Things to do in London with children

Free museums, parks, Harry Potter, animals, landmarks and theme parks: London offers plenty of things to do with children, but not every activity is suitable for every age or every trip.

With young children, it is often better to alternate a visit with a park or playground. With older children and teenagers, you can easily add historic landmarks, immersive experiences or more active attractions. And to keep costs down, several of London's major museums are free.

What to do in London with children by age

Age is a useful starting point when planning your itinerary:

• With a baby or child under 4: prioritise parks, museums where you can explore at your own pace, the zoo, the aquarium and activities that do not require an overly busy schedule.
• Ages 4 to 7: the Natural History Museum, London Transport Museum, SEA LIFE London, Shrek's Adventure!, the zoo and playgrounds work particularly well.
• Ages 8 to 12: add the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, the Science Museum, Harry Potter or even the climb over The O2 for children who meet the requirements.
• With teenagers: London Dungeon, Monopoly Lifesized, Frameless, historic attractions and thrill-based activities offer alternatives to more traditional family visits.

These age groups are only a guide: a child who loves dinosaurs, history or Harry Potter may obviously enjoy some attractions much earlier or later.

Best things to do in London as a family

Free museums and educational activities

London makes it possible to plan several family days without paying an admission fee every time. The permanent collections of many major national museums are free to visit, although some exhibitions and activities require a paid ticket.

• Natural History Museum: dinosaurs, mammals, volcanoes and evolution make it one of the easiest museums to visit with children. General admission is free; booking a free time slot in advance can be useful during busy periods.
• Science Museum: another good choice in South Kensington, particularly for children interested in space, machines and science. Entry to the museum is free, although some galleries and experiences are paid.
• National Maritime Museum: in Greenwich, the museum explores navigation, exploration and maritime history, and can easily be combined with time in Greenwich Park.
• British Museum: it is better to visit with a specific focus rather than trying to see everything. The Egyptian mummies and ancient civilisations are often a good starting point with children.

Discover London's history

• Tower of London: the Crown Jewels, ravens, walls and stories surrounding the historic fortress provide plenty of ways to introduce children to British history.
• Tower Bridge: the visit takes you inside the towers, across the high-level walkways and into the historic Engine Rooms. Sections of glass flooring add a fun element to the experience.
• HMS Belfast: this historic warship moored on the Thames can be explored inside, from the crew's living quarters to the upper decks.
• London Transport Museum: located in Covent Garden, it explores the history of London's buses, Underground and public transport with a particularly family-friendly approach.

Tower of London

From 43.06 € (or £37)

From £37 (or 43.06 €)

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See animals

• London Zoo: located in Regent's Park, it can easily fill half a day or longer and works particularly well for families looking for a break from landmarks and museums.
• SEA LIFE London: centrally located near the London Eye, the aquarium is easy to include in a day on the South Bank and is a useful option when the weather is poor.

Immersive experiences and family attractions

• Madame Tussauds: more about entertainment than culture, the wax museum works well with children and teenagers who recognise the characters, celebrities and fictional worlds on display.
• Shrek's Adventure! London: a story-led experience featuring DreamWorks characters, particularly suited to families with younger children.
• Frameless: near Marble Arch, this digital art experience projects artworks across the walls and floors. Children may find it easier to engage with than a traditional art museum.
• Monopoly Lifesized: a life-sized adaptation of the board game, with team challenges. It is better suited to children old enough to take part in the game and to teenagers.
• London Dungeon: best reserved for children who genuinely enjoy being scared. The attraction recommends visiting from the age of 12 and does not admit children under 5.

Harry Potter with children

For fans of the series, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter offers the chance to see sets, costumes, props and special effects used in the films.

The tour is suitable for all ages and children aged 4 and under can enter free of charge, although they still need a ticket. The Studio Tour is in Leavesden, outside central London, so allow time for transport and plan to spend a substantial part of the day there.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter

From 81.47 € (or £70)

From £70 (or 81.47 €)

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Free activities and parks with children

Leaving some time without a scheduled attraction generally makes a family trip more enjoyable, particularly with young children. London has enough parks and free activities to alternate easily with paid attractions.

• Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground: this large free playground in Kensington Gardens, inspired by the stories of Peter Pan, welcomes children up to the age of 12 accompanied by an adult. It can get very busy, and queues sometimes form when it reaches maximum capacity.
• Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens: useful places to run around, have a picnic or simply take a break between visits.
• St James's Park: easy to combine with Buckingham Palace and central London, particularly with young children who need a break during a day of sightseeing.
• Natural History Museum, Science Museum, British Museum and National Maritime Museum: their permanent collections provide several opportunities for free visits during your stay.

Thrill-based activities for older children

With pre-teens or teenagers, London also offers several more active experiences.

• Up at The O2: the climb over the roof of The O2 is available from the age of 8, with a minimum height requirement of 1.20 m. Under-18s must be accompanied according to the attraction's supervision rules.
• Thames speedboat ride: several operators offer high-speed trips along the river. Age and height restrictions vary depending on the experience, so check the conditions when booking.

Up at The O2

From 41 € (or £35)

From £35 (or 41 €)

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Theme parks near London

These parks are not in central London. They are most worthwhile if you have a full day available and the park genuinely suits the age of your children.

• LEGOLAND Windsor Resort: particularly suitable for families with young and primary-school-age children, with attractions spread across several LEGO-themed areas.
• Chessington World of Adventures: combines a theme park with animals and offers a broad enough range of attractions for families whose children are different ages.
• Thorpe Park: more focused on roller coasters and thrill rides, making it better suited to older children and teenagers.
• Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park: designed for young Peppa Pig fans. The park is considerably further from London and is better treated as a full-day excursion.

LEGOLAND Windsor

From 34 € (or £29)

From £29 (or 34 €)

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What to do in London with children when it rains

Rain does not have to be a major problem in London if you keep a few indoor activities in your itinerary. The Natural History Museum and Science Museum are particularly convenient because they are next to each other in South Kensington.

SEA LIFE London, Madame Tussauds, Frameless, Shrek's Adventure!, the London Transport Museum and the British Museum are also good options. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour can fill much of a day, but you will need to book your ticket and arrange transport in advance.

Which London sightseeing pass should you choose for a family?

A sightseeing pass can be worthwhile if several paid attractions are already part of your plans. It does not automatically save you money: compare the cost of the pass with the individual tickets your family actually needs before buying.

London Pass All-Inclusive

The Go City London Pass is available for 1 to 10 days. During that period, you can visit as many included attractions as your itinerary allows. It is best suited to trips where you plan to visit several paid attractions each day.

The London Pass

From 80.55 € (or £67)

From £67 (or 80.55 €)

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London Explorer Pass

The London Explorer Pass works differently: you choose a pass covering 2 to 7 attractions, then select your visits as you go. After the first use, you have 30 days to visit your remaining attractions.

It is generally easier to fit into a family trip when you have a few specific paid attractions in mind and want to keep the rest of your days less structured.

Merlin London Attractions Pass

The Merlin pass for London visitors lets you combine several Merlin attractions, including the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE London, Shrek's Adventure! and London Dungeon. It is most relevant if several of these attractions are already on your itinerary.

Before choosing a pass, check which attractions are included and whether advance time-slot reservations are required. Offers and conditions can change.

Where to stay in London with children

With children, the best area is not necessarily the one at the exact centre of the map. Having an Underground or railway station close to your accommodation and simple journeys to the places you plan to visit is often more important.

Kensington and South Kensington are convenient for the major museums and parks. Greenwich works well for families looking for somewhere slightly less central, provided the journeys suit your itinerary. Other neighbourhoods can be just as suitable depending on the attractions you choose.

An apartment or aparthotel can be convenient if you want a kitchen, more space or the option of eating some meals at your accommodation. Platforms and accommodation providers operating in London include Airbnb, Plum Guide, Citadines and Natives.

Chains such as Holiday Inn, Premier Inn and Travelodge also offer family rooms at many properties. Check the exact room capacity when booking, as it varies by hotel and the age of the children.

Where to eat in London with children

Eating out with children is generally easy in London. Many chains, pubs and restaurants offer children's menus and high chairs, although facilities and conditions vary by venue.

You may also come across Kids eat free offers, where a child's meal is free under certain conditions. These promotions change regularly, so always check the maximum age, eligible days, minimum spend and participating restaurant before you go.

With young children, booking a restaurant close to the final attraction of the day also avoids adding another journey just as everyone starts getting tired.

Tips for visiting London as a family

• Do not overload your days: one major attraction in the morning followed by a more flexible activity in the afternoon often works better than a succession of bookings.
• Group visits by area: the Natural History Museum and Science Museum in South Kensington, for example, or the Tower of London and Tower Bridge on the same day.
• Book high-demand attractions when your itinerary depends on a particular date, especially the Warner Bros. Studio Tour.
• Include free activities in your plans: they help keep costs down and make it easier to adapt the day to tiredness or the weather.
• Check age and height restrictions before booking thrill-based activities.

The time of year can also completely change your itinerary. Towards the end of the year, our guide to Christmas in London with children covers festive lights, visits to Santa, markets and activities organised during the Christmas season. In October, you can also find Halloween activities in London with children, with family-friendly ideas offering different levels of scares.

FAQ about visiting London with children

Is London a good destination with children?

Yes. Free museums, large parks, public transport and the number of family attractions make it easy to adapt a trip to different ages. The main risk is trying to fit too many visits into a single day.

What can you do for free in London with children?

The Natural History Museum, Science Museum, British Museum and National Maritime Museum have permanent collections that are free to visit. London's large parks and the Diana Memorial Playground also provide activities that do not require a ticket.

What can you do in London with young children?

Parks and playgrounds, the London Transport Museum, SEA LIFE London, the zoo and the Natural History Museum are good places to start. Most importantly, keep days relatively short and leave enough time between activities.

What can you do in London with teenagers?

Teenagers may enjoy historic attractions such as the Tower of London, immersive experiences, Up at The O2, activities on the Thames or the London Dungeon if they enjoy darker themes. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour also remains very popular with Harry Potter fans of all ages.

How many days do you need in London with children?

A three- or four-day stay already gives you enough time to combine several major sights, a museum and some time in the parks. With five days or more, it becomes easier to slow down or add an excursion such as LEGOLAND Windsor or the Warner Bros. Studio Tour.

Should a family buy a London sightseeing pass?

Not necessarily. A pass becomes worthwhile when its price is lower than the cost of the attractions you were already planning to visit. Calculate the cost separately for adults and children and make sure your family's priority attractions are included.

Summary

To visit London with children without exhausting the whole family, alternate one or two major visits with more flexible activities. Free museums and parks help keep costs down, while paid attractions can be chosen according to your children's ages and interests.

The Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Tower of London, London Transport Museum, zoo, SEA LIFE and Harry Potter are all reliable family choices, but the best itinerary is one that leaves enough time to eat, play, rest and change your plans when necessary.