London surprised us in the best possible way. We found this city built for families. We visited in the summer with our two kids and spent almost a week exploring. From parks to museums, markets to river cruises, there was always something to keep everyone entertained.
Here are the best things to do in London with kids, based on what truly worked for our family.
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See the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace
Watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is one of those classic London experiences, and it worked better with kids than I expected. The marching music, uniforms, and horses kept their attention, even if they didn’t fully understand what was happening.
We didn’t aim for the perfect front-row spot. Instead, we treated it as part of the experience, the atmosphere, and the crowd energy. Afterward, the girls mostly talked about the music and the hats, not the ceremony details.
Location: Buckingham Palace, central London
Cost: Free
Tip from our experience: Manage expectations and don’t promise the “best view.”
Ride a double-decker bus in London
One of the most fun things to do in London with kids turned out to be… public transportation.
Instead of booking a sightseeing bus, we used London’s regular red double-decker buses with contactless payment. Sitting on the top level gave the kids a full city view; they watched Big Ben appear around corners, counted black taxis. It honestly felt like a moving tour.
We used buses around Westminster and central London, especially when little legs were tired, but we still wanted to see more.
Cost: Standard public transport fare
How to do it: Tap a contactless card when you board
Kid verdict: One of their favorite “rides” of the trip
Visit the Natural History Museum in London with kids
The Natural History Museum in London is one of the best free things to do in London with kids, and it never felt like a “slow museum day.” Note that we had to reserve our entry spots online about a day before.
One of the best perks for families in London is that kids under 11 travel free on the London Underground, buses, and trams when accompanied by a paying adult.
The dinosaur gallery was the highlight for our girls, especially seeing the T. rex. They were also fascinated by the giant blue whale skeleton and the hands-on science areas. Because entry is free, we didn’t feel pressure to stay for hours. We focused on the most exciting sections and left while everyone was still in a good mood.
Location: South Kensington
How to get there: Tube to South Kensington
Cost: Free (special exhibitions may be paid)
Kid favorite: Dinosaurs, easily
Walk through St. James’s Park with kids
Right next to Buckingham Palace is St. James’s Park, and this ended up being one of our favorite breaks in central London. After standing in crowds, the open space immediately changed everyone’s mood.
The girls loved spotting birds, especially the white pelicans near the lake, and running along the paths. From the bridges, you get beautiful views back toward the palace. This park is perfect when you need a reset between major London attractions.
Location: Between Buckingham Palace and Westminster
Cost: Free
What our kids liked: Space to move and wildlife spotting
Play at the Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens
The Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens was supposed to be a short stop and turned into half the day. This is not a small neighborhood playground; it’s a full adventure space built around a huge pirate ship with climbing areas and imaginative play zones.
After days of sightseeing, this was exactly what the girls needed. They could control their own activity, climb, explore, and just play.
Location: Kensington Gardens near Hyde Park
Cost: Free
Important to know: Kids must be supervised, and there can be a short line to enter
How long we stayed: Much longer than planned
See a West End Show with kids
One evening, we went to London’s West End and saw My Neighbor Totoro, and it became one of the most memorable parts of the trip. The girls have already seen the movie and were thrilled to see their favorite characters come to life!
After busy sightseeing days, sitting together in a theater and watching such a creative production felt special.
Location: West End theater district
Cost: Ticketed
Tip: Afternoon performances are easier with kids
Take a Day Trip to Cambridge From London
For a slower day, we took a day trip from London to Cambridge by train. The change of pace was perfect. The town is walkable, full of green space, and looks like a movie set with its historic colleges.
Once we arrived in Cambridge, the girls immediately spotted cows grazing in the park, which felt so unexpected in the middle of such a historic university town. They even tried offering them small branches to eat, which quickly became the highlight of the walk.
We kept the day relaxed, had lunch in town, and stopped into the Fitzwilliam Museum for a quick visit. It was free, which made it easy to pop in. Cambridge also has a beautiful river where you can take a traditional punting boat ride, but we chose to walk along the water and enjoy the scenery at our own pace.
Travel time: About 1 hour by train from London
Cost: Train tickets + optional activities
Why it worked: Open space and slower rhythm
Take a narrated Thames River Cruise to Tower Bridge
One of the most relaxing sightseeing activities we did in London with kids was a narrated Thames River cruise. After days of walking, this felt like a break for us and still exciting for the girls.
We boarded near central London and took a round-trip cruise along the River Thames toward Tower Bridge, with live (and funny) commentary the whole way.
Seeing London’s landmarks from the water gave everyone a new perspective, the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, and historic buildings all look different from the river.
Going under Tower Bridge was the highlight. The girls loved watching boats, waving at people along the riverwalk, and spotting landmarks from a new angle.
Location: Cruises depart from piers along the Thames (we boarded centrally)
Type of activity: Sightseeing boat tour with commentary
Cost: Paid activity
Best time to do it: When everyone is tired of walking but still wants to see more
Cool off at the splash fountains at King’s Cross
On a warm day in London, the splash fountains at King’s Cross turned into one of the simplest and most fun stops of our trip. Right outside King’s Cross Station in Granary Square, there’s a large plaza with fountains that light up and spray water in changing patterns from the ground.
What starts as “let’s just watch for a minute” quickly turns into kids running straight through the water. Ours lasted about five seconds before they were soaked and laughing.
Location: Granary Square, King’s Cross
Cost: Free
Best for: Warm weather days
Very important tip from experience: Bring a change of clothes, kids will not stay dry
Eat at Mercato Mayfair with kids
Mercato Mayfair was one of our most memorable food stops in London, and not just because of the food. It’s set inside a beautifully restored church, which immediately makes it feel different from a typical food hall.
For families, this place works so well because everyone can choose something different. Our girls could pick familiar options (hello, pasta) while we tried more interesting dishes. There’s plenty of seating spread over multiple levels, so it never felt overwhelming even when it was busy.
The setting itself kept the kids curious, eating inside what looks like a cathedral is not something they do every day.
Location: Mayfair, central London
Type of place: Indoor food hall
Cost: Pay per vendor
Why it works with kids: Variety + casual atmosphere + space to sit
Bottom line
If you’re wondering whether London is worth visiting with kids, the answer from our experience is absolutely yes.
London is one of the most family-friendly big cities we’ve traveled to because you can mix iconic landmarks, free museums, huge parks, playgrounds, cultural experiences, and easy public transportation all in the same trip.
Many of the best things to do in London with kids — like riding double-decker buses, visiting major museums, walking through parks, watching street performers, and exploring markets — are free or low cost, which makes it easier to balance your budget.
Whether your kids love dinosaurs, playgrounds, boats, theater, or just running in open space, London has a way of turning sightseeing into something that feels fun for the whole family.
