along with Donkey, you’ll also meet other famous characters – including Princess Fiona, Puss in Boots, Gingerbread Man and Shrek himself – and will even get to have photos with some of them. You can get your tickets for the tour here.
📍 Nearest station is Waterloo.
🕒 The attraction is open from 10am-3pm on Mondays and 10am-4pm on every other day.
32. Delve into English history with a visit to the infamous Tower of London
“This way to Traitor’s Gate!” Ok, so thankfully this is no longer a thing, but pay a visit to the Tower of London and you’ll have some inkling of what Anne Boleyn and other famous prisoners may have experienced on the way to the chopping block.
Founded in 1066, this infamous UNESCO-listed building has been used as a historic palace, a fortress and a prison. Get up close to the Crown Jewels, meet the legendary Yeoman Warders and be regaled with tales from the Tudors and beyond, as you explore this magnificent place.
📍 Nearest station is Tower Hill.
🕒 The tower is open from 10am-5.30pm on Sundays and Mondays and 9am-5.30pm on every other day.
33. Learn a new skill at Kids’n’Sushi
From March 30, Sticks’n’Sushi will open its doors to the next generation of chefs with its newest venture Kids’n’Sushi. Taking place regularly, those between ages 8–12 can learn how to make Kappa Hosomaki rolls (cucumber), Pink Alaska Uramaki rolls (salmon, avocado, cream cheese, and lumpfish roe), and Shake Nigiri (salmon), during a 90-minute, hands-on class with a sushi master.
Each ticket also includes soft drinks throughout the session and a goodie bag at the end of the session. Your new sushi star will bring home a certificate, bandana, rolling mat, chopsticks, chocolate fish, and a Japanese number and phrase sheet.
📍 Locations vary – see the Sticks’n’Sushi website for more information.
🕒 Times vary.
34. Discover some of London’s green spaces and get back to nature
When it comes to the best things to do in London with kids, we can’t not mention the plethora of green spaces and flower-filled gardens, which are dotted about the city. There’s nothing better than getting out and about in the fresh air. In fact, we’ve actually got over a hundred to choose from, so you have your pick.
📍 Various stations.
🕒 Various opening hours.
So, there you have it, some of the very best things to do with kids in London! Get out there and discover these family-friendly activities in the city and create lasting memories with your little ones.