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London rewards families who plan well. Behind the headline attractions sits a deep bench of hands-on museums, animal encounters, riverside green space and grand parks, much of it free and most of it reachable by Underground or bus. This guide is for visitors travelling with children of any age, from toddlers who need a playground every few hours to older kids who want dinosaurs, mummies and a proper view from a great height. The aim is a day that feels effortless rather than exhausting.
Hands-on museums that earn a full morning
London's great museums are mostly free to enter and built for curiosity, which makes them the safest bet for unpredictable British weather. The strongest for children combine real spectacle with things to touch, press and play, so attention holds for hours rather than minutes. Arrive early to beat school groups and the busiest galleries.
- Natural History Museum in South Kensington for dinosaurs, the blue whale skeleton in Hammond Hall and an earthquake simulator.
- Science Museum next door, where the Wonderlab gallery turns physics into a hands-on playground.
- The British Museum in Bloomsbury for the Egyptian mummies and the Rosetta Stone, with family trails to follow.
- Horniman Museum in Forest Hill for its taxidermy, aquarium and sloping gardens with city views.
The South Kensington pair sit on the Piccadilly, Circle and District lines and can fill a whole day between them, so pick one as your anchor and treat the second as a bonus.
Animal adventures across the city
Animal encounters are reliable winners with younger children, and London offers everything from a historic zoo to free city farms. ZSL London Zoo in Regent's Park is the headline choice, home to penguins, gorillas and a walk-through tropical rainforest. For a gentler, lower-cost outing, the capital's working city farms let children meet pigs, goats and chickens up close.
- ZSL London Zoo, set within Regent's Park, with daily keeper talks and feeding times.
- SEA LIFE London Aquarium on the South Bank, beneath County Hall beside the river.
- Mudchute Park and Farm on the Isle of Dogs, one of Europe's largest city farms.
- Hackney City Farm and Vauxhall City Farm, free to enter and easy to slot into an east or south London day.
City farms are usually free, though donations are welcomed, which makes them a useful counterweight to a budget already stretched by paid attractions.
Parks, playgrounds and room to run
London's Royal Parks and commons give children space to burn energy between indoor stops, and several contain destination playgrounds worth a special trip. The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens, built around a wooden pirate ship, is the best known and is themed loosely around Peter Pan.
- Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park for the pirate-ship playground, the Serpentine and wide open lawns.
- Regent's Park for boating, playgrounds and the open-air theatre, with the zoo on its northern edge.
- Greenwich Park for sweeping river views, the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian line to stand astride.
- Battersea Park for a small children's zoo, a boating lake and riverside paths.
Pack layers and a spare set of clothes in warmer months, when paddling pools and water-play areas open across the parks.
Big-ticket views and river rides
Older children tend to remember the day they went up high or out on the water. The London Eye on the South Bank delivers a slow, sealed-capsule loop with views across the skyline, while a river boat turns transport itself into a highlight. Combining the two makes for a memorable, low-effort afternoon.
- Ride the London Eye for a panorama that helps children grasp how the city fits together.
- Take a river bus or cruise on the Thames between Westminster and Greenwich.
- Float over the river on the IFS Cloud Cable Car between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks.
- Climb the towers and cross the high-level walkways at Tower Bridge.
For more headline sights to weave around a family itinerary, see our guide to London's essential landmarks.
Rainy-day backups that always deliver
A wet London day is no disaster if you keep a couple of indoor anchors in reserve. Theatre, immersive experiences and covered markets all work when the rain sets in, and the city's transport network means you can pivot quickly without ruining the schedule. Book ahead for anything ticketed at weekends and during school holidays.
- A West End family musical or a children's show, many running matinees suited to younger audiences.
- The Postal Museum in Clerkenwell, where a small underground train ride threads the old mail tunnels.
- Pollock's Toy Museum and other small, quirky collections that suit a short, focused visit.
- Covered spots such as Borough Market for a snack-led wander out of the weather.
Many of these double as free things to do in London, which helps when a family day out adds up faster than expected.
Practical tips for visiting with children
A little logistical groundwork makes London far smoother with children. Under-11s travel free on the Tube, DLR and buses when accompanying an adult, lifts and step-free stations are mapped on the official network journey planner, and most major attractions provide buggy storage. Plan around nap times and keep your day geographically tight.
- Cluster attractions by area to cut down on travel, for example South Kensington's museums or the South Bank's riverside cluster.
- Check step-free access in advance if you are travelling with a buggy, as many older stations have stairs only.
- Carry water and snacks, since queues and gallery cafes can be busy at peak times.
- Reserve timed-entry tickets online for paid attractions to skip the longest queues.
Things to Do in London with Kids FAQ
What are the best free things to do in London with kids?
The big national museums are the strongest free options, including the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the British Museum. City farms such as Mudchute and Hackney are also free, as are the Royal Parks and their destination playgrounds, so families can fill several days without paying for entry.
What can you do in London with toddlers?
Toddlers do best with short, varied days built around outdoor space. City farms, the Royal Parks playgrounds and the calmer museum galleries work well, broken up with snack stops. Keep travel short, plan around nap times and choose one main attraction rather than trying to pack in several.
Is the London Underground suitable for buggies?
Parts of it are, but many older stations have stairs and no lifts. Check step-free routes on the official network journey planner before you travel, and consider buses, which are fully accessible and let children see the city. Newer lines and the Elizabeth line offer the most reliable step-free access.
What is the best area to stay in London with children?
South Kensington suits families well, putting the major museums and Kensington Gardens within walking distance. The South Bank is another strong base, close to the London Eye, the river and step-free transport. Both keep travel short, which matters most when you are moving around with young children.
Do children travel free on London transport?
Children under 11 travel free on the Tube, DLR, Overground and buses when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Those aged 11 to 15 can travel at reduced rates with the right registered card. Always check current Transport for London rules before you travel, as conditions can change.
Where to go next
Carry on planning your family days out with these guides:
- Browse the full things to do in London hub for more ideas by interest.
- Stretch the budget with our pick of cheap things to do in London.
- Find something different in our guide to unique things to do in London.
