Join me to explore my favorite city on earth and learn everything you need to discover the best London has to offer! 99 best things to do in London with kids - Time Out Intense, thrill-seeking, swashbuckling and enlightening, the selection is far too wide to list in a single article or visit in a weekend. Booking in advance is wise, however, and you can do that here or book a fast track ticket here. We saw the stables and a couple of horses, but the most impressive were of course the Royal carriages. Tickets need to be booked well in advance, especially if you're on a budget. At first, the kids were not very excited about the wax figures. 101 things to do in London with kids Inspiring ideas for all ages Unmissable London attractions Treat to the little ones to a day at one of London's best attractions The boutique hotel has family rooms including a mini kitchen with a microwave and fridge, which is always useful when travelling with kids. The Natural History Museum is a must for many children in London who could fail to be awed by whichever massive skeleton is on display in the grand lobby? What a fabulous article.thanks for making it easy for parents doing their research . Odds Farm Park Children's Farms, Indoor and Outdoor Ages 0-12 If youre planning a trip to London with kids, get excited and get them excited too as there are tons of fun and kid-friendly things to do in London. If you're looking for things to do with teenagers that are unforgettable, the O2 arena roof walk delivers. Even teens will be impressed by the array of sights and shopping on offer, while younger children should prepare to be amazed by Londons array of attractions and activities. Some are even completely free. The museum also has activity sheets you can download, print, and bring along on the day of your visit. Thanks for sharing this, Kev. TIP: If you are visiting London between late July and the end of September, dont miss the chance to see the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace from the inside. Staying realistic about how much you can see in a day and being flexible with your schedule is the key to keeping everyone happy. Sharing is caring! Whether youre wondering about entertainment for kids in London, family attractions in London or are trying to plan an actual London itinerary with kids, this article will help you find your way. THE 10 BEST Things to Do in London with Kids (Updated 2023) - Tripadvisor While tourists technically can mudlark on their own, they must have a permit. On this blog, I share our family's travel experiences from all over the world, coupled with lots of practical information and useful tips for your trips. Today, the building serves as a small museum, where you and your family can learn all about medieval torture. The London Eye provides high-up views over the river to Big Ben and beyond, and theSea Life London Aquarium, with a shark tunnel and penguin area, is particularly popular with younger kids. The Thames tide rises and falls twice a day by up to 24 feet; when the water departs, leaving tons of centuries-old objects that people once tossed into the river. Lets hear from the kids: It was fun that we could sit on top of the bus, you could see everything! A nice family-friendly way to explore London is with this Tootbus Kids Tour. This article was first published March 2015 and updated May 2022. The 90-minute walk takes you up and over the top of the dome while suspended from a cable harness. Get close to a space module, track the history of aviation, and learn about the importance of ice in the Antarctic. The views are amazing, and especially around sunset when the light is really beautiful. For fully refundable tickets with a fast track option, we recommend Get Your Guide. You don't have to be a history buff to enjoy a visit to the British Museum. Registered Office: London & Partners, 169 Union Street, London, SE1 0LL. Essential resources, How to purchase tickets for London attractions. While the museum does not open its doors until 2023, heres what you can expect. We recommend Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London for families visiting London with kids. I dont think I can find the right words to describe how much the kids enjoyed the 4D Marvel Super Heroes movie. The sea life aquarium has multiple sections: the intense Shark Walk, the Atlantic Coasts section, the Ray Lagoon, Seahorse Kingdom, Conservation Cove, Ocean Invaders (jellyfish), Rockpool, and Ocean Tunnel. The museum houses tons of historical artifacts relating to crime and punishment. The London Eye is among our all-time favourite attractions for kids in London (as well as for adults who travel unencumbered)! The 10 Best Things to Do in London with Kids - Trip.com ), but it can be done with a little extra time and planning. This list shows what we chose to do in London with our three boys (age 6-8). 6 Places to Visit In London With Kids A Moment With Franca Booking in advance is advisable and again Get Your Guide offer a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before. Forget head-achingly boring textbook-based lessons these museums house science exhibits so engaging and, Having children with you on your travels doesn't mean that you, or they, have to miss out on the fun. Hintze Hall, at the center of the museum, is home to an awe-inspiring blue whale skeleton that hangs from the ceiling. Situated in Greenwich Park, you will find the Peter Harrison Planetarium. London is great for families! Our kids loved the Lego store and the m&ms store (both on Leicester Square); they could spend hours there! If you have more time, you can also join one of the walking tours that are offered by the Original Tour. The Natural History Museumis a colossal and magnificent building housing 80 million specimens fromthe natural world, with displays on everything from the human body to rare fossils and gems. up close. We spent more time on the water than I had expected and went all the way from MI6 to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben Tower. Closing out the top 10 was Sydney . I asked my kids to sort this list of London attractions, landmarks, and family-friendly activities based on what they enjoyed the most. The museum deals with the events during WWI and WWII and features a stunning section on the Holocaust. Everyone I know whos done this Harry Potter studio tour in London said that it was an amazing experience for the whole family, and is well worth the time and the money. Cruise down the Thames, take a selfie with a Beefeater at the Tower of London, or visit The View from the Shard - the choice is yours. Here are some more ideas for the things we really wanted to see and do in London with kids but didnt have the time for. They have included numerous personal accounts to understand what occurred on a human level. The kids wouldnt stop talking about our visit to Madame Tussauds for the rest of the day! Toddlers love to gaze at the world around them, taking it all in. Im Jurga, a traveler with a camera, a mom of three boys, and the founder of Full Suitcase, one of the world's leading family travel blogs. You really should try and visit a couple of these shops with kids! The best option is Hamleys on Regent Street, which proudly (and boldly) calls itself the finest toys shop in the world. The entrance hall (the Great Court) is worth a visit in its own right as it's magnificent. London is a great city to visit with kids especially as a first international trip and there are some delightful things to do with kids in London, too. Covered are all the top kids attractions in London, as well as a selection of the best kids activities in London. London & Partners is registered in England under no. You could co-pilot a spaceship with Chewbacca, fight against Darth Vader with a real lightsaber of Luke Skywalker, or take a picture with BB8 (or princess Leia for the dads ;)). Weve written a complete guide to this too, which you can access via the link below to find out all you need to know. It is probably one of the most popular attractions in London, so expect long queues. Since Buckingham Palace is closed for visits during the biggest part of the year (open in summer) and Windsor Castle requires a whole day trip from London, I thought that visiting the Royal Mews might be a good way to shortly introduce the kids to the Royal side of England. In the summer months bring a change of clothes, as your kids are likely to make a beeline forSouthbank Centre'sfountains. The absolute highlight here isthe 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). Were not going to lie London can be a very expensive city. Hi There, Learn how your comment data is processed. Things to Do in London With Kids - Thrillophilia Things to do in London with Kids It took me a long time to decide whether I could name this post the best things to do in London with kids. However, I believe the London Eye ride is something your little ones can enjoy. Make sure you check the planetariums website and book in advance. 17 Things to Do with Kids in London, KY | TripBuzz New shows appear all the time, so even if youve been before there will be something you havent seen yet! Almost every museum and major art gallery in London hosts special events and exhibitions with children in mind, and many of them are free. There is simply so much to do in London with children that no list could possibly ever include all of them! Located in North London, Topsy Turvy World is a large indoor play center and party venue for children under 12. Have a wonderful time visiting London with your family! We also took a river cruise (included in the 24hr ticket) and seeing London from the water was another highlight of the trip. Lets hear from the kids: There were way too many toys, could never choose what to buy (luckily for mom and dad!). Another attraction worth visiting with kids at Kew Gardens is Treetop Walkway. Explore the anthropological Horniman Museum and Gardens in South London where children can touch museum objects. All rights reserved. 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. In order to get the most of your family vacation in London, its best to stay in the city center, within walking distance to the main attractions. You can check availability and book your tickets here. London Transport Museum explores the story of London and its transport system over the last 200 years, highlighting the powerful link between transport and the growth of modern London, culture and society since 1800.. Phone +44 20 7747 2885. Get to know me more here. The emphasis nowadays is firmly on conservation, breeding and education, with fewer animals and bigger enclosures. If you are visiting London with kids, you could certainly visit marquis attractions like Buckingham Palace or the London Eye, or spend days visiting one of the city's incredible free museums (like the British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum ) if that is your cup of (British) tea. Teens (and parents too) can climb the O2 roof for some of the best views of London. However, we chose all of these activities ourselves, based on our interests and what we thought would be the best things to do in London for our family. and tips for visiting London for the first time. Im sure your children will find the crazy stories of the tower as a prison or a zoo fascinating. We've traveled to many amazing cities around the world, such as New York City, Paris, Mexico City, Delhi, Hanoi, and Jakarta. However, all of us were just as much impressed with the Harrods fish and fruit departments, Egyptian escalator, and their luxury elevators. Fun Things to Do in London with Kids: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do. It was a big change from my normal way of showing people around town, to shift to tailoring each days itinerary to the activities that young(er) people like to do (Im not that old! We passed a 2-3 hour queue in just a minute. From activities in London for kids to great family entertainment in London, this is the ultimate London-with-kids guide. This free interactive gallery allows for construction with blocks andcranes,and sensory exploration with sound, touch, and water play. Especially going in the water, so cool! The museum houses a library of over 5,000 books and 4,000 comics, and the staff has laid out the prices chronologically. 15 Fun Things to Do in London with Kids - Family Destinations Guide Hamleys is said to be the only store that sells the Playmobil or LEGO Royal Guard figurines (although I think it might have changed now as I found them on Amazon UK too ;)). The London Zoo is the worlds oldest scientific zoo, opening in 1828. There are various worksheets, activities and trails designed specifically for young visitors covering different themes within the museum. Designed by the same people behind the London Eye, the Treetop Walkway is 200 meters long and 18 meters-high walkway that gives visitors the chance to rise above the shrubbery at Kew Gardens in London. London is a surprisingly green city, with a lot of large open spaces. AndRemember where we could put our heads between the penguins?! Its a really nice place to visit with young children, one they will truly enjoy. London is one of the world's most exciting destinations for a family vacation. This means you really do need to book your tickets as early as you can. They have a large selection of vehicles, guns, and uniforms. This blog is awesome and i am planning a travel in the month of april with my kids age 4 girl and 9 boy. Coming in second is Copenhagen, followed by Melbourne. There are also some wax figures of workers and prisoners, making the experience highly realistic. This highly-rated Harry Potter at Warner Bros. London, Madame Tussauds London, Sealife London Aquarium, The London Eye, and The London Dungeon), its best to buy a combination ticket. Madame Tussauds, packed with waxwork likenesses of all kinds of famous people from royals to sports personalitiesis kitschy and pricey, but makes for a fun-filled day. Where to stay in London with kids - MUMMYTRAVELS If your kids love the idea of visiting the Clink Prison and the London Dungeon, then visiting the Tower of London is another one of the best things to do with kids in London; it is another way to experience first-hand what prisons were like in medieval times. The enclosures feature signage with tons of information about farm animals. Another great park in central London is St Jamess Park, close to Buckingham Palace. Required fields are marked *. Discover London at your own pace with 60 days to access experiences including the Tower of London, Thames River Cruise, The View from the Shard, Westminster Abbey, and more. London With Kids: 20 Things for Kids to do in London - Wanderlust Crew 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 Teens - Kids Are A Trip The most recent addition the Diamond Jubilee State Coach dates from2014. London Eye The London Eye is one of the absolute musts in London, with or without kids. British Museum. We recommend using a theft-proof travel bag like this one by Travelon. To be honest, I find the regular Sea Life ticket a bit too expensive. London Travel Guide & Itinerary Planner (+ 4 bonus ebooks), See the complete Harry Potter studios guide here, Read all about Harry Potter film locations in London here, Find the best Harry Potter walking & bus tours here, London Natural History Museum Dinosaur Discovery Family Tour, Click here for the best guide to the Changing of the Guard, Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at the Aqua Shard, Charlie and the Chocolate Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych, Jungle Book Afternoon Tea at Browns Hotel, Wizard Themed Afternoon Tea at the Potion room, Peppa Pig Themed Afternoon Tea on Brigits Bakery Bus, Betty Blythe Vintage 1920s and 30s themed Afternoon Tea, Click to check out our post on the best London hotels for families, a self-guided tour of Harry Potter filming locations, Read our top tips for visiting London for the first time, guide to using public transport in London, Guide to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Guide to purchasing tickets for the lost popular London attractions, Comparison guide to the best boat trips and cruises on the Thames, Read out budget guide to London with tips to save money when visiting, Discover 32 free things to see and do in London, Our guide to the most popular castles to visit from London, Read our comprehensive guide to the best London tours.