Best Family Activities in London

London's Natural History Museum and Science Museum provide engaging, educational experiences with free entry to their main galleries and affordable ticketed exhibitions for children and adults.

The Natural History Museum, located on Cromwell Road, features towering dinosaur skeletons, a blue whale model suspended from the ceiling, and interactive zones where kids can touch fossils and minerals. The atmosphere hums with quiet excitement as families wander through halls filled with specimens and displays. It opens daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm and is free to enter, although special exhibits sometimes charge around £15 per person.

Just a ten-minute walk away on Exhibition Road, the Science Museum features hands-on exhibits that encourage kids to tinker and test their curiosity. The Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery is particularly popular, with live science demonstrations and interactive installations. Tickets to Wonderlab cost £12 for adults and £9 for children aged 5 to 16. The museum itself is open from 10 am to 6 pm, and entry to permanent exhibitions is free.

Both museums are accessible via South Kensington station (District, Circle, Piccadilly lines), with clear pedestrian routes along Exhibition Road. Nearby cafés provide hot drinks and sandwiches, and the scent of fresh coffee mingles with the faint hum of children’s laughter and educational chatter. For more options on museums that engage children in London, see our guide to the best museums in the city.

London Zoo in Regent’s Park and Battersea Park Children’s Zoo are excellent choices, with ticket prices starting at £29.50 for adults and £17 for children, combining animal encounters with educational activities.

Regent’s Park Zoo, at Outer Circle, NW1, covers 36 acres and houses over 750 species including lions, giraffes, penguins, and reptiles. The zoo opens daily from 10 am to 5 pm, with last admission at 4 pm. Online tickets cost £29.50 for adults and £17 for children aged 3-15, with family tickets available. Sounds of exotic birds and occasional roaring punctuate the fresh air scented with grass and earth. Paths are stroller-friendly, and several picnic areas allow families to rest and eat.

A quieter alternative is Battersea Park Children’s Zoo, located inside Battersea Park on Albert Bridge Road, SW11. This smaller site focuses on farm animals and smaller species, ideal for younger children. Admission is £11.50 for adults and £9 for children, open from 10 am to 4 pm. The zoo is a 10-minute walk from Battersea Park station (Gerrard Road exit), making it easy to reach. The setting is calm, with the smell of hay and fresh grass mixing with children's excited chatter.

For more family-friendly outdoor activities, check out our detailed listings on outdoor activities in London.

Hyde Park, Hampstead Heath, and the Diana Memorial Playground provide spacious, green areas with playgrounds, paddle boats, and picnic spots, making them ideal for active family days outdoors.

Hyde Park, stretching between Hyde Park Corner and Marble Arch, opens daily from 5 am to midnight. The Serpentine Lake features paddle boat rentals from £14 per half-hour at the Boathouse on the eastern shore. The gentle splash of oars and calls of waterfowl fill the air as families glide across the water. Paths lined with mature trees and flowerbeds invite leisurely walks or bike rides. The park has several cafés serving light meals, and the smell of freshly cut grass adds to the fresh atmosphere.

Hampstead Heath, a 790-acre expanse in North London, features open fields, ponds, and woodland trails. The Heath has multiple playgrounds, great for kite flying and running free. It’s open 24 hours, but facilities like toilets and cafés operate mostly during daylight. The Heath is accessible from Hampstead station (Northern Line), about a 10-minute walk from the main playgrounds. The scent of wildflowers and the sound of birdsong create a relaxing environment.

The Diana Memorial Playground, located in Kensington Gardens near Kensington Palace, is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm (5 pm in winter). It features a large wooden pirate ship, teepees, and sensory trails. Entry is free but arriving early is recommended as it becomes busy, especially during weekends and school holidays. The playground is fenced and safe for children, with nearby benches where parents can watch.

For more on parks and outdoor options, visit our best family activities in London guide.

The West End hosts several family-oriented shows with ticket prices ranging from £20 to £60, with discounted matinee performances often available for children and families.

Popular productions like "The Lion King" at the Lyceum Theatre on Wellington Street and "Matilda" at the Cambridge Theatre on Earlham Street attract children and adults alike. Performances usually run Tuesday to Sunday evenings, with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tickets generally cost between £25 and £60, depending on seating and time, but booking in advance can save money.

For a less traditional option, the Puppet Theatre Barge moored in Little Venice at 54 Blomfield Road stages marionette shows that appeal to children under 12. Tickets are £16 for adults and £11 for children, with performances mostly on weekends at 2 pm. The gentle clatter of wooden puppets and soft music create an intimate setting.

See our full guide to West End shows for more family-friendly options.

KidZania at Westfield London provides a structured role-play environment where children aged 4 to 14 can try different professions, with tickets priced at £42 for children and £20 for adults.

This indoor city-like setup on Ariel Way, Shepherd’s Bush, consists of scaled-down buildings and businesses where children can act as firefighters, pilots, doctors, and more. Activities last about 4 hours, with a schedule designed to keep kids engaged and learning through play. The atmosphere is lively, filled with the sounds of children’s voices and simulated city noises, while the smell of cafeteria food drifts through the air.

KidZania opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, with last entry at 3:30 pm. Booking tickets online is essential, as capacity is limited. Adults supervise but cannot participate in role-play. There are cafés and seating areas for parents.

For more hands-on activities, see our guide to rainy day activities for families.

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew provide full-day outings combining outdoor fun and educational elements, with ticket prices starting from £32 and £20 respectively.

LEGOLAND Windsor, located about 40 miles west of central London, features over 55 rides and attractions themed around LEGO bricks. The park is open from 10 am to 5 pm during spring and summer months. Tickets bought online start at £32 for children aged 3-15 and £40 for adults. The park has numerous food outlets, with the smell of fried snacks and sweets in the air. It’s accessible by car or train plus shuttle bus from Windsor.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, at Richmond, open daily from 10 am to 7 pm (last entry 6 pm), offer wide lawns, the Treetop Walkway, and an interactive Children’s Garden. Admission is £20 for adults and £12.50 for children aged 5 to 15. The fresh scent of flowers and greenery fills the air, with birdsong adding to the peaceful atmosphere. Kew Gardens is reachable by the District Line to Kew Gardens station.

More ideas for family day trips can be found in our best day trips from London guide.

Harry Potter filming location tours by private black cab provide a guided 2 to 3-hour tour of London sites used in the films, with prices starting at £75 per person.

The tours depart from central London and visit locations like Leadenhall Market, the Millennium Bridge, and the Ministry of Magic entrance on Great Scotland Yard. The driver acts as a guide, sharing anecdotes and trivia about the films. These tours are suitable for children aged 7 and up, lasting about two and a half hours.

For more on Harry Potter-themed activities, see our detailed coverage of Harry Potter filming locations tours.

Borough Market and Columbia Road Flower Market provide lively, open-air spaces where families can stroll freely and sample fresh food, with no entry fee.

Borough Market, located at 8 Southwark Street near London Bridge station, operates from 10 am to 5 pm Wednesday through Saturday. The market smells of fresh bread, roasted coffee, and grilled meats as vendors offer everything from artisan cheeses to sweet treats. Children often enjoy tasting samples of fruit or pastries while parents browse. The market is accessible via London Bridge tube and train stations.

Columbia Road Flower Market runs Sundays from 8 am to 3 pm on Columbia Road in East London. The lively colors and fragrance of flowers fill the street, with street musicians often playing nearby. Parents can pick up plants or bouquets while kids watch the hustle and bustle. It’s a 10-minute walk from Bethnal Green tube station.

Check our London food markets guide for more market options that suit families.

The Tower of London features interactive tours and family activities, with combined tickets starting at £60 for adults and £35 for children, making it an engaging historical visit.

Situated on Tower Hill, the Tower opens daily from 9 am to 5:30 pm (last entry 4:30 pm). Children can join the Yeoman Warder tours, hear stories of the Crown Jewels, and see ravens that are part of Tower legend. The site has cafés and picnic spots with views over the Thames. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate.

For day trips beyond London, the Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath tour includes family-friendly commentary and a pub lunch stop. This full-day trip departs from central London and costs about £95 per person, with discounts for children under 16.

Learn more on historic sites in our London history and culture guide.

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