The Paddington Bear Experience
An immersive love letter to London's favourite marmalade-loving bear. This is pricey - no doubt, but take advantage of cheaper mid-week deals if you can, as our four and six year olds totally loved the Paddington Experience. It's very interactive, beautifully designed, and ends with a cute mini festival. It's definitely not a thrill-seeking adventure, but a charming 60-70 minute treat with lots of perfect details, as you board a train, travel to Windsor Gardens and become part of Paddington's London story, meeting his friends and family and having a wonderful time! (Just shut your kids' eyes at the gift shop: it's PRICEY!)
- Under 2s go free.
Times change seasonally — always check before you set off.
More ideas in South Bank & Bankside
All of South Bank & Bankside →
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
Aqua Shard Peter Pan Afternoon Tea
Served 31 floors up with jaw-dropping views of London, teens to tots will love this afternoon tea. The Peter Pan theme features a Jolly Roger ship stand which is presented with the wow factor of dry-ice smoke, then there are Tinkerbell cookies, and Captain Hook croquettes... It's a really spectacular high-altitude treat that we all enjoyed - and didn't even need colouring/entertainment because watching tiny people, trains and boats on the streets far below was fun for all the family! If you can go on a wintery later afternoon, you get to see London in daytime and twinkling in the evening.
See details
The London Dungeon
Live actors and underground rides tell London's grisliest history — plague, fire and Jack the Ripper. It's recommended age 12+ but my kids were fine with the spookiness from 10, it depends on your kids. The emphasis is on fun experience rather than museum-style historical facts, but it's an entertaining place for teens especially.
See detailsMore arty stuff in London
All arty stuff →
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
Wicked
Got a drama-loving tween in the family? This Wizard of Oz prequel is a spectacular, belt-it-out musical extravaganza that will absolutely blow their socks off.
See details
Bubble Planet
We enjoyed a good two hours here - wander through a colourful world of bubbles, glowing rooms, giant inflatables and a lot of photo oppos, plus games to play and - of course - merch to buy. Bubble Planet is an upbeat indoor experience for families who like interactive spaces, silly surprises and a little theatrical spectacle. Teens might enjoy the selfie element. Under 2s are free!
See details