65 Things to do in London with kids [+ itinerary]

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Pacaso
November 11, 2024
A happy family enjoys their time in London.
Planning a trip to London with kids? This vibrant city offers many experiences for families of all ages and interests. From iconic historical landmarks to world-class museums and interactive exhibits, London keeps young minds engaged and imaginations running wild. 
Below, find our curated list of 65 things to do in London with kids, plus a handy 5-day itinerary suggestion to help you plan the perfect trip. 

Have a gander at iconic landmarks

Price: $ (many are free)
A stock image shows the London Eye Ferris Wheel.
One of the best things to do with kids in London is check out its iconic landmarks. It’s a great opportunity for parents to teach them about their rich history and significance. Here are some must-see landmarks that will captivate your little ones:  1. Buckingham Palace: Witness the changing of the guard, an exciting spectacle that will delight kids of all ages. 2. London Eye: Enjoy panoramic views of the city from this giant Ferris wheel. 3. The Shard: Visit the top of this towering skyscraper for an adventure for the family. 4. Big Ben: This iconic clock tower offers the chance to learn about its history and importance as a symbol of London. 5. Tower of London: Kids will love exploring this historic fortress and royal palace to learn about fascinating tales of kings, queens and knights. 6. St. Paul’s Cathedral: Admire the stunning architecture of this cathedral as a family and learn about its religious significance. 7. Westminster Abbey: Visit this historic abbey, a church where many British monarchs have been crowned and buried.

Catch a show at a theater 

Price: $$London’s rich history of theater means there are plenty of family-friendly options to check out. Whether you prefer a classic musical or a modern-day adventure, you can find something for the whole family to enjoy. Here are some popular theaters that often host shows for kids: 8. Lyceum Theatre: Catch the exciting The Lion King musical for a magical experience. 9. Apollo Victoria Theatre: Enjoy the enchanting and classic Wicked the Musical, a story of good witches and bad. 10. Cambridge Theatre: See the heartwarming Matilda The Musical, a tale of a young girl with extraordinary powers.11. Theatre Royal Drury Lane: Experience the magic of Frozen on stage with catchy songs your kids can sing along to. 12. Shaftesbury Theatre: For an evening of laughs, head here to catch Mrs. Doubtfire, a hilarious comedy about a man who disguises himself as a nanny.13. Eventim Apollo: See the loveable ogre Shrek come to life in Shrek The Musical. 14. Palace Theatre: For Harry Potter fans, here you can catch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a continuation of the magical series. 15. Theatre Royal Haymarket: Younger children will enjoy seeing Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out, filled with fun and laughter. 16. London Coliseum: Older kids can enjoy a classic ballet like The Nutcracker with the English National Ballet.

Soak up some art, culture, and history

Price: $
A stock image depicts dinosaur bones on display at the London Museum.
It’s London, so inevitably, it will rain at some point. Here are our suggestions to keep the kiddos entertained when outside is just not an option, from fascinating exhibits to interactive displays: 17. Madame Tussauds™ London: Get up close to some of the most important figures in history, entertainment, politics and culture — or at least wax versions of them. 18. Natural History Museum: From dinosaurs to megafauna to hairy worms to ancient humans, this museum shows the complexity and wonder of living things. 19. Science Museum: Explore hands-on exhibits and demonstrations. Kids will enjoy the Wonderlab, an interactive gallery with seven zones that let you see lightning strikes and travel through space under a canopy of stars.20. British Museum: Journey through time and explore ancient civilizations with artifacts from around the world.21. The Cartoon Museum: Cartoon lovers can’t miss this museum that celebrates the world of cartoons with animations and interactive displays. 22. London Transport Museum: Teach your kids about the history of London's transportation system with vintage vehicle exhibits.23. Young V&A: Experience the world of art and design is displayed through interactive workshops and displays designed for young people. 24. Pollock's Toy Museum: This museum is home to a collection of vintage games and dolls where kids can learn about the history of toys. 25. Horniman Museum and Gardens: Explore an eclectic collection of natural history specimens, musical instruments and art objects, all set in beautiful gardens. 

Visit famous film spots

Price: $$$Kids will light up when they visit the locations from their favorite movies. Here are some must-see spots for movie fans:26. Harry Potter’s London: Explore the real-world locations that inspired the world of Harry Potter, including Diagon Alley and Platform 9 ¾.27. Shrek’s Adventure! London: Embark on a fun adventure with Shrek and his friends through interactive exhibits and live shows.28. Scenes in the Square: Discover the hidden filming locations of popular movies and TV shows, with guided tours and behind-the-scenes insights.29. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: Go behind the scenes of iconic films and TV shows to explore the sets, props and costumes used in productions.

Pop over to the zoo, urban farms, or wildlife hotspots

Price: $$
A stock image shows two giraffes at the London Zoo.
London offers a variety of options for animal lovers, from traditional zoos to urban farms and wildlife hotspots. Here are some of the best places to encounter animals in London: 30. London Zoo: See a diverse range of animals from around the world, including lions, tigers, elephants and more.31. London Wetland Centre: This oasis in the heart of London allows you to observe a variety of birds, mammals and insects in their natural habitat. 32. Deen City Farm: Kids can get up close and personal with farm animals like cows, sheep, pigs and goats at this urban farm.33. Battersea Park Children's Zoo: There are a variety of friendly animals to meet at this zoo designed specifically for kids. 34. Zoological Society of London Whipsnade Zoo: This large zoo is home to over 14,000 animals and makes a great place to escape the city. 35. SEA LIFE London Aquarium: Experience the underwater world and see sea creatures like sharks, penguins and sea turtles.

Grab a hot cuppa and chill

Price: $$Nothing is more quintessentially English than afternoon tea, and London provides a plethora of family-friendly options that kids will love: 36. Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea: This afternoon tea at the One Aldwych Hotel recreates some famous classics dreamed up by Willy Wonka. Fear not — you will leave inspired and intact, unlike poor Violet Beauregarde, Mike TeeVee and Augustus Gloop.37. The English Tea Bus Tour: This unique afternoon tea experience takes place on a double-decker bus, traveling through London while savoring delicious treats. 38. Children’s Afternoon Tea at The Langham: Here, kids can experience a sophisticated afternoon tea at a historic London hotel with a special menu designed for children. 39. Children's Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at Aqua Shard: Enjoy afternoon tea inspired by the classic tale of Peter Pan. Aqua Shard also provides beautiful views of London. 40. Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea: Step into a whimsical wonderland with a Mad Hatter's themed afternoon tea featuring colorful treats and playful surprises.

Tuck into the local grub

Price: $–$$
A stock image shows a smiling child holding a bowling ball in a bowling alley lit with neon lights.
London’s diverse food scene has something to offer for everyone. From traditional British bites to unique cuisines from around the world, there are plenty of kid-friendly restaurants to choose from. After visiting the best restaurants in Chelsea, venture to other neighborhoods to grab local grub that kids will enjoy, too: 41. Inamo: Inamo offers delicious Asian fusion in a vibrant setting. 42. Wahaca: Enjoy the flavors of Mexico with authentic tacos, burritos and quesadillas. 43. Giraffe: Giraffe offers a casual dining experience with a menu full of international cuisine and kid-friendly options. 44. Hollywood Bowl at The O2: This popular venue offers both food and entertainment, where the family can enjoy an evening of bowling and delicious bites.45. Pizza Pilgrims & Friggitoria: Kids are sure to enjoy the authentic Neapolitan pizza offered here. 46. Milk Train: Treat your kids to a fun tea experience with a menu of colorful milk tea drinks, ice cream and other delicious treats. 47. Peggy Porschen: Stop for a sweet treat at this charming bakery known for its beautiful cakes and cupcakes. 

Wander through parks and playgrounds

Price: FreeIf you’re looking for outdoor fun, London has many beautiful parks and playgrounds. From historic royal parks to modern adventure playgrounds, your kids won’t be disappointed with these options: 48. St. James's Park: Stroll through this historic royal park, located between  the seat of government in Whitehall and the King’s London residence at Buckingham Palace, and marvel at the beautiful gardens, ponds and wildlife. 49. Battersea Park: Dating from the mid-1800s, this park has everything you’d want for a family wander: a boating lake, sports facilities, a mini zoo, a yummy cafe and river views.50. Diana Memorial Playground: A charming and very fitting tribute to a princess who loved children, this playground has more than a million visitors every year.51. Camley Street Natural Park: Nestled in the heart of London, this green oasis offers wetlands, woodlands and meadows ready to be explored. 52. Coram’s Fields: Stop here for kids who want a large playground with plenty of play equipment to choose from.53. Timber Lodge and Tumbling Bay Playground at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: This exciting playground offers a large wooden play structure and even a water play area, perfect for sunny days. 54. Hyde Park: This iconic park is home to Speakers’ Corner, where anyone can jump on a soapbox and speak their mind, and Serpentine Lake, where you can take the family for a boat ride.   

Head off on a proper adventure

Price: $$–$$$
A stock image shows a ferris wheel built from Legos at Legoland Windsor.
Seeking thrills and excitement? Your kids will feel right at home at any of London’s many theme parks. Here are some of the best places to give your kids a proper London adventure: 55. Legoland Windsor: Your kids will be captivated by this magical world made entirely of LEGO bricks. Enjoy LEGO-themed rides, shows and attractions. 56. Chessington World of Adventures: If you want a little bit of everything, you can’t go wrong at this theme park and resort. You’ll find everything from live shows and animal encounters to themed roller coasters and rides. 57. Thorpe Park: For the true thrill-seekers, head to Thorpe Park, where you’ll find endless roller coasters, including the world-famous Colossus.58. The Dare Skywalk: Not for the faint of heart, The Dare Skywalk offers a walk along a glass-bottomed walkway suspended 145 feet above the ground.59. ArcelorMittal Orbit: Take a ride on the UK’s tallest and longest tunnel slide, where you can enjoy incredible city views. 60. Jurassic Falls Adventure Golf:  Putt your way through a prehistoric Jurassic Park-themed course that the whole family can enjoy

Go for a bit of shopping

Price: $–$$$London won’t disappoint with its wide range of stores and markets to explore. Whether you’re shopping for toys, souvenirs or other unique finds, here are some of the best places to shop around London: 61. Hamleys of London: With over seven floors of fun, this iconic toy store is sure to be heaven on earth for young ones. 62. World's Largest LEGO Store: This massive LEGO store lets you build your own creations, with a variety of sets and building experiences for your kids to choose from. 63. Hoxton Street Monster Supplies: This imaginative shop offers peculiar magical items and edible goods.64. Harrods Toy Kingdom: This quirky store offers all sorts of magical supplies and edible goods, and was recently voted ‘No. 1 Kids' Shop in London' by Time Out Magazine. 65. M&M’s World: Get your sugar fix at M&M’s world, where you can customize your own M&M’s.  

5-day London itinerary 

WIth so much to see and do in London for kids, it can be tough to decide how to spend your time. Our sample itinerary below provides some inspiration for how to spend an amazing five days in London.
A screenshot shows a preview of the 5-day London itinerary.

Day 1

Morning: Start the day with a visit to the famous Buckingham Palace to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Then, stroll through St. James’s Park to enjoy the beautiful gardens and birdlife. Afternoon: Hop on the London Eye for amazing city views before heading to the Natural History Museum to spend the afternoon exploring fascinating exhibits.Evening: Catch a West End show, like The Lion King or Wicked, for a magical night out. 

Day 2

Morning: Explore the Tower of London and learn about its history, followed by a visit to the London Transport Museum to discover the city’s transportation heritage. Afternoon: Enjoy a picnic lunch in Hyde Park, then head to the Science Museum to explore interactive exhibits like the Wonderlab. Evening: End with a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, like Inamo or Wahaca.  

Day 3

Morning: Kick things off at the Harry Potter Studio Tour to go behind the scenes of the iconic film series.Afternoon: Meander through the lively Camden Market, which has unique shops, street food and live music to keep everyone entertained. Evening: Catch an exciting show at Thorpe Park and ride thrilling roller coasters to cap the night off. 

Day 4

Morning: Start your day at the British Museum to learn about ancient civilizations and artifacts from around the world. Afternoon: Take an afternoon stroll through Regent’s Park, then head to the London Zoo to witness a variety of animals. Evening: Take part in afternoon tea at a traditional London hotel, like The Langham, or a themed tea like Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea. 

Day 5

Morning: Visit the Madame Tussauds museum to get up close and personal with lifelike wax figures of celebrities and historical figures. Afternoon: No family trip to London is complete without a stop at Hamleys of London, a toy store with over seven floors to wow your children. Evening: Enjoy a farewell meal at a restaurant that offers stunning city views, like Aqua Shard. With this London trip itinerary, you’ll find no shortage of things to do with kids in London. 

Let London be your home away from home with Pacaso

With so many places to visit in London with kids, you and your family are sure to create lasting memories. If our 5-day itinerary wasn’t enough, give yourself the time you need by buying a second home in London. Co-owning a vacation home means more time for family vacations to London for less money and hassle.  

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