Start your UK vacation planning here with our guide to the best things to do in London with your kids. We’ve even given you the underground stations, so you can blend in seamlessly.
River Thames with London Eye
London Eye: best things to do in London for high flyers
One of London’s most iconic modern landmarks and the world’s highest observation wheel (135 metres), the London Eye offers far-reaching aerial views of the city and beyond – as far as Windsor castle on a clear day – and is a must-do attraction in fine weather.
The slowly rotating pods have a maximum capacity of 25, ensuring great views for every passenger on the half hour flight.
Underground Station: Westminster
Regent Street, London
Hamleys: London’s toy shop of toy shops
The finest, biggest and most famous toy shop in the world, Hamleys needs little introduction.
Seven floors of enthusiastic and child-friendly staff test drive all the latest games, gizmo’s and gadgets: not to mention demonstration areas allowing kids to play with it, build it, draw it, design it and fly whatever they like.
To call it shopping is underselling it – this is a fabulously over-the-top junior retail experience.
Underground Station: Oxford Circus
Regent’s Park Zoo, one of the best things to do in London
London Zoo: one of the best zoos in the world
It home to all the usual suspects, London Zoo is more than just a showcase for some of the world’s wildest animals: its primary role is that of conservation.
Its location means it’s been unable to expand over the years but it has seen massive improvements in the animals’ living conditions. Harry Potter fans will recognise the reptile house from The Philosopher’s Stone.
Underground Station: Regent’s Park
Exploring the past is one of the best things to do in London
London Dungeons: one of the best things to do in London for ghouls
Not for the faint-hearted (or those under eight), The London Dungeon takes visitors through a 90-minute potted history of London’s murky past, using spine-chilling storytelling, horrific re-enactments and a series of rides and shows.
It’s tongue-in-cheek scary: using actors, severed limbs and special effects. And you’ll meet some of the cities most notorious residents, including Jack the Ripper and Sweeney Todd as you journey through 1,000 years of history.
Underground Station: London Waterloo
Palatial Somerset House, London
Somerset House: culture shouldn’t be this much fun
A major arts and cultural centre in the heart of London, Somerset House offers regular, weekend family workshops exploring everything from painting and model-making to fashion design and animation.
Famous for its sensational winter ice-rink, it is equally worth a visit in summer months when over 50 mini fountains dance around the courtyard providing a wonderful water playground for over-heated children. And there’s plenty of places to eat.
Underground Stations: Temple or Embankment
The London Science Museum
Science Museum: one of the best things to do in London is free
Join the Red Arrows on one of their aerobatic displays, step inside a human bubble, see what you look like through the lens of a thermal imaging camera, manipulate light using mirrors, lenses and filters to create your own rainbow, and launch your own rocket.
With over 800 hands-on interactive displays, the London Science Museum encourages children to experiment, examine and explore to their hearts content. Boring old museum this is not!
Underground Station: South Kensington
London’s quaint corner of Covent Garden
Covent Garden: go and just wander around and catch the vibe
Home to the Royal Opera House, the London Transport Museum, a mass of different eateries, boutiques, market stalls and the best street theatre in the capital, it’s hard not to fall in love with the charm of Covent Garden, whatever your age.
Covent Garden also offers some of the best people-watching and afternoon tea opportunities in London, the kids will be entertained by everything from fire eaters to mime acts, musicians to magicians.
Underground Station: Covent Garden
One of the best things to do in London is a Thames boat tour
Thames Tour: one of the best things to do in London for sailors
For a view of London’s historical landmarks, take a cruise on the capital’s oldest thoroughfare, the River Thames. Thames River Cruises offer a circular hop-on, hop-off tour, enabling you to stop and visit different sites.
Pass under Tower Bridge and marvel at one of the world’s most famous fortresses, The Tower of London, then explore The Docklands, Canary Wharf, The Thames Barrier and Greenwich.
Cruise Piers: Greenwich (SE10 9HT); St Katharine’s Pier (E1W 1LD); Westminster Pier (SW1A 2JH)
View of London from Hyde Park
Hyde Park: the best place for just hanging out or having a swim
An oasis of green, Hyde Park is central London’s largest park: the perfect spot for a picnic or for little ones to run around in. Hire a boat on the Serpentine, the lake that dominates the park. Or, for a couple of months a year, you can even splash around at the Lido, the oldest swimming club in Britain.
For those wanting to keep their feet dry, bike hire and horse riding opportunities offer alternative ways of whiling away a day.
Underground Stations: Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch
The magnificent Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum: another free one to share with your kids
Visit the Natural History Museum for free to watch thousands of live leafcutter ants at work, come face-to-face with the animatronic T-Rex with his 15cm long teeth, check out the size of the massive blue whale and feel the earth move under your feet in the earthquake room.
Explorer backpacks (complete with safari hat, binoculars and activity kit) are available for under-sevens and Discovery Guides for kids aged 4-16.
Underground Station: South Kensington