10 London Attractions to Explore Virtually With Kids

You can take your kids on incredible virtual adventures through London’s most famous landmarks without leaving home. Explore Buckingham Palace’s secret doors and royal treasures, climb Big Ben’s 316-foot tower to see the massive 13.7-ton bell, and discover dinosaur fossils at the Natural History Museum. Visit the Tower of London’s Crown Jewels, browse ancient artifacts at the British Museum, and watch Shakespeare’s plays at the Globe Theatre. These interactive tours will transform your screen into London’s greatest attractions.

Buckingham Palace: Royal Rooms and Changing of the Guard

The massive Buckingham Palace stands as one of London’s most exciting royal adventures, where kids can explore 775 rooms filled with golden treasures, secret doors, and centuries of royal history. You’ll discover the White Drawing Room’s hidden door that lets the Queen appear unexpectedly, plus Queen Victoria’s stunning gold piano.

The red and gold Throne Room showcases twin thrones where royalty sits for official portraits.

Through free 360° virtual tours and BBC London videos, you can zoom into crystal chandeliers, examine royal paintings up close, and walk through the Grand Staircase just like visiting presidents do. These virtual tours feature clickable info points that help children learn fascinating details about the palace’s incredible artworks and royal treasures.

Don’t miss the Green Drawing Room where guests wait to meet the monarch, and watch the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony in the palace courtyard.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament: Clocks, Chimes, and Democracy

Rising 316 feet above the Thames River, Big Ben‘s massive clock tower isn’t just London’s most famous timekeeper—it’s a giant musical instrument that’s been chiming the hours since 1859!

You’ll discover that “Big Ben” actually refers to the huge 13.7-ton bell inside Elizabeth Tower, not the tower itself. The clock’s so accurate that engineers adjust it using old penny coins on the pendulum—adding one coin speeds it up by 0.4 seconds daily!

During World War II, Big Ben’s chimes gave hope to people across Europe through BBC broadcasts, even surviving bomb damage. The famous Westminster Quarters melody of four notes rings out every fifteen minutes, creating the instantly recognizable sound of London life.

You can virtually explore the intricate gears, massive bells, and Gothic architecture while learning how this remarkable timekeeper connects to British democracy and Parliament’s important work governing the country.

Tower of London: Castles, Crown Jewels, and Medieval History

Where else can you explore a 1,000-year-old castle that’s been a royal palace, prison, and zoo all rolled into one? The Tower of London’s virtual tours let you discover this incredible fortress from home!

You’ll explore the White Tower, where medieval kings once lived, and peek into prison cells that held famous prisoners like Anne Boleyn. Don’t miss the Crown Jewels collection – you can see glittering crowns covered in diamonds and sapphires that monarchs still wear today. The collection features the famous Great Star of Africa diamond weighing an impressive 530.2 carats.

Meet the resident ravens who protect the kingdom according to legend, and learn about the Yeoman Warders (called Beefeaters) who guard the Tower.

Through Google Arts & Culture, you’ll uncover ghost stories, execution tales, and secrets from nearly a thousand years of dramatic history.

British Museum: Ancient Artifacts From Around the World

How can you travel back 2 million years in human history without leaving your room? The British Museum’s virtual tours let you explore ancient civilizations from Egypt to Mesopotamia right from your computer.

With 8 million artifacts spanning continents, you’ll discover mummies, Greek temples, and Stone Age tools through interactive online galleries.

The museum’s collaboration with Google Arts & Culture offers clickable timelines and Street View-style tours that feel like walking through real galleries.

Your kids can join live Virtual Visits designed for ages 7-11, featuring 60-minute sessions on ancient Egypt, prehistoric Britain, and the Indus Valley civilization. For schools planning in-person visits, specialized tablet tours with augmented reality features bring the Parthenon and Sutton Hoo collections to life through interactive exploration.

These interactive workshops use object investigations and quizzes to build critical thinking skills while exploring archaeological treasures from around the world.

Natural History Museum: Dinosaurs, Fossils, and Earth Science

While ancient civilizations tell amazing human stories, the Natural History Museum takes you even further back in time to when massive dinosaurs roamed the Earth. You’ll explore 300 specimens across 70 species, including an incredible T. rex animatronic that moves and roars just like scientists think real T. rex did!

Don’t miss Fern, the massive 24-meter bronze Diplodocus sculpture that shows you just how enormous these creatures were. The virtual tours let you zoom into fossil details from home, examining everything from dinosaur teeth to ancient footprints.

You’ll discover how Mary Anning found amazing sea monsters along England’s coast and learn about volcanoes and earthquakes that shaped our planet. Interactive activities help you “stomp like a dinosaur” while exploring millions of years of Earth’s incredible history. For younger children aged 4-7, special interactive tours offer hands-on stories and activities designed just for their age group.

National Gallery: Famous Paintings and Art Exploration

After exploring prehistoric giants, you’ll discover artistic treasures that span nearly 700 years at the National Gallery. Your kids will love zooming into over 2,400 paintings using high-resolution digital tools that reveal incredible brushwork details.

Start with crowd-pleasers like van Gogh’s vibrant “Sunflowers” or the mysterious hidden skull in Holbein’s “The Ambassadors.” Van Eyck’s “The Arnolfini Portrait” captivates children with its intricate symbolism and realistic details.

Use the website’s filters to create themed adventures—explore mythological stories through Titian’s action-packed “Bacchus and Ariadne,” or discuss emotions using Botticelli’s “Venus and Mars.” Monet’s “Water-Lily Pond” introduces Impressionism’s colorful techniques. Best of all, free public access means your family can return to explore these masterpieces anytime without cost.

The gallery’s online stories and highlight pages structure perfect bite-sized virtual sessions, making masterpieces accessible and engaging for young art explorers.

London Eye: Sky-High Views of the City

Once you’re ready to see London from above, the London Eye offers breathtaking 360-degree views that’ll make your kids gasp with excitement. This giant observation wheel reaches 443 feet high, giving you spectacular views up to 25 miles on clear days.

Your family can spot Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the winding Thames River below.

The best part? You don’t need to visit London to experience it! Watch full-ride videos in 4K that show the entire 30-minute rotation.

Try 360-degree virtual tours where kids can drag the screen to look around like they’re inside a real capsule. Turn it into a game by having them spot famous landmarks or compare day versus night views of the city.

The Shard: Modern Architecture and Urban Skylines

For an even more impressive view, head to The Shard, London’s tallest building that stretches 1,016 feet into the sky like a giant glass pyramid. This incredible skyscraper has 95 floors and looks like a massive shard of glass pointing toward the clouds.

You’ll notice its unique shape – it’s not straight like most buildings but tapers as it goes up, covered in thousands of sparkling glass panels that catch the sunlight.

The building is like a vertical city with offices, restaurants, a hotel, and even apartments where people live. When you visit the viewing galleries near the top, you can see all of London spread out below you.

The Shard’s crystal-like design makes it one of the most recognizable buildings on London’s skyline. The skyscraper was designed by Renzo Piano, an acclaimed architect who was first approached for this project in 2000.

Westminster Abbey: Royal Ceremonies and Historic Monuments

When you step inside Westminster Abbey, you’re entering the most important church in British royal history – a place where kings and queens have been crowned for nearly 1,000 years!

You’ll discover the famous Coronation Chair, where almost every monarch since 1399 has been crowned. Look for the stunning Gothic architecture that Henry III designed specifically as a “theatre” for grand ceremonies.

Don’t miss the Shrine of Edward the Confessor at the Abbey’s heart, or the royal tombs scattered throughout the building.

You can spot where 39 coronation ceremonies happened right in front of the High Altar. The Abbey has also hosted royal weddings, including Queen Elizabeth II’s in 1947, making it Britain’s ultimate royal venue! Most recently, King Charles III was crowned here in May 2023, continuing the ancient customs that have been preserved for centuries.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre: Elizabethan Drama and Performance

What’s really cool? All actors were men and boys—even playing female characters! The open-air theatre had no electric lights, so performances happened during daylight.

“Groundlings” stood in the yard for cheap tickets, while wealthy people sat in covered galleries.

Through virtual tours, you’ll explore this incredible space where Shakespeare’s greatest works first came to life. The original theatre could hold up to 3,000 spectators in its three-story polygonal structure.

The Sum Up

You’ve just explored London’s most amazing attractions without leaving your home! From royal palaces to ancient treasures, you’ve discovered what makes this city so special. These virtual tours let you learn about history, science, and culture whenever you want. Save your favorites and revisit them anytime. Who knows? Maybe you’ll visit London in person someday and see these incredible places with your own eyes!