15 Things to Do in London With Kids in November

November transforms London into a winter wonderland where you’ll discover magical experiences that aren’t available any other time of year. You can explore Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland with over 150 rides, glide across iconic ice rinks like Somerset House, and wander through Kew’s spectacular million-LED light trail. Don’t miss the Natural History Museum’s dinosaur exhibits, Camden Market’s vibrant Day of the Dead festival, or the immersive Last Days of Pompeii exhibition that brings ancient history to life through stunning visuals.

Explore Hyde Park Winter Wonderland’s Festive Magic

Where else can you find over 150 rides, circus performances, and a magical ice kingdom all wrapped up in London’s most enchanting winter celebration? Hyde Park Winter Wonderland delivers exactly that across 350 acres of festive fun.

You’ll discover Santa Land’s child-friendly attractions like the Express Train and Flying Jumbos, perfect for younger visitors. Don’t miss the brand-new Magical Ice Kingdom—a walk-through wonderland featuring stunning ice sculptures and photo opportunities.

Show Town hosts traditional fairground rides alongside Zippos Christmas Circus and interactive entertainment. Most children’s rides cost £3–£5, making it budget-friendly for families. The venue also features the UK’s largest open-air ice rink, offering families another exciting winter activity.

Running November 14 to January 1, you can secure free off-peak entry or pay £5–£10 during busier times. Book timed slots in advance for the smoothest experience.

Glide Across London’s Ice Skating Rinks

After soaking up Winter Wonderland’s festive atmosphere, you’ll find London’s ice skating rinks offer another magical way to embrace the season with your family.

Somerset House’s neoclassical courtyard creates picture-perfect moments with its towering Christmas tree, while offering relaxed sessions for younger children.

Glide at Battersea Power Station features triple-interlinked rinks beside the Thames with stunning riverside views.

For extended fun, Canary Wharf’s weather-proof rink operates one of London’s longest seasons, letting you skate rain or shine under fairy lights. Most rinks require advance booking, especially during December weekends when demand peaks.

Greenwich’s Queen’s House provides a calmer UNESCO heritage setting with Observatory views.

Most rinks offer 45-60 minute sessions with skate hire, family tickets, and nearby dining options—perfect for memorable winter outings.

Wander Through Christmas at Kew’s Million-Light Trail

One million twinkling LED lights transform Kew Gardens into London’s most spectacular winter wonderland, creating a magical 3-kilometer trail that’ll captivate kids and adults alike. Running from November 14th through January 4th, Christmas at Kew features eight world-premiere installations, including the music-timed Christmas Orchestra and petal-inspired In Bloom displays.

Your evening adventure begins at the illuminated Palm House and winds through highlights like the Fire Garden, Christmas Cathedral tunnel, and the Great Pagoda lit for the first time. Kids will love spotting Father Christmas, toasting marshmallows, and enjoying the family fairground near Temperate House‘s grand finale show. The trail also includes an interactive dancing floor with giant headphones that encourages festive music immersion for an extra dose of holiday fun.

Tickets start at £18 for children (under-4s free), with evening entry from 4:20pm. Dress warmly for muddy conditions and expect two hours of festive magic.

Experience Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio

Step beyond London’s outdoor winter magic and into the enchanted world of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studio’s Hogwarts in the Snow event, running from November 15th through January 18th.

You’ll discover the Great Hall transformed into the stunning Yule Ball scene, complete with snow-dusted Christmas trees and flaming puddings on feast tables. Wander through Diagon Alley’s snow-covered cobbles and the twinkling Forbidden Forest draped in icicles.

Your kids will love spotting tiny snowman figures hidden on the castle model and learning how filmmakers create non-melting snow using salt and paper. Take part in Yule Ball dance lessons where families can learn the elegant steps featured in the films.

Book special Dinner in the Great Hall experiences for December evenings, including a family-friendly option on December 5th. Pre-booking’s essential via their website.

Discover Natural History Museum’s Ancient Wonders

The Natural History Museum’s ancient wonders will transport your family millions of years back in time, where you’ll come face-to-face with roaring dinosaurs, touch fossils older than life itself, and explore the forces that shaped our planet.

Your kids will gasp at the world’s most intact Stegosaurus skeleton—three metres tall and six metres long—and marvel at the mysterious new dinosaur species Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae in Earth Hall.

Don’t miss touching the wavy rock folds that tell stories as old as life on Earth, or exploring the spectacular Earth sculpture demonstrating planetary forces.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition celebrates life’s diversity, while self-guided tours help you discover prehistoric specimens and treasures like the Winchcombe meteorite in the Vault gallery. For an even more immersive historical adventure, experience the VR Colosseum where gladiatorial battles come to life through cutting-edge technology.

Join Creative Creatures Play at Horniman Museum

Creative Creatures Play at Horniman Museum transforms your little ones into wild animals through imaginative adventures designed specifically for children under seven. Running from November 26 through January 14 (closed December 24-26), this pop-up play space offers six daily 45-minute sessions starting at 10:10am.

Your kids can jump like frogs, charge like rhinos, and climb like monkeys during physical play. They’ll weave spider webs, build bird nests, and tackle creative challenges like crafting jellyfish. Children can also dress up as various animals including snails, foxes, and sharks while learning about camouflage.

The dedicated under-3s area features soft shapes and animal textures for sensory exploration.

Tickets cost £6 for children and £3 for adults, with members receiving 20% discounts. You’ll need one adult per three children, and everyone must remove shoes before entering. Book tickets two weeks in advance for guaranteed spots.

Watch The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular

While circus acts dazzle under the Big Top, your family will experience The Greatest Showman come to life through spectacular performances at Empress Museum in Earls Court. This immersive circus spectacular features beloved songs like “This Is Me” and “Rewrite the Stars” alongside breathtaking acrobatics and live singing in a 700-seat tent.

Arrive early for the pre-show entertainment starting one hour before curtain time. You’ll witness up-close magic tricks, bubble shows, and interactive performances that’ll captivate kids aged 5 and up.

The main show runs 1 hour 40 minutes with an interval, combining music, dance, and high-flying circus acts. The story follows a cocky ringmaster who encourages Max, a circus fanatic, to perform despite facing disapproval from others.

With evening shows at 7:30 PM and weekend matinees at 2:30 PM, this family-friendly spectacle offers unforgettable entertainment that’s earned rave reviews for its talented performers.

Enjoy Puppet Shows at Theatre Barge

Nestled along the picturesque canals of Little Venice, Theatre Barge offers your family a truly unique theatrical experience aboard the UK’s only floating puppet theatre.

This converted barge features a cozy 50-seat marionette theatre with tiered seating, creating an intimate atmosphere perfect for children ages 3-10.

In November 2025, you can catch “A Christmas Journey” and “Old MacDonald’s Farm” running November 21-23 and 28-30.

The family-run venue boasts 40 years of puppetry expertise, presenting everything from traditional Aesop’s Fables to original works and Shakespeare adaptations.

Shows typically last 1-2 hours with intervals featuring reasonably priced snacks.

You’ll find Theatre Barge moored year-round on Blomfield Road in Paddington’s charming Little Venice neighborhood, making it easily accessible for your London adventure.

Create Art at UNIQLO Tate Play Make Studio

The UNIQLO Tate Play Make Studio at Tate Modern transforms your family’s museum visit into an interactive art adventure where creativity takes center stage. This November’s “Holiday Make Studio: Home” edition runs daily from October 25th through November 2nd, perfectly timed for half-term holidays.

Your children can explore what home means through hands-on activities involving color, shape, pattern, and texture play. They’ll draw, collage, and layer materials while expressing personal memories of favorite places.

The drop-in format welcomes all ages, from toddlers enjoying dedicated sensory zones to older kids tackling complex mark-making projects. Families can create hanging sculptures that move and interact with each other through touch and varying heights.

You’ll contribute to a growing, shared artwork that develops as more families participate. Located in Tate Modern’s accessible spaces, this free experience encourages creative confidence through open-ended exploration rather than structured instruction.

Shop for Treasures at Covent Garden Christmas Markets

After nurturing your children’s artistic spirit, you’ll find another magical experience awaits just across the Thames at Covent Garden’s enchanting Christmas markets.

From November 12th through early January, this festive wonderland transforms into a family paradise with hundreds of twinkling lights and a towering Christmas tree. Your kids will be mesmerized by daily street performers while you browse three markets filled with handmade crafts, unique gifts, and holiday decorations. The year-round market takes on a completely festive atmosphere with extensive Christmas decorations that create a magical shopping environment.

The markets operate Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm and Sundays 11am-6pm, offering stocking stuffers and artisan treasures. Don’t miss the mulled wine stations and festive treats at market chalets.

The lights illuminate every evening from 4pm to midnight, creating perfect photo opportunities. Best of all, admission’s completely free, and Covent Garden Underground station makes access effortless.

Build Adventures at The LEGO Store Leicester Square

Just steps from the twinkling Christmas markets, Leicester Square’s flagship LEGO store beckons families into a two-floor wonderland that’s among the largest LEGO destinations worldwide. You’ll discover breathtaking builds including a towering Big Ben model crafted from 344,020 bricks and a life-size James Bond Aston Martin perfect for photos.

Your kids can create custom Minifigures at the exclusive factory or build personalized mosaics using the innovative photo booth technology—the first of its kind globally.

The “Stories of Britain” theme transforms shopping into exploration, featuring Sherlock Holmes scenes, a massive double-decker bus, and the interactive Tree of Discovery hiding miniature LEGO worlds. The store recently reopened after four months of extensive refurbishment, unveiling expanded experiences and fresh interactive elements.

November brings seasonal events and themed activities, while hands-on demonstration tables let children test sets and join guided mini-builds throughout your visit.

Celebrate Day of the Dead at Camden Market

From Leicester Square’s brick-built wonders, venture north to Camden Market where vibrant Mexican traditions come alive during the annual Day of the Dead festival. On Saturday, November 1st from 1-7pm, you’ll discover a free celebration that’s perfect for families seeking authentic cultural experiences.

Your kids will love the children’s entertainment hub in converted railway arches, featuring free face painting, balloon modelling, and craft workshops where they’ll create flower crowns and mini lanterns.

Watch their eyes light up as giant skeletons and elegant Catrinas parade through Hawley Wharf, led by community arts groups like Mandinga Arts. The parade showcases spooky characters and intricately designed sugar skulls that capture the essence of this beloved Mexican tradition.

The drop-in format means no advance booking—just arrive and join the festivities. Between live music performances, you’ll explore traditional altars and participate in Mexican art workshops, making this an educational adventure your family won’t forget.

Watch Bonfire Night Fireworks Displays

As November arrives with its crisp autumn air, London transforms into a spectacular stage for Bonfire Night celebrations that’ll captivate your entire family. With Bonfire Night falling on Wednesday, November 5th, displays spread across weekends throughout the month, giving you plenty of options.

Head to Alexandra Palace on October 31st for London’s biggest celebration, featuring fireworks and drones.

South London offers fantastic choices like Blackheath’s ticketed event on November 1st or Danson Park’s 20-minute lakeside spectacular.

For family-friendly features, choose venues like Beckenham or Dulwich Sports Club with quieter children’s displays before the main event. Consider Battersea Park for its funfair rides and manageable crowds that create an ideal atmosphere for families with children of various ages.

Most displays include funfairs, food stalls, and live music. Book tickets in advance, though some venues like Harrow offer free entry until 3pm.

Many events support local causes while providing unforgettable family memories.

Experience Last Days of Pompeii Immersive Exhibition

Step into ancient Rome and witness history’s most famous volcanic disaster at “The Last Days of Pompeii: The Immersive Exhibition” at Immerse LDN. Running mid-November 2025 through mid-March 2026, this 2,000 m² experience transforms Mount Vesuvius’s eruption into enthralling family entertainment.

Your kids will love the 360° projections recreating bustling Pompeii streets, plus seated VR adventures in Roman amphitheatres featuring gladiator fights. The metaverse segment lets you explore the Villa of Mysteries’ frescoed rooms, while an AI photobooth transforms faces into patrician-style portraits.

Plan 1.5 hours for this educational journey through recreated homes, shops, and artifacts. The experience features haunting ash-cast citizens that provide a powerful glimpse into the final moments of Pompeii’s residents. Located at ExCeL London Waterfront, it’s just three minutes from Custom House station.

This tech-enhanced storytelling perfectly combines curriculum-supporting Roman history with digital experiences that’ll captivate young minds.

Attend British Museum Animal Tales Storytelling

Transport your little ones from volcanic adventures to enchanting storytelling at the British Museum’s Animal Tales event on November 12th, 2025. Award-winning storyteller Sandra Agard brings mesmerizing animal tales from Africa and the Caribbean to life in this special performance designed for under-5s.

This interactive storytelling session forms part of Camden’s Black History Season, offering your children rich cultural narratives in an engaging format. The indoor museum setting provides a perfect intimate atmosphere for young audiences to connect with these traditional tales.

You’ll need to book advance tickets for this paid event, as it’s a one-day special performance. The celebration combines educational storytelling with entertainment, making it an ideal family activity that introduces your little ones to diverse cultures through beloved animal characters and vibrant narrative traditions. For those fascinated by prehistoric creatures, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery showcases impressive life-sized 3D models of ancient giants until early November.

The Sum Up

You’ll find November’s the perfect month to explore London with your kids! From Winter Wonderland’s magical atmosphere to the Natural History Museum’s enthralling exhibits, there’s something for every family. Don’t miss the twinkling lights at Kew Gardens or the excitement of Bonfire Night celebrations. Book tickets in advance for popular attractions like the Harry Potter Studio Tour, and you’ll create unforgettable memories that’ll keep your children talking about this London adventure for years to come.