47 Things to Do in London with Kids

London is easily one of the most exciting cities in the world to take kids, with a wide range of sights and activities that you can enjoy with the whole family.

From watching the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside of Buckingham Palace to exploring the capital’s child-friendly museums, there’s loads of fun to be had in London with children.

Here are 47 of our favourite things to do in London with kids.

1. Contents

   • 1 Buckingham Palace
   • 2 Changing of the Guard Ceremony
   • 3 Platform 9 and ¾
   • 4 Harry Potter Tours
   • 5 Warner Bros Studio Tour
   • 6 Hamleys
   • 7 The London Eye
   • 8 The Shard
   • 9 Emirates Airline
   • 10 London Bridge
   • 11 Tower Bridge
   • 12 Tower of London
   • 13 London Dungeon
   • 14 Big Ben
   • 15 Hyde Park
   • 16 Richmond Park
   • 17 Hampton Court Palace
   • 18 Windsor Castle
   • 19 Legoland Windsor
   • 20 Open Top Hop-on Hop-off Bus
   • 21 HMS Belfast
   • 22 Covent Garden
   • 23 The Moomin Store
   • 24 The British Transport Museum
   • 25 The Science Museum
   • 26 The Natural History Museum
   • 27 London Zoo
   • 28 London Aquarium
   • 29 Hackney City Farm
   • 30 Thames River Cruise
   • 31 The British Museum
   • 32 The Imperial War Museum
   • 33 The Postal Museum
   • 34 Greenwich
   • 35 The Cutty Sark
   • 36 O2 Climb
   • 37 Clip n Climb
   • 38 Musicals
   • 39 Leicester Square
   • 40 Shakespeare’s Globe
   • 41 Madame Tussauds
   • 42 M&M World
   • 43 Go Ape
   • 44 V&A Museum of Childhood
   • 45 Discovery Children’s Story Centre
   • 46 Ragged School Museum
   • 47 Kew Gardens
   • 48 Related Posts

   Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is one of London’s most famous sights, and it’s the perfect place to take children. While you can only go inside when guided tours are held at certain times of the year, the kids will love the ceremony and appearance of the palace and its surroundings from outside.

2. Changing of the Guard Ceremony

Outside Buckingham Palace, children can enjoy one of the city’s most exciting ceremonies: the Changing of the Guard. Held at 11 am from Monday through Saturday and 10 am on Sundays, the Changing of the Guard sees the royal troopers dressed in their extravagant uniforms marching as they change shifts.

3. Platform 9 and ¾

At Kings Cross Station children can also take their picture at the world-famous Platform 9 and ¾. This is the hidden, magical platform that leads to the Hogwarts Express, and you’ll find it marked at the station. Possibly the most famous platform in London, there’s often a queue so allow plenty of time.

4. Harry Potter Tours

If the kids are into Harry Potter, then you can treat them to a Harry Potter tour of the capital. You’ll get to see all the most famous filming locations across London, including iconic destinations such as Diagon Alley.

5. Warner Bros Studio Tour

One of the best things to do in London with kids is to take a Warner Bros Studio Tour. Located outside of Central London, this is a great day out for anyone interested in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. The Warner Bros Studio is where many scenes were filmed, and you can find a permanent exhibition dedicated to the making of the Harry Potter films.

6. Hamleys

Hamleys is one of the biggest and oldest toyshops in the world. Located on Regent Street, this extravagant shop is a treasure trove of fun and games for kids. You can spend hours exploring the different floors of Hamleys, but just be careful not to spend too much money!

7. The London Eye

Get a bird’s eye view of the capital and the famed London skyline by taking a trip on the London Eye. The enormous Ferris wheel offers excellent views as you slowly revolve around.

8. The Shard

For an even better view of London, then take the kids high above the city to the viewing deck of the Shard. The panoramas from the top floors will amaze everyone.

9. Emirates Airline

Fly high above the River Thames and take a journey on the Emirates Airline. This cable car is a great way to get across the river!

10. London Bridge

Of course, you can also take a more traditional route across the river. Walk across London Bridge to show your children the city’s most famous bridge! If you arrive early, there are some fantastic places for breakfast near London Bridge.

11. Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is another famous landmark in the city located near the Tower of London. If you’re lucky you might see the iconic drawbridge being raised.

12. Tower of London

Children will love exploring the Tower of London, where they can enjoy guided tours run by the Beefeaters, the guards of the castle. You can see the Royal Crown Jewels and learn about the castle’s dark history, while visiting one of the capital’s best attractions

13. London Dungeon

If it’s gruesome tales of horrible histories that your kids want to know more about, then take them to the London Dungeon. Here you can learn all about London’s dark stories and characters like Jack the Ripper.

14. Big Ben

If it’s famous landmarks you want to see, then bring the family to Westminster Palace, where you can see Big Ben. The famous clock tower is the most recognisable landmark in the city.

15. Hyde Park

Not far from Westminster, the kids can enjoy Hyde Park. This large, open space is perfect for picnics and walks.

16. Richmond Park

Another beautiful public park to visit is Richmond Park. Located south of the river and outside of the centre, the park is best known for its large deer population.

17. Hampton Court Palace

Kids will love visiting Hampton Court Palace, too. The grand palace was the residence of Henry VIII, but it’s the dizzying outdoor maze that will capture the attention of children.

18. Windsor Castle

Slightly out of Central London, a day trip to Windsor Castle is sure to entertain your children. This is one of the Queen’s main residences, where she spends many weekends. It’s a grand and exciting place to explore!

19. Legoland Windsor

Also in Windsor, one of the best days out for kids can be found at Legoland. This fun-filled theme park is dedicated to all things Lego, and you can find rides and Lego-building opportunities across the park.

20. Open Top Hop-on Hop-off Bus

Give your children an exciting chance to see the capital from an open-topped Hop-on Hop-off Bus. Enjoy the best sights and attractions as you feel the wind in your hair! Of course, you can hop off at various stops around the capital to explore the main sights and attractions.

21. HMS Belfast

Moored on the River Thames, HMS Belfast is an old navy ship that fought in World War II. It’s both a great educational experience and a chance to see the city from the river.

22. Covent Garden

Covent Garden is a wonderful place to visit with the kids. You can take the family through the market stalls and shops, and be entertained by the street performers.

23. The Moomin Store

The Moomins are much-loved Scandinavian children’s cartoon characters. In Covent Garden, you can visit the colourful and wacky Moomin shop, where you can purchase plenty of souvenirs and Moomin gifts.

24. The British Transport Museum

The British Transport Museum is close to Covent Garden, and it’s a fantastic place to visit with the children. You can tour through classic London buses, and see old bicycles and cars.

25. The Science Museum

Another great museum to visit with the family is the Science Museum. Here you can delve deep into the scientific world, and there are lots of hands-on, educational experiences.

26. The Natural History Museum

Take the kids to the Natural History Museum in London, for more educational experiences. The iconic museum is home to enormous dinosaur skeletons and many more relics from the natural world.

27. London Zoo

London Zoo makes for a classic day out with the kids. You can spend hours exploring and visiting the different enclosures to see animals from all over the world.

28. London Aquarium

After visiting London Zoo, it’s time to learn about the underwater world with a trip to the London Aquarium.

29. Hackney City Farm

Hackney City Farm is another great place to learn about the animal kingdom, but this time with a more local, English feel. Here kids can pet and feed farmyard animals.

30. Thames River Cruise

The River Thames is the biggest landmark in London and the best way to see it is on a river cruise. Take a boat down the Thames and enjoy the fabulous London skyline.

31. The British Museum

The British Museum is one of the most detailed museums in London, but there are plenty of opportunities for the children to enjoy themselves too with different exhibits and hands-on learning experiences.

32. The Imperial War Museum

The Imperial War Museum is another of London’s best museums, and it’s a good place to take your children if you want them to learn more about British history.

33. The Postal Museum

At the Postal Museum, you can learn all about the history of the Royal Mail in Britain. The highlight of the museum is riding the postal train, a driverless electric train – sure to delight the little ones!

34. Greenwich

Greenwich is a great place to take kids, as you can show them the GMT line and the Royal Observatory in the middle of Greenwich Park.

35. The Cutty Sark

Also located in Greenwich, the Cutty Sark is a famous landmark by the River Thames.

The Cutty Sark is an old ship that was once one of the fastest vessels on the seas. It’s a great opportunity to teach the kids more about Britain’s long seafaring history.

36. O2 Climb

The O2 Arena is the distinctive building in Greenwich that was formerly known as the Millennium Dome. For older kids, there’s a rooftop climb that allows you to walk, attached to ropes and harnesses, across the top of the arena for impressive views over London.

37. Clip n Climb

For more adventurous climbing experiences head to Clip n Climb, an indoor climbing centre geared towards children. There are climbing walls and vertical drop slides, as well as a cafe and other facilities. It’s suitable for all ages and makes for an active day out in London with the kids.

38. Musicals

A great chance for entertainment is to visit the West End Theatres, where you can watch many popular musicals. The kids will love being taken to such classic shows as the Lion King, where they can sing along to great songs.

39. Leicester Square

Leicester Square is a fab place to visit too, because not only can you enjoy the street performers and the sights of this famous part of London, but you can take the kids to the classic London cinemas where many of the country’s best movies have their premiers.

40. Shakespeare’s Globe

You can also take your children to Shakespeare’s Globe, where you can give them an introduction to more classic forms of entertainment.

Not only is Shakespeare’s Globe a lovely theatre to visit, but you can watch performances of the English Baird’s best plays. Perhaps not one for young kids, but definitely great for the older children when they start to study Shakespeare at school.

41. Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds is a fantastic waxwork museum where you can see wax statues of famous figures from history and the contemporary world. Have your photograph taken next to Nelson Mandela or Winston Churchill, and many more famous people.

42. M&M World

In Leicester Square, there’s a giant store dedicated entirely to M&Ms and all their delicious chocolatey goodness! You can try the whole spectrum of flavours and fillings, and come home with shopping bags full of M&Ms.

43. Go Ape

Take the youngsters out for an adventure-filled day at one of London’s Go Ape experiences. At Go Ape, you are strapped into a harness as you navigate high rope courses that are set up in tall trees.

44. V&A Museum of Childhood

In Bethnal Green, you can visit the V&A Museum of Childhood, which offers a lovely insight into what it was like to be a child through different eras of history.

45. Discovery Children’s Story Centre

Another wonderful place to take the kids is the Discovery Children’s Story Centre. This fascinating place is a world of storytelling where children are immersed in imaginative and creative fairy tales.

46. Ragged School Museum

The Ragged School Museum in Tower Hamlets allows children to experience what it would have been like going to school in the Victorian era. The living museum offers an authentic Victorian atmosphere and is a great place for kids to learn how different schooling was in the 19^th century in contrast to conditions today.

47. Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London, and it’s a great place for the whole family. This large botanical garden is set in Richmond-upon-Thames. You can spend all day exploring the different climate zones and areas in the gardens and greenhouses of Kew, and the kids are guaranteed to enjoy themselves!

For more inspiration on fun-filled family days out in London, check out Premium Tours’ fantastic range of London tours.