The Ultimate Guide to Family Fun in London

Our top pick of the best things to do in London with children

London is an incredibly family-friendly destination, with a huge variety of attractions designed to entertain curious minds, busy hands, and energetic explorers.

We’ve rounded up a list of best things to do in London with kids, from zoos and playgrounds to museums and boat trips. Adding a few of these to your itinerary is the secret to a successful family trip to London. And don’t worry, there’s not a soft play centre in sight, just genuinely fun attractions that the whole family will enjoy.

1. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: Step into the magical world of Harry Potter

You don’t have to be a Potter fanatic to be totally spellbound during a day at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter. For kids, this is probably the next best thing to actually receiving a Hogwarts acceptance letter.

The tour is totally immersive, allowing you to step into real sets from the films, complete with props, costumes, special effects, and animatronics. Go window shopping in Diagon Alley, tiptoe through the Forbidden Forest, pull out a potted Mandrake in Professor Sprout’s greenhouse, and savour the flavours of a delicious, frothy Butterbeer.

It’s a spell-binding day out for the whole family to witches, wizards, and muggles alike.

Don’t forget to book as far in advance as possible, as this is one of London’s most popular attractions and books up fast.

Price: Adult (16+) £58.50, Child (5-15) £47, Family ticket £188, Under 4s go free.

Opening times: Varies throughout the year, check the website before visiting.

Getting there: Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington, then the Hammersmith & City line or Circle line to Euston Square. Walk to Euston station and take the train to Watford Junction. From here you can hop on a dedicated shuttle bus straight to the studio. (No floo powder required).

2. The Natural History Museum: Interactive exhibits and awe-inspiring natural wonders

The Natural History Museum is one of the best free things to do in London with kids. Home to over 80 million specimens spanning billions of years, it’s a treasure trove of natural wonders, guaranteed to spark curiosity and imagination in visitors of all ages.

One of the museum’s most breathtaking sights is ‘Hope’, the 25-metre blue whale skeleton, which is suspended dramatically from the ceiling. Families can marvel at towering dinosaur skeletons, ancient fossils, and one of the world’s only preserved Dodo heads. The museum’s dinosaur gallery is another highlight for kids, where they can come face-to-face with a roaring animatronic T-Rex.

Don’t miss travelling up the escalator through a giant glowing Earth into the museum’s otherworldly space and geology galleries where you can see real space rocks, meteorites, and moon dust up close.

Beware, it’s easy to while away hours upon hours here!

Price: Free (but book an entry ticket online).

Opening times: Open daily 10 am until 5.50 pm (closed 24-26 December).

Getting there: From Paddington station, take the Circle line direct to South Kensington. From here, you’re just a short stroll from the museum entrance.

3. ZSL London Zoo: Walkthrough enclosures and big cats

Opened in 1828, London Zoo is one of the capital’s oldest and most beloved things to do with kids in London. Not only are there thousands of animals to see, but there are also interactive zones, immersive walk-through habitats, and play areas for kids that need to run off some energy.

Younger kids will love stepping inside the lemur walkthrough enclosure and spotting colourful butterflies in Butterfly Paradise, while older kids are often drawn to Gorilla Kingdom, Penguin Beach, and the hugely popular otter talks. Seeing favourites like the giraffes, lions and tigers will leave the whole family awe-struck.

Before you visit, don’t forget to download the London Zoo visitor app to help you navigate the zoo and plan your day so you don’t miss any of the highlights.

Price: Ticket prices vary throughout the year; check prices online.

Opening times: Daily, seasonal times apply.

Getting there: From Paddington, take the Bakerloo line southbound to Baker Street. From here, you can either get the 274 bus towards Camden Town to the zoo or walk there through Regent’s Park. Walking takes about 25-30 minutes.

4. The Science Museum: Hands-on, interactive exhibits for curious minds

The Science Museum is right next door to the Natural History Museum, so it is feasible to do them both on the same day if you’ve got the stamina for it. If you decide to do this, it’s best to research before you visit so you can prioritise your must-sees in each museum.

The Science Museum is one of the top things to do in London with teens and there’s something here to amaze kids of all ages. Go on a journey through space exploration, modern mechanics and engineering, wonderful chemistry and physics experiments, and so much more.

Younger kids will love letting off steam in the museum’s multi-sensory play areas like The Garden and the Pattern Pod, while older kids will be talking about the Wonderlab’s interactive exhibits and the Power Up gaming experience for weeks to come.

Price: General entry is free (but book an entry ticket online). Charges apply to enter the Wonderlab, Power Up, and IMAX exhibits.

Opening times: Open daily 10 am until 6 pm (closed 24-26 December).

Getting there: From Paddington station, take the tube (Circle line) to South Kensington. From here it’s a short walk to the museum entrance.

5. SEA LIFE London Aquarium: Explore hidden underwater worlds

Take a fascinating journey beneath the waves to explore hidden underwater worlds at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium. Across three floors, you’ll discover colourful marine life, interactive exhibits, and mesmerising creatures from oceans around the world. It’s the perfect activity for a rainy day in London.

Walk through the glass ocean tunnel while sharks, rays, and tropical fish glide silently above you. Then, visit the playful colony of Gentoo penguins at Penguin Point and challenge the kids to spot the real-life Nemo in the coral reef exhibit.

Don’t miss the hypnotic jellyfish tanks that glow and change colours in the dark. SEA LIFE London takes you on a fascinating, multi-sensory journey into parts of the natural world that most of us otherwise don’t get to experience up close.

Price: Ticket prices start at £28 (Book online to save).

Opening times: Daily, seasonal times apply.

Getting there: From Paddington, take the Bakerloo line southbound to Waterloo. From here, it’s just a 5-minute walk to the aquarium.

6. Princess Diana Memorial Playground: Run off some energy

The Diana Memorial Playground, located in Kensington Gardens, is set to reopen in summer 2026. With over 1 million visitors a year, it is the UK’s most-visited playground and one of the top things to do in London for kids.

The playground, which has a Peter Pan-inspired theme, has recently undergone a £3 million refurbishment. At its heart is a three-storey, full-scale galleon ship featuring crow’s nests, a steering wheel, and a telescope, designed to spark children’s imaginations and encourage adventurous play. The park also features a treehouse, water play area, and a musical area.

Once you’ve tired the kids out in the playground, why not feed the ducks and swans at Kensington Garden’s Round Pond or search for the bronze statue of Peter Pan?

Price: Free.

Opening times: Daily (seasonal hours).

Getting there: Take the Circle line from Paddington to High Street Kensington, then enjoy a short 10-minute walk through Kensington Gardens to the playground.

7. London Transport Museum: All aboard!

If your kids love trains and buses and all things transport, they won’t be able to get enough of the London Transport Museum. Here, they can jump aboard a real, restored vintage bus, horse-drawn carriage, and underground train to experience London transport through the decades.

There are plenty of buttons to push, hands-on exhibits, and interactive displays to keep younger visitors entertained, as well as a tube train simulator for older kids.

Need a breather? The museum’s Playzone offers children aged 0-7 the opportunity to dress up, role-play, and burn off some energy while parents take a well-deserved rest.

Price: Adult tickets from £22.50, kids go free.

Opening times: Open daily 10 am – 6 pm.

Getting there: Take the Bakerloo line southbound from Paddington to Picadilly Circus, then change to the Picadilly line eastbound for one stop to Covent Garden. From here, it’s just a short 3-minute walk to the museum.

8. Take a Thames Clipper boat ride

Let’s face it, the busy London underground isn’t much fun when you’re juggling small children and pushchairs. Travelling the city by boat offers an alternative, scenic way of getting around. A cruise along the River Thames, taking in famous London landmarks, is relaxing for adults and an exciting, novel way to travel for kids.

The Thames Clipper Uber boats are high-speed commuter boats that offer the same incredible views as a sightseeing cruise at a much lower cost. One of the best routes for families travels from Westminster Pier to Greenwich, offering views of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Cutty Sark, and more, all while avoiding the city traffic.

Price: £55.80 for a Family Hop-on Hop-off (River Roamer) 1-day pass online or on the app.

Opening times: Frequent services run throughout the day.

Where to catch it: Key piers include Westminster, London Eye, Tower, and Greenwich.

A family of three about to travel on the Heathrow Express

Get your London adventure off to a smooth start with Heathrow Express

Whether your kids dream of going to Hogwarts, coming face-to-face with a lion, driving a train, or travelling back to the time of the dinosaurs, London offers thrilling experiences for the whole family.

After a long flight, the last thing parents want is a complicated journey into the city. Thankfully, the Heathrow Express makes getting into central London fast and stress-free. Departing every 15 minutes, it takes just 15 minutes to reach Paddington Station, and there’s plenty of room for luggage, pushchairs, and tired little travellers. What’s more, kids aged 15 and under travel for free. It’s the perfect stress-free start to a family holiday in London.

Book your Heathrow Express tickets today.