One of the best and most visited cities in the world, London is a brilliant city for families – there is so much to see and do for kids, the hard part is narrowing it down.
We are lucky to be a short train ride from our buzzing capital city, and we often take our young kids to explore the many world-class attractions London has on offer.
See what we reccomended for the perfect day in London with kids.
Our one day London Itinerary
Our suggested itinerary for getting the most out of a day in London with the kids: this plan is one we have done with our own boys and is tried and tested, taking in lots of cool activities and famous sights without trying to fit too much in with the kids in tow.
Morning: Go to a museum
There are so many brilliant museums in London, 170 in fact, and they are free to enter!
These are world leading, interactive and awe-inspiring museums and one of the best attractions to visit in London in our opinion.
Our favourites by far are the famous Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, located next door to each other in South Kensington.
We hop off the tube at South Kensington. The tube station is right next to the museums and only a 5 minute walk to cafes, shops and the museum entrances. Before the museum opens at 10 am, we head to a cafe in South Kensington for a morning coffee for us, juice for the boys and croissaints all around!
We always pre – book our (free) tickets for the first entry slot of the day to beat the worst of the queues and the crowds.
Tip: At the Natural History Museum, once you are inside, head straight to the dinosaur section to be able to explore freely. It gets extremely crowded fast as the morning goes on.
There is so much to see at the Natural History Museum that you could spend a week exploring it! We are always ” mueseum-ed out by early afternoon as the exhibits continue to become more crowded.
A good plan we stick too, is to pick out the exhibits we most want to see ahead of time online and not try to fit too much in.
If you choose to visit the Science Museum, make sure you book your entry ticket (free), again we would advise the first slot of the day, but make sure that you also book a slot for the wonderlab, the interactive zone in the Science Museum basement. Tickets to this area are paid, but it is super fun and so worth it – it’s the best part of the museum for the kids without a doubt.
Tip: Don’t be tempted to squeeze with museums in on one day because they are close together. There is far too much to see. It’s better to do one and save the other for another day or trip.
Stay and have lunch at the museum, there are cafes and restaurants inside, although we normally bring a packed lunch. After lunch, you can take the tube to the Tower of London.
Of course, if either of those museums don’t take your fancy, you could try one of the other 168! Have look at this guide of the top 25 free museums in London to start you off.
Afternoon: The Tower of London and Tower Bridge
Take the tube to the iconic Tower Bridge ( 30 minutes from South Kensington). Tower Bridge is close to London Bridge Tube station and Fenchurch Street Station.
After a museum morning, we like a chilled out afternoon, and Tower Bridge is the perfect place to start a riverside walk and take in lots of Londons’ famous sights.
We love Tower Bridge, the kids are always excited to see it ‘in real life’ and we get a cool family picture.
There is always the option to head across the bridge and visit the Tower of London which you will see on the other side of the bridge, sitting proudly on the banks of the Thames. We have never done this, yet because we don’t want to cram to much in and we like to keep it casual. We would love to go to the Tower of London to see the beefeaters and crown jewels one day, though; but we would probably start early in the morning- I expect it gets very busy!
Back to Tower Bridge; from the bridge it is a 15-minute walk along the river, passing HMS Belfast on the way, to Borough Market. Here we always pick up something delicious to eat.
Borough Market is a foodie’s paradise right by London Bridge, packed with everything from fresh produce to mouthwatering street food. It’s been around for over 1,000 years, and today it’s the go-to spot for locals and tourists alike who want to explore all sorts of delicious, high-quality eats. You’ll find everything from artisan cheese to organic veggies, with a lively, buzzing atmosphere. We love Borough Market!
From Borough Market, we usually take an hour or two to walk along the Thames at a leisurely place, stopping for pictures ending up in Southbank.
There is so much to see the kids are kept entertained while we walk. We walk past the Globe theatre, St Paul’s cathedral, all the way to the London eye.
Evening : Visit Southbank
The end of walk from Tower Bridge ends here at South Bank. This place has lots going on, street performers, pop-up food stalls, and a great playground for the kids ( Jubilee Gardens).
There is the London Eye here, and also a family attraction called ” Shreks Adventure” run by Merlin, but we never wanted to tackle the ques and if we did either of those attractions it would be when they first opened.
Instead, we love to people watch, grab something tasty for a cafe or pop up stall and enjoy the view of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from across the river.
We are normally shattered by this point, so its back on the tube, then onwards to catch our train home. London is always a fun day out and there is always so much to explore. From hands-on museums to park adventures and the magic of its famous sights, there’s always something to spark curiosity and joy. Whether it’s your first visit or a family tradition, London never stops being a fun-filled destination. Until next time, the city will be ready for another day of family adventures!
More things to do in London with kids
Check out these alternative suggestions to mix into your trip to London, or you could add them on if you are going for multiple days.
Buckingham Palace
Visiting Buckingham Palace is a royal treat for families, especially during the Changing of the Guard! The kids will love watching the soldiers in their bright red uniforms march to lively music. It’s a fun and unforgettable experience that brings London’s royal history to life.
HMS Belfast
A visit to HMS Belfast is a fun adventure for the whole family, with this decommissioned military ship docked right in the banks of Thames. Exploring the decks of this historic warship, kids can imagine life at sea, from steering the ship to checking out the crew’s cabins. It’s an exciting hands-on experience that brings history to life right in the heart of London.
Cutty Sark and Greenwich Observatory
Another boat theme attraction, a visit to the Cutty Sark and Greenwich Observatory makes for a fun day out in London.
The Cutty Sark, a legendary 19th-century tea clipper, lets kids explore the decks, learn about its fast voyages, and even take the wheel like real sailors. Over at the Observatory, standing on the Prime Meridian line and exploring space is a fun way for everyone to dive into science and history.
Regent’s Park
With its vast open spaces, beautiful gardens, and playgrounds, kids can run, play, and explore to their heart’s content. There is a boating lake and Regents park is also home to London Zoo. It’s a great spot for a picnic and some laid-back family time in one of London’s most scenic parks.
The West End
A trip to London’s West End is a fantastic treat for everyone visiting London, including families.
With its dazzling theatres and world-famous musicals, kids will be captivated by the excitement and magic of live performances.
Children’s Afternoon Tea
For a fancy afternoon in the city, a children’s afternoon tea in London is a delightful treat. A family friendly twist on a classic tradition, themes like Alice in Wonderland, a teddy bear picnic, or even a magical unicorn tea let kids enjoy sandwiches, whimsical cakes, and cute pastries with a hot chocolate or fruity tea. Delightful!
Museums and More museums
As previously mentioned, there are so many fantastic, world class museums to explore, and lots of them are free, and many have activites and programs running for kids, too.
Some of our favourites include the British Museum, The V&A, The Transport Museum, and the Sherlock Holmes Museum!
Hamleys Toy Shop
I didn’t think a trip to a toy shop would be on my list of top things to do, however, everyone said it was great, and predictably, the kids blooming loved it. Of course, we had to get them something, so perhaps this one is not a great idea if you are trying to do the day out on a budget. We enjoyed our trip to the famous store, which features seven floors packed with every toy imaginable, from classic games to the latest gadgets. Kids will love exploring interactive displays, enjoying live demonstrations, and meeting costumed characters.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a vibrant destination, with its bustling market, street performers, and charming shops, there’s always something exciting happening. There are buskers to watch, unique stalls to explore, and delicious treats to indulge in from the food vendors. It’s a lively spot to soak in the lively atmosphere of London.
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