· · · · · · · ·

16 great things to do in London with kids

London is a great place for a family holiday as there are so many great things to see and do. But would you know which of these “things” are family-friendly? With so many activities and experiences on offer, it can be tricky to determine which ones are truly suitable and fun for children. This is a list of 16 great things to do in London with kids. Choose one or more of these activities or experiences and you’ll be sure to spend a great time with your children. Chances are, they will even be begging for more. From exciting museum visits to unforgettable experiences such as visiting the Warner Bros studios or a real war ship, find out what great activities await you and your children in London. London Transport Museum If your children are fascinated by buses, trains and other means of urban transportation, head out to the London Transport Museum. With around 80 vehicles to discover (including the world’s first subway and a classic red double decker bus), this original museum is dedicated to the history of London’s transport system since 1800. A perfect way for kids to understand the powerful link between transport and the growth of modern London. Things in london with kids - london transport museum Address: Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 7BB Nearest Tube station: Covent Garden (Piccadilly) Price: £17 for adults and £14.50 for children Opening hours: Open every day from 10am to 6pm except Friday (opens at 11am) Madame Tussauds Madame Tussauds is surely one of the world’s most famous wax museums. It might be a classic, there is a reason for that: It’s an experience that has seduced countless visitors. That’s how great it really is. You’ll have to pay the price to get in, but the life-like wax statues of the most famous British and international people (real or fictional) will forge memories for life. Things in london with kids - madame tussaud Address: Marylebone Road, London, NW15LR Nearest Tube station: Baker street Station (Bakerloo, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Metropolitan lines) Price: £34 for adults and £29.50 for children (4-15) for on the day tickets. Cheaper tickets are sold online. Opening hours: Weekdays from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Weekends from 9am to 6pm Sherlock Holmes Museum Sherlock Holmes is surely one of the most famous fictional heroes in classic literature. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s private detective has captivated the minds of millions of children. So what better way to step into the detective’s shoes than to visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London? The children will love it, and so will the adults as they get transported back to their own childhood. Things in london with kids - Sherlock Holmes Museum Address: 221b Baker Street Nearest Tube station: Baker street Station (Bakerloo, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Metropolitan lines) Price: £15 for adults and £10 for children under 16 years. Opening hours: Open every day from 9:30am to 6pm Natural History Museum Located just one block away from the famous Royal Albert Hall, the Natural History Museum a true educational playground for children of all ages. Through kid-friendly explanations and fascinating objects, they will learn everything about our planet, from the dawn of time to our modern era. Make sur you don’t miss the dinosaurs, the blue whale and the Wildlife Garden! Things in london with kids - natural history museum Address: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 5BD Nearest tube station: South Kensington Station (Circle, District & Piccadilly lines) Price: Free for parents and children Opening hours: Open every day from 10am to 5:30pm The Science Museum Science has always fascinated children, and for that, the Science Museum never disappoints. The museum presents objects related to topics such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, time, light, technological and medical achievements in a kid-friendly way, making it one of the best things to do in London with kids. Things in london with kids - science museum Address: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD Nearest Tube station: South Kensington Station (Circle, District and Piccadilly lines) Price: Entry is free, but you need to buy a ticket for the IMAX Theater, flight simulators and some special exhibitions. Opening hours: Open every day from 10am to 6pm Sir John Soane’s Museum The Sir John Soane’s Museum is a small, but very unique museum. A curiosity cabinet that will surely keep children and adults amazed… Sir John Soane was a distinguished 19th century architect, and the museum is his house, untouched since his death in 1837. Everything he collected (objects, artworks, sculptures, furniture) is all there, just the way he left them 180 years ago… Things in london with kids - Sir John Soanes Museum Address: 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP Nearest Tube station: Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines) Price: Free for adults and children Opening hours: Open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10am to 5pm The British Museum A museum that needs no introduction, simply because the British Museum is one of London’s most famous museums. But who said that the kinds of museums were boring for children? Not if you do it the right way. How could they not be fascinated by the largest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts outside Egypt? Start talking about the mummies or the Rosetta Stone, and you’ll have them captivated. And the same goes for the remains of the Parthenon of Ancient Greece, or the gigantic winged bulls in the Assyrian section. Things in london with kids - british museum Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road (Central & Northern lines) or Holborn (Central & Piccadilly lines) Price: Free for parents and children Opening hours: Open every day from 10am to 5:30pm HMS Belfast Have you ever wanted to board a real Royal Navy Cruiser? Well, this is your chance to discover Europe’s largest preserved WW2 warship. Take your kids aboard the HMS Belfast, a permanently moored museum ship on the Thames River. Inside, the wax statues in the engine room, the kitchen or even the dorms will bring the ship back to life… Things in london with kids - HMS Belfast Address: The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2JH Nearest Tube station: London Bridge (Jubilee & Northern lines) Price: £16 for adults, £8 for children (5-15), free for kids under 5. Family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children) £42 Opening hours: Open every day from 10am to 6pm Museum of London If you are interested in learning about the history of London, from the prehistoric times to now, in a fun and educative way, take your family to the Museum of London. With its collection of archaeological discoveries (such as a Paleolithic bear skull) and fun interactive displays, this museum is the perfect place to bring your children to. Things in london with kids - museum of london Address: 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN Nearest Tube station: Saint Paul’s Station (Central Line) or Barbican (Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines) Price: Free for parents and children Opening hours: Open every day from 10am to 6pm Kidzania Bring your children (4 to 14 years old) to Kidzania and they will experience something like never before. Kidzania is a child size city run by children. Yes, a real city! The 75,000 sq. ft. venue is decorated as a real city, in which the kids chose the job they’ve always dreamed of: a film-maker, a pilot, a fire-fighter, a nurse… Over 60 different roles that kids from 4 to 14 will enjoy. Things in london with kids - kidzania Address: Westfield London, Ariel Way, W12 7GA Nearest Tube station: Shepherd’s Bush (Central Line) Price: between £29.50 and £32.00 for children (off season or peak) and £16.50 for adults Opening hours: Open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10am to 5pm Geffrye Museum Bring your children to the Geffrye Museum and have them discover the interiors of homes ranging for the 1600s to the present day. The collection of objects, images and texts also help explore the history of English homes. If you are with young children, make sure you go to the Kids Zone. Things in london with kids - geffrye museum Address: 136 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8EA Nearest Tube station: Hoxton (Overground line) Price: Eleven Period Rooms and Herb and Period Gardens are free for parents and children. Opening hours: Open from Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm The London Dungeon The London Dungeon is also one of London’s most popular attractions, even more so since they moved right in next to the London Eye. The live actors, rides and special effects, will have you and your children re-live some of the darkest events of London’s history… Warning: it can get quite scary! Things in london with kids - london dungeon Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, City of London Nearest Tube station: Waterloo Station (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City lines) Price: between £29.50 and £32.00 for children (off season or peak) and £16.50 for adults Opening hours: Weekdays from 10am to 5pm. Weekends from 10am to 6pm Museum of London Docklands The Museum of London Docklands is similar to the Museum of London, but it explores the fascinating history and curiosities of the River Thames, the lifeline of London, and the development of the Docklands. Things in london with kids - museum of london docklands Address: No.1 Warehouse, W India Dock Rd, London E14 4AL Nearest Tube station: West India Quay (DLR line) Price: Free for parents and children Opening hours: Open every day from 10am to 6pm Bank of England Museum How about teaching your children the value of money, but in a fun and exciting way? Contrary to what many believe, the Bank of England Museum is far from being boring for children. Not only will they learn about money, they will also discover the buildings, the history of the Bank and all that is related to financial institutions. things in london with kids - bank of london museum Address: Bartholomew Ln, London EC2R 8AH Nearest Tube station: Bank Station (Central, Northern, Waterloo & City) Price: Free for parents and children Opening hours: Open from Monday to Friday, from 10am to 5pm Chessington World of Adventures Slightly outside of London to the South West, is where you will find Chessington theme park. With its 10 themed lands and over 40 rides and attractions, Chessington World of Adventures is a child’s paradise. It even has a zoo, a sea life center with daily shows. Forget the educational aspect, it’s nothing but pure fun and laughter here! Things in london with kids - chessington word of adventure Address: Leatherhead Rd, Chessington, Surrey KT9 2NE Nearest Tube station: no tube, just the train to Chessington South station (South West Trains) Price: book online from £27.60 per person and save up to 42% Opening hours: Every day from 10am to 5pm Warner Bros Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter Head out 20 miles to the North West and you will reach the Warner Bros Studios. There, you and your children will be taken behind the scenes of the Harry Potter saga: the decors, the costumes, the objects… Welcome to Harry Potter’s magic world! Things in london with kids - universal studios Address: Warner Drive, Leavesden WD25 7LP Nearest Tube station: Watford Junction Station + shuttle bus Price: £35 for adults and £27 for children (5-15) Opening hours: Opening hours vary a lot Magali Déchelette is CEO at Family Twist. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Did you enjoy this article?

Receive similar content direct to your inbox.

6 Comments

  1. Hi Maggali,

    I’m so glad to see this suggestive post and the things to do in London with kids is awesome.

    I got amazed looking these 16 things which really amazing. Visiting these places with kids may help to feel the pleasure on them. Kids love to visit such wonderful places all the time. When it comes to introduce them with these amazing things they become excited.

    I would like to mention the above things which have introduce here. Such as Natural History Museum..wow looks marvelous. Also London museum is amazing. Thanks for including address, it will be easy to visit the places by address. Pleasure to know about these interesting places for kids. HMS Belfast looks great and best for inspiring kids showing them this places. Every places are are wonderful worth to visit.

    Thanks.
    – Ravi.

  2. Hi Ravi,

    Thank you so much for your message, and I am delighted to hear that these tips are useful. I truly hope that you will have a great time visiting some of these family-friendly places.

    All the best!

    Magali

  3. Hello Mike,

    Thanks for your feedback. Indeed, the Transport Museum is really nice. I suggest you go there with your children in the afternoon, as in the morning, you have a lot of school outings there, and it can get quite noisy!.

    Hope you enjoy you visits, and if you can, let me know how it went.

    Best Regards,

    Magali

  4. Hi Magali,

    Thanks for these tips.

    We have two teenage boys and a girl aged nine so pleasing everyone can be tricky. They all loved The Natural History Museum and the Warner Bros Studio Tour. The London Eye also never fails to please! On our last trip we also did ‘Dinner at the Twits’, a great Roald Dahl inspired piece of immersive theatre, which takes place in the Waterloo Vaults. Wundercrump!

  5. My mate told me about the Sherlock museum but he was a bit disappointed with it and said he didn’t feel it was worth the £15 ticket price. Pretty expensive place, especially if there are a few of you going as a family. Personally I’d say spend most of your day in the History Museum, Tate Modern and British Museum – all free, all pretty interesting with plenty to look at and learn about.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *