15 Things to Do in London With Kids in January

You’ll find London in January packed with magical winter experiences for families. Start at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland with over 150 rides and the UK’s largest ice rink, then catch the spectacular New Year’s Day Parade featuring 8,000 performers. Explore enchanting light displays at Kew Gardens and Kenwood’s Peter Pan-themed trail, or head indoors to the Natural History Museum‘s dinosaur galleries and Science Museum’s interactive Wonderlab. These seasonal attractions and year-round favorites offer endless opportunities for memorable family adventures.

Experience the Magic at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

One of London’s most spectacular winter events transforms Hyde Park into a festive playground with over 150 rides and attractions designed for all ages. You’ll find the 2025-26 season running until January 1st, making it perfect for New Year’s Day family fun with special programming and offers.

Your kids will love Santa Land, featuring London’s largest free Santa’s Grotto, plus the interactive Elves Workshop and Mrs Claus appearances. The Jingle Bell Bistro offers the world’s first kids-focused street food market with child-sized portions.

Don’t miss the UK’s largest open-air ice rink and Real Ice Slide for winter thrills. Stroll down Luminarie Lane to see the breathtaking large-scale Italian lighting installation that creates a magical atmosphere for capturing festive family photos.

Book timed entry tickets in advance (10:00-20:00 slots) and consider bundled circus packages. Daily hours are 10:00-22:00, giving you plenty of time to explore.

Join the London New Year’s Day Parade Celebrations

Every January 1st, London’s streets come alive with the spectacular New Year’s Day Parade, where you’ll witness over 8,000 performers from around the world creating one of the planet’s largest street celebrations. You’ll catch colorful floats, American marching bands, Chinese dragons, and motorcycle stunt teams entertaining up to one million spectators along the route from Piccadilly to Westminster.

The parade starts around 12:00 pm and lasts three hours. You can watch for free from pavements, but arrive by 11:00 am to secure barrier spots with your kids. Grandstand seats cost £60-£70 for better views.

Dress warmly in layers since January weather’s typically cold and wet. The event also features a Street Food Village offering diverse culinary options to keep the family fed during the festivities. Road closures affect transport, so plan accordingly and check restaurant hours for meals.

Discover Christmas at Kew Gardens Light Displays

While London’s Christmas markets wind down in early January, you’ll find pure magic at Kew Gardens’ spectacular Christmas light trail, which runs until January 4th. Your family will walk through a 3-kilometer illuminated wonderland featuring over one million LED lights across UNESCO World Heritage landscapes.

Kids will love the festive funfair rides, the mesmerizing Fire Garden with flickering flames, and the Christmas Cathedral tunnel of lights – perfect for photos. Eight brand-new installations debut this year, including the interactive “Christmas Orchestra” that synchronizes music with lighting effects. The historic Great Pagoda will be illuminated for the first time in its history as part of this year’s spectacular display.

The trail starts at the Palm House with 100 illuminated lilies floating on the pond. Book timed entry slots in advance, with evening sessions running 4:20pm-10pm through three different gates.

Explore Neverland at Kenwood Winter Trail

After Kew’s Christmas magic wraps up on January 4th, you can continue the enchantment at Kenwood House’s breathtaking Neverland Winter Trail, running until January 3rd. This immersive outdoor experience transforms Hampstead Heath’s historic grounds into Peter Pan’s magical world through spectacular light installations and projections.

You’ll follow Tinkerbell’s fairy dust path from illuminated London rooftops into Neverland itself, discovering the Lost Boys’ hideout, Skull Rock, and Captain Hook’s pirate ship. The multi-sensory journey combines theatrical storytelling with stunning visuals, placing your family inside JM Barrie’s beloved tale.

The pushchair-friendly trail offers timed entry sessions, including earlier slots perfect for younger children. Quieter 4:30pm sessions provide reduced crowds for sensitive visitors. Your ticket purchase includes a £1 donation to GOSH Charity, supporting seriously ill children and their families. On-site refreshments keep everyone warm during this unforgettable North London adventure.

Watch the Serpentine New Year’s Day Races

What better way to kick off the New Year than watching over 600 determined runners brave London’s winter chill in shorts and vests? The Serpentine New Year’s Day 10K offers fantastic family entertainment without any entry fee for spectators.

You’ll witness runners tackling both 10K and 3K races through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, passing iconic landmarks like Kensington Palace, the Italian Gardens, and Peter Pan statue.

Position yourselves at these scenic viewing points where your kids can spot bemused travelers watching the morning spectacle.

The course, designed by Royal Parks, creates an educational tour of London’s royal history. Starting early morning means you’ll have the entire day free for family activities in the park afterward. The race has a two hour cut-off time, ensuring all participants can complete the course at their own pace.

It’s easily accessible via public transport to Hyde Park.

Go Ice Skating at Seasonal Outdoor Rinks

January’s crisp air transforms London’s most iconic locations into magical ice skating wonderlands that’ll create unforgettable family memories. You’ll find several spectacular outdoor rinks operating through early January, each offering unique experiences for families.

Somerset House’s neoclassical courtyard provides the most picture-perfect setting, complete with a towering Christmas tree and late-night DJ sessions.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland features the UK’s largest outdoor rink encircling a Victorian bandstand.

Hampton Court Palace offers intimate sessions with fewer crowds and special kids’ themed times. The Palace Ice Rink features double-layered ice design for smoother, longer-lasting skating sessions in a setting inspired by royal Orangery architecture.

For riverside views, head to Battersea Power Station‘s three interconnected ice pads.

Alternatively, enjoy Leicester Square’s central location amid theatre district buzz.

Most rinks close around January 4th, so book early for these limited winter experiences.

Visit Alexandra Palace Year-Round Ice Rink

Why settle for temporary ice skating when you can glide year-round at Alexandra Palace’s spectacular permanent rink? This award-winning venue, ranked UK’s best ice rink with 4.6/5 stars from nearly 20,000 Google reviews, offers daily public skating sessions from 6am to past midnight.

Your kids will love the spacious rink that accommodates 1,750 skaters, professionally resurfaced eight times daily for ideal conditions.

Located atop a hill with stunning London views, the rink hosts exciting activities beyond basic skating. Watch the Haringey Huskies ice hockey team or catch magical Christmas Ice Pantos featuring Peter Pan and Frozen. The venue also welcomes the PDC World Darts Championship each year, adding to its reputation as a premier entertainment destination.

The facility operates 364 days yearly, making it perfect for January visits when outdoor rinks close. Reach it easily via Alexandra Palace or Wood Green stations for an unforgettable family skating experience.

Explore Dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum

When January’s cold weather drives you indoors, the Natural History Museum’s free Dinosaurs gallery offers the perfect escape into prehistoric worlds that’ll captivate your kids for hours. Located in the Blue Zone’s ground floor, the gallery features a roaring animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex that’s absolutely mesmerizing for children.

Your kids will marvel at massive skeletons including Triceratops skulls, Baryonyx, and the famous “Sophie” the Stegosaurus—one of the most complete specimens ever discovered.

Interactive quizzes keep children engaged while learning about dinosaur-bird relationships through the incredible Archaeopteryx specimen. The collection spans 240 million years, showcasing everything from armoured ankylosaurs to fierce predators.

Don’t miss the online Dino Directory featuring 300+ species for continued learning at home. This navigational aid helps families locate specific exhibitions and plan their museum visit more efficiently.

Get Hands-On at the Science Museum’s Wonderlab

With over 50 hands-on exhibits spread across seven themed zones, the Science Museum’s £6 million Wonderlab gallery transforms learning into an exhilarating adventure that’ll keep your kids entertained for hours during those chilly January days.

You’ll watch your children create flowing mist, experiment with magnetic liquids, and capture droplet splashes while exploring Light, Sound, Forces, Matter, Space, Maths, and Electricity zones.

Don’t miss the Chemistry Bar where Explainers create made-to-order chemical concoctions, or the spectacular Tesla coil demonstration producing million-volt lightning bolts.

The interactive Wonder Shows encourage audience participation, while giant slides and the rotating solar system model add physical fun. Step into the mesmerizing Infinity Mirror Box for an illusion of endless space that will captivate visitors of all ages.

Plan for three hours minimum – you’ll need every minute to explore this immersive scientific playground.

Dive Into SEA LIFE London Aquarium

As January’s chill settles over London, you’ll find the perfect warm escape at SEA LIFE London Aquarium, where over 6,000 marine creatures await discovery across three floors of the iconic County Hall.

January’s particularly exciting as aquarists conduct their annual “Count & Clean” stocktake, providing unique behind-the-scenes glimpses of creature care.

Your kids will love the dramatic Shark Walk’s glass floor and the ocean tunnel where sharks swim overhead.

Don’t miss meeting Boris and Dougie, the massive Green sea turtles, or Daley the Gentoo penguin chick.

The UK’s largest living coral reef display stretches 40 feet.

While Ocean Invaders houses 350 jellyfish across Britain’s largest jellyfish experience.

With 14 themed zones and its prime South Bank location next to the London Eye, it’s perfect for combining attractions. The aquarium also features conservation programs and educational spaces that welcome up to 40,000 school children annually for learning about marine life protection.

See West End Shows Like The Lion King and Matilda

You’ll find January’s traditionally quieter theatre season brings excellent value, with more discount offers and family deals than December’s peak weeks.

Book matinee performances around 2-3 PM rather than evening shows, as both productions run approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including intervals.

Most theatres provide booster cushions for smaller children, and you can often find tickets from £10-£25 for less popular times or higher tiers. Sign up for theatre newsletters to receive early access to tickets and exclusive family promotions before they’re available to the general public.

Attend Kids’ Theatre at Unicorn Theatre

Several exceptional children’s productions run through early January at Unicorn Theatre, London’s premier venue dedicated exclusively to young audiences aged 0-13. Located on Tooley Street near London Bridge, this specialist venue offers age-banded programming that helps you choose developmentally appropriate shows.

Catch “Scrunch,” an immersive sensory experience for babies 6-18 months running until January 4th, featuring gentle lights and soft sounds perfect for first-time theatre-goers.

“How Does Santa Go Down The Chimney?” runs until January 3rd in the main Weston theatre, designed for ages 2-102, making it ideal for mixed-age families.

These intimate productions typically last 30-60 minutes without intervals, encouraging interaction while maintaining non-frightening content. The shows incorporate interactive elements that encourage participation and engagement from young children.

Tickets start around £15-£22, with daytime performances perfect for younger children’s schedules.

Enjoy Free Activities in London’s Royal Parks

When January’s crisp air transforms London’s Royal Parks into winter wonderlands, families discover countless free activities that make cold-weather outings memorable without breaking the budget. You’ll find frosted landscapes perfect for peaceful strolls across Hyde Park’s 350 acres or Kensington Gardens, where kids can visit the Peter Pan statue.

Richmond Park and Bushy Park offer incredible deer-spotting opportunities with hundreds of free-roaming animals.

From December 19-23, Benugo cafés across Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, St James’s Park, and Greenwich Park host free gingerbread decorating sessions with all materials provided.

Kids love the playgrounds too—Diana Memorial Playground features Captain Hook’s wooden ship, while Tumbling Bay offers rock pools and wobbly bridges. At Victoria Gate in Hyde Park, children can explore fascinating plants used for food and medicine while learning about nature and conservation efforts.

Don’t miss St James’s Park’s daily pelican feeding at 2:30pm for an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Take in Panoramic Views From Primrose Hill

While London’s parks offer ground-level adventures, Primrose Hill elevates your family outing—literally—to one of the city’s most spectacular free viewpoints. At 65 meters above sea level, this Grade II listed park delivers unobstructed panoramic views stretching from Canary Wharf to Westminster, including the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, and BT Tower.

January’s clear, cold days often produce sharper visibility than summer’s haze, though you’ll need extra layers for the windy hilltop. The broad, gently graded paths accommodate families, while a children’s playground sits near the southern edge.

Located immediately north of Regent’s Park, you can easily combine your visit with London Zoo or explore the surrounding village-style streets for warm cafes when little ones need indoor breaks. The hill sits within the London Borough of Camden, making it easily accessible from various parts of the city through well-connected public transportation routes.

Visit the Royal Observatory Greenwich for Space Adventures

Since its founding in 1675, the Royal Observatory Greenwich has captivated visitors as Britain’s oldest scientific institution and the historic birthplace of modern timekeeping. You’ll discover where Greenwich Mean Time originated and stand on the Prime Meridian Line with one foot in each hemisphere.

The Great Equatorial Telescope, housed in its distinctive onion-domed building, remains one of the UK’s largest refracting telescopes. Your kids will love the interactive astronomy galleries showcasing planets, stars, and a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite. Watch for the famous red time ball that drops daily at 1pm, originally used to help Thames boats set their clocks accurately.

Don’t miss the Peter Harrison Planetarium, London’s only planetarium, offering family-focused shows under a tilted dome. Plan 1.5-2 hours for this hands-on space adventure that combines history with cutting-edge science exploration.

The Sum Up

You’ll find January’s the perfect month to explore London with your kids! Don’t let the winter weather prevent you—bundle up and embrace these magical experiences. From twinkling light displays to thrilling space adventures, there’s something for every age group. You’re creating memories that’ll last a lifetime while keeping the little ones entertained during school holidays. London’s winter charm combined with these activities ensures you’ll have an unforgettable family adventure this January.