You don’t need blue skies and sunshine to plan a great family day out.
When the clouds roll in and outdoor trips aren’t possible, London still offers plenty to see and do indoors.
From interactive museums to thrilling climbing walls to soft play centres for younger children, the capital has something for every age bracket and taste.
Things to do indoors in London
These are our choices for family-friendly days out when it’s rainy.
The Postal Museum
London’s postal museum offers plenty of engaging indoor fun for all the family, no matter how much or little you know about the post.
Ages: Appropriate for 5 years+
Area: Clerkenwell, WC1X
Reviews: 4.5/5 from 1,296 reviews on Tripadvisor
About the Postal Museum
The Postal Museum is packed with engaging exhibits and interactive displays for an afternoon that is as educational as it is fun.
A special mention goes to the Mail Ride, a journey on a miniature underground train through real tunnels once used to transport post throughout London.
Where to book the Postal Museum
You can book tickets to the Postal Museum from just £17.60 from official providers.
Immersive Events
Immersive events offer a unique way to entertain your little ones even on rainy days, and London is filled to the brim with them.
Bubble Planet (Wembley, London) offers a sensory wonderland for younger children and older kids alike, from giant displays to unique bubble art. Children under 4 can visit free of charge too!
Shrek’s Adventure (South Bank, London) brings the beloved characters of the DreamWorks classic to life with a unique mixture of interactive shows and live performances.
Avora: Family Immersive Adventure (Hackney Road, London) transports you and your family to a fantastical world of wonderful characters and sensory experiences.
Where to find out more about immersive events in London
You can find more of our picks for family-friendly immersive exhibitions here.
SEA LIFE London
As entertaining as it is educational, Sea Life London lets your family get face-to-face with everything from penguins to puffer fish.
Ages: Appropriate for all ages
Area: South Bank, SE1
Reviews: 4/5 from 20,136 reviews on Viator
About SEA LIFE London
Home to over 600 species from sharks to seahorses, the sights of SEA LIFE London are sure to entertain children of all ages.
Kids who want to get hands-on with the creatures of the sea will love the interactive rock pool points, allowing them to reach in and touch real animals.
The entire aquarium is stroller-friendly, ensuring a comfortable visit for families with very young children or babies.
Where to book SEA LIFE London
A full day’s aquatic entertainment starts from just £27.50 on the SEA LIFE website.
The Unicorn Theatre
Nestled in the heart of London, the Unicorn Theatre’s captivating children’s theatre turns rainy days into adventures.
Ages: Appropriate for 3 years+
Area: Southwark, SE1
Reviews: 4.5/5 from 57 reviews on Tripadvisor
About The Unicorn Theatre
The Unicorn Theatre aims to introduce children to the world of drama with age-appropriate performances. These are grouped into showings for ages 3-7, 8-13 and all ages, with occasional performances and workshops for babies.
Combine this with its great location right by London Bridge station, and you have a recipe for fun days out for all ages.
Where to book tickets for The Unicorn Theatre
Take a look at upcoming performances and book tickets on the official Unicorn Theatre Website.
Discover Children’s Story Centre
The Discover Children’s Story Centre, like the name suggests, is designed to foster creativity and a love for storytelling in younger minds.
Ages: Appropriate for all ages
Area: Stratford, E15
Reviews: 4/5 from 136 reviews on Tripadvisor
About Discover Children’s Story Centre
The Discover Children’s Story Centre is filled with themed play and exploration spaces, from outer space to jungle ruins. Children can embark on imaginative adventures, solve puzzles, and even create their own stories using the diverse props and settings provided.
You’ll also find a cafe and a bookshop, giving adults space to stretch their legs while their little ones get to play.
Where to book Discover Children’s Story Centre
Tickets start from just £10, with under-1s getting free entry – Find out more and book your tickets on the Discover Children’s Story Centre’s website.
Flip Out
Flip Out’s trampoline parks are scattered throughout London, meaning your family is never far from a day of energetic play!
Ages: Appropriate for 3 years+
Area: Throughout London (See below)
Reviews: Average of 4/5 from 14,087 reviews on Google
About Flip Out
More than just trampoline parks, Flip Out centres include foam pits, climbing walls, obstacle courses and more.
These are cleverly separated into age-appropriate areas for parents’ peace of mind, so children can play safely with those in their age brackets away from older kids.
London’s Flip Out parks include:
- Croydon (3.9/5 from 685 reviews on Google)
- Hounslow (4.8/5 from 2,732 reviews on Google)
- Canary Wharf (3.4/5 from 281 reviews on Google)
- E6 (4.3/5 from 4,063 reviews on Google)
- Brent Cross (4.5/5 from 6,490 reviews on Google)
Where to book Flip Out
As each Flip Out is run independently, their pricing structures vary. Find your closest park and find out more on Flip Out’s website.
The Science Museum
This iconic institution offers a range of interactive exhibits and hands-on activities designed to engage young minds and foster a love for science.
Ages: Appropriate for 2 years+
Area: South Kensington, SW7
Reviews: 4/5 from 9,453 reviews on Tripadvisor
About the Science Museum
There’s something for everyone at the Science Museum. Older children will no doubt find the exhibits themselves engaging (especially if they are budding scientists themselves), but there’s plenty to see and do for younger kids.
The Garden and Pattern Pod provide stimulating, sensory-rich spaces for those aged 3-6.
The Wonderlab is a particular highlight, featuring hands-on exhibits that explore the wonders of science and mathematics. Please note, however, that tickets must be purchased online and in advance.
Where to book tickets to the Science Museum
One of the best parts about the Science Museum is that entry is completely free! Book your slot and tickets on the Science Museum website.
Clip ‘n Climb Chelsea
Clip n’ Climb Chelsea offers a unique combination of fitness and fun.
Ages: Appropriate for 5 years+
Area: Chelsea, SW6
Reviews: 4.1/5 from 521 reviews on Facebook
About Clip ‘n Climb Chelsea
With over 20 different climbing walls, Clip ‘n Climb Chelsea offers a variety of challenges that cater to all skill levels. From easy climbs for younger children to more difficult routes for more adventurous older children, there’s something for everyone.
Every climbing harness is equipped with a modern belays system, ensuring safe and secure climbing.
Where to book Clip ‘n Climb Chelsea
Bookings start from just £22.50 per child for an hour of climbing fun – More than enough for even the most energetic kids! Book your slot on Clip ‘n Climb Chelsea’s Website.
Sky Garden
For families seeking amazing views, the Sky Garden offers a delightful and completely free escape.
Ages: Appropriate for all years
Area: Square Mile, EC3M
Reviews: 4.5/5 from 17,209 reviews on Tripadvisor
About Sky Garden
Sitting in the middle of the historic City of London, Sky Garden offers 360-degree views of the London Skyline. Games of ‘spot the landmark’ are sure to offer hours of entertainment, especially with some binoculars.
The great thing about the Sky Garden is that entry is completely free. This makes it a great alternative to the pricey Shard.
Parents should be aware that under-16s aren’t permitted into the Sky Garden after 6pm, which should be kept in mind when planning your visit.
Where to book Sky Garden
Book your free slot for the Sky Garden on their official website.
Gambado
Gambado is home to an array of age-appropriate attractions, making it a great indoor destination for multi-aged families.
Ages: Appropriate for 3 years+
Area: Chelsea, SW6
Reviews: 4/5 from 214 reviews on Tripadvisor
About Gambado
Featuring a multi-level soft play area, climbing facilities and a go-karting track, one ticket to Gambado grants unlimited access to their facilities over 2 hours.
With its diverse range of activities, Gambado ensures a safe and stimulating environment where children of all ages can play and learn. The soft play area is ideal for under-5s, while the go-karting and climbing will certainly be a favourite with older children.
Where to book Gambado
Tickets to Gambado start from just £9 for children aged 1-2 and £11.50 for children aged 3-12. Book your tickets on Gambado’s website.
Babylon Park
As one of London’s biggest theme parks, Babylon Park has plenty to offer kids of all age brackets.
Ages: Appropriate for 3 years+
Area: Camden, NW1
Reviews: 4.1/5 from 1,163 reviews on Google
About Babylon Park
Babylon Park combines age-appropriate theme park rides, fairground classics like bumper cars and modern VR experiences for plenty of family-friendly fun. Like with Gambado, there’s a soft play area designed for under-3s.
No matter how short your kids’ attention span or how high energy they are, Babylon Park offers hours of fun.
Where to book Babylon Park
There are no bookings or typical tickets for Babylon Park, as entry is free. You instead pre-purchase coins for access to rides and games. These can be purchased directly from their website. Alternatively, you can purchase coins on the day from the many machines they have on-site.
TeamSport Go Karting
TeamSport Go Karting offers an adrenaline-pumping indoor experience perfect for children aged 8 and up.
Ages: Appropriate for 8 years+
Area: Throughout London (See below)
Reviews: Average of 4.3/5 from 6,156 reviews on Google
About TeamSport Go Karting
While not suited for younger children, TeamSport’s high-quality centres provide a safe and fun environment for older children. Each course is professionally designed to be easy to lap yet hard to master, meaning your kids will be itching to return.
Safety is a top priority at every TeamSport centre, with comprehensive briefings before every drive and state-of-the-art safety equipment issued with every booking.
TeamSport run go karting centres across London, including:
- Mitcham, CR4 (4.4/5 from 1,249 reviews on Google)
- Acton, W3 (4.3/5 from 1,230 reviews on Google)
- Edmonton, N18 (4.3 from 1,707 reviews on Google)
- Docklands, SE7 (4.2 from 1,970 reviews on Google)
Where to book TeamSport Go Karting
There are a range of packages and booking types available for TeamSport Go Karting. Find out more and book your slot on the official TeamSport website.
Best indoor activities for kids in London
Going off ratings and reviews, our picks for the best indoor activities for kids in London are the Sky Garden (4.5/5), Unicorn Theatre (4.5/5) and Postal Museum (4.5/5).
However, there are no one-size-fits-all family trips. Deciding on the best activities for a rainy day in London depends on what you all enjoy and how old your children are.
The Discover Children’s Story Centre and Unicorn Theatre are great indoor experiences for toddlers.
Children in the 3-6 age bracket, on the other hand, are bound to have a great time at Gambado, Babylon Park, the Science Museum, Flip Out and the Postal Museum.
For older children and teens Clip ‘n Climb Chelsea and TeamSport Go Karting can give them action-packed days out.
Free indoor activities for kids in London
If you are looking for a cheap family day out, it’s worth noting that both the Science Museum and Sky Garden are completely free.
If you are able to get to the Science Museum for a relatively early booking, you and your family can spend hours exploring the wonders of science before taking in the views of the London Skyline – All without spending a pound on entry fees.
For more ideas, take a look at our list of 20 great museums for kids in London.
