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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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…

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.

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…

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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