Best things to do in London with kids – sights, activities, free stuff and more

Heading to London on a family trip? Here are the best things to do in London with kids.

We were lucky enough to live in the British capital for over three years and tested these London family attractions with our own children and visiting friends and family.

London is a city with almost endless possibilities so it makes sense to do some planning before you go.

In this article, we have included our favorite free activities in London for kids as well as costs for tours and attractions. There is also information about getting around and where to stay and the best times to visit these attractions.

Many of the attractions we mention are covered by The London Pass so depending on your itinerary you may want to consider this option as a cost-effective way of seeing London.

Before you go

One of the great cities of the world, London is one of those places that can really capture a child’s imagination. Before you depart, build some excitement by reading books and watching movies set in London.

Some of our favorites:

• Peter Pan – the boy who never grew up and his adventures with the Darling family who lived near London’s Kensington Gardens
• Paddington – everyone’s favorite marmalade-loving bear and his escapades in and around London
• Mary Poppins – the extraordinary nanny who arrives by umbrella over the rooftops of London to look after Jane and Michael Banks
• Harry Potter – many scenes from the films of the boy wizard were shot in London
• Sherlock Holmes – the classic detective made cooler recently by Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey Jnr

When you get there, kids love spotting all the places they read about or saw on film. 

Must see London landmarks

London’s iconic buildings, squares and spaces are a great place to start your family London adventure. There’s nothing more memorable than seeing the Houses of Parliament or the Tower of London with the famous red double decker buses and London taxis driving past.

Here is our guide to London’s must-see places.

Houses of Parliament

Also known as the Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament are the seat of government in Britain and one of the most familiar buildings in the world.

Sitting on the banks of the river Thames, the imposing building and its famous tower known as ‘Big Ben’ are a must visit site in London – even if you only view it from the outside and take some photos.

The Houses of Parliament run family-friendly tours that last for 90 minutes. The guides are engaging and fun and the tours are free for kids under 5. Charges for children start at £16 and £26 for adults >> click here for more information.

Afterwards, you might like to take afternoon tea by the river beside the House of Lords. Available on most Saturdays and when Parliament is not in session, you need to book early as it is very popular. This is a very special London activity and one of our favorites – you can read about our experience here.

Buckingham Palace

The King of England’s main London residence, Buckingham Palace is right in the heart of London and another must-visit spot on your tour of the city.

You can take a tour of the state rooms of the palace and see some of the King’s carriages, the main dining areas for events of state and of course the throne room.

Truth be told I was a little concerned about letting our four-year-old twins loose on a palace full of priceless treasures but I should not have worried. The palace is well set up for children.

There are family-friendly audio guides – tour the palace through the eyes of one of the Queen’s corgi dogs. And at the end of the tour, there is a playroom with royal-themed games, crafts and dress-ups for kids. They have even come up with activities to do at home or while you are at the palace. You can find those here.

State room tours are available for 10 weeks each summer from July to September and selected dates for Exclusive Guided Tours during winter and spring. Tickets are sold on a timed schedule and sell out quickly. Cost: £30 for adults 25 and over, £19.50 for ages 18-24  £16.50 for ages 5-17, 4 and under are free but still need a ticket >> click here for more information.

As a bonus, if you time your visit right, you may be lucky enough to see the Changing of the Guard – see below for more information.

Tower of London

The fortress known as the Tower of London has stood guard over the city for almost 1000 years. Over the centuries it has been used as a royal palace, armory, prison, treasury, vault for the Crown Jewels and even a zoo!

One of the most exciting places to visit in London you should plan to spend at least half a day here exploring the site. Highlights include:

• viewing the Crown Jewels – over 20,000 gemstones, crowns, brooches and more
• walking the ramparts for stunning views of London
• armoury room
• looking for ancient graffiti in the stone walls
• meeting the famous Tower ravens, self-appointed guardians of the Tower

Included in your ticket is a guided tour by the Yeoman Guards, otherwise known as ‘Beefeaters’. These friendly and engaging guides will tell you all about the history and stories of the Tower of London. They are used to having kids along and will keep them entertained.

The Tower of London is one of the most popular family attractions in London. To make the most of your day, it is advisable to get there early and pre-book your tickets online. Adult – from £33.60, Child (5-15) – from £16.80, 4 and under are free. There are discounts available for families and students.

Opening times: Tuesday-Saturday- 09:00-16:30 [17:30 in summer]; Sunday-Monday- 10:00-16:30 [17:30 in summer]

Hyde Park and Kensington gardens

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are huge green open spaces in the heart of the city and among the best places to spend some time if you are traveling with kids in London.

Together these parks cover 625 acres in central London and a full to the brim with outdoor activities to help your children run off some steam before taking on more historical sites and museums. A brisk walk through these parks uncovers fountains and statues – look out for Peter Pan!

Highlights of Hyde Park

• Speakers’ Corner – all opinions allowed at this historic place of protest and demonstration. Before social media, people who wanted to demonstrate or protest came here to air their grievances. 

• Serpentine lake – this large man-made lake is the place to go boating – you can hire rowing and pedal boats to enjoy the peaceful park atmosphere. Boat hire is available from April until October.

• Diana Memorial fountain – this beautiful and peaceful space is dedicated to the late princess. It is a favorite spot to splash about in during the summer months.

Highlights of Kensington Gardens:

• Diana Memorial Playground – one of the best playgrounds in London, this is found in the north west corner of the gardens near to Queensway underground station. Open from 10:00 am daily (except Christmas Day) there is a huge pirate ship, water play and nature areas to explore. If you are hungry there is a cafe just outside. Under 12s only. 

• Kensington Palace – London home to the younger royals William and Kate, Harry and Meghan, the palace offers family trails and we even played with a royal dolls house! >> more information on tickets and prices.

• Peter Pan statue – this playful sculpture is a homage to the character in JM Barrie’s stories.

The parks are free to visit and are beautiful at any time of year.

Trafalgar Square

Huge fountains and lion statues are features of London’s biggest square, right in the heart of the city. From here you can look down the hill towards Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

In the middle of the square stands Nelson’s column, dedicated to Britain’s naval hero of the same name who defeated Napoleon’s forces at the Battle of Trafalgar.

This is a great place to chase pigeons (they are there in abundance despite bans on feeding them). You can also watch street performances or visit the National Gallery or National Portrait Gallery that face the square. 

Note – these are not our favorite galleries for kids unless they are very interested in art and particularly paintings. More on the best museums for kids in London below.

Leicester Square

Leicester Square is a small shady square in the heart of London’s theatre district, close to Covent Garden. In the middle of the square, there is a statue of William Shakespeare and it is a nice place to stop and relax before doing some shopping or going to a show.

Some of London’s best street performers put on their shows in Leicester Square. We love the bubble guys/girls who make huge bubbles for kids to chase. 

The other main attractions are the flagship Lego store with Lego builds of London landmarks and M&Ms world with its huge wall of chocolate.

You can visit Leicester Square for free but we can’t guarantee that about your visit to the Lego store! There is no admission charge but lots of temptation.

The Shard

Not all of London’s landmarks are historic and you should definitely take a look at some of the modern buildings in the city. Our favorite is The Shard on the south bank of the Thames.

This 87-floor glass skyscraper looks like a glass shard soaring over the city. It is home to restaurants, offices and a hotel but the viewing platforms at The View from the Shard are worth visiting.

There are two viewing platforms, one indoor and the open-air Skydeck on the 72nd floor. From here you can see 360-degree views of London including the Tower of London site from above.

During our last visit, we had the opportunity to try a virtual reality simulation of a slide going down the building. All the teenagers having a go were loving it.

The View from the Shard is a popular attraction and there are usually long queues. It’s faster (and cheaper) to book tickets in advance online – >> click here for more information.

Best ways to see London’s landmarks with kids

London is a labyrinth of small streets and winding roads. To truly get a feel for the city you need to see it above ground.

The Underground is a very efficient way of getting from point A to point B but you miss the sense of scale and grandeur that you feel when you are at street level, or even better, on one of the famous London buses. Plus what kid could resist sitting right at the front of the top deck of the bus!

Double-decker bus

Take local bus number 15 from Charing Cross/Trafalgar Square. The route take you to the Tower of London with views of landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the Monument (to the Great Fire of London).

You won’t get any commentary but you will get a fantastic view of the city. For timetable and route information  >> click here.

Hop on, hop off bus

We are big fans of the hop on and hop off bus when visiting cities with small children particularly. They get you to all the major landmarks and attractions door to door so you can save little legs and energy for enjoying the sights. If you can get seats on the upper levels you have views to match the added commentary.

London’s hop on and hop off buses follow several routes throughout the city and can be purchased for 24, 48, or even 72 hours. These days the market for the tours is competitive. This tour package offers three walking tours and a Thames river cruise in the price of the bus tour >> click here for details. 

The hop on, hop off bus is also included in The London Pass.

Thames river cruise or bus

The Thames itself is one of the important landmarks of London. Most of the major attractions are very close to the river so it makes sense to take a trip along it to get a riverside view of the city.

If you need a little downtime and a moment to rest weary little legs, this is a relaxing way to do some sightseeing. 

You can take a cruise boat or the regular London transport river bus from the London Eye The journey by river bus takes only 20 minutes and boats leave regularly every 20 minutes.

A one-way ticket on the river bus from the London Eye will take you to the Tower of London or even as far as Greenwich.

The cruise boat is a great way to get around even if the weather isn’t great, with the added bonus of commentary and a cafe service. The covered boats offer a 24-hour hop-on, hop off pass to get around the city with several stops along the Thames >>click here for cruise info.

London experiences

There are some experiences that you can only have in London and they will stay in your family’s memory forever. As a family, we prioritize these activities over others you may also find in other cities.

Changing of the Guard

The Changing of the Guard is a centuries’ old tradition full of pomp and ceremony. Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 10:45 am The Old Guard (the soldiers currently on duty) form up in front of Buckingham Palace and are relieved by the New Guard which arrives from Wellington Barracks.

During the ceremony, you will see the immaculately dressed guards marching in precision formation with a brass band playing traditional and popular songs. It’s a truly wonderful and uniquely London sight.

The best places to watch the ceremony are on the rails at Buckingham Palace – you need to get there by 10:00 am at the latest. An alternative is to watch the New Guard assemble at Wellington Barracks at 10:15 am [closest Underground Station – St James].

Alternatively, you can visit Horseguard’s Parade to watch the King’s Life Guard change at 11:00 Monday – Friday and at 10:00 on a Saturday and Sunday. This parade is more intimate and the guards are mounted on horseback. 

There are whole websites dedicated to logistics and getting the best spots to watch the parades – the best one is here.

London Eye

Launched in 2000, the London Eye is the world’s largest observation wheel. In a city that has so many ancient buildings and so much history, the modern wheel is now very much an icon of the London skyline.

A full rotation of the London Eye takes about half an hour and from it you can see the major landmarks of the city including one of the best views of the Houses of Parliament.

Opening times vary throughout the year but the attraction opens at 11:00 and closes between 18:00 – 20:30.

Wait times for tickets can be as long as 2 hours in peak periods. We recommend booking fast track tickets so you can climb aboard almost straight away.

If you forget, leave an adult in the queue while the other takes the kids to the playground in the Jubilee Gardens close by. 

Afternoon tea

It’s an English institution and believe me when I say your kids will not be needing dinner having indulged in afternoon tea.

First, you start with sandwiches and savory items. They are followed by scones (with jam and cream of course) and finally, you finish with cakes. All are served with tea – there are always herbal varieties or other beverages for children. 

You can take afternoon tea all over London but if you are visiting as a family we recommend these family-friendly teas themed to appeal to the youngest of tea takers:

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed tea at One Aldwych 
• Sweetshop-themed Afternoon Tea at The Chesterfield Mayfair 
• Mad Hatter’s tea party inspired by Alice in Wonderland at Sanderson

Afternoon tea is a treat. It is not a budget travel item I’m afraid. If you feel like that is all a bit much food and indulgence then you could visit the ice cream parlour at Fortnum and Mason on Piccadilly. This is our son’s favorite activity in London. They even do an afternoon tea themed sundae. Yum.

Covent Garden and Leicester Square

Spend half a day wandering around this old part of London and soak up the atmosphere. This is the area famous for cobbled streets, cute laneways and classic London scenes you won’t find anywhere else in the world. 

The area known as Seven Dials is particularly quaint. Seven streets linking Soho and Covent Garden converge at the Sundial Pillar. Duck into the nearby streets and discover colorful Neal’s Yard. 

Keep a look out for the row of iconic red phone boxes and the pretty statue of a ballerina near the Royal Opera House.

At Covent Garden and Leicester Square there are usually high-quality street performers entertaining the crowds. You can grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants in the area and do some shopping too.

Catch a show in the West End

London has one of the most vibrant theater scenes in the world and there are plenty of shows on for kids of all ages. You get a double dose of culture when you see a show in London. Many of the theaters date back centuries and are beautifully ornate.

Best shows for kids showing in London [2023/24]

• The Lion King – long-running classic show of Simba’s journey to become King of Pridelands 
• Matilda – highly regarded musical stage show of Roald Dahl’s tale of an extraordinary girl called Matilda
• Wicked – based on the much-loved children’s classic Wizard of Oz and successful all over the world

We book tickets for shows online with London Theatre Direct – an official agent for booking London theatre tickets.

Museums and galleries

London is probably the museum capital of the world. There are museums dedicated to almost any subject you could think of as well as some of the great collections ever assembled. 

These are our favorite museums for kids in London and most of them are free for kids and adults too.

London Transport Museum

We love the London Transport Museum dedicated to the evolution of London transport over the past 200 years. From horse-drawn omni-buses to the latest developments in urban planning, the museum guides you through the past, present and future of transport in London.

This is an interactive museum where you can climb aboard buses and underground trains from the past decades as you learn about how transport shaped London into the city we know today. 

There is even a transport-themed play area with dress-ups for kids 7 and under.

The London Transport Museum is in Covent Garden right next to the market. It is open daily from 10:00 am – 18:00 pm. Children under 18 enter for free. Adult tickets are £24 [2023] and provide annual access. Concessions available. 

British Museum

The British Museum is the most visited attraction in London. Its huge collection of antiquities is among the finest in the world. You could spend years exploring the various rooms and displays but there are some highlights you must not skip:

• Rosetta Stone
• Parthenon Marbles
• Egyptian mummies
• Sutton Hoo mask 

Inside the museum, the Great Hall is a large covered courtyard with a cafe that is a useful refuge when it is raining. 

The museum is open daily from 10.00–17.30 and until 20.30 on Fridays. Note – the museum is closed on closed 24, 25 and 26 December, 1 January and Good Friday.

There is no charge to enter the British Museum and view the main collection however you may need to pay to view special exhibitions and a small donation is encouraged. You may need to line up to pass security checks.

You can read our full guide to visiting the museum along with details on all the highlights here. 

Science Museum

With interactive exhibits and play zones for all ages, the Science Museum is our pick of the best museums to visit in London with kids.

The Science Museum covers space travel and medicine, to feats of engineering and computing, in some of the most creative and engaging ways you can imagine. You can see two real space rockets and a moon rock and watch 3D movies about space exploration. 

Apart from the main exhibits, small children (ages 3-6) enjoy playing in “The Garden” – an interactive experience that helps them learn about construction, water, light and sound. You will need to drag them out of this, it’s a lot of fun.

The Wonderlab has over 50 scientific exhibits to explore including watching real lightning strike and ordering experiments at the chemistry lab. This is such a creative way to get kids excited about science and a museum visit they will be talking about for years to come.

Entry to the museum is free however there is a charge to visit the Wonderlab – Adults £12, Children 4-16 £10 – there are discounts for families and students. Children under 3 go free. It is best to pre-book your tickets for timed entry online on the Science Museum website.

The Science Museum is open daily 10.00 – 19.00. The best time to visit the Wonderlab is after 13.30 when most school groups have left for the day. Closest Underground station is South Kensington

Natural History Museum

Best known for its famous dinosaur exhibit (including a life-size TRex replica that roars!) London’s Natural History Museum is a favorite with children. 

The museum has many other attractions that will keep the whole family busy for hours including an earthquake simulator, gemstone and diamond room and hands-on science center where you can touch exhibits. 

Be warned that the TRex is actually a bit scary – well I thought so!

The museum is open every day from 10.00-17.50 except 24-26 December when it is closed for Christmas. Admission is free.

Tate Modern

In a city bursting with galleries, our favorite place for a child-friendly art fix is the Tate Modern. This huge space on the southern bank of the Thames was a former power station. These days it is converted into a series of rooms and displays featuring the very best modern art from around the world.

From Picasso to Warhol, sculpture, photography and more, there is something for everyone – even bored teenagers – at the Tate Modern.

Highlights include:

• Drawing bar on level one –  make your own creation
• the Turbine Hall where you can picnic, run up and down or race your matchbox cars
• viewing platform on level 10 
• interactive family trails and activities