Top 20+ Things to Do in London with Kids

I truly believe that London is a playground, and if you don’t believe me, give one of these a try.

Treasure hunts like these transform popular London Boroughs into live action board games where you and your family are the players, and the city itself becomes your arena. 

A great way to get the family outdoors and exploring together, all you need for these is a phone, good walking shoes and plenty of curiosity. Cryptic and fun clues, puzzles and riddles will be sent to your phone that, when cracked, lead you and the kids to hidden gems, historic landmarks and reveal quirky local secrets.

There are also recommended pub and café stops to keep little legs and grown up minds fed and watered - and don’t worry about being penalised for taking a break, you can stop and start the game whenever you want! 

Accessibility and facilities: Easily accessible by public transport, some with pram-friendly routes (reach out and ask if you have any accessibility questions!), public toilets, and picnic areas; prices vary.

One of the best things to do in London with kids is to tick off all the capital’s museums that pique your - and your kids’ - curiosity. It should only take about…hmm, two or three decades, give or take?

In all seriousness, Londoners and visitors to the capital have an incredible amount of museums at their disposal - and many of them have been designed or contain exhibitions catered especially for kids. 

For us parents, that’s a win-win: we get to spend the day learning about cool stuff at the same time as our kids, and it’s a great way to introduce them to new and exciting pockets of history, cultures, and more. 

Of course, classic museums like the British Museum, Natural History Museum and the Young V&A are must-visits - but if you’ve been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, tote bag and dino plushie - check out some of my lesser-known favourites: London Mithraeum, Sherlock Holmes Museum, Pollock’s Toy Museum, and the Ragged School Museum. 

Accessibility and facilities: Well-served by public transport, most with family-friendly facilities, toilets; entry fees vary, some offer free admission or family discounts.

If you’ve never heard of urban exploration games before, listen up, they’re about to become your secret parenting weapon! 

These games are by far the easiest ways to get your kids out and about, exploring popular and lesser-known London boroughs, solving challenges and uncovering local history. A brilliant way to see the city from a new perspective and disguise some much-needed family time as an adventure! 

Accessibility and facilities: Starts near major transport hubs, stops for public toilets and recommended rest stops along the way; reasonable prices.

If you’ve seen Macbeth (or Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban), you’ll already be familiar with this line: “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble!” And even if you haven’t, this is going to be a real treat for all the family.

The three witches of Macbeth are back and not in a way we’ve seen before! In Rough Magic, audiences at The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse will get to watch our three favourite witches cook up a “supernaturally silly adventure of their own” – but it’ll be more than that. 

This reimagined story is a great introduction to Macbeth and to help make the Bard’s legendary work accessible and exciting for younger audiences. Expect plenty of action and intrigue to keep everyone engaged - just leave your eye of newt and toe of frog at home! 

Accessibility and facilities: Easily accessible via public transport, with toilets and a café on-site; ticket prices vary, family and children discounts available.

Looking for festive things to do in London with kids this Christmas? We’ve got just the thing: an exciting Christmas lights treasure hunt through the city’s most dazzling displays! 

This family-friendly adventure mixes a scenic stroll with an outdoor escape room, where you'll solve riddles and follow clues sent via WhatsApp. 

Explore twinkling streets, hunt for hidden gems, and discover London’s Christmas magic along a magical route that takes around 2 hours to complete (but you can stop whenever you need a rest!). 

Perfect for both locals and visitors, this self-guided tour offers a festive challenge with plenty of sparkle – no sleigh required! Ideal for curious little elves and their grown-up companions.

Looking for things to do in London with kids that put an end to the sometimes relentless chorus of “I’m bored” and/or “I’m hungry”? This is for you. 

When in doubt, a picnic is always a great choice: the kids have plenty of space to run around in and it’s a much easier and less expensive way to ‘eat out’, but organising and carrying around a giant hamper isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be.

If you’re looking for a different way to gather your picnic with your kids, check out mystery food hunts like these. An interactive way to explore London’s culinary delights and green spaces, you’ll start with a clue, follow the trail, and gather delicious ingredients along the way, leading you to a picturesque spot for your feast. 

Accessibility and facilities: Accessible routes starting near public transport, with public toilets and picnic areas along the way; ticket price includes food.

As grown-ups, we don’t enjoy them inside our houses much, but little ones are fascinated by the many-legged and bewinged creatures we share our surroundings with - and it’s never a bad idea to encourage learning more about local wildlife. 

Camley Street Natural Park is an urban nature reserve and hidden gem that offers kids the chance to explore, discover and delight in the natural world around them. Birds, bugs, insects and butterflies have made this former coal drop home - now all that’s left to do is introduce your kids to them!

PSST: I highly recommend the family learning events here – kids get a chance to learn more about pondlife and the creatures that call it home in a fun, interactive environment. 

Accessibility and facilities: Easily accessible via King's Cross Station, the park offers toilets and picnic areas; free entry, although donations are appreciated.

If your kids are into slightly morbid, apocalyptic-style video games but you’re looking for a way to drag them away from the screen for a while, check this out. 

“Humanity’s Last” is an outdoor escape room game where you and your kids are the survivors in a London that has been infected with a zombie virus. You have to follow clues, solve puzzles and navigate the city’s landmarks to prevent disaster and reach the lab for the cure - but there’s another twist: time is ticking! 

Perfect for older kids and families who love a challenge, this game has you running around London’s city streets entirely in your own world. Play, solve the challenge and accept the challenge – or else! 

Accessibility and facilities: Start and end locations well-served by public transport (tube and bus), with nearby toilets and cafes included along the route.

Looking for things to do in London with kids that bring out your more playful side? Head along to Crystal Palace.

London is full of quirky and strange places to visit, and this one is up there as one of the weirdest. These massive, life-sized Victorian dinosaur sculptures were the first of their kind anywhere in the world when they were made - and they’re still “alive” and kicking to this day! 

Bring along a picnic and munch your lunch among these gargantuan friends - it’s totally free to visit and is a good outdoor alternative to visiting the many dino skeletons and fossils found in museums for the umpteenth time.

Accessibility and facilities: Accessible via Crystal Palace Station, the park has public toilets, picnic areas, and a café; entry is free!

Looking for things to do in London with kids that bring the magic of the West End without eye-watering prices and with a special twist? Check out what’s on at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. 

It goes without saying that the venue itself is gorgeous - it’s Regent’s Park, after all - but most importantly, the shows themselves are absolutely outstanding. Since the layout of the theatre is amphitheatre, there’s no such thing as a bad seat (and the seats themselves are padded too, so no need to worry about getting a sore bum!). 

Obviously, as this is an outdoor activity, you are putting the fate of your experience in the hands of the weather gods - but I’d advise you to bring along a blanket and some layers to combat any sudden chills.

Accessibility and facilities: Easily accessible via Baker Street and Regent’s Park stations, with on-site toilets and food and drinks available; ticket prices vary (but reasonable prices generally).

Can you see that man over there? Is it a man? He’s dropped something – a fancy-looking watch. Should we give it back to him? Is that all he’s got? Where is he going? There’s only one way to find out…

This immersive detective-style mystery game takes you around London, following in the footsteps of an elusive stranger. Who he is and what he’s up to is up to you to find out – and it’ll take the whole family’s input and imagination to get to the bottom of it.

Solve clues, interact with Dickensian-style characters, and unravel a mystery as you explore the charming streets of Soho and Covent Garden. A great way to blend history, literature and a lot of fun, this game will get kids thinking for themselves and problem-solving in an enjoyable and interactive way. 

Accessibility and facilities: Easy to reach via multiple tube stations, with plenty of toilets and restaurants along the route; ticket prices are £15 per person.

I’m a self-confessed British Museum obsessive. Sometimes, I go in there with absolutely no intention of finding anything in particular - preferring just to wander aimlessly around getting absorbed in quirky finds. 

Kids though? They need a bit more direction. If you haven’t been before, The British Museum is enormous. There’s no way anybody could possibly see it all, and to be honest, there’s so much to see that after a few hours, adult legs and minds (let alone little ones) are exhausted and overwhelmed.

That’s when it’s handy to tactically look up what’s on and pick something you know will go down a treat: like these out of hours tours. The museum can be very busy during peak times, and what I like about these is the exclusive access you and your kids get to explore the museum’s highlights without the crowds. 

Accessibility and facilities: Conveniently located near Russell Square and Holborn stations, with accessible loo facilities and a café; ticket prices for the tour vary, booking is essential.

London is full of wonderful art galleries, but in my experience, kids often get pretty tired of wandering around them the second you, the parents, find something interesting. 

This interactive approach to viewing art is a little different – but it works. If you’re into art or want to expose your children to more of it, check out Search For Shoreditch, an interactive self-guided walking tour that takes you around all of the area’s dazzling street art, historic nooks and interesting urban quirks. 

Apart from wandering past murals, sculptures, and eclectic street art installations, you’ll be exposed to the birthplace of fish and chips, an original Banksy and one of London’s oldest markets. 

PSST: As this game is self-guided, you can start or stop the trail whenever you fancy (so the battle to get shoes on and out the door won’t stop you from enjoying your game!). 

Accessibility and facilities: Well-connected by Shoreditch High Street and Old Street stations, with plenty of nearby cafes, public toilets, and open spaces to sit and enjoy a snack; free to explore.

Parenting gamechanger tip incoming: Tired of nagging your kids to within an inch of their lives to get them to do stuff? Hand over the reigns and allow them to dictate proceedings (within reason). 

Coram Fields is a unique playground that allows every miniature king or queen the chance to rule the roost: no adults allowed unless they have a child (or children) who want to come in. Climbing frames, sandpits, and plenty of sports facilities are available, providing endless fun and freedom for kids - and a safe place for them to play, putting your mind at rest. 

Accessibility and facilities: Located near Russell Square and King's Cross stations, onsite loos; free entry.

If I say quaint, country farm, the place you’re probably envisioning is a million miles away from London. But Hackney City Farm is exactly what it says on the tin: a delightful, country-feeling farm, slap bang in the middle of East London.

A great place to spend the day, Hackney City Farm has plenty of animals, playing areas and forest paths for families to explore. Aside from the occasional, distant hum of traffic (it is Hackney, after all), there are next to no reminders that you’re very much still in the urban nucleus. 

Instead, you get to spend time meeting everyone’s favourite farmyard animals - goats, sheep, pigs, and ducks - and when you’re ready, visit the charming café that serves delicious homemade treats.

Accessibility and facilities: Accessible via Hoxton Station, with on-site toilets and a café; free entry, donations welcome.

Swap city scrapers for the realm of the Animal Kingdom at Battersea Park Children’s Zoo. 

This lovely zoo allows you to introduce your cheeky monkeys to incredible rare species of animals, including the cotton-top Tamarin, Madagascar hissing cockroach, the striated Caracara, Pancake Tortoise and much, much more.

We have a special soft spot for the Laughing Kookaburras (anything noisy is a winner in our family) and your kids will love the interactive experiences, animal feeding sessions, and the adventure playground designed just for them. 

Accessibility and facilities: Easily reached via Battersea Park and Queenstown Road stations, with toilets, picnic areas, and a café on-site; entry fees apply, with family tickets available.

Not everyone remembers the first time they rode the underground, but no matter what age you are, you’ll never forget your first ride on the Mail Rail.

Truly, this is one of my favourite hidden gems in all of London (and that’s saying something). 

Spoiler alert, the highlight of the experience is the Mail Rail tunnel ride that lets you journey beneath the streets in a vintage postal train, offering a fascinating glimpse into London’s secret postal history. 

The Postal Museum is an absolute treasure trove of history, interactive experiences and exciting exhibitions that appeal to the young and older-than-we-once-were. 

Accessibility and facilities: Close to Farringdon Station or a ten minute walk from King’s Cross, with on-site toilets and a café; ticket prices apply.

Be warned that if you are tall (5”10 or above, then the train ride will feel extremely cramped and you may not fit, but there are screens available where you can watch the experience and learn at the same time!

Looking for things to do in London with kids that need next to no planning whatsoever? Discover the quirky side of London with a self-guided walking tour! 

Unlike conventional walking tours, self-guided routes like these put you in charge. There’s no guide, no strict booking times* and you don’t need anything but yourselves and a phone with internet access. Easy peasy!

Perfect for busy families, these trails combine exploration with interactive challenges and historical insights, with plenty of freedom to uncover hidden gems and local secrets as a family without the added stress of being anywhere at a certain time or trying to hear a guide over city hubbub and traffic! 

Accessibility and facilities: Starting points near major transport hubs, with plenty of cafe and pub recommendations included, reasonable ticket prices, flexible start times.

*Food routes require prior-booking, but all other classic trails are fully flexible.

Embark on a unique family adventure by renting a canoe or kayak to explore the charming waterways of Little Venice and the Grand Union Canal.

If you’ve never been canoeing or kayaking before, I’d recommend opting for a guided session or a tour for a confidence boost before hitting the water. Otherwise, stable sit-on-top kayaks and Canadian canoes are available for rental without previous experience, making it accessible for *most skill levels.

Becoming the family’s skipper for the day obviously comes with challenges - you’ll be responsible for all of the paddling and safety is, of course, paramount - but if you’re looking for a physical activity to do with the kids that they’ll enjoy too, this is a perfect, inexpensive way to get them involved. 

Accessibility and facilities: Easily accessible from Warwick Avenue Station, with nearby cafes and public toilets; rental fees apply. You do have to be able to launch and manoeuvre safely on your own; otherwise, you may be asked to exit the water without a refund - ask if you’re unsure!

The mysterious underground world of Chislehurst Caves is a fascinating labyrinth of man-made tunnels with a rich and intriguing history. 

Perfect for kids, these guided tours lead you through dark passageways and unveil tales of Druids, Romans, wartime shelters and London’s rock and skiffle music scenes during ‘50s and ‘60s. 

A bit spooky, this unique adventure blends history, exploration and plenty of mystery, making it one of the top things to do in London with kids.

Accessibility and facilities: Easily accessible via Chislehurst Station, has on-site toilets and a café; entry fees apply.

Explore one of the most unusual things to do in London with kids by visiting Chelsea Physic Garden, the city's oldest botanical garden.

Unless your kids are really green-thumbed enthusiasts, a historic plant garden is hardly likely to have them rushing to get their shoes on and out the door - but rename it “London’s secret garden” and you might get some more enthusiasm. 

For me, that’s exactly what this place is. Home to over 5,000 plant species, including medicinal herbs, exotic edibles, and rare botanicals, Chelsea Physic Garden feels like a giant, secret potion maker's allotment. 

Walk around, go on a tour, or book into one of the many family-friendly workshops and finish up with a bite to eat at the café. 

Accessibility and facilities: Located near Sloane Square Station, with on-site toilets, picnic areas, and a café; entry fees apply.