When you’re planning things to do in London with kids, you want more than a list of the same old attractions. You want ideas that work for a fun and stress-free day out, places where kids stay engaged, and experiences that are affordable.
This guide brings together some of the best family-friendly attractions in London, with a mix of indoor activities, outdoor space, and fun, exciting experiences. You’ll also find that most of these attractions are discounted when you travel by train, so you can turn a great day out into a great value one too.
Top tip: Children can get cheap tickets when you travel by train. Child train tickets provide significant discounts for children aged 5 to 15, making travel more affordable for families. Plus, children under 5 travel free with a fare-paying adult on most routes.
Interactive experiences for kids in London
The Paddington Bear Experience
This newer attraction brings a well-known story to life through interactive sets and guided experiences. It’s particularly strong for younger children who enjoy storytelling and character-led activities. This is one of the most wholesome and family-friendly things to do in London with kids, and it’s made more affordable when you travel by train as you can get 20% off.
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB
Hours: Open daily 9:45am - 4:45pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.daysoutguide.co.uk/the-paddington-bear-experience
The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience
Explore themed zones, solve puzzles against the clock, and laugh until your sides hurt. Ideal for groups and perfect for birthdays - or just as a super fun way to spend a day. There’s also an on-site bar and cafe for refuelling after the fun. This is definitely one of the most unforgettable things to do in London with kids, and you can get a massive 50% off your booking when you travel by train.
Nearest Thameslink station: Farringdon
Address: 22-32 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7EU
Phone: 0161 791 0727
Hours: Monday-Friday 1pm-9pm; Saturday & Sunday 9am-9pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.daysoutguide.co.uk/the-crystal-maze-live-experience-london
Monopoly Lifesized
Step into a giant, immersive version of the world’s most contentious board game. Roll enormous dice, solve escape-room style puzzles, and complete missions across one of four giant game boards. It’s fast-paced, fun, and perfect for families looking for a hilarious day out. Plus, stick around afterwards to hit The Top Hat Bar & Restaurant for Monopoly-themed cocktails and comfort food. When you travel with Thameslink, you can get a third off your tickets.
Nearest Thameslink station: Farringdon
Address: 213-215 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7PS
Phone: 020 8164 6469
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 12pm-11pm; Saturday 10am-11pm; Sunday 10am-10pm; Closed Mondays
Find out more and book tickets: www.daysoutguide.co.uk/monopoly-lifesized
Shrek's Adventure! London
For younger children, this is one of the more immersive kids activities in London. Live actors, storytelling, and interactive sets pull them into the experience from the start, so it’s one of the most exciting things to do in London with kids. To make it even more affordable, when you travel by train, you can get a third off your tickets.
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB
Phone: 020 7967 8027
Hours: Open daily 10am-3pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.thameslinkrailway.com/discounts-and-offers/2for1-offers/details/shrek-s-adventure-london
Best parks and outdoor attractions for kids in London
Diana Memorial Playground
Recently refurbished and more fun than ever, this goes well beyond a standard playground. The large pirate ship and sensory play areas encourage imagination and longer playtime, giving kids space to settle into the experience. It’s one of the most reliable free family activities in London and one of the best value things to do in London with kids.
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
Address: Kensington Gardens, Broad Walk, London W2 4RU
Phone: 0300 061 2001
Hours: Open daily from 10am
Find out more: www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/kensington-gardens/diana-memorial-playground
Chelsea FC Museum & Stadium Tour
For football fans, this is an easy addition to your list of London activities for kids. Walking through the tunnel, seeing the dressing rooms, and stepping pitch-side makes it feel immersive and totally enchanting. You can get two adult tickets for the price of one for the guided tour, which includes entry to the Chelsea FC Museum, making this a great value family day out.
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
Address: Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, London SW6 1HS
Phone: 0871 984 1955
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm; Closed Sundays
Find out more and book tickets: www.daysoutguide.co.uk/chelsea-fc-stadium-tour-museum
Battersea Park Children's Zoo
Smaller and more manageable than the main zoo, this works particularly well with younger children. You can combine animal encounters with playground time and a relaxed park setting. It’s a great value option for a family day out in London, as you can get 2FOR1 when you travel by train.
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
Address: Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ
Phone: 020 7924 5826
Hours: Open daily 10am-5:30pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.daysoutguide.co.uk/battersea-park-childrens-zoo
ZSL London Zoo
When you need outdoor family activities in London, London Zoo is a classic. Feeding times and themed zones like Land of the Lions keep the day moving naturally, and it pairs well with time in Regent’s Park. Even better, you can get 2FOR1 when you travel by train, making it affordable too.
Nearest Thameslink station: London St Pancras International
Address: Outer Circle, London NW1 4RY
Phone: 0344 225 1826
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.thameslinkrailway.com/discounts-and-offers/2for1-offers/details/london-zoo
Hyde Park
Every good London itinerary with kids needs a reset point. Hyde Park gives you space for playground time, pedal boats, or just letting kids run freely after more structured activities. It’s one of the simplest but most effective free things to do in London with kids.
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
Address: Hyde Park, London, W2
Phone: 0300 061 2000
Hours: Open daily 5am-Midnight
Find out more and book tickets: www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/hyde-park
Best museums in London for kids
Science Museum
If you’re looking for hands-on things to do in London with kids, this is always a strong starting point. Interactive galleries, live experiments, and spaces like Wonderlab turn big scientific ideas into something kids can test and play with themselves. It’s easy to spend a couple of hours here without needing to plan every minute.
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
Address: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
Phone: 0330 058 0058
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
Natural History Museum
For family days out in London, this is one of the most reliable crowd-pleasers. The dinosaur gallery grabs attention quickly, but it’s the mix of volcanoes, wildlife, and immersive exhibits that keeps kids moving through the space. It’s educational in a way that feels active rather than passive.
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
Address: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
Phone: 020 7942 5000
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.nhm.ac.uk
Young V&A
This is one of the newer and more thoughtful family-friendly museums in London. Designed specifically for children, it focuses on creativity, play, and interaction, with dress-up areas and hands-on exhibits throughout. It’s a good alternative when you want something cultural but still engaging, and it’s one of the best free things to do in London with kids.
Nearest Thameslink station: London Bridge
Address: Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA
Phone: 020 8983 5200
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.daysoutguide.co.uk/young-v-and-a
London Transport Museum
For transport-loving kids, this is easily one of the best indoor kids activities in London. Real buses and trains to climb on, simulators to try, and interactive displays keep things varied. It’s also centrally located, making it easy to slot into a day out, and you can get 2FOR1 entry when you travel by train.
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
Address: Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 7BB
Phone: 0343 222 5000
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.thameslinkrailway.com/discounts-and-offers/2for1-offers/details/london-transport-museum
Famous London attractions for kids
London Eye
Adding a skyline view is a simple way to break up a busy itinerary of things to do in London with kids. The slow rotation gives everyone time to spot landmarks like Big Ben and the Thames, while also offering a chance to sit down and reset. When you travel with Thameslink, you can get 2FOR1 on your tickets, making it an affordable day out with kids.
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars or London Bridge
Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB
Phone: 020 7967 8021
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11am-6pm; Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10am-8:30pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.daysoutguide.co.uk/london-eye
Tower Bridge
This is sightseeing with a twist. Walking across the glass floor high above the river adds just enough excitement to keep kids fully engaged, especially if they’re not usually into historic landmarks. It’s also affordable, as you can get 2FOR1 when you travel by train.
Nearest Thameslink station: London Bridge
Address: Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2UP
Phone: 020 7407 9191
Hours: Open daily 9:30am-6pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.thameslinkrailway.com/discounts-and-offers/2for1-offers/details/tower-bridge
Tower of London
History becomes much more engaging when it’s delivered through stories, and that’s exactly what happens at the Tower of London. Between the Crown Jewels, armour displays, and Yeoman Warder tours, there’s enough variety to hold attention. It’s a strong pick for older kids exploring things to do in London with family, and you can get 2FOR1 entry when you travel by train.
Nearest Thameslink station: London Bridge
Address: Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AB
Phone: 0333 320 6000
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5:30pm; Sunday & Monday 10am-5:30pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.thameslinkrailway.com/discounts-and-offers/2for1-offers/details/tower-of-london
Madame Tussauds London
This is high-energy and slightly chaotic in the best way. Superhero zones, film sets, and interactive experiences keep kids moving, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. It’s one of those London attractions for kids that feels fast-paced from start to finish, and you can get a third off your entry when you travel by train.
Nearest Thameslink station: London St Pancras International
Address: Marylebone Road, London NW1 5LR
Phone: 020 7487 0351
Hours: Open daily 10am-3pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.daysoutguide.co.uk/madame-tussauds-london
The London Dungeon
Better suited to older children, the London Dungeon adds a theatrical edge to your list of things to do in London with kids. Live actors and special effects bring historical stories to life in a way that’s memorable and slightly dramatic. It’s a good contrast to more traditional museums, and you can get a third off your entry when you travel by train.
Nearest Thameslink station: London Bridge
Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB
Phone: 020 7967 8022
Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-4pm; Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 10am-4pm
Find out more and book tickets: www.thameslinkrailway.com/discounts-and-offers/2for1-offers/details/the-london-dungeon
How to save money on things to do in London with kids
If you’re travelling by train, many attractions offer:
- 2FOR1 entry
- 1/3 off tickets
- Discounts on tours and experiences
It’s a simple way to make some of the best things to do in London with kids more affordable.
The key to planning things to do in London with kids is variety. Mix high-energy attractions with quieter moments, indoor experiences with outdoor space, and structured visits with time to explore.
Get that balance right, and the day runs more smoothly, the kids stay engaged, and London starts to feel less like a big city to manage and more like somewhere built for family adventures.
