Kensington Palace: 10 Royal Surprises Your Kids Will Love!

From royal stories to beautiful gardens, Kensington Palace is one of London’s best days out for curious kids.

Published: May 28, 2026
Kensington Palace

Dreaming of a day out in London that mixes dazzling history, epic adventure, and kid-friendly fun? Kensington Palace should top your list. This storied royal residence isn’t just for grown-up history buffs; it’s packed with hands-on activities, secret-filled gardens, and stories that make even the youngest visitors feel like future kings and queens. Whether your crew loves dress-up, behind-the-scenes mysteries, or giant playgrounds, you’ll find plenty to keep everyone smiling. Ready to discover why Kensington Palace is a must for families in London? Here are our top picks for a royally good time. 

Our top family activities at Kensington Palace include: 

  • Exploring the King’s State Apartments 
  • Dressing Up Like Royalty 
  • The Lush Sunken Garden and Palace Gardens 
  • Enchanting Family Trails & Quests 
  • Interactive Exhibitions for Little Learners 
  • Picnic Spots & Bug-Spotting 
  • The Queen Victoria Experience 
  • Diana Memorial Playground (Nearby) 
  • Palace Shop: Toys, Books & More 
  • Nearby Afternoon Tea (With Cakes Fit for a Prince!) 

1. Exploring the King’s State Apartments 

Step through gilded doors and prepare for a journey to a time when children just like yours—only in ruffles and rosettes—ran wild through palace halls. In the King’s State Apartments, everything feels extra: shimmering chandeliers, rich art, and staircases that curl up toward secret rooms. The highlight? Hidden messages written into the décor and plenty of stories about mischievous princes and princesses who lived (and sometimes got scolded!) here. Palace staff are always eager to reveal little-known secrets, encouraging kids to seek out dragons, peacocks, or even peculiar paintings along the way. There’s space to roam, music to hear, and lots of “Wow, did that really happen?” moments. 

2. Dressing Up Like Royalty 

Who hasn’t dreamed of donning a crown or twirling in a velvet cloak? At Kensington Palace, the dressing-up trolleys are legendary. Kids can slip into miniature versions of royal outfits—caped cloaks, bejeweled crowns, or dashing soldier jackets—and transform into queens, kings, or palace guards for the day. Costume stations are dotted around key gallery spaces, and parents will adore the photo ops. With so much elegant finery on display, prepare for requests to try on everything (and possibly negotiate a second round of dress-up on your way back out!). 

3. The Lush Sunken Garden and Palace Gardens

Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace

Exploring outside the palace is just as enchanting. The Sunken Garden dazzles with bright flowers, mirrored pools, and statues (including a touching memorial dedicated to Princess Diana). Winding paths lead to secret nooks, and kids can play “royal explorer” among the blooms. The wider Palace Gardens, with lawns and old chestnut trees, invite picnics and impromptu sprints. Spot curious squirrels, fluttering butterflies, and enjoy floral scents on the breeze—a sensory adventure that every little botanist will love. 

4. Enchanting Family Trails & Quests 

Kensington Palace knows how to make history fun for kids. Look out for interactive family trails and quest booklets at the entrance—each packed with puzzles, scavenger hunts, riddles, and clues tailored for different age groups. Kids will be piecing together royal family trees or hunting for secret chambers before you can say “your majesty.” It’s a gentle way to encourage exploration, keeping younger visitors happily engaged (and often racing ahead to solve the next clue). 

5. Interactive Exhibitions for Little Learners 

History at Kensington Palace comes alive through dynamic, hands-on exhibitions. Youngsters will enjoy rooms filled with soundscapes, animated wall projections, and quirky treasures (think golden shoes, antique dolls, and glittering jewels). At special times of year, pop-up workshops let kids craft their own crowns or make art inspired by palace residents. These thoughtful touches mean that even when the educational content runs deep, it feels playful—not “museum-y”—for families. 

6. Picnic Spots & Bug-Spotting 

The palace grounds offer shaded benches and sprawling lawns ideal for a family picnic—just pick up treats at one of many nearby bakeries or cafes. Spread out your blanket and keep an eye out for mini wildlife: chirping robins, busy pollinators, and even a rare stag beetle if you’re lucky! The gentle bustle of the park makes it easy to relax and recharge for the next round of excitement. 

7. The Queen Victoria Experience

Bedroom at Kensington Palace

Queen Victoria spent her childhood at Kensington Palace, and the exhibition dedicated to her is pure fun for families. Kids can peek into her playroom, examine her childhood toys, and discover outrageous royal birthday party traditions. The display uses immersive storytelling and artefacts to show what life was like when Victoria was just a little girl—perfect for firing up young imaginations and drawing surprising connections to today. 

8. Diana Memorial Playground (Nearby) 

Just outside the palace grounds, the Diana Memorial Playground offers one of the most imaginative play spaces in London. Inspired by the adventures of Peter Pan, there’s a huge pirate ship to board, tepees for make-believe, and sandpits galore. Fenced, safe, and staffed, this haven is a hit with children under 12, plus there are benches for grown-ups to rest weary feet. After exploring the palace, this is your go-to spot for letting off steam and making those “best day ever!” memories. 

9. Palace Shop: Toys, Books & More 

Kensington Palace’s gift shop is as much fun as any toy store. Shelves brim with knight figures, princess wands, palace puzzles, and beautifully illustrated children’s books about kings and queens. Your kids can take home their very own crown—or a cuddly corgi—while budding historians might snap up history activity kits and interactive family storybooks. Browsing here is a treat in itself (and a great bribery stop on the way out). 

10. Nearby Afternoon Tea (With Cakes Fit for a Prince!) 

Round off your day with a treat at the Kensington Palace Pavilion, which serves up classic afternoon teas overlooking the palace gardens. Children will love mini sandwiches, fruit scones, and cakes designed for little hands—plus a chance to sip “royal” hot chocolate. The glass-walled café is bright, with garden views, making it a pleasingly posh but relaxed finish. For something extra-sweet, try the pastel-hued cupcakes or traditional Victoria sponge, a nod to Kensington’s most famous former resident. 

 

Kensington Palace isn’t just a stop for grown-ups; it’s a brilliantly engaging family destination. Whether your mini-monarchs want to play, create or simply run wild in the gardens, this royal residence is sure to deliver a grand day out. 

Enjoyed this? Check out Free Things to Do Near Kensington Palace or Things to Do with Kids in London 

Step up your sightseeing with Go City®   

We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.   

See more, do more, and experience more with Go City® – just choose a pass to get started!  

Powered by AI

This article was generated with the help of AI to provide accurate and up-to-date information. The Go City team has reviewed and curated the content to ensure it meets our quality standards for accuracy and relevance.

Continue reading

Light Display at Frameless
Blog

Madame Tussauds vs. Frameless: Which London Experience Is Right for You?

Ready to meet legends or lose yourself in light? Let’s compare!
The Shard
Blog

Eat, Sip, Sky-High: Inside the Shard’s Best Restaurants and Bars

Wondering where to eat and drink above the clouds? Welcome to The Shard’s most dazzling spots.
A view of the Thames including Tower Bridge and The Shard
Blog

Things to do in London during the day

There are so many potential things to do in London during the day that it can actually be quite difficult to know where to start. What’s hot, and what’s not? What’s worth your time – and money – and what isn’t? If you’re feeling dazed by the sheer array of days out in London you can fill with exciting attractions, you’ll want to take note of our suggestions for the perfect day in and around the River Thames. Top tips for enjoying London during the day Before we delve into the delights of all the things to do in London during the day, here are a few top tips that will help you make the most of your time in the capital. Have a lie in If you’re anything like us, the temptation after arriving into a new city is to wake up as early as possible to squeeze in as many attractions as you can. But for all London’s hustle and bustle, many popular attractions don’t open their doors until 10AM. Arrive any earlier than this, and you’ll not only be left hanging around outside, but you’ll also end up traveling during the morning rush hour. Lasting from 7:30 – 9AM, it's not many people’s idea of a fun way to start the day. Public transportation is often uncomfortably crowded as people head to work, and you’ll be paying more for the privilege. Instead, enjoy a relaxed breakfast and kick off your day the right way. Maps aren’t just for atlases It can seem like you only have to walk a few steps before stumbling upon a noteworthy feature on the London skyline. Whilst many attractions are within walking distance of one another, many are much further apart. Don’t forget that London is one of Europe’s biggest cities. It’s therefore a good idea to have a vague understanding of where attractions are located. Dividing them between west, central and east London will suffice. Bring a reusable water bottle Concerns about single-use plastics are resulting in free water fountains popping up all over London. Many cafés will also refill a bottle for free, so save your cash for what really matters by bringing a reusable water bottle with you. They can also be a godsend when using the Tube in the summer. The best things to do in London during the day If you’re thinking about what to do with your time in London, you’re in for a treat! Although you can tackle the capital in any way you fancy, we’ve come up with what we think might be the very best day the capital has to offer. Spend the morning in east London Start your exploration of the capital with your head in the clouds at the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower, standing at the southern end of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Relive the iconic moments from the 2012 Summer Olympics at the park’s famed venues, before rising to the top of the twisting structure – Britain’s largest artwork. Designed by sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor, not only are the views extraordinary, but it offers a very different tube experience, boasting the world’s longest slide at 178m long. The various attractions of Greenwich, including the Royal Observatory and National Maritime Museum, lie to the south. Head roughly westward instead, through Jack the Ripper’s Whitechapel, and you’ll soon arrive at the Tower of London, which has guarded the banks of the Thames since 1066. Palace, armory and prison in turn, the Tower can easily fill the rest of your morning. Take a tour led by one of the team of beefeaters to learn the stories behind highlights including Traitor’s Gate, the Crown Jewels and the building’s all-important ravens. Enjoy lunchtime at St Paul’s Step aboard a Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus from outside the Tower of London for the short but culturally-rich journey to St Paul’s Cathedral. Along the way you’ll pass by the Monument to the Great Fire of London, standing just meters from its ignition point in a baker’s shop on Pudding Lane, as well as Mansion House – the impressive residence of the Lord Mayor of London. A symbol of London for centuries, the views towards the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral are considered so important they are protected by law. Built by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire destroyed Old St Paul’s, it was – maybe ironically – paid for by a tax on coal. From the crypt containing the mortal remains of Admiral Nelson, victor of the Battle of Trafalgar, to the Whispering Gallery, St Paul’s is one of London’s most ornate religious spaces. The location for a multitude of events of international importance, it has hosted the funeral of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer and even a speech by Martin Luther King Jr on route to collecting his Nobel Peace Prize from the committee in Oslo, Norway. Marrying new with old is the pedestrian Millennium Bridge, crossing the Thames from outside the cathedral steps. A landmark in its own right, it leads to Shakespeare’s Globe and the galleries of the Tate Modern. Devote the afternoon to tea and cake Whilst it’s no longer entirely true that the capital grinds to a halt at around 3PM for tea, it is true that a traditional afternoon tea remains an excellent way to celebrate the city’s culinary history. The Piccadilly area has some of the best choices, with the capital’s grand hotels like The Ritz welcoming those keen to sample the best snack you’ll probably ever have. Consisting of sandwiches and cakes, it was invented by Anna, Duchess of Bedford. A lady in waiting to Queen Victoria, she simply couldn’t endure the middle hours between lunch and dinner. If jumping’s still possible after such a feast, jumping onto the Victoria or Piccadilly Line of the Underground from Green Park will have muggles at King’s Cross Station before they can mutter expelliarmus. As any Harry Potter fan will know, the Hogwarts’ Express departs from the station’s Platform 9 3⁄4, where you can get your photograph snapped beside a disappearing luggage trolley. Similarly magical are the 1080 jets together making up the pavement fountains of nearby Granary Square. Dancing in time and displaying a range of colors, they make for a great place to relax during the summer months. At this time of year they take on the air of an urban beach and glow even brighter as dusk settles over another day in London. Save on the top things to do in London If you’re keen to follow our pick of the best things to do in London during the day there’s just one thing to do first, and that’s grab the London Explorer Pass. Doing away with the need for paper tickets, you’ll save at many of the city’s main attractions without having to do away with flexibility. For a sneak peak of all you can experience be sure to check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook, where you can also share your vacation snaps. Don’t forget to smile!
Ian Packham

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.