Things to do with Kids in London: Our Top Picks for Family Days Out

Looking for things to do with kids in London? You’re certainly not short of choice. From world-famous landmarks and fascinating museums to beautiful parks, riverside walks and exciting indoor activities, London offers something for every kind of family day out.

The challenge is deciding what to fit into your day.

London is a huge city, so trying to see everything in one visit can quickly become tiring, especially with younger children. The key is to choose a small number of activities that work well together, leave time for food and breaks, and have a back-up plan if the British weather changes.

Whether you’re visiting London for the first time, planning a weekend with the kids or simply looking for a fun day out close to home, this guide brings together some of the best family-friendly ideas.

From iconic London attractions and free museums to indoor climbing when it rains, here’s how to make your next family adventure in the capital one to remember.

If it’s your first family visit to London, start with some of the city's most recognisable sights. Seeing famous landmarks in real life can make a city trip much more exciting for children, especially when they already know them from books, films or television.

You don’t need to visit every attraction in one day. Instead, choose one or two headline experiences and combine them with a walk, a park or a museum nearby.

Iconic attractions worth the queue

The London Eye is an obvious choice for families who want to see London from above. The 30-minute rotation gives you panoramic views across the city, including landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. Children aged 2–15 have child tickets, while under-twos can visit free with a paid adult ticket. Booking in advance is recommended, particularly during busy periods.

For families interested in history, the Tower of London offers a very different experience. Children can discover the Crown Jewels, spot the famous ravens, walk along the battlements and learn about the Tower's long history through family activities and live performances.

The Tower also works well as part of a wider riverside day. After exploring the historic site, families can walk along Tower Wharf, watch boats on the Thames or cross Tower Bridge before stopping for something to eat.

Top tip: Don't try to squeeze too many major attractions into one day. One big-ticket attraction combined with a free activity can often make for a more enjoyable family day.

Free things to do with kids in London

A day out in London doesn't have to mean buying attraction tickets all day.

One of the biggest advantages of visiting London with kids is the number of free experiences available. Parks, gardens, walks and many museums can provide hours of entertainment without adding another admission fee to your budget.

For example, Greenwich Park offers open spaces, playgrounds, views across London and plenty of opportunities for children to run around. Regent's Park and Kensington Gardens are other good options when the weather is kind.

You can also make the journey itself part of the adventure. Walk along the South Bank, cross one of London's bridges, watch boats on the Thames or see how many famous landmarks the children can spot.

For younger children, turning a walk into a simple treasure hunt can make sightseeing feel more like a game than a long walk through the city.

When you're looking for things to do with kids in London, don't overlook the city's museums.

London has an impressive collection of family-friendly museums, and several major institutions offer free general admission. This makes them particularly useful when you're planning a day out on a budget — or when the weather isn't cooperating.

Science Museum

The Science Museum is a great option for children who like discovering how things work. Its family programme includes interactive experiences and galleries designed to encourage children to explore science and technology.

The museum currently offers free admission, although some galleries and experiences may require additional tickets. Its Wonderlab interactive gallery is particularly suited to children who enjoy hands-on experiments and demonstrations.

Allow plenty of time rather than trying to race through the galleries. Depending on the children's ages and interests, you could easily build a substantial part of your day around the museum.

Natural History Museum

For dinosaur fans, animals lovers and curious young explorers, the Natural History Museum is another classic London choice.

Families can discover dinosaurs, mammals, volcanoes and much more across the museum's galleries. The museum describes its family offer as a chance to get close to nature and explore fascinating creatures and science.

General admission to the museum is free, although special exhibitions and events may have a charge. Booking a free entry ticket in advance can help guarantee entry during busy periods.

The museum's gardens are another option if the children need some fresh air after exploring the galleries. They're free to visit and offer a chance to slow the pace down before your next activity.

Make museums more fun for children

The trick with a museum visit is not necessarily to see everything.

Instead, give children a mission. Ask them to find their favourite dinosaur, choose the strangest object they can see, draw something they discover or keep a list of animals they recognise.

This turns a museum visit into an activity rather than simply walking from room to room.

ritish weather can change quickly, and rain can completely alter your plans when you're spending the day in London with kids.

Luckily, you don't have to cancel your adventure.

Having one indoor activity in reserve means you can still enjoy your day even if the forecast changes. And after several hours of sightseeing, an active indoor experience can be exactly what children need.

Indoor climbing and adventure at Rock Up

For families looking for an active indoor adventure near London, Rock Up offers climbing and other activities at centres including Walton-on-Thames, Watford and Lakeside.

The centres are designed for family-friendly indoor adventure, with climbing walls and different challenges, while facilities vary by location.

At Rock Up Walton, families can find more than 25 climbing walls and over 75 challenges, alongside a High Ropes Course, Interactive Climbing and soft play. Standard wall climbing is available from age four, and sessions include a safety briefing and equipment.

Rock Up Watford combines climbing with high ropes, soft play and vertical challenges. The centre has more than 25 climbing walls and over 75 challenges, as well as a High Ropes Course stretching above the shopping centre. Standard climbing is available from age four.

At Rock Up Lakeside, families can enjoy more than 25 climbing walls and 75+ challenges, together with soft play and additional vertical challenges. Climbing sessions are available for children from age four and include a safety briefing and equipment.

The appeal is simple: children get the chance to move, climb, explore and challenge themselves indoors, while parents have a weather-proof activity ready to go.

No previous climbing experience is required. Rock Up's centres use automatic belay systems, and sessions begin with safety instructions from the team.

So if rain appears halfway through your London adventure, an indoor climbing session can provide a completely different kind of family experience.

Practical tips for a stress-free day out with young children

When planning London with kids, remember that the best itinerary isn't necessarily the busiest one.

Build in time for:

Travel breaks. London can involve a lot of walking, so allow extra time between attractions. Children may need more breaks than you expect.

Food stops. Don't wait until everyone is hungry. A planned snack stop can make the difference between a fun afternoon and a difficult one.

Toilet breaks. With younger children, check where toilets are before moving on to your next attraction.

Downtime. A park, café or quiet corner can give everyone a chance to recharge.

A rainy-day alternative. If you're spending a full day outside, check your indoor options before you leave home.

And most importantly, don't be afraid to change your plans. If the children are tired, one great attraction is better than three rushed ones.

There are almost endless things to do with kids in London, which is what makes the city such an exciting destination for a family day out.

You can start with an iconic attraction such as the London Eye or Tower of London, discover dinosaurs and science in one of the city's museums, then finish with a walk through a park or along the Thames.

And if the weather changes, there's no reason for the adventure to stop. An indoor activity such as climbing can give children the chance to be active, try something new and burn off some energy away from the rain.

The secret to a successful day in London with kids isn't trying to do everything. Choose activities that suit your family, leave room for breaks and keep one indoor option in reserve.

Whether you're visiting for a weekend or planning a local family adventure, London has plenty to explore — whatever the weather.