Family-Friendly Activities for an Unforgettable Day Out in London

As England’s capital city, London is a hotspot for both domestic and international tourism, with businesses across the city welcoming an estimated 30 million visitors in a typical year.

Boasting one of the largest metropolitan areas in Europe, there’s plenty on offer for guests from all walks of life, but not every popular attraction is well-suited to every group of visitors.

To enjoy a big day out with the family, a fair bit of planning will be required. From finding the best spots for food and drink to the most exciting age-appropriate excursions, below you’ll find an ultimate guide to the best family-friendly activities for an unforgettable day in London.

1. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

A great trip starts with finding a fun, affordable and kid-friendly way to get around. London’s Tootbus hop-on hop-off buses stop at all the main attractions on a day-long loop, with audio guides and live commentary to keep you all entertained in the time between other activities.

With 24-hour tickets, your family can hop-on and hop-off all Tootbus branded buses all day, as you please; much less busy, far safer and more entertaining than normal public transport.

2. The Natural History Museum

London’s Natural History Museum is a must-visit attraction for kids and adults, boasting free entry to all the main galleries and a wide variety of additional paid interactive exhibits. Inside, you’ll find full-scale dinosaur skeletons, volcano simulators and an entire gallery space filled with creepy crawly specimens, alongside loads of hands-on activities to keep everyone busy.

3. Harry Potter Filming Locations

London has been the backdrop to loads of famous films, but for many kids, the Harry Potter series is the most exciting. There’re a few spots to take note of, including Leadenhall Market (Diagon Alley) and Australia House (Gringotts Bank), but King’s Cross is the main attraction.

King’s Cross station is home to the real life Platform 9 ¾, which anyone can visit for free. Be warned, however, photographers on-site will try to charge for photos. We recommend using your own camera or snapping a few photos on your smartphone to save yourself some cash.

4. King’s Cross Restaurants

While you’re in the area, you might want to stop for some food. King’s Cross restaurants are among the best in London for kids and adults alike, with plenty of options to suit any budget.

Top picks in the area include The Breakfast Club for morning visits, Morty and Bob’s for tasty toasties and Harry’s for something a little more fancy, with plenty of snack places in between.

5. The Royal Mews

No trip to London is complete without a little royal flair. While spots like Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle might be top picks, the former isn’t open year-round and the latter is a day-trip in itself. So, our recommendation is the lesser-known but equally great Royal Mews.

The Royal Mews is a collection of stables owned by the royals that’s now used to display a number of historic coaches, gold-plated carriages and other fancy regal belongings. It’s not too expensive to get in and only takes an hour or so to walk round; perfect for family outings!

6. SEA LIFE London Aquarium

SEA LIFE is one of the most engaging attractions in the city for kids and adults, with loads of visual and interactive experiences for visitors. Inside, you’ll find sharks, rays, penguins and England’s largest coral reef, alongside 3D, augmented reality and tactile interactive exhibits.

The same building is also home to Shrek’s Adventure, an immersive walkthrough attraction narrated by characters from the films. The whole thing takes around an hour and can help to burn off some energy as it’s quite interactive, but kids under five might find it a little bit scary.

7. The Ships of the River Thames

A final activity to consider involves England’s most iconic waterway. For parents who want to visit the River Thames but fear their kids might find it too boring, a great hack is to plan your trip around some of the site’s most interesting features, the many ships of the River Thames.

From the historic Cutty Sark and a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hinde, to the World War II era HMS Belfast, these giant, intricate and awe-inspiring vessels can be quite a sight for little eyes. However, take note that stepping onto each ship can cost £10-£25 per person.

Wrapping Up

London’s sheer size makes it a great spot for tourists of all ages, but can also make planning the perfect trip a bit difficult. Armed with our top picks and recommendations, you should find it much easier to spot and book kid-friendly activities for an unforgettable day out in London.