London for Little Pirates

What do pirates love above all else? Gold! You'll find treasure a-plenty at The Bank of England Museum in the ancient City of London. You can even handle a 13kg (29 lb) gold bar. Best of all, you won't have to shed any coin to go there – entrance to the fascinating Bank of England museum and its exhibitions is free!

A huge wooden pirate ship is the centrepiece of this Peter Pan-themed playground, built as a memorial to Princess Diana. There's lots to keep children occupied including teepees, a beach, a sensory trail and various play sculptures. You can find the playground near the Black Lion Gate in Kensington Gardens.

Spark your child's imagination at the Discover Children's Story Centre in Stratford. Discover is a magical place for children aged 2 to 7, focused on story building and developing kids' imaginations. Among the exciting play zones, you'll find an enchanted forest, fancy dress costumes and a pirate ship in the outdoor play area. 

Climb aboard the Golden Hinde, a full-size replica of Sir Francis Drake's Tudor warship in the  St. Mary Overie Dock near London Bridge. Take part in a Pirate Fun Day (selected Saturdays during the summer) when you can dress up as a pirate, search for treasure, follow a guided tour and meet some famous pirates.

Board the HMS Belfast, a real warship once used by the Royal Navy, and find out all about life at sea. Kids will love exploring the ship's nine decks. You can take part in interactive activities including a touch-screen radar game and feeling the ship's guns fire in the Gun Turret Experience.

Come face-to-face with everyone's favourite pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow, at Madame Tussauds. Meet Johnny Depp's instantly recognisable wax figure, which has been decked out in all its Pirates of the Caribbean glory, including eyeliner, rings and braided hair. If this doesn't make you want to run away to sea, we don't know what will!

Find out all about Britain's seafaring history at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Little pirates will find plenty to play with in the fun and interactive children's galleries. Get hands-on navigating a ship into port using the ship simulator and firing a cannon, or sending a message in semaphore and loading a cargo ship.

A proper pirate is going nowhere without a trusty parrot on his shoulder! Visit London Zoo where you can meet some of its colourful resident parrots and decide which one you'd want if you were going to sail the high seas!