20 Best Things to Do in London with Kids
A London family day with zero 'are we there yet?'
School term runs until Friday 23 October, with half-term from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026—prime time for family outings. This list ranks 20 London attractions by value first (free entries and under-£20 slots before paid experiences), then by age band and indoor/outdoor mix. The oldest national museums cost nothing for permanent collections; most paid attractions offer free entry for under-3s and run £20–£40 per child. Book a week ahead for paid summer attractions, especially SEA LIFE and the Tower. Many venues hit capacity at weekends and school holidays, so arrive opening time or book timed slots online.
Covered are activities for toddlers (Diana Memorial Playground's under-3s section), primary-school ages (SEA LIFE's sharks and interactive pools, Tower of London's ravens), and teens (London Dungeon's theatre scares, West End matinees). Indoor options dominate rainy half-term days—all the South Kensington museums, the Postal Museum's underground mail train, SEA LIFE's tunnel walk. Outdoor choices (zoo, playgrounds, Thames boat rides) suit sunshine.
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road, South Kensington · Natural history, dinosaurs, blue whale · Free entry; donations welcome; open 10am–5:30pm daily (8:30pm Fridays)
Entry to the Natural History Museum is free. There are admission charges for some of the special exhibitions and events. Natural History Museum — dinosaur skeletons, blue whale model, gemstones, and wildlife dioramas. Spectacular Victorian architecture. All ages flood here; under-5s gravitate to the whale and interactive sections, primary-school kids spend hours on fossils. Allow 3–4 hours minimum; easily fills a rainy October half-term morning.
British Museum
Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury · World history, Egyptian mummies, Rosetta Stone · Free entry; donations welcome; book timed slot online April–August
The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, V&A, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and National Portrait Gallery all charge nothing for their permanent collections in 2026. The British Museum, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, V&A, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Imperial War Museum, Wallace Collection, and Sir John Soane's Museum all have free permanent collections. Vast but navigable—grab a kids' trail at the front desk. Allow 3+ hours. Suit ages 6+; younger children manage the mummies and massive objects for 90 minutes before fatigue sets in.
London Zoo
Regent's Park, NW1 · Outdoor zoo, 750+ animal species · £27–£33 adults, £22–£23 children 3–15, free under 3; open 10am–5:30pm daily (6pm summer)
ZSL London Zoo tickets cost £31–£33 for adults and £22–£23 for children (3–15) depending on peak/off-peak dates. Kids under 3 enter free. The zoo opens daily at 10 am and closes between 4 pm (winter) and 6 pm (summer). A typical visit lasts around 3 to 4 hours, though this can vary depending on how many exhibits are explored. Book online for a £4 saving per ticket; under-3s' village and penguin beach suit ages 2–8. Older kids head straight for the gorillas and Land of the Lions.
Diana Memorial Playground
Kensington Gardens Broad Walk, W2 · Outdoor play, Peter Pan theme · Free; open 10am–7:45pm May–August, 10am–4:45pm winter
The playground was specially designed to be more inclusive, offering something for everyone and seeks to support children with their physical, creative, social and educational development. Inspired by the stories of Peter Pan, the playground is a magical environment that encourages children to follow their imaginations, learn together and explore whilst they play. The littlest guests will have a ball playing house in the under-threes village, which comprises a series of tiny wooden huts, a see-saw and spring bouncers, while bigger kids can run amok in the huge adventure playground, consisting of rope bridges, ladders and treetop slides. In the centre of the space is a huge pirate ship to hijack, surrounded by a soft and sandy beach and several water fountains. Opens gates 15 minutes before closing; expect queues at midday half-term.
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
County Hall, South Bank, SE1 · Indoor aquarium, 600+ marine species · £24–£28 adults, £21–£25 children 3–15, free under 2; open 10am–5pm/6pm daily
Peak adult tickets cost £28; children (3–15) £25; under 2s free. Off-peak adult tickets cost £24; children £21. A typical visit to SEA LIFE London Aquarium takes approximately two hours for the standard self-guided tour. This allows enough time to enjoy the main attractions, interactive areas and feeding presentations. Walk-through tunnel with sharks overhead grabs ages 3–12; younger toddlers find it loud. Book online to save £4; go Monday–Thursday 10:30am for lightest crowds.
Science Museum
Exhibition Road, South Kensington · Interactive science, space, medicine · Free entry; Wonderlab special area £12; open 10am–5:50pm daily (8:30pm Fridays)
The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, V&A, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and National Portrait Gallery all charge nothing for their permanent collections in 2026. The British Museum, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, V&A, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Imperial War Museum, Wallace Collection, and Sir John Soane's Museum all have free permanent collections. The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, V&A, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and National Portrait Gallery all charge nothing for their permanent collections in 2026 — you only pay for special exhibitions. Five floors of hands-on exhibits; under-6s love the play zones, older kids the rockets and computing displays. Half-term mornings heave with school groups; go after 2pm or book a timed entry.
Tower of London
Tower Hill, EC3 · Historic castle, Crown Jewels, Beefeater tours · £37 adults, £18.50 children 5–15, free under 5; open 9am–5:30pm Tue–Sat, 10am–5:30pm Sun–Mon
Adult tickets cost £34; children (5–15) £17; seniors/students/disabled visitors £27. Open Tuesday–Saturday from 9:00 am; Sunday and Monday from 10:00 am. Closing time: 5:30 pm (March–October) or 4:30 pm (November–February). At least three hours is recommended for your visit but you can enjoy the Tower for the whole day until closing. Crown Jewels queue worst 12noon–3pm; go first thing (9am Tue–Sat) or after 4pm. Ages 6–14 adore the Yeoman Warder tours and execution sites.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge, EC3 · Glass walkway, Victorian Engine Rooms · £15.80–£18 adults, £7.90–£9 children 5–15, free under 5; open 9:30am–6pm daily
Standard 2026 pricing is £18.00 for an adult and £9.00 for a child (ages 5–15). From 25 June through 1 September 2026, a summer savings rate applies to tickets bought on or after 25 June: £15.80 for an adult, £7.90 for a child, and family tickets from £28.40. Walk the glass floor 42m above the Thames and explore the Victorian Engine Rooms. Walk the glass floor 42m above the Thames and explore the Victorian Engine Rooms. Quick stop alongside the Tower; under-5s may fear the height. Best visited early or late to beat coach tours.
London Eye
County Hall, South Bank, SE1 · 32-capsule Ferris wheel, 135m high · £26–£29 children 2–15, £29–£39 adults online, free under 2; open 10am–8:30pm seasonal
Child tickets apply to ages 2–15 and currently start from about US$35 (£26) online; walk-up child pricing is about US$47 (£35). Children under 2 visit free, but they still need to be booked. The rotation itself takes 30 minutes. Factor in queuing and boarding, and you should allow around an hour in total. Kids love spotting landmarks from above, the capsules are safe and stable, and the 30-minute ride is just long enough to keep them entertained without getting restless. There's no minimum age, and children under 3 go free. Book at least a week ahead for timed slots; peak season queues 45+ minutes.
Madame Tussauds
Marylebone Road, W1 · Wax museum, 150+ celebrity figures · £27–£31 online, £39–£42 walk-up; under 2s free; open 10am–5:30pm (extended school hols)
Madame Tussauds London tickets start from £29 when booked online in advance. On-the-day prices are typically higher (around £39 - £42), so booking early saves you money. Families typically spend 1.5 - 2.5 hours at Madame Tussauds. Interactive zones (Marvel, Royal Balcony, Fashion Catwalk) suit ages 4–14; under-3s lose interest fast. The Chamber of Horrors explores some of London's most notorious crimes and criminals over the past 150 years, including Jack the Ripper (recommended for ages 16 and up due to its graphic content). Skip this section with younger kids.
Young V&A
Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, E2 · Museum of toys and children's design · Free; open 10am–5pm daily (8:30pm Thursdays)
Dedicated to children, this free museum is situated within a historic hangar and is chock full of toys. While little ones are drawn to the museum's many hands-on opportunities, there are plenty of historic exhibits available to keep older kids — and especially parents — interested. Hands-on play suits ages 2–8; over-10s may find it thin on content. Budget 2–3 hours. Less crowded than South Kensington museums; perfect half-term escape.
Discover Children's Story Centre
Bridge Terrace, Stratford, E15 · Indoor play space for ages 0–11, story trails · £10 adult/child, 4-person ticket £34; 5 min from Stratford station
With its unique combination of interactive play spaces, engaging events and exhibitions, and a focus on promoting literacy, the Discover Children's Story Centre is an exceptional destination for families looking to inspire their children's creativity and foster a love of reading. Adult or Child: £10 1 year olds: £5 Under 1s FREE Concessions and Newham Residents: £9 4 Person Ticket: £34 4 Person Ticket, Concessions and Newham Residents: £30 Two-floor indoor play rooms with immersive sets; outdoor story garden with climbing. The indoor areas are best suited to under 7's. Indoor refuge on rainy half-term days. Allow 2–3 hours.
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Tour
Bankside, SE1 · Theatre tour, 30-minute walkabout · £15 adults, £9 children; tours hourly 9:30am–5pm (closed Sundays in winter)
Bring the whole family along to special events, shows and tours. A brand-new interactive retelling of Shakespeare's Macbeth brought to life with recycled cardboard magic. Perfect for families and young audiences aged 7+. Half-hour tour suits ages 6+; younger children restless during talk sections. Book online; matinees during school holidays fill fast. Combine with South Bank riverside walk and ice cream.
Postal Museum
Phoenix Place, WC1 · Underground mail train ride, sorting machines · £18 adults, £10 children; open 10am–5pm Tue–Sun (closed Mondays)
Rainy days are perfect for visiting the Postal Museum (with its underground mail train) Perfect hidden gem for half-term rainy days. Underground mail train ride through tunnels fascinates ages 4–12; interactive post-sorting for younger children. Allow 1.5–2 hours. Book online to skip queues. No crowds compared to major attractions.
Paddington Bear Experience
County Hall, SE1 · Interactive sets, live performances · £24 children, £34 adults; 70 minutes; open daily 10am
Paddington Bear Experience – Step into Paddington's world with an adventure through London and Peru! We explored interactive sets with live performances, and themed activities inspired by everyone's favourite bear. Location: County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB, nearest tube Waterloo Opening: Open daily from 10am, Duration: 70 mins Age: All ages, under 2s are free Cost: Adult £34, children £24 Immersive for ages 2–7; older kids may find it slight. Adjacent to London Eye and SEA LIFE for a three-attraction half-day.
Hackney City Farm
Haggerston Park, N1 · Farm animals, outdoor play · Free entry; animal handling workshops £25; open 10am–4:30pm Tue–Sun
Hackney City Farm is equally surprising, nestled within the green spaces of Haggerston Park. Book an Animal Handling workshop for kids aged 11-17, where they can get up close to some of the farm residents. Free entry to see goats, sheep, pigs; outdoor play areas. Educational for ages 3–10. Book workshops weeks ahead. Quiet East London alternative to Zoo.
London Wetland Centre
Barnes, SW13 · Outdoor wetland park, wildlife viewing · £16.95 adults, £10.95 children 4–16, free under 4; open 9:30am–5pm daily
There are also two play areas at WWT London – an indoor play room, which is great on colder, drizzly days, as well as the Wild Walk and fabulous wildlife-themed outdoor play area, with tunnels, water play and the usual playground fun. Look out for special trails, including giant Lego statues, as well as helping kids to learn more about nature and conservation as you stroll around the wetlands themselves. Suit ages 3–12. Indoor play room for rainy October half-term. Allow 2–3 hours. Less crowded than central museums.
London Dungeon
County Hall, SE1 · Theatrical horror, live actors, jump scares · £25–£30; under 5s not recommended; 90 minutes; open 10am–5pm daily
The London Dungeon is the outlier: a theatrical, actor-led walk through London's gruesome history, with jump-scares, live shows, and a ride. It's a thrill for teens and brave tweens but genuinely frightening for younger children — it's recommended for older kids and not toddlers, so check before booking Ages 12–18 find it brilliant; under-8s will have nightmares. The experience lasts about 90 minutes, and combo tickets with the London Eye are also available. Book online to avoid queues.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour (Harry Potter)
Leavesden, Watford, WD25 · Film sets, props, interactive zones · £97+ adults/children with coach transport from London; 3–5 hours on-site
Children aged 4 and under enter free. The tour is entirely self-guided after a brief introduction and takes 3–5 hours. Suitable for Ages 4+ Typical Visit Times more than 5 hours · On site parking is available Essential for Harry Potter fans aged 6+; non-fans aged 8+ still find it fascinating for film-making craft. No — it is in Leavesden, near Watford, approximately 20 miles north-west of central London. Allow 45–60 minutes travel time from central London. Book 6–8 weeks ahead; school holidays sell out. Full-day commitment.
Horniman Museum & Gardens
Forest Hill, SE23 · Anthropology, natural history, aquarium, butterfly house · Free; aquarium chargeable; open 10am–5:15pm daily
The Horniman Museum in London is known for its eclectic mix of anthropology, natural history, musical instrument collections and a small aquarium. The surrounding gardens are stunning and there's a butterfly house, and plenty of space for families to explore. It's a quirky museum that combines education, culture, and outdoor fun. Free permanent galleries suit all ages; gardens and butterfly house add 2–3 hours. It's a good option if you're looking for something a bit quieter. South London location means fewer tourists than central museums.
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