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10+ Things to Do in London with Kids for an Unforgettable Trip to England

London is a very cosmopolitan, international city, with tons of charming, cultural flair. As such, sometimes travelers can feel like it’s hard to find kid-appropriate activities amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life. As you’ll see, there are actually quite a lot of kid-friendly attractions in London, from museums and exhibits to observation wheels and beyond. If you’re looking for things to do in London with kids, check out this list of our favorite kid-friendly activities, including...

  • The Coca-Cola London Eye
  • DreamWorks Tours: Shrek's Adventure!
  • Madame Tussauds London
  • SEA LIFE London Aquarium
  • London Zoo
  • Wembley Stadium Tour
  • and more...

Save on Admission to Kid Friendly Attractions

Several of these kid-friendly London attractions are available on the London Explorer Pass®. Choose as you go from many of the top London attractions and save up to 35% off combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more.

The Coca-Cola London Eye

Image of City, Metropolis, Urban, Building, Housing, Cityscape, Person, House, Adult, Male, Man, Handbag, Who doesn’t want to see London from above? It gives you a whole new perspective on the city, and it’s one of the most iconic structures on the South Bank. Unless you have very young children who are afraid of heights, The Coca-Cola London Eye is a fun family attraction that allows everyone to see amazing views of this amazing city. If you do have little ones who maybe aren’t crazy about heights, however, be aware that the chambers do feature large amounts of open window space for viewing. Getting In: Coca-Cola London Eye tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

DreamWorks Tours: Shrek's Adventure!

Image of Child, Female, Girl, Person, Boy, Male, Teen, Adult, Woman, Baby, Head, This family-friendly attraction is another must-see thing to do, especially for fans of the Shrek movie franchise. DreamWorks Tours: Shrek's Adventure! London is chock full of your children’s favorite characters, from the iconic Shrek and his forest friends, to characters from other worlds like Po from Kung Fu Panda and the penguins from Madagascar fame. Embark on a 75-minute 4-D bus ride that escorts you through 10 live fairy-tale centric shows, featuring everything from Shrek’s swamp to a fun Mirror Maze. Then, you can also meet up with other figures from the Dreamworks Universe, making this a pretty comprehensive encounter with your kids’ favorite characters. Getting In: Shrek's Adventure! London tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

Madame Tussauds London

Image of Lady, Person, Accessories, Jewelry, Necklace, Adult, Bride, Female, Woman, Visit the original that started the global phenomenon – Madame Tussauds London. This amazing attraction combines the astonishing artistry of wax sculpture with our love of celebrity culture into one delightful package. See your favorite stars, snap photos with top historical figures, and immerse yourself in the world of Madame Tussauds! Kids will love the chance to explore these entertaining exhibits. They'll especially enjoy the British figures, like the dashing David Beckham, and of course, the Queen herself! Getting In: Madame Tussauds London tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

Image of Boy, Male, Person, Teen, Animal, Sea Life, Octopus, If your children love animals, then the SEA LIFE London Aquarium a must-visit attraction and fun thing to do in London for the family. This state-of-the-art aquarium, situated on London’s trendy South Bank, is the ideal destination for anyone with a fascination and love for all things aquatic. See polar landscapes brought to life in the “Frozen Planet: Face to Face” exhibit (inspired by the BBC miniseries). Or, explore several of the wonderful themed aquarium zones, like Ray Lagoon, Shark Walk, and Nemo’s Kingdom. Getting In: SEA LIFE London Aquarium tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

London Zoo

Image of Animal, Lion, Mammal, Wildlife, Zoo, Another delightful attraction option for animal-loving kids is the London Zoo. With well over 18,000 animals from around the globe, you're sure to find your favorites at this exciting destination (and perhaps find an new favorite!) Some of the amazing creatures you'll see live in exhibits like "Penguin Beach," Snowdon Aviary," and "Butterfly Paradise." Their newest and most fascinating exhibit is "Land of the Lions," which highlights life for Asiatic Lions in modern-day India. Insider Tip: If you're willing to travel further afield, your kids may also enjoy the Whipsnade Zoo, in Bedfordshire. Getting In: Both London Zoo tickets and Whipsnade Zoo tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

Wembley Stadium Tour

Image of Adult, Male, Man, Person, Football, Any kids who are sports fans will enjoy a Wembley Stadium tour – which lets you get to see one of the most famous stadiums in the world. The national stadium of the English soccer team (although you should call it football, since you’re in London), it’s a magnificent site for any fan of the game. Check out historic sites and important locations within the stadium itself, and get a chance to see a realistic replica of the FA Cup. Don’t forget to bring a camera, as you’ll want to snap some photos of several famous sites like the Player’s Tunnel. You'll be walking in the shoes of English greats like David Beckham and Wayne Rooney. Get excited for the World Cup in 2018! Getting In: Wembley Stadium Tour tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

London Eye River Cruise

Image of Boat, Vehicle, Water, Waterfront, Person, Ferry, Relaxing sightseeing cruises are a wonderful way to get to explore a new city – especially a city like London that features a river at its very heart. The Thames is a magnificent river running through the center of London, and with the London Eye River Cruise you can enjoy a ride along its waters which showcases the best of London’s skyline like Big Ben, the Tower of London, and Houses of Parliament. This 40-minute loop also features entertaining commentary from tour guides, so you don’t need to worry about identifying landmarks on your own. Kids will enjoy the fun and excitement of being on a boat, and you'll love how informative it is. Getting In: London Eye River Cruise tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

The London Dungeon

Image of Pub, Adult, Male, Man, Person, Chair, Female, Woman, Group Performance, This is one probably best suited for the older children (the recommended age is 12+, for your reference). For kids that don't mind being a little scared, the London Dungeon is a delightfully terrifying adventure through hundreds of different sets, many of which have historic significance. It's also a pretty funny experience, as the costumed actors try to make it fun for everyone and not just scary. There are 18 different interactive shows to enjoy, so it's sure to be a great afternoon for everyone! Getting In: The London Dungeon tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Tours

Image of Person, Bus, Vehicle, Shoe, If you’re new to London, then you’ll definitely want to take advantage of a Big Bus London tour when it comes to exploring this amazing global city. A hop-on hop-off option is a great choice, too, because it gives you flexibility when it comes to deciding what really interests you on the tour. It's also good for when the kids get antsy and need a change of pace - hop on or off as you need to! Hop off at cool attractions, or stay on for the entire loop for a comprehensive guided tour. Kids will love the fun narration and brightly colored double-decker bus (itself an icon of London!). Getting In: Hop On Hop Off Big Bus London tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

TV & Movie Walking Tours

Image of City, Road, Street, Urban, Downtown, People, Person, Coat, Path, Sidewalk, Metropolis, Walking, See the real life sights and sounds behind your child’s favorite British TV show or movie. Whether they’re huge fans of Doctor Who, or have seen all the James Bond movies, or love Sherlock Holmes, there’s a tour to appeal to their particular fandom. These tours are generally appropriate for slightly older kids, although there’s nothing smaller children can’t sit through. Keep in mind that these are walking tours. Stroll around London for a chance to see where these amazing shows have been filmed, encompassing iconic landmarks and famous neighborhoods. It’s also just a really fun way to tour the city! Getting In: The below tours are are available options with the London Explorer Pass...

Bike Tours of London

Image of People, Person, Adult, Female, Woman, Marching, Glove, Group Performance, Music, Music Band, Musical Instrument, Musician, Performer, Handbag, Shoe, Male, Man, Mobile Phone, Traffic Light, Don’t be intimidated by the hustle and bustle of London – there’s space and room for bikes to ride, too! Join a bike tour and get some exercise while you explore. A Fat Tire Bike tour is great thing to do - these guided excursions take you throughout the famous neighborhoods and peaceful bike paths of London as your guides regale you with stories of London’s past and present. It's a great opportunity for your kids to burn off some excess energy, and for them to be out and active on vacation. Getting In: Fat Tire Bike Tour of London tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

Planet Hollywood

Image of Burger, Food, Food Presentation, Stop by Planet Hollywood's London location for a nice fun meal and a dose of Hollywood culture. The kids will love the decor and the menu designed just for them, and you'll love that they're entertained while you dine in peace. It's also a fun thing to track all the different Planet Hollywood locations you've been to! Getting In: A Planet Hollywood meal is available with the London Explorer Pass.

The Sky Garden

Image of Furniture, Indoors, Lounge, Airport, Person, Handbag, © User:Colin / L Commons, via Wikimedia Commons
This lush, beautiful indoor garden space is the perfect place for nature-loving kids to explore. With three stories of carefully cultivate landscape to explore, your kids can delight in the natural world for hours. Admission is free, but you do need to reserve a time slot to visit three days in advance due to incredible popularity. Getting In: Admission to the Sky Garden is free.

Coram's Fields Playground

This kid-centric playground is another ideal place for your children to enjoy the great outdoors. From a giant sandpit to tons of climbing structures, there's a lot to play with, around, and on. For the older kids, there's an urban farm garden, a zip line, a tunnel slide, and climbing fixtures. Adults aren't permitted to enter unless they're accompanied by a child, too, making this a very safe space in a very urban city. Getting In: It's free to play in Coram's Fields Playground.

London Parks

Image of Grass, Nature, Outdoors, Park, Plant, Garden, Pond, Water, Person, House, Housing, Villa, By Maciek Kwiatkowski (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
London is known for its fabulous green spaces. Whether you want to watch the pelicans being fed at St. James's Park or marvel at the flowers in the Kensington Gardens, there's a park in London for you and the kids to enjoy. Locals love to stroll, picnic, relax, play games, and more in these lovely spaces, so you'll certainly fit right in. Don't forget about the famed "Dinosaur Court" at Crystal Palace Park! Getting In: Admission fees vary depending upon which park or garden you choose; fees are separately ticketed and are not included with the London Explorer Pass.

Let's Recap

There you have it. Our list of some of the top things to do in London with kids during your vacation. Remember, many of these great ideas are included on the Go London Card, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Consider adding a few of these kid friendly options to your upcoming itinerary. Enjoy!

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