From royal palaces to fascinating museums, there’s fun around every corner in London.
This handy ultimate guide has been tailor-made to inspire those visiting the UK capital with their kids and help them make the most of their adventure.
What should I do on a trip to London with kids?
London is a treasure trove of family-friendly attractions, offering something for children of all ages to enjoy.
Whether you’re exploring the wonders of the natural world at the Natural History Museum, embarking on a royal adventure at Buckingham Palace or diving into London’s darkest history at The London Dungeon, there’s no shortage of excitement awaiting you in the UK capital.
This comprehensive guide is designed to simplify your planning process by breaking down some of London’s most family-friendly attractions into morning, afternoon, evening and day trip activities.
Family events in London
London has numerous wonderful events and shows on for kids on at any given time. Discover what’s on during your stay by searching the Loopla family events platform.
Morning activities in London
Mornings in London are a great time to get ahead of the queues at some of the city’s most popular attractions.
Why not start your day off with a dose of educational fun, or dive deep into British culture and history?
Natural History Museum
Location: South Kensington (Nearest tube: South Kensington)
Ages: 5 years+
Visit duration: 2-3 hours
With world-class collections, long-lost animals and earthquake exhibits, the Natural History Museum is a great place for kids to learn about the natural world.
There are several events in the Museum that are perfect for families with children, including The Dinosaur Discovery Family Tour and the Museum Highlights Tour.
You can also check out their free self-guided tour, which walks you through some of the Museum’s most popular sites.
Natural History Museum opening times
The Natural History Museum is open daily 10:00 – 17:50 (last entry 17:30).
Quiet times tend to be in the morning or late afternoon.
What the Natural History Museum reviews are saying
The Natural History Museum has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 38,082 reviews on Tripadvisor. Review comments include that it offers:
- Extensive and educational exhibits
- Family-friendly environment
- Architectural beauty and historical significance
This is what one parent had to say:
“Our dinosaur and animal mad 3-year-old LOVED it! Obviously the dinosaurs were his favourite, but he loved it all, including the volcano and earthquakes section. We spent around 4 hours in total looking around and he didn’t get bored at all.” – CazzaM
Where to book the Natural History Museum
Admission to the Museum is free, but you can still secure tickets in advance.
Temporary exhibitions and events can be ticketed – check out the Museum Highlights Tour, £54 for two adults and two children.
Buckingham Palace
Location: Westminster (Nearest tubes: Victoria, Green Park, St. James’s Park and Hyde Park Corner)
Ages: 7 years+
Visit duration: 2-4 hours
Buckingham Palace has been home to UK queens and kings for over 150 years and is one of the most popular London tourist hotspots. Here, you can explore the royal residence and discover more about British culture, history and monarchy.
The Royal Collection Trust runs a Buckingham Palace guided tour for families, a free family multimedia tour at the Royal Mews and a Royal Day Out package which offers discounted admission to all three venues at Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace opening times
Buckingham Palace is open daily 9:30 – 19:30 (July-August, last entry 17:15) and Thursday-Monday 9:30 – 18:30 (September, last entry 16:15). Exclusive guided tours are available on select dates throughout the rest of the year.
The King’s Gallery is open daily 10:00 – 16:15.
The Royal Mews is open Thursday-Monday from March-November but is open daily from July-August 10:00 – 17:00 (last entry 16:00).
Opening times and days may vary, so we recommend checking the website for more details.
What the Buckingham Palace reviews are saying
Buckingham Palace has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 29,822 reviews on TripAdvisor. Review comments include that it offers:
- Historical significance and informative experience
- Beautiful architecture and scenic surroundings
- Tour guide excellence
This is what one parent had to say:
“Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British monarch and a symbol of royal grandeur. Witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, explore the State Rooms, and stroll through the beautiful gardens. A visit to this iconic palace is a quintessential London experience.” – Iris
Where to book Buckingham Palace
Book the Royal Day out package for discounted access to the State Rooms, The King’s Gallery and the Royal Mews: £183.60 for two adults, two children (5-17).
Book from £19.00: SEA LIFE London Aquarium
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
Location: County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road (Nearest tube: Westminster, Waterloo)
Ages: 6 years+
Visit duration: 1-1.5 hours
At SEA LIFE London Aquarium, you’ll find 50 aquariums, 2 sanctuaries and over 180,000 creatures waiting to be discovered – including penguins, tiger sharks and “Nemo” clownfish.
There are immersive spaces across the Aquarium, including underwater tunnels and “Heads Up” Bubble windows. Sea Life offers add-on package experiences, where you can meet penguins, feed turtles and even swim with sharks!
SEA LIFE opening times
SEA LIFE is open Monday-Friday 10:00 – 17:00 – last entry 16:00 and Saturday-Sunday 10:00 – 18:00 – last entry 17:00.
What the SEA LIFE reviews are saying
SEA LIFE has 3.5 out of 5 stars from 7,510 reviews on Tripadvisor. Review comments include that it offers:
- Diverse range of marine life
- Family-friendly environment
- Value for money
This is what one parent had to say:
“Came here when my son was under one and he absolutely loved it. There’s a lot to see, he specifically loves the sting rays and the penguins. It’s pram friendly so it’s easy to get around with a little one and lots of places they can view from! Great memories made here.” – K&M
Where to book SEA LIFE
You can save 30% when you book an off-peak, weekday ticket in advance: from £106 for two adults and two children.
Afternoon activities in London
Afternoons in London are a great time to wander the city’s streets and immerse yourself in vibrant neighbourhoods, or escape into quiet galleries and enjoy engaging interactive experiences.
Book from £19.00: Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds
Location: Marylebone Road (Nearest tube: Baker Street)
Ages: All ages (some experiences have height / age restrictions)
Visit duration: 2-2.5 hours
Madame Tussauds is a favourite among London sightseers, showcasing famous faces from all around the world, including: Harry Styles, Bob Marley, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ariana Grande and Sir David Attenborough.
Madame Tussauds is an exciting place for kids to learn about the history of London and discover some of the city’s darker secrets, particularly during the Spirit of London and Chamber of Horrors experiences.
Madame Tussauds opening times
Madame Tussauds is open daily 9:00 – 16:00.
Opening times are subject to change, please check the website for more details!
What the Madame Tussauds reviews are saying
Madame Tussauds has 4 out of 5 stars from 32,230 reviews on Tripadvisor. Review comments include that it offers:
- Interactivity and photo opportunities
- Smooth and well-managed queuing experience
- Suitable for all ages
This is what one parent had to say:
“Fantastic! So much more fun than expected. Did not know you could interact & take photos with the ‘celebrities!’ Great fun for the whole family. Go in the morning before the crowds. Teenagers were very impressed!!” – BostonAlice
Where to book Madame Tussauds
You can save 20% when you book an advanced, standard ticket: from £124 for two adults and two children.
The South Bank
Location: The South Bank of the River Thames, opposite the City of Westminster
Ages: All ages
Visit duration: 2-4 hours
Located on the southern bank of the River Thames, the South Bank is one of the most vibrant areas of London. Host to a range of restaurants, markets, theatres and museums, there’s always something to enjoy here.
Starting with lunch at Borough Market, you can walk along the river to Westminster and the Houses of Parliament. On your way, you’ll pass The Globe, the Tate Modern, the Southbank Centre, the London Eye, SEA LIFE and finally – Big Ben.
South Bank opening times
As an area of London, the South Bank is open around the clock. However, you can find out more information about different venues from the South Bank website.
Southbank Centre Hayward Gallery is open 10:00 – 18:00 (Tue-Fri), 10:00 – 20:00 (Sat) and 10:00 – 18:00 (Sun).
The Tate Modern is open daily 10:00 – 18:00.
What the South Bank reviews are saying
The South Bank has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,696 reviews on Tripadvisor. Review comments include that it offers:
- Great place for a stroll
- Fantastic service and food
- Variety of activities
This is what one parent had to say:
“You can easily spend a few hours here, stop for drinks, food, do an activity or just watch the world go by. Definitely worth a visit.” – holidayhoney65
Where to book the South Bank
Both the Southbank Centre and the Tate Modern regularly host family-friendly events, suitable for young ages and upwards.
The Tate Modern has a permanent free installation, where both children and adults can use digital sketch pads to see their drawings come to life.
Book from £19.00: Shrek’s Adventure! London
Shrek’s Adventure! London
Location: County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road (Nearest tube: Westminster, Waterloo)
Ages: 6 years+
Visit duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
Shrek’s Adventure! London gives families a chance to explore the town of Far Far Away in person, through an interactive walkthrough experience. While you’re there, you’ll experience 10 fairy-tale-themed live shows – including classic sets from the Shrek universe, a magic mirror maze, and a live DreamWorks game show.
You can package your Shrek’s Adventure! London tickets with other attractions around London, including the London Eye, SEA LIFE and Madame Tussauds. VIP tickets are also available, which offer anytime entry, character ears and a printed photo to remember your visit by.
Shrek’s Adventure! London opening times
Shrek’s Adventure! London is open Monday-Friday 10:00-15:00 and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 – 16:00.
Opening times are subject to change, please check the website for more details!
What the Shrek’s Adventure! London reviews are saying
Shrek’s Adventure! London has 3.5 out of 5 stars from 4,070 reviews on Tripadvisor. Review comments include that it offers:
- Memorable family day out
- Exceptional value for money
- Kind and helpful staff members
This is what one parent had to say:
“Fantastic experience! From the moment you enter – the toilets, the characters, the bus ride – it’s all really, really good. The interaction between characters, the children, and adults is brilliant.” – Kilmacloo
Where to book Shrek’s Adventure! London
You can save over 30% when you book an advanced, standard ticket: from £74 for two adults and two children.
Young V&A
Location: Cambridge Heath Road (Nearest tube: Bethnal Green)
Ages: 3 years+
Visit duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
The Young V&A is a museum designed with and created for children. Their Play, Imagine and Design Galleries are there to encourage tactile exploration, invite young minds to express themselves and introduce older children to design processes.
Alongside its permanent installations, the Young V&A offers ticketed entry to exhibitions and workshops. There are often also free workshops and events available to book, so we recommend checking out their What’s on page.
Young V&A opening times
The Young V&A is open Monday-Friday 10:00 – 17:45, and galleries close from 17:00.
They are closed 24 – 26 December.
What the Young V&A reviews are saying
The Young V&A has 4 out of 5 stars from 897 reviews on Tripadvisor. Review comments include that it offers:
- Engaging and educational exhibits
- Accessible and convenient facilities
- A warm atmosphere and helpful staff
This is what one parent had to say:
“A brilliant place to spend a fun few hours with younger children. All free and lots to do. Very interactive and the facilities (toilets, cafe, shop) were all excellent too. Would recommend it to others.” – Rebecca G
Where to book the Young V&A
Entry to the Young V&A permanent galleries is free.
The Young V&A is currently hosting a Japan: Myths to Manga exhibition: £10 per person, children under 4 go free.
Evening activities in London
As the sun sets over London, there’s still plenty for families to enjoy. In the evening, you might consider visiting the West End for a captivating stage performance, book onto a spine-tingling historical tour or admire panoramic views of the cityscape.
Book from £20: Matilda the Musical
Matilda the Musical
Location: The Cambridge Theatre (Nearest tube: Covent Garden, Leicester Square)
Ages: 6 years+ (Children under 4 will not be admitted into the auditorium)
Visit duration: 2 hours and 35 minutes (including interval)
Adapted from Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book, Matilda the Musical is about a young girl whose love of reading and magical brain help her escape her cruel family and defend her friends from a tyrannical headmistress.
The production provides a range of Matilda-related activities for you and your family to enjoy prior to the show, including a chalkboard wordsearch and Design a Poster printout.
If you’re feeling lucky, you can also enter the £25 ticket lottery, for discounted tickets to Monday performances.
If you want to see more musicals that are playing in London that are suitable for kids,
Matilda the Musical opening times
Matilda the Musical has a matinee performance at 14:30 and an evening performance at 19:30.
Matilda the Musical recommends arriving at the theatre no less than 15 minutes before the performance begins.
What the reviews of Matilda the Musical are saying
Matilda the Musical has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 4,991 reviews on Tripadvisor. Review comments include that it offers:
- Exceptional cast and performance
- Captivating staging and production value
- Family-friendly entertainment
This is what one parent had to say:
“Absolutely fantastic. The children are insanely talented and their technical skill is far beyond what I expected. The whole thing was an absolute joy from start to finish.” – FrequentFlier
Where to book Matilda the Musical
Tickets for Matilda the Musical start at £20 per person, with matinee and evening performances.
Book tickets from US$17: Tower Bridge from Golden Tours
Tower Bridge
Location: Tower Bridge Road (Nearest tube: Tower Hill)
Ages: All ages
Visit duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
Tower Bridge is a London sightseer staple and can be admired from the banks of the River Thames as it lights up at night. If you want to explore the inside of the Bridge, you can walk across the attraction’s iconic glass floors and admire views of the London skyline and the cars passing below you.
Book tickets from US$17: Tower Bridge from Golden Tours
There’s also the Victorian Engine Rooms for you to discover, which is a great place for kids to learn about the working life of the bridge. The Bridge is lift-accessible for buggies, and the attraction provides a number of free activities for families to enjoy throughout the day.
Tower Bridge offers relaxed openings, guided tours, deaf-led tours and guided tours with BSL Interpretation.
The Tower Bridge opening times
The Tower Bridge is open daily 9:30 – 18:00 (last entry 17:00).
The second Saturday of every month (9:30-11:30) is reserved for Relaxed Opening attendees.
What the Tower Bridge reviews are saying
The Tower Bridge has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 40,114 reviews on Tripadvisor. Review comments include that it offers:
- Majestic views
- Family-friendly and informative experience
- Reasonably priced tickets
This is what one parent had to say:
“What a great experience, walking along the high-rise walkways, parts of which have glass floors, if you’re brave enough! Fantastic views and we were not hurried along. Lots of historic information given on small films and information boards throughout. […] Price wise I would say it was reasonable and there was lift access.” – dawnypie
Where to book the Tower Bridge
You can book flexibly-sized family tickets, from £24.10 for 1 Adult and 2 Children.
Book from £19.00: The London Dungeon
London Dungeon
Location: Riverside Building, County Hall (Nearest tube: Waterloo)
Ages: 12 years+ (Under 5’s are not permitted into the attraction)
Visit duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
The London Dungeon is a thrilling insight into the capital’s most haunting histories, including the Gunpowder Plot, the Plague and Sweeny Todd. Each story is told through an interactive performance, during which actors bring the city’s chilling past to life.
The main attraction features 19 shows in total and the Dungeon also hosts an escape room experience, where visitors try to escape Guy Fawkes’ prison cell. The tour takes place over three levels, with uneven flooring and narrow passageways – so pushchairs are no longer permitted on the site.
London Dungeon opening times
The London Dungeon is open Monday-Friday 11:00-16:00 and Saturday and Sunday 10:00-18:00.
Opening times are subject to change, please check the website for more details!
What the London Dungeon reviews are saying
The London Dungeon has 4 out of 5 stars from 11,830 reviews on Tripadvisor. Review comments include that it offers:
- Engaging actors
- Family-friendly fun
- Immersive experience
This is what one parent had to say:
“I took my granddaughter for her 13th birthday! We had the best, scariest time ever! […] The actors and effects are fantastic. We loved the ride too! I definitely wouldn’t recommend anyone taking a child younger than 12.” – chocomilko
Where to book the London Dungeon
Save 15% when you book online in advance, with tickets starting from £108 for 2 adults and 2 children.
Book from £19.00: London Eye
London Eye
Location: Riverside Building, County Hall (Nearest tube: Waterloo)
Ages: All ages (Children under 2 can visit for free)
Visit duration: 30 minutes (+20 minutes for queueing)
The London Eye is an iconic UK attraction, located on the south bank of the River Thames. From the ferris wheel’s glass pods, you can see the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Each air-conditioned pod holds 25 people, there’s room for pushchairs and you can sit or stand to enjoy the 30-minute ride. The London Eye also hosts seasonal events and exclusive offers – including a Private Pod experience, access to the Eye Lounge and a Champagne Experience.
The London Eye opening times
The London Eye is open Monday-Friday 11:00-18:00 and Saturdy-Sunday 10:00 – 20:30.
Opening times are subject to change, please check the website for more details!
What the London Eye reviews are saying
The London Eye has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 89,934 reviews on Tripadvisor. Review comments include that it offers:
- Knowledgeable and friendly guides
- Luxurious atmosphere
- Breathtaking views
This is what one parent had to say:
“This was my third time travelling to London. Each time I have ridden on the London Eye, even for a Champagne flight (which was amazing). It’s a great way to see the city from an aerial view. Each pod fits many people, so the boarding process is quick for the 30 min experience.” – K Pastore
Where to book the London Eye
Standard Tickets are available online in advance from £112 for two adults and two children.
Skip the Queue Tickets are available online in advance from £172 for two adults and two children.
Family day trips around London
If you have time to spend in London but would like to escape the centre for the day, there are plenty of entertaining attractions on the outskirts of the city.
Take the train from one of London’s central stations and spend time on the rides at LEGOLAND Windsor, learning about British history at Windsor Castle or immersing yourself in the world of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studios.
Discover more day trips in our article: Best day trips from London.
How to budget for a family trip to London
When you know which sites you’d like to see, book your tickets in advance to avoid higher prices on the day. SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, Shrek’s Adventure and the London Dungeon all offer discounted tickets when you book ahead of time.
The same attractions also offer bundled tickets, which will offer you discounted access to multiple attractions. For more information on what’s available, check out individual attractions’ websites for more details – for example, here are the Madame Tussauds bundles on offer.
Some attractions also offer family tickets for flexible group sizes, with different numbers of adults and children included – these types of tickets are available for both Tower Bridge and Warner Bros. Studios.
Is the London Underground free for kids?
Children under 5 travel free on Transport for London services, and up to four children aged 5-10 can travel on Tube, DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail services if they’re accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket.
The cheapest way to get around London is by bus, followed closely by the underground system. You can use a contactless card or Oyster card to travel on both – a National Railcard can be applied to the latter to save you money (check out the Family and Friends Railcard).
Where are the most family-friendly locations in London?
London is one of the safest cities for American tourists to travel to, according to the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection agency. (1) It ranks number 8 in the world, just after Copenhagen and before Seoul. In The Economist’s Safe Cities Index for 2021, London ranked at number 15, coming just after Washington, D.C. (2)
If you’re deciding where to stay when you visit the city with your family, it’s worth considering somewhere convenient as well as safe. For this reason, Hammersmith, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Camden and Notting Hill are excellent choices for families – being very central, well-connected and safe. (3)
References
1. “Safest Cities to Travel to in 2024”, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
2. “Safe Cities Index – 2021”, The Economist
3. “Compare your Area”, Metropolitan Police Service
