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.
If you’re feeling festive, check out our things to do with kids this Christmas guide.
1. Celebrate 100 years of Disney’s iconic storytelling at a dedicated exhibition
Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo your way to Disney100: The Exhibition, the world’s largest ever Disney exhibit – it’s one of the must-do things in London for kids and kids at heart.
The Walt Disney Archives and Semmel Exhibitions have come together to put on an exhibit spanning 20,000 square feet at London’s ExCeL; there’ll be 10 themed galleries to browse. You’ll be able to explore an array of props, original costumes, and moving stories, from our childhood classics (for example, original artwork from One Hundred and One Dalmatians, 1961), as well as more modern favourites, like Encanto (2021) and Frozen (2013).
📍 Nearest station is Custom House.
🕒 Disney100: The Exhibition is open daily.
2. 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 brand-new, 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.
3. 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.
📍 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.
4. Make friends with London Zoo’s residents
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.
5. 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. Grab your tickets here.
📍 Nearest station is South Kensington.
🕒 The museum is open daily from 10am-5.50pm.
6. 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 this half term, 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; while in 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.
7. 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.
8. 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 – don’t forget to wrap up warm though.
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.
9. Get a boost of endorphins at Dopamine Land
One of the things to do that is sure to bring a smile to your kids’ faces is a visit to Dopamine Land – the happiest museum in London. Younger visitors will relish in the shadow puppet game, the floor is lava room, and the ball pit, while teens will have a plethora of TikTok and Snap backgrounds to play with as they move between the various rooms.
📍 Nearest station is South Kensington.
🕒 Dopamine Land is open Tues–Sun, various hours.
10. 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, though most begin at 7.30pm.
11. 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?!
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.
12. 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.
13. Step inside an interactive Shrek-themed adventure
Keeping with the theme of donkeys, the next addition on this roundup of the best things to do in London with kids will give you the opportunity 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. This Halloween they’re even running ‘Scared Shrekless’, where from October 27 to November 5, you’ll be able to go on a magical adventure and meet a scary witch. Sign us up! 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.
14. 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.
15. 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 during the half term. 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.
16. Discover some of London’s green spaces and get back to nature
Although the temperatures may be crisp, 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.
17. 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. You can grab your tickets here.
📍 Various stations.
🕒 Available daily: Mon–Fri, 9am–4.20pm; and Sat–Sun, 9am–5pm.
18. 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.
So, there you have it, our list 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!