101 best things to do in London with kids

Check out the best and biggest family attractions London has to offer including world-famous wax statues at Madame Tussauds, incredible marine life at SEA Life London and sweeping city views from the London Eye.

1. Go behind the scenes of J.K Rowling's legendary seven-film fantasy series Harry Potter film at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.
2. Celebrate all things Paddington Bear in London with a guided walking tour of the top filming locations featured in the trilogy or meet your favourite characters at The Paddington Bear Experience.
3. Explore London from new heights at the London Eye – the world’s tallest observation wheel.
4. See sharks, green sea turtles, penguins and other exciting sea species at SEA LIFE London aquarium.
5. Take in sky-high views across London at The View from The Shard. 
6. Rub shoulders with past and present legends at wax figure museum Madame Tussauds London.
7. Explore the UK's oldest surviving hedge maze at Hampton Court Palace – the former residence of King Henry VIII.

Plan an action-packed day out or stay in the city longer with our guide to London’s top attractions for kids.

Next, be entertained with London's wide roster of shows, musicals and theatre for kids of all ages.

1. Be amazed by best musicals in London, including long-standing family favourites such as The Lion King and Wicked.
2. Sing along with Arendelle's princesses Anna and Elsa in the magical adventure of Frozen.
3. See one of Roald Dahl's most celebrated stories brought to life at Matilda The Musical.
4. Follow Harry, Ron and Hermione in a spectacular on-stage retelling of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace Theatre.
5. Catch a performance of the Hollywood-hit turned musical in Mrs Doubtfire! 
6. See a theatrical production with many inspiring family-friendly options in our guide to the best kids theatre shows in London.
7. Older kids and teens can learn all about the Bard on a fascinating tour of Shakespeare’s historic Globe Theatre.

Seeking a spot of culture? We've got you covered. Among the best places to visit in London with kids, the capital's excellent museums deliver with interactive exhibitions and immersive experiences.

1. Learn all about the capital's classic red bus at the London Transport Museum.
2. Explore the anthropological Horniman Museum and Gardens in South London's Forest Hill where children are encouraged to touch museum objects.
3. See a four-and-a-half-billion-year-old meteorite in the Peter Harrison Planetarium at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
4. Experience the ground-shaking sensation of an earthquake at the Natural History Museum.
5. Visit the Science Museum to ogle the Command Module of Apollo 10, a spacecraft that went around the moon in 1969.
6. Experience the legends of WW2 warship HMS Belfast through a range of thrilling activities for children. 
7. See and learn about Egyptian mummies during a visit to the British Museum. 
8. Walk in the footsteps of ancient Londinium as you explore London's Roman Amphitheatre.
9. Brush up on your knowledge of modern art and get creative with kids activities at Tate Modern. 

From Harry Potter to James Bond, discover London's most famous film locations, fictional characters and movie experiences.

1. Visit the locations from the Harry Potter films and books while exploring Harry Potter’s London.
2. Check out Shrek’s Adventure! London, an indoor walk-and-ride attraction inspired by the hit film.
3. Follow in the footsteps of movie stars with a visit to the capital’s top film locations.
4. Shoot selfies with the kids' favourite movie characters at the Scenes in the Square statue trail.
5. Enjoy a film on the UK's biggest cinema screen at the BFI IMAX on the South Bank. 

With plenty of free attractions and activities, find the best free things to see and do for children of all ages in London.

1. Be wowed by the street entertainers in Covent Garden.
2. Play soldiers during a visit to the National Army Museum.
3. Go on a journey through London’s past and learn about the history of British currency at the Bank of England Museum.
4. Learn about the history of the river Thames at the Museum of London Docklands.
5. Take a fascinating voyage into maritime history at the National Maritime Museum.
6. See Tower Bridge open from the bank of the river Thames.

If your kids are fascinated by trains and ships, London's excellent transport museums and activities won't disappoint!

1. Take a ride through underground tunnels on the Mail Rail train at the Postal Museum.
2. Discover what life was like onboard the legendary sailing ship, Cutty Sark.
3. Hop on a miniature railway in Brockwell Park (every Sunday from March until October).
4. Explore The Golden Hinde, a full-scale reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake’s famous sailing galleon.
5. Soar above the river Thames in the IFS Cloud Cable Car and enjoy great views of London.
6. Rest your feet while getting an eyeful of the city’s top attractions onboard a hop-on hop-off bus tour – possibly the best London bus tour for kids!
7. Sit at the front of a driverless Docklands Light Railway train to pretend you’re driving it!
8. Climb aboard a classic Concorde and enjoy a virtual "flight" at the Brooklands Museum.
9. Sail along the River Thames on a City Cruises boat.

Let your children's imagination run wild at these top mind-boggling London attractions.

1. Stand astride two hemispheres on the Prime Meridian Line at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
2. Step into a world like no other at the graffiti wonderland, Leake Street Tunnel.
3. Feel the wind in your hair at high-speed rollercoasters at Thorpe Park.
4. Let your imagination run wild at the Discover Children’s Story Centre.

Perfect for active kids and teens, explore London's great outdoors with these top recommendations for parks, outdoor activities and child-friendly summer attractions.

1. Go bug hunting and pond dipping at Camley Street Natural Park in King’s Cross.
2. Get lost in Hampton Court Palace’s incredible gardens and parkland. 
3. Catch a film under the stars at one of London's best outdoor cinemas. 
4. Spot the capital's bridges shining bright after dark with Illuminated River.
5. Take part in fun summer holiday outdoor activities, including exploring London's many parks.

Find the best adventure playgrounds for kids in London to let the little ones run around safely, climb up treehouses and enjoy rock pools, swings and much more. 

1. Let the little ones become pirates for the day on Captain Hook's huge wooden pirate ship at Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground.
2. Have hours of fun at Coram’s Fields, a seven-acre (three-hectare) park and playground in Holborn.
3. Spend a fun day out exploring Timber Lodge and Tumbling Bay Playground at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, featuring rock pools, treehouses, slides, swings and plenty of space to run about.

From park hikes and wild swims to thrilling expeditions over actual London landmarks, find the best action-packed activities for kids in London.

1. Explore the gorgeous grounds of Kew Gardens.
2. Enjoy a refreshing dip in one of London’s lidos.
3. Hire a pedalo or a rowing boat at the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park.
4. Race to the top of Primrose Hill, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of London.
5. Over-10s can enjoy a thrilling expedition walking over the roof of The O2 with Up at The O2.
6. Take an exhilarating ride down the River Thames on a family-friendly speedboat tour.
7. Swim in the wake of champions at the Aquatics Centre, which hosted swimming and diving events during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Animal lovers will be delighted with London's fantastic range of wildlife spots, family-friendly urban farms and animal encounter experiences.

1. Get up close to lions, tigers and penguins at London Zoo.
2. Spot birds, otters and other wildlife at the WWT London Wetland Centre.
3. Pet and feed farmyard animals at one of London’s city farms.
4. Meet monkeys, meerkats and more at Battersea Park Children’s Zoo.
5. Watch the pelicans being fed in St James’s Park.
6. Go deer-spotting in Richmond Park.
7. Encounter rhinos from Nepal at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

If you're after weird and wonderful attractions and activities to surprise the kids and keep them entertained, don't miss London's quirkiest museums, spaces and experiences.

1. See an over-stuffed walrus and a merman at the Horniman Museum.
2. Marvel at a jar crammed full of moles at the Grant Museum of Zoology.
3. Go mudlarking outside Gabriel’s Wharf, where you can dig around for ancient clay pipes and bits of pottery.
4. Lose yourself among the quirky old toys at the tiny Pollock's Toy Museum.
5. Flex your mini golf skills at the tech-packed Puttshack.
6. Venture outside at the Jurassic Falls Adventure Golf in Chingford.

Explore yet more thrilling places to take kids in London with these top adrenaline-fuelled attractions and experiences.

1. Whizz down the UK’s tallest public artwork with a 40-second ride on the tallest and longest tunnel slide in the world at ArcelorMittal Orbit.
2. Brave The Dare Skywalk and scale 46.8m (153ft) above Tottenham Hotspur Stadium's pitch. 
3. Enjoy a zip wire treetop adventure at Go Ape Battersea.
4. Take on aerial challenges for all ages at the exhilarating Gripped London.
5. Have a thrill-a-minute water adventure at Lee Valley White Water Centre.
6. Take a trip to one of London’s theme parks for an adrenaline-packed day out.

Best kids shops and toy shops in London

From iconic toyshops to colourful confectionery stores, discover London's best shopping destinations for kids and teens.

1. Find toys galore in London’s most famous toyshop, Hamleys.
2. Visit the world's largest sweet shop at M&M’s World in Leicester Square.
3. Shop at the world's largest LEGO Store, before visiting the LEGO heaven at LEGOLAND Windsor.
4. Little vampires and werewolves can stock up on quality goods at Hoxton Street Monster Supplies.

Things to do in London with teenagers

If you're visiting London with teens, you will love these fun attractions and activities for teenagers in London, featuring everything from fascinating museums to exhilarating speedboat rides.

1. Learn all about the Bard on a tour of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
2. Head down into the underground headquarters that sheltered Churchill and his wartime government during the Blitz at Churchill War Rooms.
3. Explore the history of surgery at the Old Operating Theatre, Museum and Herb Garret.
4. Have a thrill-a-minute water adventure at Lee Valley White Water Centre.
5. See Napoleon’s toothbrush and Darwin’s walking stick at the Wellcome Collection.
6. Take a trip into the haunted tunnels of London’s famous bridge at the terrifying London Bridge Experience.
7. Hear the stories of people whose lives have been impacted by war at the Imperial War Museum London.

Things to do with a 5-year-old in London

If you're visiting London with a 5-year-old there are plenty of fun activities and experiences to keep them entertained, from top attractions suitable for small children to unmissable experiences that promise fun for the whole family.

1. Head to Bethnal Green and check out the Young V&A, the free gallery has interactive displays, workshops and an open studio. 
2. Take your little one to the British Library and see its vast and historic collection including the Magna Carta and handwritten lyrics by the Beatles - be sure to check out the museum's events and exhibitions before your visit.
3. Is your little one a football fan? Check out the best stadium tours in London for a behind-the-scenes look at the capital's top clubs.
4. Enjoy an adventure at Chessington World of Adventures, where 40 rides, 10 exciting themed lands, an aquarium and zoo await. 

Where to eat in London with kids

It's time to eat! Treat the whole family to an incredible meal in London with the city's best family-friendly restaurants, picnic spots and ice-cream parlours.

1. Indulge your sweet tooth with themed afternoon teas, ranging from Peter Pan to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
2. Tuck into tasty food inspired by international cuisine at Giraffe, located in various areas across central London
3. Feast on ice cream, gelato or sorbet at top ice-cream parlours, or stuff yourself with cupcakes, brownies and macaroons at one of these cake shops.
4. Head to the Hard Rock Cafe for a family-friendly meal with a side of music treasures. 
5. On a budget? Have a picnic in one of London’s Royal Parks or explore one of these mouthwatering picnic spots. 

Discover more family activities in London and find family-friendly restaurants.

Find out more family ideas and activities during the school holidays, including things to do during February half-term, the Easter holidays, the May half-term holiday, the school summer holidays, the October half-term and Christmas.

If you're in London this weekend, check out the best activities awaiting you in the city.