Best 17 things to do in London with kids: our top picks

Experiencing London in person is a bucket-list dream for many, and bringing the whole family makes it even more special. With interactive museums, sprawling parks, and iconic landmarks, there’s no shortage of things to do in London with kids. Here are our favorite family-friendly places and activities to make the most of your trip.

1. Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway

The Treetop Walkway at Kew lets you walk through the tree canopy about 60 feet (18 meters) above the ground right in England's capital.

It’s a raised path made of steel and wood that winds through the tops of chestnut, oak, and lime trees. It’s not scary—just high enough to feel like a bit of an adventure for younger kids.

It’s also fully accessible, so it works for strollers and wheelchairs too. You’ll get some views over the gardens and even out to the city skyline. It’s part of the wider Kew experience, which includes a dedicated Children's Garden with tunnels, trampolines, and lots of space to play. It’s an easy way to spend a few hours outside, and one of the best of London's walks.

2. Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of those places that’s way more interesting than it sounds on paper. It’s an old fortress on the river, built in the 11th century, and it’s had a weird mix of uses over the years—from royal palace to prison to jewel storage. 

Kids usually get into it because of the stories—beheadings, ghost sightings, missing princes—and the Beefeaters who guide the tours know how to tell them in a way that sticks. It's a great addition to any England itinerary.

There are also displays of weapons and armor, and you’ll see the Crown Jewels if you’re willing to queue. 

3. Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is by far one of the best things to do in London with kids. This is one of those places where you could spend a whole day and still not see everything. The museum has millions of objects covering Earth’s history—from fossils and meteorites to insects and giant mammals. Most kids head straight for the dinosaurs, especially the roaring animatronic T-Rex. 

There’s also a section on volcanoes and earthquakes, where you can feel what a quake is like in a simulation. The Investigate Centre lets kids get hands-on with real specimens under microscopes, and the Mammals Gallery has life-size animal models, including a huge blue whale. It’s free to enter, and the layout is generally kid-friendly. 

4. KidZania

KidZania is a kid-sized indoor city where children aged 4 to 16 can try out all kinds of jobs—like being a firefighter, doctor, pilot, chef, or even a radio host. It’s inside Westfield shopping center in West London, which makes it easy to combine with errands or lunch nearby. 

The setup is detailed: kids wear uniforms, work in realistic settings, and use proper tools for each role. They also earn KidZos (their own currency), which they can save or spend, so they get a bit of a taste of how money works too. 

Parents don’t take part, but there are designated areas to sit and watch. It’s good if your kid enjoys roleplay or likes the idea of working independently for a bit while you take a breather. See our England travel tips to help prepare you for your next trip.
 

5. Diana Memorial Playground

Just next to Kensington Palace, the Diana Memorial Playground is built around a big wooden pirate ship set in a huge sandpit. It’s best for kids under 12 and has a Peter Pan theme running through the design, with sensory trails and plenty of natural materials like sand, wood, and water features. 

It’s fully enclosed and has different zones for younger and older kids, so it feels manageable even if you’re in London with more than one child. There’s usually a bit of a wait to get in when it’s busy, but once inside, kids can explore freely. It’s ideal if you’re already in the area and need a low-key break where kids can burn off some energy.

6. London Zoo

Inside Regent’s Park (one of the best areas to stay in London), London Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world and is one of the best things to do in London with kids. It’s home to a wide range of animals like lions, gorillas, penguins, butterflies, and reptiles—and has some themed areas like Land of the Lions and the Gorilla Kingdom that make it feel more immersive. 

Kids usually love the penguin feeding sessions and the butterfly house, where the butterflies fly around you. There are regular keeper talks throughout the day, and sometimes you’ll come across sessions where kids can touch or learn about smaller animals up close. It’s easy to spend half a day here.
 

7. Coram's Fields

This is one of those places in London that’s really built around kids. Coram’s Fields is a big green space in Bloomsbury with a mix of playgrounds, farm animals, and open areas to run around. 

The rule here is simple: no adults allowed unless you’re with a child. That keeps the space feeling safe and kid-focused. There’s a small city farm where younger kids can see goats, pigs, and chickens up close. 

The animals are used to being around children, so it’s relaxed and interactive without feeling too structured. In warmer months, there’s a paddling pool, and there’s a café if you want to grab something while the kids play (see our guide to the best time to visit England). 

8. Science Museum's Wonderlab

Wonderlab is a dedicated area inside the Science Museum (one of the best museums in London) that makes science really hands-on. It’s especially good for kids around 8 to early teens who like to get involved with things rather than just look at them. 

They can try stuff like sliding down ramps to learn about friction or using bikes to power lights. The whole space is set up for experimenting, with a bunch of stations where kids can test out ideas around sound, light, forces, and energy. 

There are also live shows during the day, where science presenters do demonstrations with things like fire and liquid nitrogen—it’s loud, fast, and grabs attention. This is one of the best places to visit in England.
 

9. HMS Belfast

HMS Belfast is moored on the Thames just by Tower Bridge. It’s a retired Royal Navy cruiser that you can walk through, deck by deck. 
There’s a lot to explore—engine rooms, gun turrets, mess halls—and because it hasn’t been overly polished, it feels like you’re stepping into real history. 

Older kids, maybe 8 and up, usually get into the idea of climbing narrow staircases and checking out the control rooms. 
They’ve also got some interactive parts, like simulated steering and gun controls, which break things up nicely. Audio guides share stories from people who actually served on the ship.

10. London Eye

The London Eye is that huge wheel you’ve probably seen in every photo of London. It’s 443 feet (135 meters) tall and has been running since 2000. 

One full turn takes about half an hour, and the capsules are fully enclosed. You can see a lot from the top: Big Ben, the Thames, the Shard, and loads more. 

Kids tend to love spotting things they recognize from earlier in the trip or tracing the river through the city. This is one of the most iconic things to do in London with kids.
 

11. West End shows

Catching a show in the West End is a fun way to spend an afternoon or evening with kids. There’s always something playing that’s geared toward families—The Lion King, Frozen, Matilda, Harry Potter—stuff they’ll actually be excited to see. 

The theaters are old and full of character, but the productions themselves are really engaging, with big sets, music, and clever visuals. Some shows even build in surprises that keep kids interested the whole time. 

A lot of them welcome kids from around age 5 and up, but it’s worth checking age guidance before you book. There are also family tickets and sometimes pre-show workshops or tours. 

12. Shrek’s Adventure London

This one’s right near the London Eye and works well for younger kids, especially if they’re into the Shrek movies. 
It’s an indoor walk-through experience where you join Donkey on a “bus ride” to Far Far Away, then go through different scenes with actors playing characters from the films. 

There’s a bit of 4D stuff (wind, lights, movement), and you’re guided through the whole thing like you’re part of the story. It’s not a museum or a ride exactly—more like a mix of theater, games, and storytelling. It’s a great thing to do in London with kids; they usually get a kick out of seeing the characters up close and playing along. It takes a little over an hour, so it fits easily into a day of sightseeing.

13. SEA LIFE London Aquarium

SEA LIFE London is right by the London Eye and takes you through a wide range of marine habitats—from coral reefs to deep-sea tanks. There are around 600 species spread across 14 sections, all inside the old County Hall building. 

The main draw for kids tends to be the shark tunnel, where you walk through a glass path with rays and sharks swimming overhead. There's also a small touch pool where kids can gently feel starfish and sea anemones, plus a chilled-out penguin enclosure with an Arctic theme. 

Throughout the day, there are short talks and feeding sessions that give a look into how the animals are cared for and why marine conservation matters. 

14. Mudchute Park and Farm

Mudchute Farm is set on 32 acres on the Isle of Dogs, with views of Canary Wharf peeking through in the background. It’s a proper working farm, with horses, goats, pigs, llamas, chickens, and sheep. It’s relaxed and low-key—kids can help feed the animals, and there are pony rides for younger ones. This is a great thing to do in London with kids.

There’s also a play area and some picnic tables if you want to spend more time there. On weekends, they sometimes do things like sheep-shearing demos or egg collecting. It’s a nice way to introduce kids to how food is grown and what it takes to care for animals without needing to leave London.

15. Cutty Sark

The Cutty Sark is an old sailing ship docked permanently in Greenwich. It was built in 1869 to bring tea from China and was one of the fastest of its kind. 

Now it’s set up so you can walk around the decks, see where sailors lived and worked, and even go underneath the raised hull. Kids usually get into the hands-on displays—steering wheels, ropes, and exhibits about what life was like on board. There’s a focus on trade routes and what shipping looked like before engines took over. 

It’s easy to combine with the National Maritime Museum or Greenwich Park if you want to keep the day going. You can follow it up with a London afternoon tea.

16. London Transport Museum

Right in Covent Garden, the London Transport Museum is a good one if your kids are interested in vehicles or just curious about how the city works. It’s inside an old flower market building, and the layout’s easy to navigate. 

You’ll find all kinds of old buses, trams, and trains that kids can climb into. There are also driving simulators where they can try steering a Tube train or a bus, which usually goes down well. For little ones, there’s a soft play area with a transport theme that’s perfect if they’re not quite ready for the bigger stuff.

The museum does a nice job explaining how the system keeps the city moving, with interactive exhibits about design and engineering that even older kids (and adults) can get into. There are regular workshops and learning activities too. If your child likes maps, buttons, or how things work, they’ll probably be into it. 

17. Unicorn Theatre

The Unicorn Theatre, just around the corner from London Bridge, is made entirely with kids and teens in mind. Everything here is built for younger audiences, from the way the stages are set up to the types of shows they put on. Performances are grouped by age—from babies all the way up to teens—so it’s easier to find something that fits.

They do a mix of familiar stories and original plays, usually with themes around growing up, friendship, or just figuring stuff out. It’s proper theater, but aimed at kids in a way that respects them as the audience. 

You’ll also find workshops, storytelling sessions, and activities around the shows, which are a nice way for kids to get more involved. This is by far one of the best things to do in London with kids.