15 Best Things to Do in With Kids London With Kids

You’ll find London’s best family adventures at the Science Museum’s explosive live shows and the Natural History Museum’s roaring animatronic T-rex. Let your kids feed giraffes at London Zoo, marvel at the Crown Jewels’ 23,000 gemstones at the Tower of London, and sail aboard the pirate ship at Diana Memorial Playground in Hyde Park. Don’t miss the Harry Potter Studio Tour‘s magical film sets or Thames boat trips offering stunning city views. These experiences will transform your London visit into an unforgettable family adventure.

Science Museum Interactive Exhibits and Wonderlab

Don’t miss the live science shows featuring dramatic demonstrations with fire, liquid nitrogen, and indoor lightning.

Plan 2-4 hours for your visit, extending to a full day if you include Wonderlab and catch the scheduled presentations that bring scientific concepts to life.

Natural History Museum Dinosaur Galleries

While the Science Museum captivates with hands-on experiments, the Natural History Museum’s Dinosaur Galleries will transport your family 65 million years back in time.

You’ll encounter 300 specimens across ground and first floors, including the legendary animatronic T. rex that’s been thrilling families since the 1990s.

Your children will marvel at the near-complete Mantellisaurus skeleton, massive Triceratops skull, and real fossilised teeth and claws.

Interactive push-buttons and flip-panels help kids understand how these prehistoric giants lived and moved.

The walkways offer multiple viewpoints of moving dinosaur models surrounded by jungle soundscapes and storm effects.

Visit during opening hours or late afternoon for smaller crowds.

Admission’s free, though time-slot booking may be required during busy periods.

London Zoo Animal Encounters

Beyond observing animals through glass barriers, London Zoo’s hands-on encounters let your kids feed giraffes, train capybaras, and work alongside real zookeepers. The 20-minute Meet the Monkeys experience brings you onto the rainforest floor to feed titi monkeys and lion-headed tamarins while learning conservation facts.

Your children can hand-feed gentle giraffes and discover their social behaviors during close-up encounters.

For aspiring young animal keepers, the 90-minute Penguin Keeper Experience offers behind-the-scenes access where kids help with cleaning, food preparation, and feeding.

The Tiger Keeper Experience provides pre-opening access to Tiger Territory, where your family creates enrichment activities and observes training sessions. Children must be at least six years old and accompanied by an adult to participate in these special encounters.

Each encounter includes expert guidance, making complex animal science accessible to curious young minds while supporting conservation efforts.

Tower of London Crown Jewels and Medieval History

Since medieval times, the Tower of London’s Crown Jewels have captivated visitors with their sparkling diamonds and royal mystery. Your kids will be mesmerized by over 23,000 gemstones displayed in the heavily guarded Jewel House.

You’ll walk along moving walkways that give even small children perfect views of St Edward’s Crown and the Imperial State Crown. The low-level display cases and spot-lit exhibits make everything visible for young visitors. The collection is protected by bombproof glass and monitored by over 100 CCTV cameras for maximum security.

Your family can explore audio guides and trails designed specifically for children, learning about coronations and famous monarchs.

The no-photography policy keeps everyone focused on these living treasures still used for state occasions.

Don’t miss hearing about Colonel Blood’s daring 1671 theft attempt – it’s adventure history your kids will remember.

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens Adventures

Spanning 625 acres of central London, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens create the perfect adventure playground where your family can discover pirate ships, splash in royal fountains, and follow Peter Pan’s magical trail.

Start at Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens’ northwest corner, where kids explore a massive wooden pirate ship, sensory trails, and teepee wigwams. It’s free but gated, with adults only admitted when accompanying children under 12. Expect queues during sunny weekends.

Continue your Peter Pan adventure to the bronze statue beside Long Water, then visit the magical Elfin Oak carved with woodland creatures. For families interested in exploring deeper, join the monthly Hidden Stories tours that reveal the park’s rich heritage through guided walks to monuments, statues, and fountains.

Cool off at Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park, where children can safely paddle in shallow granite channels while you picnic on surrounding lawns.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Harry Potter Experience

Step into the actual sets where Harry Potter films came to life at Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Leavesden. You’ll explore authentic locations like the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and Dumbledore’s Office during this self-guided 3-4 hour adventure.

Kids can board the original Hogwarts Express at Platform 9¾ and try green screen experiences that simulate acting in the films.

The tour showcases real props, costumes, and filmmaking secrets rather than theme park rides. Don’t miss the spectacular 1:24 scale Hogwarts Castle model and Hagrid’s Hut. You can grab Butterbeer in the backlot area too. The attraction has been a commercial success since opening in 2012, reflecting the enduring popularity of the wizarding world.

Getting there’s easy – take public transport to Watford Junction, then catch the shuttle bus that runs every 15 minutes. Book ahead since up to 6,000 visitors explore daily during peak times.

Thames River Boat Trips

Thames River boat trips transform London sightseeing into an adventure that keeps kids entertained while you cruise past iconic landmarks. You’ll find excellent value with family passes around £49-£50 covering two adults plus up to three children for 24-48 hours of unlimited hop-on, hop-off travel.

Choose from sightseeing cruises with live commentary and open-air top decks, or use Uber Boat by Thames Clippers as your river bus between attractions like the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and Greenwich. Children under 5 travel free, while ages 5-15 get 50% discounts. The cruises connect iconic London piers including Westminster, Embankment, Festival, Bankside, Butler’s Wharf, and Greenwich, making it easy to reach multiple attractions.

For thrill-seeking families, Thames Rockets offers speedboat adventures like Captain Kidd’s Canary Wharf Voyage—a 50-minute RIB trip combining high-speed sections with landmark spotting that’ll have everyone grinning.

Covent Garden Street Performers and Markets

While you’re exploring London’s historic heart, Covent Garden’s world-famous street performers will captivate your kids with jaw-dropping acts that range from death-defying sword swallowers to hilarious ventriloquists.

The West Piazza hosts iconic juggling acts and 10-foot unicycle performances, while the covered areas feature musicians, magicians, and human statues that’ll leave your children mesmerized.

Performances run daily from 10AM-8PM (weekdays), starting earlier on Saturdays and finishing at 6PM Sundays.

Each act requires auditions and assigned slots, ensuring quality entertainment.

Your kids will love watching chainsaw jugglers, contortionists, and comedic clowns perform in front of the historic Market Building. This venue has launched the careers of famous performers like Eddie Izzard, Dynamo, and Stomp over its five decades of street performance history.

Don’t miss the special 50th anniversary festival on May 11, 2025, featuring international acts and past stars returning to celebrate this legendary tradition.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

After soaking up the street entertainment buzz, you’ll find one of London’s most spectacular underwater adventures just a short walk across the Thames at SEA LIFE London Aquarium.

Your kids will be mesmerized walking through the Ocean Tunnel as sharks and rays glide overhead, while the glass Shark Walk at the entrance lets them see these predators swimming beneath their feet.

Don’t miss the UK’s largest jellyfish experience with 350 floating creatures and interactive displays that’ll captivate young minds.

The Gentoo penguin colony provides endless entertainment, and rescued Alaskan sea otters like Ozzy demonstrate conservation in action.

With 600 marine species across 14 themed zones, you’ll easily spend hours exploring everything from coral kingdoms to rainforest adventures. The aquarium welcomes up to 40,000 school children annually for educational programs, making it a perfect learning destination for families.

London Eye Giant Ferris Wheel

Want to give your kids a bird’s-eye view of London they’ll never forget? The London Eye’s giant Ferris wheel offers spectacular 360-degree views up to 40 kilometers on clear days. Your family will spot Windsor Castle and countless London landmarks from 443 feet above ground.

The 30-minute ride moves slowly at just 26 centimeters per second, making it perfect for children who might get nervous. You won’t need to stop for boarding – just walk right into your spacious capsule that holds up to 25 people. Each capsule stays level throughout the rotation, so kids can move around safely.

Book advance tickets starting at £19.20, especially if you need wheelchair accessibility. The Eye represents London’s 32 boroughs, creating educational conversations about the city’s geography and engineering marvels. The wheel was originally designed by David Marks and Julia Barfield after their 1993 entry for a millennium landmark competition.

Greenwich Royal Observatory and Planetarium

Step into 350 years of astronomical history at Greenwich Royal Observatory, where your kids can literally stand on the line that divides the world. They’ll love straddling the Prime Meridian with one foot in each hemisphere while learning about Greenwich Mean Time.

The Great Equatorial Telescope and Camera Obscura offer hands-on discovery, while the free Astronomy Centre provides modern interactive galleries perfect for curious minds. Marvel at the impressive 28-inch refracting telescope, introduced in 1893 and still holding the distinction as the largest in the UK.

Don’t miss the Peter Harrison Planetarium‘s mesmerizing sky shows (£12 adults, £6 children), though book quickly—it’s closing for restoration in September 2025.

Watch the Time Ball drop at 1pm daily, a tradition dating back centuries.

Allow 2-2.5 hours for your visit, and consider taking a taxi up the hill from Greenwich station if you’re traveling with little ones.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

Since 1835, Madame Tussauds has captivated visitors with incredibly lifelike wax figures, and your kids will be amazed at how real these celebrity sculptures look up close. Each figure takes four months to create using 500 precise measurements and 150 photographs, resulting in stunning detail that’ll have your children doing double-takes.

You’ll explore eight immersive zones including the Royal Palace and Marvel 4D Cinema, where kids can pose for selfies with their favorite stars like David Beckham.

Don’t miss the tiny Tinker Bell figure from Peter Pan – perfect for younger visitors. The Spirit of London dark ride offers an entertaining journey through the city’s history, while the Chamber of Horrors provides thrills for older children who enjoy darker attractions. The museum was founded by Marie Tussaud, who created her first sculpture of François Voltaire when she was just 16 years old.

Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill

After exploring London’s indoor attractions, you’ll find that Hampstead Heath offers your family nearly 800 acres of wild green space where kids can run free across ancient woodlands, rolling meadows, and open hills.

Parliament Hill delivers spectacular city views plus perfect kite-flying slopes that transform into sledging runs during winter.

The Parliament Hill adventure playground combines climbing frames, swings, and water features for various ages, while adjacent fields provide space for football and impromptu games.

Your adventurous swimmers can experience the famous outdoor ponds or the 60-metre Parliament Hill Lido, both offering year-round swimming opportunities. The ponds feature seasonal lifeguard supervision to ensure safe swimming experiences for families during busy periods.

With 24/7 free access, surfaced paths for buggies, and nearby cafés with toilets, you’ll have everything needed for flexible, budget-friendly family days out.

Churchill War Rooms Underground Bunkers

Beneath the bustling streets of Westminster, your family can explore the authentic underground bunkers where Winston Churchill and his team directed Britain’s fight against Nazi Germany during World War II. The Cabinet War Rooms remain exactly as they were left in 1945, creating a fascinating time-capsule experience for curious kids.

Your children will love seeing Churchill’s distinctive red briefcase, the Map Room with its giant wall charts tracking wartime movements, and the cozy underground bedrooms where staff slept during air raids.

The integrated Churchill Museum brings history alive with interactive exhibits and audio clips of famous speeches. The attraction operates with early openings on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00am, giving families more flexibility for their visit.

Plan at least two hours for your visit. Children aged 5-15 receive half-price admission, while under-fives enter free. Book advance tickets online to avoid disappointment.

Borough Market Food Adventures

While steering through the bustling crowds might seem intimidating with little ones, Borough Market transforms into an incredible sensory playground where your kids can explore over 100 stalls filled with fresh produce, tempting treats, and friendly vendors enthusiastic to share samples.

Your children will discover pastries at Comptoir Gourmand, watch chef demonstrations, and build confidence trying new foods in this positive atmosphere.

Visit the Market Explorers Garden for free games, arts, and crafts activities every Tuesday—no booking required. During the Halloween season, kids can enjoy special cookie decorating activities with treats supplied by Borough Market’s Cinnamon Tree Bakery.

Download learning booklets that trace ingredients from field to fork, complete with child-friendly recipes like honey lavender muffins.

The market’s three sections offer different experiences, from specialist traders to street food at Borough Market Kitchen, making every visit a delicious adventure.

The Sum Up

You’ve got an incredible lineup of adventures waiting in London! From getting hands-on at the Science Museum to meeting penguins at the zoo, you’ll create memories that’ll last a lifetime. Don’t try cramming everything into one trip—your kids will get overwhelmed. Pick three or four favorites, bring comfortable shoes, and pack snacks. London’s waiting to spark your children’s curiosity and imagination. You’re all set for an unforgettable family adventure!