Barking Sportshouse Multi-Zone Activity Area
If you're looking for high-octane indoor fun that easily accommodates older kids and pre-teens, this brand-new Multi-Zone space is a game-changer. Think giant bounce zones, inflatables, obstacle courses, extreme slides, climbing set-ups and Battle Baskets!
It's the ultimate soft-play upgrade, designed specifically for active kids who've outgrown standard play frames — but still want somewhere to bounce, climb and run themselves ragged. Siblings of different ages can play side by side, which makes it a winner for mixed-age families.
Run by Better, it's far more affordable than most central London activity centres, and there's parking on site. The sports hall also covers badminton, basketball and pickleball, while there's also a Clip 'N' Climb wall.
- Insider tip: grip socks are mandatory on the inflatables and trampolines — bring your own to save a few pounds at the counter
- Book sessions online in advance, especially at weekends and in school holidays
- Check the timetable for age-specific sessions
- Fully indoors, so a great rainy-day option
Times change seasonally — always check before you set off.
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Absurd City
Step into a wonderfully weird world designed by the creators of Wake The Tiger! This brand-new immersive art maze takes families on an imaginative journey through secret passageways, surreal rooms and interactive art installations. Every corner hides something to poke, press or crawl through, so kids get to be explorers rather than spectators. Having had an early sneak peek, we can confirm this is a must-add for your London itinerary — especially if you're exploring with hard-to-impress older kids and teens. Being inside Westfield London makes it an easy rainy-day plan: no long walks in the drizzle, plenty of loos and lunch options on the doorstep, and Shepherd's Bush station just across the road.
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Whitechapel Gallery
A touchstone modern art gallery in East London running free family creative workshops and dynamic art exhibitions. Provides free entry, brilliant family activity packs, and hands-on art-making sessions led by professional contemporary artists.
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Toca Social interactive football
An interactive, high-tech football entertainment and decent food, featuring private playing boxes and digital target games.
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The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience
The TV show, for real. We loved battling the puzzles and challenges - they really are just like the show, with the countdown clock and fear of getting locked in bringing back nostalgic memories! The setting itself looks a bit run down in some areas, but that didn't stop us having a really fun evening, especially when the golf rains down inside the snowglobe and you try to snatch as much as possible. A Maze Master leads your team through Aztec, Medieval, Industrial and Futuristic zones grabbing crystals, before that confetti storm of the Crystal Dome. Older kids and teens love it - be aware that you may be mixed in with other people if your group isn't large enough to run solo.
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Lee Valley Ice Centre
A big, bright twin-rink centre with TWO Olympic size skating venues, on the edge of Hackney Marshes with public skating sessions all week, penguin skate aids for little ones and lessons if anyone catches the bug and wants to go twirl-pro. And if they're old enough for drop-off, there's a gym plus studios with body conditioning, Pilates, yoga, group cycle, HIIT and dance fitness classes every week.
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QUEENS: Skate, Dine, Bowl
This massive indoor entertainment hub features an ice-skating rink, curling on ice, retro ten-pin bowling lanes, arcade games, and a pizza restaurant - it's a one-stop rainy-day centre where kids can skate on ice, bowl a strike, and eat slices under one roof, but we haven't visited yet so send us your opinions!
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