There are an infinite number of things for people of all ages to do and see in London, and that includes children. There are various ways to entertain kids; with top-notch museums, lovely parks, interactive activities, and fascinating historical sites, this expansive city offers something enjoyable for every family. So, whether you have a little one obsessed with Big Ben or are simply looking for a family-friendly destination, London offers many attractions to delight children and adults alike. Here are a few things to do in London with kids.
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Famous landmarks to visit with kids
There’s something super special about physically seeing iconic landmarks you’ve only ever seen in photos and films, and kids feel this magic even more. Blow them away by visiting some of the world’s most famous monuments and watch them stand in awe. Here are a few you can check out:
The Tower of London: Explore the historic fortress on the banks of the River Thames. Kids will be fascinated with its intriguing past, from the Crown Jewels to royal prisoners.
Buckingham Palace: Watch the Changing of the Guard at the British monarch’s official residence. Although you may not see the royals, kids will be thrilled with the grandeur and bustle of the place.
London Eye: Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, the London Eye provides breathtaking views of the city. It’s an experience that both parents and children will remember.
The Shard: Take your family to the tallest building in Western Europe for fantastic city views. The viewing platform atop The Shard offers a distinctive viewpoint of the London skyline.
Bus tour: You can get all the sights checked off the list in one go with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Rest your feet and sit back while seeing the city’s top attractions onboard.
Museums in London to visit with kids
In the mood for some culture? The top-notch museums in London will not let you down; the city is full of kid-friendly learning destinations with engaging displays of exciting topics and things to do with kids. Most museums are free of charge, but some require paid tickets. You can access a variety of London’s museums as well as paid attractions for a set price if you invest in the London Pass. This ends up being far less expensive than paying to see each paid attraction separately. Checking it out is worthwhile if you intend to visit multiple paid museums and tourist spots.
The London Transport Museum: Learn all about the powerful link between transport and the growth of London, as well as the iconic red bus.
The Royal Air Force Museum: This museum showcases the history of aviation and the Royal Air Force. It has a vast collection of weapons, aircrafts, and relics from military battles and aviation history.
The British Museum: This museum is home to numerous artworks and artefacts from all around the world, such as the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, and the Egyptian mummies.
The Science Museum: One of the most famous science museums in the world, featuring a massive collection of scientific and technological artefacts, including the Command Module of Apollo 10, a spacecraft that went around the moon in 1969.
The Tate Modern: The national museum of modern and contemporary art showcasing work by renowned artists such as Hockney, Warhol and Picasso.
The Natural History Museum: You’ll find a mix of natural history and displays with scientific components with an impressive collection of rocks, minerals and fossils. Kids love it here.
The V&A Museum of Childhood: A kid-focused museum that features a wide range of games, toys, and childhood-related items. Young visitors can make great connections with history here.
Madame Tussauds: An internationally renowned wax museum with an impressive collection of lifelike wax replicas of celebrities, historical figures, and other well-known characters.
The Royal Observatory: Take your family to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich to discover the wonders of astronomy and space. The museum hosts family-friendly programmes in addition to interactive exhibits. Also, see amazing city views from the hill.
Activities for kids in London
In addition to the well-known landmarks and museums, London has many unique and fun family activities. Wondering what to do with kids on a weekend in London? Pick a few of these and you’re sorted.
London Cable Cars: Soar above the river Thames in the IFS Cloud Cable Car and enjoy a thrilling experience with fantastic views of London.
Parks: Check out Kensington Gardens by Hyde Park to see the Peter Pan statue, or head to Crystal Palace Park to witness the world’s oldest dinosaur sculptures.
London Dungeon: Although the scary nature makes it not so ideal for young children, older kids could enjoy the guided tours that vividly depict the gruesome history of the city.
Theme Parks: Take a day trip to some of the UK’s best theme parks such as Thope Park and LEGOLAND.
Playrooms: Treat your kids to fun at KidZania, Babylon Arcade or Crazy Putt Adventure Golf at Greenwich Peninsula.
London Zoo: Get close to alpacas, lions, tigers, penguins and much more at London Zoo. Originally opened in 1828, this is the world’s oldest scientific zoo.
Film locations and movie experiences
London has starred in many blockbuster films thanks to its epic skyline, atmospheric streets and royal palaces.
- Owing to its iconic reputation, Trafalgar Square has appeared in many films and TV shows, including the family comedy St Trinian’s, Edge of Tomorrow, and Captain America: The First Avenger.
- See Covent Garden’s Chandos Place and Goodwin Court in Mary Poppins Returns.
- Pay a visit to the Natural History Museum from the movie Paddington. The Brown family’s home was portrayed from the outside using Chalcot Crescent in Primrose Hill.
- See Battersea Park feature as St. James’s Park in 101 Dalmatians, then visit Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square, two of the most popular filming sites in London in general.
- Robert Downey Jr. explores the city as Sherlock Holmes. There are many references to Victorian London, including the Reform Club, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Brompton Cemetery.
- In 2019’s Spider-Man: Far From Home, Tower Bridge and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets are seen in all of their splendour.
For more film-themed fun, check out the Sherlock Holmes Museum, Warner Bros. Studio, and Shrek’s Adventure! London.
Kid-friendly theatres in London
Let the city entertain you with its vast roster of excellent shows, musicals and theatre for kids of all ages.
- See family favourites like The Lion King musical London and the Wicked musical.
- Sing along with Arendelle’s princesses, Anna and Elsa, as they go on a magical adventure in Frozen.
- See one of Roald Dahl’s most celebrated stories brought to life at Matilda The Musical.
- Enjoy a puppet show in a watery setting at the magical Puppet Theatre Barge.
- Follow Harry, Ron and Hermione in a magical on-stage adventure with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Shops for kids in London
Discover London’s top kid-friendly retail venues, from iconic toy stores to exciting sweet shops.
Hamleys: The world’s oldest toyshop spread across seven floors.
M&M’s World: The world’s largest sweet shop located in Leicester Square.
LEGO Store: The world’s largest LEGO Store across the road from M&M’s World.
Harrods Toy Kingdom: Found within Harrods, one of the most iconic and prestigious department stores in London
Harry Potter Shop: See Platform 9 ¾ nearby.
The Disney Store: Located on Oxford Street, one of the best shopping destinations in London.
