Discover Children's Story Centre
One of my favourite London museums for under 7s, this imaginative centre includes indoor and outdoor playgrounds, storytelling rooms, exhibitions crafted around authors and books, and creative arts activities. It is wonderful for inspiring creativity in toddlers and younger children - I like to tire mine out with a morning here, then enjoy their buggy nap as I stroll around neighbouring Westfield. Discounts are available for Newham residents - everyone should remember to book a storytelling session while booking entry tickets.
Times change seasonally — always check before you set off.
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Lee Valley VeloPark
Located at the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, Lee Valley VeloPark offers kids aged 2 to 16 the chance to learn to ride or perfect their cycling at a world-class Olympic venue. Sessions stretch from toddler balance bike play to BMX, indoor pump track riding, and velodrome track cycling on fixed-gear bikes. Led by expert coaches, the sessions are really great as they emphasise confidence, safety, and core handling skills. But you need to book ahead - most sessions are 'released' 60 days before kick-off. Sessions include: VeloBalance (Ages 2+): A 45-minute parent-assisted session using balance bikes (£8.15) focused on balance, scooting, and transitioning away from stabilisers. Pedal Up! (All ages): 45-minute interactive group sessions (£8.15) for kids who can pedal independently, teaching core cornering, braking, and control fundamentals. Mini Rider / Pump Track: 45-minute sessions (£8.50) tackling the indoor pump track to master bike control before advancing to BMX or mountain biking. After-School Clubs (Ages 7–16): Specialist evening sessions for BMX (£7) and Track Velodrome cycling (£14.20 for ages 12–16, height requirement 145cm+).
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Zip World London at the ArcelorMittal Orbit
Britain's tallest sculpture - that Olympic DNA-like red thing, if you recall - doubles as an adventurous launchpad. You can now take the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide down the artwork, spanning 178m in length, and including 12 loops, catching glimpses of London from new heights. Who'll love it more, parents or kids? Our niece still talks about this one, several years later!
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Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Tumbling Bay Playground)
Excellent play zone with rock pools, sand pits, treehouses, wobbling bridges and water pumps for building dams.
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Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery (And Mini Makers for tots)
Inside the Pitzhanger, the historic countryside retreat of architect Sir John Soane which is set within Walpole Park in Ealing, the main musem has contemporary art exhibitions, free digital family trails, hands-on building block stations, and access to Walpole Park's playground. On Fridays, under 5s will love the Mini Makers dedicated early years sessions, led by experienced artist practitioners, there's messy play, circus play and music and rhyme sessions. Pack a spare change of clothes - the messy play sessions mean business, and make a day of it with Walpole Park and its expansive green lawns, walled garden, and playground area.
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Wellcome Collection
A quirky museum exploring medicine, health and human life through bizarre historical objects, art and a wonderfully comfy Reading Room.
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The British Library (Family Trails)
Book-loving kids will enjoy an hour here among the world's most famous manuscripts, from the Magna Carta to Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks and Beatles lyrics, mostly in one ground-floor exhibition hall. There are free weekend family workshops too.
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