London's Fun Board Game Cafés (rainy day fun)
Rainy Saturday, restless kids, nobody wants another soft play? London's board game cafés are one really excellent answer.
There are thousands of games on the shelves, staff who explain the rules so you don't lose half an hour to an instruction manual, and proper food (and, more importantly to my kids, milkshakes) while you play.
Most charge a few pounds per person for a table slot, families are welcome during the day, and you can happily stay put for three or four hours. Here are the five we send families to again and again, from one next to our favourite neon graffiti tunnel under Waterloo to a buggy-friendly hall in Croydon.
Draughts (Waterloo), SE1 7NN — hidden in the Leake Street graffiti tunnel, 1,000+ games and roaming "Game Gurus" who pick kid-friendly titles for you. Families welcome before 9pm; nachos, burgers and thick shakes. Quietest on Sunday mornings. https://draughtslondon.com/locations/waterloo/
Draughts (Stratford), E20 1FS — floor-to-ceiling windows in East Village, bright and welcoming for younger families. Pair it with Tumbling Bay playground in the Olympic Park first, then a three-hour session with toasties and milkshakes. https://draughtslondon.com/locations/stratford/
The Ludoquist (Croydon), CR0 1QE — the South London family favourite: huge, bright, a dedicated Family & Kids bookcase from age three up, buggy-friendly aisles and sourdough pizzas. Book ahead on rainy weekends. https://www.theludoquist.com/
Bad Moon Cafe (Bermondsey / Elephant & Castle), SE1 4GZ — best for tweens and teens ready for fantasy strategy and card games. Big tables, four-hour slots and stone-baked pizzas. https://www.badmooncafe.co.uk/
Loading Bar (Stoke Newington), N16 0LH — the screens-and-tabletop compromise: free retro consoles built into the booths plus quick-fire card games, no table charge, under-18s welcome during the day. https://loading.bar/
- Rainy-day favourite
- Book ahead at weekends
- Ages 3+
More games & rainy days in London
All games & rainy days →
Otter Chaos - board game venue
Choose from a library of over 500 board games to play together as a family. Enjoy food and drinks from the café while trying out everything from silly party games to strategy games. Great for older children and families, says one local - and it's a very short walk from the Tube and train.
See details
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.
See details
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.
See detailsMore ideas in Central London
All of Central London →
Wellcome Collection
A quirky museum exploring medicine, health and human life through bizarre historical objects, art and a wonderfully comfy Reading Room.
See details
Word on the Water - Floating Bookshop
A 100-year-old Dutch barge on Regent's Canal turned into a moored floating bookshop, with children's books, cosy nooks and rooftop live music on sunny afternoons.
See details
Leake St graffiti tunnel
Get creative at one of London's only permitted graffiti locations! Bring spray paints (£2 in Poundland), wear masks to stay safe and enjoy decorating the walls to your heart's content. Kit tip: if the kids want to practise first, a [multi-colour spray paint set](https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=spray+paint+set) on cardboard at home is the way to start — more ideas in our [family kit list](https://kidsfun.london/guides/what-to-pack-family-day-out-london).
See details★ 4.7