places to visit in london for families

The ultimate guide to visiting London with kids

Mar 15, 2024 • 9 min read

Make the most of your family holiday with this guide to travel in London with kids © Ahmani Vidal / Getty Images

London is an expensive city to visit and one that’s large and sometimes difficult to navigate. But, it's also packed with fascinating historic sights, bags of culture, world-class museums, parks and wide-open spaces with excellent playgrounds, and plenty of things to occupy children of all ages.

The permanent collections at many museums and art galleries are free to enter (donations welcome) and they generally offer some kind of audio guide or experience aimed specifically at families. For older children, London’s Harry Potter connections tend to be popular, and with so many different exhibitions and theater performances, there is something to align with the passions of every tween and teen. 

Here's everything you need to know about visiting the English capital with tots in tow.

Is London good for kids?

In a word, yes! Londoners may not seem particularly kid-friendly at first, but if you need a hand carrying a stroller up an unexpected flight of stairs, someone will almost always stop to lend a hand. 

While central London can feel hectic during peak hour, with workers rushing to and from work (or in the height of summer's peak visitor season when popular attractions will be crowded) London does have plenty of pockets of serenity. There are parks and gardens throughout the city to take a break with kids. Get to popular sights early in the day (the earlier the better) to avoid queues, and note that some sight require pre-booking even if they're free. If you're looking for somewhere to eat, loads of major chain restaurants (and pubs) offer good-value children's menus with a drink and dessert included.

Where is best in London for kids

London’s South Bank  offers endless family entertainment. In the summer months bring a change of clothes, as your kids are likely to make a beeline for  Southbank Centre 's fountains. The London Eye provides high-up views over the river to Big Ben and beyond, and the  Sea Life London Aquarium , with a shark tunnel and penguin area, is particularly popular with younger kids. Shrek’s Adventure is a 90-minute theme park experience centered around the fairy tales in the Shrek movies. If you have teens who enjoy being scared, they will get a kick out of the creative presentation of gory historical events at the London Dungeon .

Heading further east, learn about the role HMS Belfast played in WWII while climbing down below the river’s water level and shuffling along tiny corridors (not easily done with toddlers or babies in prams). When you get hungry, head to  Borough Market  to discover a wealth of food options from kid-friendly fish 'n' chips and ice cream to paella and oysters. 

Greenwich in southeast London is a small area with good options for kids of all ages. It can be reached by train or the DLR, but it’s much more fun to take the Thames Clipper from central London to Greenwich Pier. Younger kids are likely to love the massive adventure playground in Greenwich Park, with sand, water play, and plenty to climb on.

Learn what life was like on board a 19th-century tea clipper at the Cutty Sark . For even more naval experiences, head to the National Maritime Museum (there’s a great gallery aimed at children aged seven and under called Ahoy!). The Royal Observatory on the hill offers a chance for older kids to explore space and time. Grab lunch at a stall in the food market , or head for one of the many chain restaurants.

Best things to do in London with babies and toddlers

Tour london's top parks and playgrounds.

London is a surprisingly green city, with a lot of large open spaces . Regent’s Park is the biggest and most elaborate of central London’s many Royal Parks. Among its many attractions are London Zoo, Regent’s Canal , an ornamental lake, and grass pitches where locals meet to play sports. Rent a pedal boat  on the Serpentine in Hyde Park , and run free in one of London’s best playgrounds , Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground, in nearby Kensington Gardens .

Here kids will be delighted by the large pirate ship, waterplay, and sandpits. A wander through St James’s Park  is worthwhile for its lovely gardens and great views of London icons, such as the London Eye and Buckingham Palace .

Come face-to-face with a dino at the Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum  is a colossal and magnificent building housing 80 million specimens from the natural world, with displays on everything from the human body to rare fossils and gems. Hintze Hall, at the center of the museum, is home to an awe-inspiring blue whale skeleton that hangs from the ceiling. This is also where pre-schoolers seek out Andy's Clock, the magical time-traveling device from CBeebies TV show  Andy's Prehistoric Adventures .

The Dinosaur Gallery is packed with info and skeletons of many different dinosaurs and is a big hit with kids. The absolute highlight here is the animatronic T-rex that swings its colossal tail and flexes its jaws while roaring at the gathered crowd (beware: it can be genuinely frightening for little people). The museum is also home to the ever-popular Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit, showcasing the fragile natural beauty of our planet through 100 photos.

Learn about conservation at London Zoo

Regent’s Park is home to the oldest zoo in the world , dating from 1828. The emphasis nowadays is firmly on conservation, breeding and education, with fewer animals and bigger enclosures. Highlights include Land of the Lions, Gorilla Kingdom, Night Life, Penguin Beach and the walk-through In with the Lemurs. There are regular feeding sessions and talks, various experiences are available, such as Keeper for a Day, and you can even spend the night in one of nine Gir Lion Lodge cabins.

Best things to do in London with kids

Have a hands-on experience in the science museum's best galleries.

The Science Museum  in Kensington  brings themes such as space, flight and climate change to life with a series of hands-on exhibits and virtual displays. Get close to a space module, track the history of aviation, and learn about the importance of ice in the Antarctic. For younger children aged three to six, head to  The Garden  in the basement. This free interactive gallery allows for construction with blocks and cranes, and sensory exploration with sound, touch, and water play.

Those aged six and above will be enthralled by the liquids, magnets, smoke and light that they can play with in the different zones of  Wonderlab on the top floor. Science Museum "Explainers" will merrily chat with youngsters about anything from how a bubble is formed to how planets move around in the solar system, as well as running live demos and experiments showing science in action.

Go to family-friendly theater shows

Big productions aimed at families include Matilda the Musical at Cambridge Theatre, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace Theatre, and Disney’s The Lion King at Lyceum Theatre. Tickets need to be booked well in advance, especially if you're on a budget .

It’s often easier to get tickets to smaller productions at theaters away from the West End. Consider Unicorn Theatre near the South Bank or Little Angel Theatre in Islington, where all performances are aimed at youngsters. The Southbank Centre also runs family performances, particularly during local school holidays.

See wax creations of your fave celebs at Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds , packed with waxwork likenesses of all kinds of famous people – from royals to sports personalities – may be kitschy and pricey, but it makes for a fun-filled day. Music-loving teens can grab photo ops with top current singers, including Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, and One Direction, and even legends such as Bob Marley and Freddie Mercury. Young movie fans may want to visit the heroes and villains of Star Wars , stand with Katniss Everdeen, or see E.T. up close. Book online in advance for the best rates, and then look out for your favorite celebrity. 

The V&A Museum of Childhood is a toy-filled wonderland

Housed in a purpose-built Victorian-era building, this branch of the Victoria & Albert Museum is aimed at both kids (with play areas, interactive exhibits and dressing-up boxes) and nostalgic grown-ups who come to admire the antique toys. From teddies, doll’s houses and dolls to Meccano, Lego and computer games, it’s a wonderful toy-cupboard trip down memory lane. It's free to enter and has recently undergone a major refurbishment to make it an even more exciting location that's focused entirely on fun for young adventurers.

Best things to do in London with tweens and teenagers

Follow a trail to see the treasures of the british museum.

The displays at the  British Museum spark the imaginations of visitors of all ages, with displays of Egyptian mummies, buried treasures from Anglo-Saxon times, and Samurai armor. There are various worksheets, activities and trails designed specifically for younger visitors covering different themes within the museum. You can follow the " Twelve objects to see with children" trail  with tweenagers for a whistle-stop tour of the highlights of the museum, or perhaps the "One hour at the museum" trail before self-declared teenage "boredom" sets in. 

Take a boat ride along the Thames

At some point it's really worth taking a cruise along the Thames to spot some of London’s icons. If your kids love a thrill, Thames Rockets  has rigid inflatable boats that zip along the river and back from the London Eye Pier (go prepared to get wet). For a more leisurely approach to sightseeing, take the Uber Boat by Thames Clipper , a riverboat commuter service stopping at piers throughout the city from Woolwich down to Putney.

Admire the Houses of Parliament , speed under the Millennium Bridge (destroyed by Death Eaters in the opening scenes of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ) and catch a glimpse of St Paul’s Cathedral . As you pass the  Tower of London , look for the Traitors’ Gate at river level where prisoners entered the Tower, before whizzing underneath the impressive Victorian  Tower Bridge .

Planning tips

As with any large city, dragging small kids around in London can be exhausting for everyone. Staying realistic about how much you can see in a day and being flexible with your schedule is the key to keeping everyone happy.

Unfortunately, London is not particularly easy to navigate with a stroller or for anyone with accessibility needs. Even Tube stations with step-free access often have a big gap between the train and the platform, and you can end up walking a long way through the underground network before reaching the platform you need.

Buses are often a better options for getting around central London  at least. Better still, divide your visit into neighborhoods and walk between sites to minimize your time fighting the often frustrating transport system.

Note: children under 11 travel for free with a fare-paying adult. You can get a discounted Visitor Oyster cards for children aged 12 to 16 by asking a staff member to add a "Young Visitor" discount to your Oyster card at a London tube or train station. Over the age of 16, your child will be paying the adult rate. 

This article was first published Mar 25, 2015 and updated Mar 15, 2024.

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101 best things to do in London with kids

Get set for family fun with our round-up of exciting events, activities and other things to do for children in London

Photo: David Parry

There's a pretty much limitless array of fun to be had in London, whatever age you are. But this city is extra good for young 'uns, whether you're after theatre shows to blow their minds, free kid-friendly museums to get them learning without realising it, or leftfield activities that they'll be raving about for weeks afterwards, or just a really, really top-notch playground. Everyone from hyperactive toddlers to cynical teens will find something to get excited about.

If you’ve got a bit of cash to spend then you can enjoy a glorious day out at the world-famous likes of London Zoo or the London Aquarium. But if you’re on a budget there’s plenty to do that’s free. London is full of   outdoor  options, from high-concept adventure playgrounds to gorgeous open parks, as well as other  family-friendly spots that are free to visit, stretching your budget further for those must-do attractions that aren’t. 

RECOMMENDED: Let the kids loose on these incredible adventure playgrounds

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Best things to do in London with kids

1.  catch up on the secret life of reptiles and amphibians at zsl.

• Zoos and aquariums
• Regent’s Park

London Zoo is always refreshing itself: a couple of years after the opening of the massive walkthrough Monkey Valley enclosure – still highly recommended – its big new exhibit for 2024 is The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians, a massive upgrade to the old Reptile House designed to offer its cold-blooded denizens the most perfect habitats possible.

2.  Journey through the history of childhood at Young V&A

• Bethnal Green

Following a £13m refurbishment, the former V&A Museum of Childhood reopened its doors in 2023, and it really is a dream. The beautifully designed building heaves with thoughtfully laid out displays of centuries of toys and childhood objects, there are state-of-the-art interactive displays galore, plus a banging cafe. An essential visit for pretty much anyone under the age of 14.

3.  Explore the complete history of video games

• Things to do
• Games and hobbies
• South Kensington Until 27 Nov 2027

If your kids have any interest whatsoever in computer games then the ‘Power Up’ exhibition at the Science Museum is less a nice idea than a London essential. Formerly a visiting exhibition but now permanent, it comprises over 160 computers and consoles – from a ‘Pong’ machine to PCs – that nominally take you on a history of gaming from the ’70s to the present. In practice, it’s a glorious morning, afternoon or whole day playing games. You have to pay, but an annual pass is a steal at £15.

4.  Stroke a starfish at the London Aquarium

In the grand County Hall on the South Bank, a vast aquarium of sharks, turtles, sea dragons and penguins are waiting to be gawped at. Part of the Sea Life chain, it’s a smoothly run, busy operation with several themed zones devoted to all kinds of aquatic environments, including a Thames walk. One of the highlights has to be the ‘ocean invaders’ section, which includes the largest jellyfish experience in Britain. There’s also the opportunity to ‘pet’ various rockpool creatures including seas anemones and starfish.

5.  Explore Paddington’s London

• South Bank Until 30 Mar 2025

This permanent interactive Paddington Bear experience will open at the end of May 2024 and not before time. Journey through the polite young bear’s London and enjoy a marmalade party at the Browns.

6.  Play a giant game of Monopoly

‘Lifesized Monopoly’ is exactly what the title suggests, with you playing human-sized pieces traversing the board and undertaking challenges as you land on various ‘squares’. There are multiple different boards with multiple different sets of rules – some very much aimed at adults – but families will be eyeing up the Classic Board, suitable for anyone aged over nine.

7.  Escape Execution at the London Dungeons

Since it opened in 1974 the London Dungeons has managed to stay at the absolute cutting edge of shameless luridity via a series of rides and rooms based around the more macabre elements of our city’s history. Always moving with the times, the current iteration includes an escape room: in ‘Escape Execution’ you have just one hour to bust out of the Tower of London before your head is lopped off. 

For over-12s only.

8.  Ride shotgun in the Millennium Falcon with Chewie

The Star Wars gallery at Madame Tussauds is one of the last things you see on an extensive tour through history and popular culture and what a finale. Working with Lucas Films, Tussauds have recreated scenes from them in key scenes from various Star Wars films and populated them with wax models of the heroes and villains. Meet Yoda in a musty-smelling swamp, take a selfie sitting alongside Han Solo in the canteen, and get up close to Darth Vader and Luke as they go to battle. Star Wars obsession will be delighted to know the attention to detail is spot on. 

9.  Take in a toddler-friendly mini theme park

• Theme parks
• Camden Town

Did you know there’s a sci-fi theme park under Camden Market? Having opened in late 2022, the Babylon Park is part of a small international chain of mini-amusement parks that packs in a number of kiddie-friendly rides – rollercoaster, ferris wheel, bumper cars – and supplements them with games stalls, VR simulators, a couple of scarier rides for the teens, and some toddler-friendly rides for the pre-schoolers. 

10.  Play shops in the fish market section of the National Maritime Museum’s Ahoy!

• Military and maritime

The NMM’s gallery especially for babies and young children is all about fun. Ahoy! features many different play zones including a beach and a ship deck, plus a game firing cannons and another that is a bit like air hockey. The fish shop is ace –rows of pretend fish, cash tills and shopping baskets. There’s also the All Hands exploration gallery for ages 6-12.

Free, but check if open as closed by the pandemic, though due to reopen some time after July 19 2021. 

11.  Watch a girl swung around by her pigtails at Matilda

In the RSC’s hugely successful adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantasy, a fine cast of young actors bring Tim Minchin’s smart, funny songs to life, as a little girl with supernatural powers shows us how bright children can survive stupid adults. Dahl’s gruesome humour is reflected in cartoon violence that is here magically recreated in a dynamic and colourful style. Happily, without harm to a single real pigtail…

Ages six and above

12.  Defeat the Crystal Maze

These days many parents will probably only dimly remember the original ‘The Crystal Maze’ from their own childhoods. But though he makes a taped appearance in ‘The Crystal Maze Live’, you don’t need to be nostalgic for the Richard O’Brien era to enjoy this version of the classic game show in which you and your team forage for crystals in a number of timed, themed challenges. It’s open to children aged nine or over, though they must be accompanied by adults.

13.  Quaff butterbeer at Hogwarts

Seven books, eight films and one play down the line, the world has lost none of its appetite for all things Harry Potter-related. Which is why Warner Bros are keeping the Hogwarts magic alive with their special exhibition, ‘The Making of Harry Potter.’ The props, sets and costumes have been lovingly maintained and fans will be in heaven here. Step into the iconic locations: the Great Hall at Hogwarts, Diagon Alley and, of course, Platform 9¾. You can also get your chops around a flagon of butterbeer (don’t worry, it’s kid-friendly), and if you fancy taking a souvenir home, you can purchase a wand.

14.  Learn to swordfight at Shakespeare's Globe

• Shakespeare

During the school holidays the iconic Globe boasts a wealth of tours, workshops and other family activities, but let’s be honest, none sound quite so fun as the family sword fighting demonstration, wherein the theatre’s fight team talks you through the world of Elizabethan weaponry and give you a close-up demo of how it was wielded. You’re absolutely not going to be allowed to have an actual fight, but you’ll be allowed to handle the weapons and pose for selfies.

15.  Look at gross things in jars at the Hunterian Museum

• Science and technology

The Hunterian Museum houses one of the oldest collections of anatomical, pathological and zoological specimens in the UK and is based on the items assembled by John Hunter, surgeon and anatomist (1728-1793). Older children will find this fascinating – kids of all ages will enjoy gawping at centuries of pickled creatures and other all-time historical curios. 

16.  Harness up to scale a landmark with Up at the O2

This is not for faint-hearted kids: a climb over the roof of The O2. Start by emptying pockets of anything that might fall onto pedestrians below, harness up, clip yourself to a central handrail and head up to the 52m summit. It’s steep at the beginning and end of the climb, but with a chance to walk around at the top and facilities for wheelchair users, it’s a fabulous experience.

Ages ten and above

17.  Enjoy a space or dinosaur-themed aftrenoon tea at the Ampersand

• South Kensington

There are various kids’ afternoon tea options in London, but the Ampersand Hotel in Kensington has the distinction of offering two fun, theatrically served teas: a science one upstairs, and the Jurassic one downstairs. It’s also incredibly close to the Kensington museums: perfect for making that trip to the NHM or Science Museum extra special.  

18.  Zap some VR zombies

• Arcades and amusements
• Oxford Street

The future is here, kind of, with slick immersive gaming experience Sandbox VR. Teams of two to six don helmets, shoulder rifles and step into a virtual world where they’re generally charged with zapping something or other (there are six games to choose from). It’s a perfect way for teens and older tweens to let off some steam – just be aware an adult is required to sign a waiver and remain on the premises throughout, though they don’t have to play.

19.  Get building at the world’s biggest Lego store

• Toys and games
• Leicester Square

The Leicester Square Lego store is more than just a very big shop – although it really  is  very big, its two-floor expanse making it the biggest Lego store in the actual entire world. But aside from having basically the entire current range of the plastic bricks in at all times – plus some extremely nifty London-themed giant sculptures –, the play tables and copious supply of bricks on the top floor mean well-behaved children can enjoy a play session between purchases – about as pleasant as shopping with kids in central London gets.

20.  Experience the eighth Harry Potter adventure, only on stage

• Charing Cross Road Until 2 Mar 2025
• 4 out of 5 stars
• Recommended

The stage is the only place you can see the eighth and (probably) final Harry Potter adventure ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’, a gloriously theatrical coda to the books that sees Harry’s son Albus travel back to key moments from the novels. 

21.  Throw some shapes with Big Fish Little Fish

Get your little’uns raving early with the help of Big Fish Little Fish, the ‘2-4 hour party people’. This teeny-bopper disco crew host parties all over London, as well as festivals, especially for children. That’s not to say parents can’t enjoy themselves, too. The music is pleasantly un-annoying (think 90s dance, rather than that Bob the Builder single) and when you want a break from dancing there are workshops on offer, too, like synth playing, hula hooping and more. Phew.

Various venues

22.  Commandeer a wigwam at the Diana Memorial Playground

• Playgrounds

Just next to the regal Kensington Palace, this play area has a Peter Pan theme and a fabulous wooden pirate ship as its centrepiece. It's specially designed to suit children of all physical abilities and the playground includes a beach, sculptures, teepees for make-believe games, and even a sensory trail. It’s free to enjoy, but be aware that at busy times there might be a queue to get in.

Under-13s  Free

23.  Ride a Shetland pony across Richmond Park with Stag Lodge Stables

• Richmond Park

View the lush beauty of Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common from horseback. Situated in the former, Stag Lodge Stables provide horse rides for visitors of all ages and abilities. And if your willing rider is too frightened or small for the big horses, they can ride a more manageable (and adorable) Shetland pony (ages 3-6 only).

Ages three and above

24.  Splash about in the Science Museum's water play area

Let's be honest, small children don't really get that amused or inspired looking at exhibits like their parent counterparts. But no worries - the Science Museum's  hands-on galleries are ready to save the day.  The Garden is a free play zone where young’uns can don aprons and play with waterways and boats, jump around exploring light and shadows and discover the science of sound through all kinds of fun activities.

Ages three to six. At time of update then due to coronavirus children are restricted to 20-minute slots that must be booked in advance. Free

25.  Squeeze into the Barbican’s Squish Space

The Barbican Centre basically has every form of entertainment you could possibly imagine, and that includes the artistically designed creative play area Squish Space, which is full of fascinating objects for under-fives to play with and explore. After a brief closure, it will reopen in September 2023 with a more environmentally-focused theme. It’s free, but booking online is essential.

26.  Explore vintage tube carriages and iconic London buses at Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum

• Walthamstow

This Grade II-listed former Victorian waste water pumping station stopped sloshing around sewage a while ago and is now home to something far more palatable. Hidden inside are trains, planes and various other landmark automobiles that are some of the firsts of their kind. See  original steam engines from the Victorian era, a huge collection of fire engines which include machines going back to 1800, explore 1960s tube carriages and a  model of the iconic London ‘B’ type bus and watch a  model railway depicting the Chingford to Liverpool Street line from the steam era, as well as other  technology, transport and industrial history of Walthamstow and the Lea Valley. 

27.  Go to a family-friendly, pay-what-you-can screening at the Garden Cinema

• Film events
• Trafalgar Square Until 29 Dec 2024

The whole ethos of Covent Garden’s Garden Cinema is that all its screenings are carefully curated, only showing films that the staff think are actually good and enjoy themselves, and this spirit continues into its family programming. Its Saturday and Sunday morning screenings (plus weekdays during the school holidays) are relaxed affairs showing some of the best family classics ever recorded. There are seasonal themes – expect to see Christmas classics and Halloween faves at the appropriate time – and every screening is followed by a free creative activity for children. What’s more, the screenings are Pay What You Can and there’s an allocation of free, subsidised tickets for each screening (just email [email protected]) to enquire.

28.  Nurture a budding nature lover at Kew’s Children’s Garden

• Parks and gardens

There’s many a natural wonder to be enjoyed at Kew, from the magnificent treetop walk with a bird’s-eye view over the park to the not-so-sweet, rare flowering titan arum plant (no seriously, hold your nose). But if you have younger visitors in tow, head to the huge Children’s Garden. The size of 40 tennis courts, it’s packed with hidden play areas themed around earth, air, sun and water – all the things plants need to grow. 

Ages two to 12 – at time of update, booking a 60-minute slot was essential

29.  Inspire a mini maestro at Bach to Baby

Not all children’s entertainment has to be corny and colourful, as Bach to Baby proves. Trained musicians perform child-friendly classical concerts in spaces all over London. Toddlers are free to get and up move about and babies are contented to sit on laps as the classical music floats around them. 

Various London locations  

30.  Join the stars of the show on stage at the Chickenshed Theatre

• Cockfosters

Most activities in London are aimed at ages 3+, but at Chickenshed’s lively ‘Tales from the Shed’ shows, being wee is a bonus. Parents, babies and toddlers sit on the floor or on chairs to watch gentle adventures unfold in song and storytelling. Cuddly puppets and colourfully costumed actors are frequently joined by toddlers wandering into the action from the audience. In fact it’s encouraged!

Ages 0-6 

31.  Sail the Thames Nipper at the London Transport Museum

• Covent Garden

Covent Garden’s LTM is a joyful place and it’s brand new All Aboard play area for babies and under-8s takes the hands-on experience even further. Wannabe bus drivers can get behind the wheel of a real bus, ‘repair’ a mini tube train, or ‘sail’ on the Thames Nipper, a recreation of the Thames Clipper riverboat service. There’s even a make-believe buskers spot, making for some pretty cute videos that you can play back to your kid's friends in years to come.

32.  Discover what the green ogre did next at Shrek's Adventure

A wacky misadventure at County Hall, Shrek’s Adventure! London is a genuinely fun, new immersive experience. When your 4D bus tour ‘crash lands’ in a strangely familiar swamp, you (yes, adults as well as kids) have to work as a team to solve puzzles and get home again. On your quest you’ll meet everyone from Princess Fiona and Donkey to Puss in Boots and a host of other Shrek heroes (and villains). Great fun.

33.  Make stories come to life at Discover

• Cultural centres

London’s dedicated Children’s Story Centre is a colourful gallery inspired by children’s books, with special exhibitions and events linked to favourite authors and illustrators. Children can play inside and outside, with places to hide, treasure to seek out and the chance to fire young imaginations to create their own stories.  From £5

34.  Become a family of artists

Through the year, the Royal Academy runs a series of free creative activities inviting children (including those with special educational needs) to explore visual art, while Art Detectives trails gives them a chance to explore the galleries and see great works of art form their own perspective. Once a month there’s a free, drop-in Family Studios session on a Sunday (11am-3pm) which explores a theme in more depth, with hands-on crafts and other activities like music-making and dressing up. Check the website for the next date and theme: it’s been suspended during the pandemic but should be on its way back.

35.  Unearth a real fossil at the Grant Museum

This zoological museum – the only one of its kind in London – seems like it's been here for a century or more. Such is the transporting effect of seeing avenues of display cases stuffed to the gunnels with animal skeletons, taxidermy specimens and creatures preserved in fluid, like a true Victorian wunderkammer. From a jar of tiny moles to a huge elephant skull, there is plenty here to draw gasps of amazement. Don't turn up too early, though; the museum opens its doors from 1pm to 5pm, Monday through Saturday (and temporarily closed until autumn 2023).

36.  Scale a skyscraper at Clip ’n Climb

Give your furniture a break and take the kids to a proper climbing centre. Clip ’n Climb in Chelsea is a colourful landscape of specially designed climbing walls suitable for various ages and levels of ability. Completely safe for beginners, with challenges including ‘The Skyscraper’, ‘Jungle Gym’ and ‘Vertical Drop Slide’, this is a brilliant place for restless little monkeys to gain confidence clambering, climbing and dropping.

Ages four and above

37.  Burn some energy at Barnard Park Adventure Playground

This purpose-built adventure playground for kids in Islington provides hours of fun. There’s a huge, fort-like structure that can be climbed, hidden in and run around. There’s a water feature for warmer days, a fire pit for chillier ones, as well as football and basketball pitches. Plus, arts and crafts classes are held regularly. See their website before heading down to find out what’s on.

Ages six to 13  Free

38.  Hone your wheel skills at BaySixty6

This skate park under the Westway is a brilliant mix of street cool and great organisation (reassuring for parents who don’t want to spend hours in A&E). Friendly and encouraging, they offer regular beginner sessions but also plenty of challenging thrills for experienced skaters, BMX bikers and professional scooters at an excellent purpose-built skatescape. Perfect for kids who want to mix it with older riders who’ve acquired serious smarts.

39.  Encounter an Iguanodon in Crystal Palace Park

Not far from Crystal Palace Overground station is the famous park. Once upon a time this lush green space down south was a cultural haven for Victorians. Sports, music and art all took happened here, and when people weren’t attending one of those events, they were most likely marvelling a the full-scale model dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures, which have been there since 1854. Thanks to an ongoing restoration project, the dinos are still going strong, even if charmingly little out of date scientifically. Elsewhere in the park you’ll find a farm and a maze.

40.  Visit the (deliberately) stinky streets and dark alleyways of Sailortown at the Museum of London Docklands

This free museum has a dedicated gallery (Mudlarks) for small children, but it’s worth visiting the main galleries, for the huge model of the old London Bridge and a walk-through recreation of the docklands in Victorian times. Hear the noises, smell the scents and peer into the shadowy alleyways. Gaze through the window of the chandler’s shop and see inside an old East End boozer.

41.  Get some 1960s-style strikes in at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes

A central location and impressively-stocked bar attract hoards of grown-ups to Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes in the evenings, but before 8pm the kids are welcome to take over. The retro lanes and karaoke rooms can be booked for parties or family outings and lunch can be had in the American diner-styled booths. It’s worth noting, though, that the bowling lanes don’t have bumpers.

42.  Visit London’s weirdest sweet shop

This unique gift shop wouldn’t be out of place on the set of Harry Potter, what with its fully-stocked shelves of ‘Impacted Earwax’ and ‘Night Terrors’. Naturally, everything is edible – and thankfully not a trace of actual earwax in sight – with sweet treats hiding behind the ominous black and white packaging. Clotted cream fudge, boiled sweets and flavoured sea salt are just some of the delicious items awaiting you, plus t-shirts and stationery.

Ages five and above

43.  Become a knight in shining armour at the Wallace Collection

This free-to-visit museum is a wonderful old house filled with fine art, furniture, porcelain and gold boxes. The galleries include famous masterpieces such as ‘The Laughing Cavalier’, and curiosities – the staircase decorated with gold coins was originally made for the Royal Bank of France. The Arms and Armour collection fascinates pint-sized warriors and can be explored during the regular free family activity sessions at weekends. All ages 

44.  Sleep under a skeleton at the Natural History Museum

Dino Snores, a monthly sleepover at the Natural History Museum, is incredibly popular. It’s usually sold out a couple of months in advance, so get booking if you want to get your little ’uns in. But it’s hardly surprising when you find out what’s involved. Guided by museum team members, kids will get to explore the galleries with torches, enjoy a live science show, make their own dino tees to take home and camp in sleeping bags beneath the blue whale in the foyer.

Ages seven to 11 (adult accompaniment required). 

45.  Wild swim in the city

Beckenham Place Park’s much-hyped £6.8m overhaul led to farcical initial scenes: its new swimming lake proved to be too popular, resulting it in being shut down for a bit while its paddling beach was removed. These days, though, it’s a good spot for affordable, well-regulated wild swimming sessions for ages eight and above, plus kayaking.

46.  Watch magical puppetry at the Little Angel Theatre

This is a fabulous place to take children for some of the best puppet shows you’re likely to see. They offer a busy programme of productions throughout the year, and at weekends and during school holidays there are activities in the new Studios Space. Here the company offers workshops and courses for all ages and stages, looking at the craft of puppet theatre. Ages two and above

47.  Visit London’s only children’s zoo

It’s not as fancy as ZSL, but Battersea Park Children’s Zoo oozes low-key charm, is noticeably cheaper than its northern neighbour, and there’s less of a frantic worry about trying to pack every single exhibit in (you definitely will). Enjoy an afternoon of fun-sized wildlife, from armadillos to agoutis to Asian short-clawed otters.

Unusually for pandemic-era London, it doesn’t require advance booking and operates on a one-in, one-out basis when it hits capacity.

48.  Make your own comic at The Cartoon Museum

Don’t be put off by the word ‘museum’. Yes there are archives and displays of old political cartoons and comic art going as far back as the eighteenth century, but the workshops and events celebrate all kinds of modern cartoonery too. Weekend and school holiday workshops are a chance for older children to explore different artistic styles and create comic strips, animations and models.

Ages eight to 15 

49.  Bake a mud pie at the London Museum of Water & Steam

Though the name sounds like it might be one for H2O nerds only, the London Museum of Water & Steam is almost aggressively family-friendly – it even has complimentary nappies. There are heaps of things to do, from a spash zone to massive cool steam engines, but the wild play garden will be the highlight for many – bake yourself some dirt-based cuisine in the massive mud kitchen.

50.  Have an out-of-this-world experience at the Planetarium

Located next to the Royal Observatory, the Peter Harrison Planetarium is a large domed cinema space showing films combining real footage captured by spacecraft with advanced CGI, providing a vivid picture of what our universe is all about. Shows include regular ‘Space Safari’ events for younger children and the ‘Meet the Neighbours’ live shows at weekends and during school holidays, which are hosted by the Observatory’s astronomers.

All ages 

51.  Experience a World War I air battle in the 4D Theatre at the RAF Museum

This museum near Brent Cross is on the site of the old Hendon aerodrome, so happily there is a lot of space for full-size, real-life exhibits of RAF aircraft – from WWI propeller planes to the amazing Eurofighter Typhoon. The museum is free, with activities throughout the holidays and an autism-friendly trail. The 4D cinema shows what it’s like to be in the cockpit of some of these amazing planes, thanks to state-of-the-art computer animation (cinema £5, £16 up to four people).

52.  Get grossed out by snot, sick and scabs at the Centre of the Cell

This inspiring education centre is located in an orange pod suspended above the laboratories of the Blizard Institute in Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Kids can see scientists at work and learn more about the human body. Mainly for schools, in the holidays there are public sessions themed around the heart, teeth or senses. The ‘Snot, Sick and Scabs’ session is particularly popular. Yum.

Ages seven plus (under 14s must be accompanied by an adult)

53.  Find your Sea Legs on the HMS Belfast

An active ship during World War II, HMS Belfast is an evocative day out. Explore the decks for a sense of life onboard in conflict and peacetime. Join in with such free holiday activities as Sea Legs, an interactive family exhibit in which you’re tasked with working out where the ship is supposed to be going and how best to feed its crew of 950.

54.  Have a teriffic time on the Terrible Thames

Terry Deary’s ‘Horrible Histories’ franchise takes to the high seas (sort of) with this enjoyably lurid clipper trip that takes in the big sights of the Thames, with our bickering guides run us through the many awful things that have happed in and around the river over the last 1000 years or so.

55.  Travel back in time on the Mail Rail

Did you ever in your wildest dreams imagine there was an abandoned postal railway system running underneath London? If the answer’s ‘yes’, you’ve probably already ridden the 100-year-old Mail Rail, the jewel in the crown of the London Postal Museum. If the answer’s no then boy is there a subterranean treat in store for you underneath the street of Clerkenwell.

56.  Scrub the deck for Sir Francis Drake on the Golden Hinde

Docked at Bankside, the Golden Hinde II is actually a full-size replica of the sixteenth-century ship used to circumnavigate the world, and its interactive tours and actors bring Drake’s adventure vividly to life. Self-guided tours are available daily, but there are also regular pirate fun days and battle workshops, with dressing-up and a chance to get hands-on with sailor duties. You can even book an overnight stay.

57.  Paddle your own canoe at Lee Valley White Water Centre

This London 2012 Olympic Games venue is open to the public for adrenalin-fuelled white-water rafting, canoeing and kayaking sessions – riding the rapids that challenged the world's best makes for an action-packed experience. On the centre's raft adventure, you'll be high-siding, spinning and nose dunking on the Olympic Standard Competition course before you know it.

Age 12 and above

58.  Have a bounce at the National Centre for Circus Arts

At this circus-training centre there are courses and facilities for professional artists but also special bookable workshops for beginners of all ages. These include monthly Youth Experience Days where older children can develop key circus skills. Booking in advance is essential, but it’s worth it – a chance to take on the trapeze, the tightwire and the diabolo with expert supervision and tutoring. Ages eight to 16 

59.  Venture into the Land of the Lions

Get stuck in at London Zoo and stay the night. After you've nosed around the exhibits, spend the night in Land of the Lions. We're not having you on, you really can sleep there. Hire a lodge and enjoy private guided tours around different animal enclosures after hours. A two-course dinner and breakfast are included, so you won't have to worry about your rumbling stomach waking up the neighbours. Plus, tickets come with free parking, which is unheard of in Camden.

Ages 14 and above

60.  Blast your way into Bunker 51

Many live-action adventures like this are located further out of London but Bunker 51 is in Docklands and decked out like an underground nuclear shelter. The lighting and props (discarded canisters of toxic waste, abandoned 4x4s and signposts to the missile bay) help to crank up the fear factor and remind you that this is war! Though happily, only in paintball (or lasertag) form.

Ages 12 and above 

61.  Learn some serious spy skills at clueQuest

Get those cogs turning by locking your family in a room and trying to escape. It sounds borderline terrifying, but these escape rooms are hugely popular and have popped up all over London. ClueQuest is in King’s Cross and gives teams of three to five players 60 minutes to solve puzzles, riddles and find hidden clues in order to regain your freedom. Plus, since there are several missions to choose from, you can go back again and again to perfect your puzzle skills. Mission, accepted.

Ages nine and above

62.  Play Bond for a day on the Thames RIB Experience

There are few places in London where you can go really fast. A good thing too, in general, given the levels of traffic everywhere. But when it comes to seeing London from the river, you can swap a genteel cruise for a speedy romp in a RIB (rigid inflatable boat). From the London Eye Millennium Pier the tour starts as a fairly regular river tour, but once you’re past Tower Bridge things speed up, scooting all the way down to Docklands. Basically, this is the whitest your knuckles will ever get while travelling down old Father Thames. It's perfect for sightseeing with a slightly breakneck, James Bond vibe.

63.  Spruce up your portfolio at the Dulwich Picture Gallery

Galleries are pretty savvy at cultivating the next generation of art lovers, with free drop-in activities, family-friendly tours and holiday workshops. Dulwich Picture Gallery is among the best, with Practical Art courses throughout the year. Sessions are planned by age range, so under-10s and teens get the right challenges for their abilities and interests. From sculpture to figure drawing, it’s a great south London resource for budding artists.

64.  Be a little monkey in the treetops

There have been treetop adventure centres in forests around the country for a few years, but when Go Ape opened in Battersea in 2015, it brought the thrill and daring of zipwiring and high-level assault courses to Zone 1. The adventure starts on the ground with a safety briefing before you put your harness on. Then off you go, working your way through three layers of challenges heading up to the canopy, crossing tricky obstacle rope walls and wooden bridges to reach the zipwires. It’s hard work, but an exhilarating experience for kids and adults with a head for heights.

65.  Build an army camp

Having undergone a major update a few years back, the National Army Museum is a free-to-visit, bright and airy space with dazzling gallery experiences and lots of activities and learning spaces for families. There’s also an immersive play session for toddlers and under-8s called Play Base. These one-hour sessions (£6.25 per child and accompanying adult) include challenges that reflect army life in a fun way – an assault course, a ‘command liaison vehicle’, the cookhouse, quartermaster store and a chance to build dens and hone survival skills ‘in the field’.

66.  Be dazzled by a neon wonderland at God's Own Junkyard

God's Own Junkyard showcases neon artist Chris Bracey's personal collection of work in a salvage yard in Walthamstow. It contains everything from his signage for Soho sex clubs in the '60s to his work for the movie industry, including pieces that were used in 'Captain America', 'Eyes Wide Shut', 'Byzantium' and more. Once you're done being dazzled, you can grab drinks and snacks at the yard's own Rolling Scones Cafe (lolz).

67.  Take a dip in a lido

Rarely does the weather warm up enough to jump into London’s outdoor lidos without flinching, but when it does everyone wants a piece of the action. Thankfully, there are plenty of lidos scattered all over the capital, including right in the centre. The easily-reached Serpentine Lido has a dedicated children’s play area with a paddling pool, and a sun terrace.

All ages (two adults to each under-16 swimming in the lake) 

68.  See a show and play in the treehouse at the Polka Theatre

In August 2021, iconic southwest London kids’ theatre the Polka will finally emerge from its walloping £8.5m makeover. Its busy programme of theatre for babies, toddlers and children will resume in a vastly upgraded building that features an indoor playspace, a playground with a treehouse, a sensory room, a large café and more.

69.  Decorate your afternoon tea at Biscuiteers Boutique and Icing Café

Get hands-on with some sweet treats at this café with branches in Notting Hill and Clapham. Not only can you enjoy a bicky with your tea, you can decorate it too. At the Biscuiteers Boutique they specialise in biscuit art and host classes for all ages, as well as a Little Biscuiteers School of Icing. At the latter you can leave your youngsters to it in an hour-long lesson (£36), or simply drop in and leave them to play with icing decoration (£15) while you relax with a cuppa and a nibble. There’s also a 

70.  Ride an adorable mini railway

With its excellent playground, fun water splash area and frequent funfairs, Brockwell Park is a day out for kids in its own right. And if you go on a Sunday between March and October it’s extra special thanks to the delightful Brockwell Park Miniature Railway. It’s been plying its trade since 2003, and a return still only costs £1.

71.  Come face-to-fish with a jellyfish shoal at the Horniman Museum

This iconic free museum in south-east London has plenty of fascinating exhibits to gaze at and (in some cases) grapple with, but there’s also a great little aquarium here you can explore for a small charge. It includes a Fijian Reef, a Tropical Rainforest, a Mangrove swamp and a UK rock pool display, stocked with aquatic creatures native to those environments. The moon jellyfish are particularly magical.

72.  Dance among the fountains as the trains roll by

Time was that King’s Cross and St Pancras were surrounded by soot-covered warehouses, all gradually falling out of use and being turned into ad hoc nightclubs. Now, though, the vast piazza spaces look positively Continental, with Granary Square’s rows of pop-up fountains and Lewis Cubitt Park offering great, architecturally designed spaces to run around. Even in winter, it’s worth taking a towel – kids can’t resist running through the spouting water jets that rise up from the ground. And while you’re here, seek out Handyside Gardens, a pocket park nearby with a charming play area especially for children.

73.  Take command of a treehouse at the Olympic Park's Tumbling Bay Playground

With oodles of traffic-free pathways, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a brilliant place for running around and bike rides. The Tumbling Bay adventure playground is a real highlight, with sand pits, wobbly bridges, rock pools and tall treehouses. There are also swings and slides. Note to parents with a penchant for a cuppa and a cake – it’s next door to the Timber Lodge café. Free

74.  Watch the pelicans being fed in St James's Park

Surrounded by some of London’s most popular sightseeing attractions (Buckingham Palace, Westminster and Trafalgar Square), St James’s Park often gets overlooked, but it’s one of the loveliest green spaces to let the kids run about in. Duck Island, at the east end of the park’s lake, is perfect for birdwatchers. There have been pelicans here since the 1660s, and every day you can watch these curious feathered creatures being fed fresh fish at 2.30pm.

75.  Go pond dipping at Camley Street Natural Park

In two acres of wilderness just north of St Pancras, Camley Street Natural Park is like a corner of countryside in Zone 1. Created from an old coal yard and sitting alongside the Regent’s Canal, it’s a wonderful space for seeking out birds and butterflies, croaking amphibians and even bats, then reporting back on your wildlife sightings, which helps the work of the reserve. Free.

76.  Revisit childhood telly classics at the BFI Mediatheque

The BFI’s vast National Archive is available to access via its digital library at viewing stations in the Mediatheque room at BFI Southbank. For film lovers, students and families it’s a chance to search for and watch films, documentaries and a vast collection of homegrown and international animations. Cuddle up on the soft seats in a viewing station, put your headphones on and enjoy.

77.  Take to the water for a marionette show at the Puppet Theatre Barge

Moored at Little Venice most of the year, guests board this ‘theatre’ via the back steps into a tiny foyer. Adults and children are then carefully arranged on rows of benches to ensure smaller guests can see the stage, before the lights go down. Productions are usually inspired by fairy tales and fables, and prove a fascinating hit with even the youngest audience members. Wonderfully lo-fi family magic. (Moored at Richmond in summer.)

Ages three and above 

78.  Get frisked by a mechanical artwork at Novelty Automation

We might live in a digital age, but kids and grown-ups alike are still fascinated by the kind of mechanical curiosities that used to amuse Edwardians in old coin-operated machines. Taking that tradition and giving it a humorous, twenty-first-century spin, engineer and cartoonist Tim Hunkin’s gallery of jolly mechanical scenes in Holborn includes an ‘Alien Probe’ and the ticklishly good ‘Autofrisk’. This is what science lessons should be like.

79.  Go leaf-boat racing at the Princess Diana Fountain

Located by the Serpentine in Hyde Park, the Diana Memorial Fountain is a landscaped circular stream made of granite that’s well suited to impromptu leaf-boat races. Water flows and bubbles from the top in two directions down a gentle slope, meeting in a pool at the bottom. Especially busy in summer, it’s open throughout the rest of the year as well. Children love racing round it, following the flow. You’re allowed to sit on the side and dip your toes in, too.

80.  Balance on stepping-stones at Thomson’s Pond in Isabella Plantation

Richmond Park’s wild landscape is ideal for families. Venture beyond the gates of the Isabella Plantation (near the south side of the park), and you’ll find yourself in a scented, colourful world of flowers and bushes. Choose your pathway into the woods and find the pretty oasis of Thomson’s Pond. Picnic under the weeping willow then try to negotiate the stepping-stones and the series of bridges over the stream without getting shoes and socks wet.

81.  Go up, go round and slide all the way down an Olympic icon

Anish Kapoor’s ArcelorMittal Orbit is a London 2012 landmark that keeps on evolving. During the Olympics and ever since the grounds reopened as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, it’s served as a huge tower to enjoy great views. But with the opening of the slide that now coils all around it like a supersized, 178-metre-long helter-skelter, it’s also become one of the coolest places in town for adrenalin thrills. Sliders must be over eight years old and at least 1.3 metres tall to face the breathtaking 40-second scoot to the ground.

82.  Take a night flight over the Thames in London's only cable car

With incredible views (without the crowded masses that gather in long queues at the London Eye or The Shard), the Emirates Airline offers a unique perspective on the city. Hop onboard and get ready for some seriously good sightseeing, all for way less than the cost of London's more famous sky-high attractions. Whether you start at the Greenwich end (next to the O2) or Royal Victoria on the north bank, you're in for a scenic treat – especially if you ride at dusk and glimpse all the twinkling lights in the skyline. It runs daily until 9pm (summer) and 8pm (winter).

83.  See a play at the Unicorn Theatre, which puts children first

This modern theatre at London Bridge focuses on drama for children and young people. Throughout the year there are visiting and homegrown productions to suit all ages, including for under-fives, as well as thought-provoking leftfield work that unaccompanied adults will dig. There are free drop-in toddler sessions on Saturdays and teenagers can apply to join the Unicorn Young Company.

84.  Meet the ring-tailed lemurs at Golders Hill Park Zoo

This park has ponds, play areas, a café and a wonderful small zoo of enclosures which offer a quick fix of wildlife. Head here to hear the laughing kookaburras, spot a ring-tailed coati in the bushes and watch the ring-tailed lemurs up to their gymnastic tricks in the branches. Especially good with little ones who don’t have the stamina to make a pricey visit to the big zoo worthwhile.

85.  Be a groundling at Shakespeare's Globe

Recreated in the style of a theatre from 400 years ago, the Globe’s seating includes ‘groundling’ tickets where the audience stands. Its outdoor setting can be a dynamic way to engage young people in classic theatre. Children and families are welcome to performances, but the tour and exhibition are the best way to introduce kids to Shakespeare, plus there are various family-friendly workshops sprinkled throughout the year.

Ages three-plus

86.  Develop an eye for high fashion

The Fashion & Textile Museum has regularly changing exhibitions that are fascinating for adults and older children interested in classic and modern design. 

On the first Saturday of every month you can join Saturday Sketching sessions (free with main museum entry). Perfect for budding young stylists, you can tour the galleries at your own pace, find something that inspires you and draw your notes using the sketchbooks and pencils supplied.

87.  Follow a family trail at the British Museum

With many artefacts that are thousands of years old, the British Museum can be a bit mind-bending for children, but free daily activities focus on the highlights kids find especially cool. Pick up activity backpacks from the Families Desk with trail challenges devised by age suitability. Get the kids to dress up, play games, sketch objects and build things. Ages two to 12

88.  Fly down a zip wire at Coram's Fields playground

This Zone 1 park is a kid-friendly joy – adults don’t get in unless accompanied by a child. Under the dappled shade of the park’s huge trees, toddlers frolic in the sandpits and paddling pool and kids clamber in the playground and swoosh down the aerial slide, while the pens of goats, chickens, rabbits and birds await the attention of curious animal lovers. There are games pitches available free of charge to under-16s, too.

89.  Get a bird's eye view of the birds at the London Wetland Centre

If you know your London, you’ll appreciate that it’s not just the buildings that made the city but its remarkable outdoor spaces. It does a body good to get truly wild from time to time – so head out to the urban oasis of lakes, ponds and meadows of the Wetland Centre. Observe the ducks and otters, take in the serene scenery and let the kids get free-range in the adventure playground.

90.  Tackle a floating assault course at London Aquatics Centre

Did you know that the stunning swimming pool complex designed by Zaha Hadid for the 2012 Olympics  is open to the public? Yes it is! There are Aqua Splash sessions with a 25-metre inflatable obstacle course suitable for kids 5+, Extreme Aqua Splash for children 8+ and family sessions – but beware, booking is essential. Under-8s and non-swimmers under 16 must be accompanied by a competent adult swimmer.

91.  Race a car on the Alexandra Palace Boating Lake

The boating lake and playground at Ally Pally are located behind the main building on the ice-rink side of the park. The boating lake has been spruced up in recent years and as well as the traditional swan-shaped pedalo vessels, you can rent pedal boats in the shape of a VW car or a dragon, too. Expect to queue on sunny days when school’s out.

92.  Watch a movie on the UK's biggest screen at the BFI Imax

With digital surround sound and a screen almost as high as five double-decker buses, this is a thrilling cinema experience for older kids and teens, especially when there’s a showing of a new Hollywood movie created with the latest Imax 3D technology. Screenings also include all-action short films about nature and space. Put your 3D specs on and get ready to duck.

93.  Coo at the cockatiels in Clissold Park

On summer days Stoke Newington’s biggest green space is filled with locals sunbathing and improvising games of football and table tennis, but throughout the year toddlers and parents roam the playground, saying a cautious ‘hello’ to the deer, goats and chickens in the animal enclosure, and chatting to the cockatiels, budgies, finches, lovebirds and parakeets in the aviary. There’s also a weekday One O’Clock Club held here.

94.  Let a chick waddle up your sleeve

London’s city farms are one of our greatest treasures. Vauxhall City Farm is one of the loveliest, with a host of farmyard creatures to meet, including Stinker and Jemima the ferrets. If you dare, get a closer look. But watch out – they are inquisitive and love to crawl into the nearest interesting looking holes, including running up your trousers or down your sleeves!

95.  Let a mad scientist make you an ice cream at Chin Chin Labs

Next time the kids beg for a 99 Flake cone, wow them with a trip to the fabulously fun Chin Chin Labs in Camden Market. Flavours vary weekly and might include ingredients to suit adult tastes (blue cheese, Guinness, tobacco) but there are also sweet treats for all. The ice cream is frozen in front of you in a cloud of liquid nitrogen-generated steam, and you can adorn your tubs with all kinds of strange sprinkles and sauces.

96.  Say a careful ‘hello’ to the Tower of London ravens

Even younger children can get a lot from a trip to the Tower because so much of the original castle still stands, including its Medieval White Tower. Join one of the free Yeoman Warder tours inside the castle walls to hear fascinating tales about Traitors’ Gate, beheadings and the Crown Jewels. Make sure, too, that you seek out the ravens. There are seven of them kept at the Tower, fed on raw meat and bird biscuits soaked in blood. Ask almost any of the Yeoman Warders and they can probably show you a scar on their hands where they’ve suffered a nasty peck.

97.  Peek through the keyhole of history at the Museum of the Home

Peep through the keyhole and see how we used to live at the Museum of the Home, which also makes use of its gardens in order to take you step by step through what the typical London home looked like at different periods from 1600 to the present day. That might sound dry, but it’s the everyday nature of the exhibitions which fascinate children because they can relate to it. There are free craft and play activities at weekends and through the school holidays.  Free

98.  Head for Hogwarts through Platform 9¾

As all good wizards know, the Hogwarts Express sets off from King’s Cross platform somewhere between 9 and 10. For years there was just a discreet sign in homage to it, but now there’s a regular, good-humoured queue waiting to pose for a free photograph with a luggage trolley stuck halfway into the wall, plus the obligatory merch shop. A must-visit for all wannabe Harrys or Hermiones.

99.  Conquer a red-eyed dragon at Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court is so many different days out in one place. For families, there’s a chance to borrow dress-up clothes from the costumes box at the entrance so you can move around the Palace kitchens, dining hall and bedrooms and feel really part of the royal story. But it’s the grounds that really hold the greatest pleasures for kids. Happily, there’s a café here too, because the kids will be off playing for hours.

100.  Bounce like no-one’s watching

Ever wanted to throw yourself about on a trampoline but were too scared you’d fall off the edge or, even worse, get caught in that gap around the frame? Then get yourself to Oxygen Freejumping, where even the walls are bouncy! In a vast warehouse space in west London, Oxygen is a great place to let off steam or host a lively birthday party. There are 150 interconnected trampolines and you can leap in any direction or choose to take on an obstacle course. Oxygen has special morning sessions for little ones, too.

101.  Mudlark!

Is there anything more quintessentially London than trawling the banks – one might even say beaches! – of the River Thames looking for miscellaneous tat that’s been washed up? There is not! Our eighteenth and nineteenth-century forbears actually made a living out of it; these days it’s more of a fun family day out. If you actually want to take stuff you find home with you, you’ll need a permit : it’s £96 for three years.

Discover more wonderful things to do

1.  101 things to do in london.

London is a treasure trove of brilliant days out 

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The ultimate 3-day itinerary for visiting London with kids

Ever since my 5-year-old son caught a glimpse of Big Ben in one of his books, he's been utterly fascinated by London' s iconic clock tower. His curiosity soon spread to everything London-related, and he would ask question after question about the British capital.

When it came time to plan our next family vacation, the decision was obvious. We were going to London, and what's more, we let him take the reins in planning the itinerary.

The result? Three days of kid-filled fun (that I thoroughly enjoyed too). From the grandeur of the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace to the whimsical Peppa Pig bus tour, our trip hit the highlights from a kid's perspective.

So, whether you have a little one obsessed with Big Ben or are simply looking for a family-friendly destination, London offers many attractions to delight children and adults alike. Here's my three-day guide to help you make the most of your family vacation in this vibrant city.

Day 1: Iconic landmarks and 360-degree views

A ride on the london underground.

If there's one thing I've learned from traveling with a little one, it's to keep the days manageable, especially the first one. So, after landing in the morning, we made our way to the hotel — Hotel Cafe Royal — on the Underground (an activity my son loved) to drop off our bags and have lunch. I'd recommend eating at the hotel or very close by to limit the amount of transit time after what was already a big day of travel.

Once we fueled up, we made our way to the London Eye, where we had 3 p.m. tickets. Buying the fast pass (which we did) allows you to skip the long line (and avoid a meltdown) and get on the famous Ferris wheel quickly. Once on, it's a 30-minute ride where you can see many of the city's highlights. It's a great way to start the trip with a literal overview of London and doesn't require any physical effort.

After taking in the London skyline, we took a five-minute walk across Westminster Bridge to fulfill my son's dream of seeing Big Ben. And his desire couldn't have come at a better time since the famous clock only recently opened after several years of restoration. Although going inside is only available to U.K. residents, we timed our stroll at the base of the clock at 4 p.m. to hear the famous bell ring (it goes off every hour).

Dinner at The Dorchester

We finished up the day with dinner at The Dorchester. The luxury landmark recently underwent a massive renovation, including The Promenade restaurant perched in the center of the hotel. Each seating area was outfitted with a cozy couch, making it the perfect spot to unwind for the day. They had an incredible kids menu with plenty of options, even for the pickiest eaters.

Then it was back to the hotel for an early bedtime and a good night's rest to prep for the action-filled next day.

Day 2: Trains, tea, toys and tradition

Postal museum.

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel (I often recommend booking a hotel package that includes breakfast to make it easy), we set out for our first activity of the day. Along with loving Big Ben, my son is also a train fanatic. So, we got 10 a.m. tickets for a lesser-known attraction: the Mail Rail exhibit at the Postal Museum.

This off-the-beaten-path museum dives into London's fascinating postal history with an interactive exhibit that includes a ride on an actual underground train. We wove through the old tunnels, making stops along the way where we learned about the old underground railway system that once moved the city's mail. Although slightly claustrophobic at times (the train is very tiny), it was very entertaining for both kids and adults. A postal-themed play space for kids under 8 features a small-scale village with roads, structures, trams and tunnels.

Changing of the guard

Then it was off to witness the changing of the guard around 11 a.m. We opted to take a taxi to cut down on travel time and made it to the iconic ceremony outside Buckingham Palace. While we couldn't get up close to the gates, plenty of British pomp and pageantry along the Mall entertained my son for a little while.

We kept watching as we made our way to St. James's Park playground, which was just a few minutes' walk from the palace. My son loved climbing on the rocks, walking across the mini bridge and digging in the sandbox. We could see more of the changing of the guard parade from the playground.

Afternoon tea

As you can imagine, we were hungry at this point, and my son requested afternoon tea while in London. We chose The Guardsman as it was just a few minutes' walk and was supposed to be one of the top spots for the quintessentially British experience. We chowed down on sandwiches and pastries, and they gave my son a stuffed bear dressed as a beefeater (a perfect souvenir for what we had just witnessed).

With some renewed energy, we had one last outing for the day. Of course, my son also requested we visit a toy store in town. And there's no better one than Hamleys. It's one of the world's largest and oldest toy stores, with seven floors of gadgets and gizmos. It can be overwhelming as people are dancing, clowns are blowing bubbles and drones are zipping around, but my son had a blast looking at everything. He settled on a small truck as his toy before we returned to the hotel.

Dinner at Cake & Bubbles

With such a busy morning, we decided to spend the afternoon and evening at the hotel. We made it back for the children's hours (4-6 p.m.) at the pool and took a little late-afternoon dip before an early dinner at Cake & Bubbles (attached to the hotel). While the family-friendly restaurant is known for its desserts (the cheesecake is a must), it also has a delicious savory menu of small bites. We enjoyed burgers, pasta, salad and some dessert for a sweet ending to a fun-filled day.

Day 3: Playgrounds and Peppa Pig

The diana memorial playground.

My son always wants to check out the playground scene no matter what city we visit. And one in London is a must-see: the Diana Memorial Playground. After our hotel breakfast and a morning swim (we wanted to keep the morning low-key), we hopped on a local double-decker bus (another request of my son) and made our way to the far edge of Kensington Gardens.

Next to the late Princess Diana's former Kensington Palace home, the Diana Memorial Playground is inspired by the story of Peter Pan. The centerpiece is a large wooden pirate ship surrounded by a sandy beach and "buried treasure." Other features include sensory trails, various toys and play sculptures, all set within a carefully landscaped area. My son loved climbing into the crow's nest and zipping down the hidden slides.

Peppa Pig bus tour

After some playtime, it was time for one final kid-approved activity: the Peppa Pig bus tour. Since my son requested afternoon tea and a double-decker bus ride on the trip and is a fan of the "Peppa Pig" cartoon, I was elated when I learned an option included all three.

The whimsical tour involved driving around the city in a historic double-decker-bus-turned-restaurant seeing the major sites (including Big Ben again) while nibbling on mini pizzas and scones. The kids were served hot chocolate in cups with lids, while the adults had a choice of teas. Individual screens played "Peppa Pig" clips that described the historic sites we drove past. And an onboard emcee played games and sang songs with the kids whenever we were stuck in traffic.

Dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

After the tour, we had some downtime at the hotel before making our way to the final dinner of the trip. Since everything else had been kid-focused, my husband and I opted for a nicer dinner at Pavyllon in the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane.

Although geared toward adults, the staff was incredibly accommodating and had a kids menu available. They even brought my son's food out first, so he didn't have to wait. And they rushed our dishes, too, so we could have a speedier meal that aligned better with a 5-year-old's patience. We brought a deck of cards and played War throughout dinner, which entertained my son thoroughly.

After dinner, we returned to the hotel for our final night before taking a flight out the following day.

Where to stay

When planning a family stay in London, a plethora of options cater to the needs of both adults and children. For families, areas like South Kensington, Covent Garden and Westminster are ideal due to their proximity to major attractions like the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the London Eye.

Hotel Cafe Royal

We opted for Hotel Cafe Royal (part of the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection ) in Piccadilly Circus. It is near multiple modes of transportation to reach anywhere in the city and within walking distance of numerous attractions, including the Hamleys toy store. What's more, it's incredibly family-friendly. The rooms are spacious, and the property even worked with a former royal nanny to curate the family programming. So, we had a tent with toys set up in the room, and there was a white-noise machine ready to help us all get a good night's sleep. Plus, if you book through the Chase travel portal , you get daily breakfast, a complimentary upgrade and a $100 property credit.

Other properties to consider

But there are plenty of other family-friendly options too. The Hilton London Bankside (available for around $267 or 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night) has a host of family offerings like connecting rooms and an indoor pool. Kids eat free at Holiday Inn London — Oxford Circus, with rooms available for around $328 or 39,000 IHG rewards points a night.

Planning a trip to London? Check out some of our other stories and planning tips:

• 27 of the best free things to do in London
• The complete guide to flying to London on points and miles
• 7 London hotels used by actual royalty
• The best hotels in London
• Chic but a bit cramped: A review of The London Edition