Area guide

Things to do with kids in East London

Family days out, playgrounds, museums and green space in East London — sorted by what's actually fun with children.

All places in this area

39 places in this part of town

ABBA Voyage
All ages£30+
Arty stuff · East

ABBA Voyage

Forget everything you know about holograms: this bespoke arena built in East London delivers a concert experience that feels 100% real.... even though your brain keeps telling you it's not. We went with a ten and 16 year old, and all enjoyed it: the digital "Abbatars" perform alongside a live ten-piece band, surrounded by arena lighting that bleeds into the crowd. The energy is electric from start to finish - go dressed up if you can! It's packed with non-stop Abba hits that really got every generation in the crowd dancing. Kids aged 6 and up are allowed in the seated sections (strictly no under-3s anywhere in the arena), making it a rare multi-generational hit where kids, parents, and grandparents will be able to boogie and sing along together.

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Mudchute Park and Farm
Under 13Free
Wildlife & farms · East

Mudchute Park and Farm

One of Europe's largest urban farms, set across 32 acres and home to over 100 animals including cows, pigs, llamas and ducks, with the Canary Wharf skyscrapers rising behind them.

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The Line Sculpture Trail and Cable Car
All agesFree
Views & landmarks · East

The Line Sculpture Trail and Cable Car

London's first dedicated public art walk winds along the canals and waterways between Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The O2. Kids hunt down giant outdoor installations, like Alex Chinneck's inverted pylon, while spotting dockside wildlife.

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Lee Valley Ice Centre
All ages£5-£15
Games & rainy days · East

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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Leyton Leisure Centre
All ages£5-£15
Games & rainy days · East

Leyton Leisure Centre

This great family swimming centre has a two-floor gym and a 25-meter main pool, but the main event for families is the pool with a water flume slide and interactive water jets. Plus, as the centre is council-run it has reasonable prices. It includes an: Aqua Play Zone (Under 8s): A shallow splash pool fitted with small water slides, tipping buckets, interactive water jets, and fountains designed specifically for young children and toddlers. a water flume, large indoor slide for older, confident kids (must be over 1 meter tall). a dedicated shallow teaching pool used for swim lessons and a 4-lane, 25-meter main pool for casual family swimming and fitness. Pool Parties are also available for private weekend hire (£210 for up to 20 children).

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Lee Valley VeloPark
All ages£5-£15
Games & rainy days · East

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
8+£15-£30
Views & landmarks · East

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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God's Own Junkyard
All agesFree
Arty stuff · East

God's Own Junkyard

A dazzling, neon-drenched warehouse packed wall to wall with thousands of vintage film props, retro signs and flashing lights. Older kids love it for photos, younger ones just love the lights.

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Up at the O2
8+£15-£30
Getting about · East

Up at the O2

If you've got fearless older kids with energy to burn, this is for your family. Strap into a harness and literally climb over the roof of the O2 arena. The 360-degree views at the top are brilliant, especially at twilight - so try to book for a clear day. It's safe and well organised, but obviously a head for heights is helpful! We enjoyed combining with the outlets stores at O2 afterwards.

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House of Dreamers
All ages£15-£30
Museums & galleries · East

House of Dreamers

Step straight into a dreamscape at this massive immersive exhibition at ExCeL London. Packed with vibrant projection mapping, oversized sensory installations, giant ball pits and colourful themed rooms, it's a paradise for families who love exploring creative spaces and snapping vibrant photos together. Kids can dive, bounce and wander from one surreal room to the next, while grown-ups get their best family photos in years. It's all indoors, so it makes a great rainy-day plan.

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Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Tumbling Bay Playground)
Under 13Free
Playgrounds · East

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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Little Wonder Street
Under 9£5-£15
Playgrounds · East

Little Wonder Street

Little Wonder Street is a vibrant mini role-play village and soft-play haven tucked inside Romford's Liberty Shopping Centre, built to spark early childhood imagination. Little explorers can try out real-world jobs across themed stations - tending to animals at the horse stables, racing to the rescue at the fire station, running the medical centre or serving up scoops at the ice cream parlour. Beyond the role-play village, kids can tackle the soft play frame to climb and slide, or unwind in the calming dedicated sensory room when it all gets a bit much. Sessions run for two hours, so there is time to settle in and play properly, with comfortable seating for grown-ups and an on-site café serving hot drinks and family snacks. It is a stress-free spot for babies, toddlers and young children, and a good one for wet days when you need everything under one roof.

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Absurd City
All ages£15-£30
Games & rainy days · West

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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Victoria Park & Splash Pool
Under 13Free
Parks & gardens · East

Victoria Park & Splash Pool

Vicky Park to locals: two massive adventure playgrounds, a skate park, a boating lake and a brilliant summer water splash park, with fairs and entertainment on regularly. Kit tip: pack a [puddle suit](https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=kids+puddle+suit) and a [wet bag](https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=wet+bag+for+swimming) — both earn their place on a splashy day out. More ideas in our [family kit list](https://kidsfun.london/guides/what-to-pack-family-day-out-london).

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Barking Sportshouse Multi-Zone Activity Area
All ages£5-£15
Games & rainy days · East

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.

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Clissold Park & Animal Enclosures
Under 13Free
Wildlife & farms · North

Clissold Park & Animal Enclosures

A lovely community park with deer enclosures, goats, aviaries, a splash pad, a wheels park for scooters and a skate park.

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Whitechapel Gallery
All agesFree
Museums & galleries · East

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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Better Walthamstow Leisure Centre
All ages£
Games & rainy days · North

Better Walthamstow Leisure Centre

Better Walthamstow Leisure Centre is an affordable soft play and swimming pool with family swim sessions - handy on rainy weekends; the prices are lower than private activity centres. Check the Better website for the family swim timetable before you go, as general-lane swimming is not always ideal with young children. Pair it with a walk around nearby Walthamstow Wetlands for a full day out.

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Spitalfields Market
All agesFree
Shopping & Experiences · East

Spitalfields Market

A vibrant historic covered market in East London packed with food trucks, artisan craft stalls, clothing, and art. The street food selection is unbelievable—kids can eat bao buns, gourmet wood-fired pizza, and bubble waffles all in one covered spot.

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The Jury Experience – The Deadly Boat Ride
13+£15-£30
Games & rainy days · East

The Jury Experience – The Deadly Boat Ride

You’ve been called for jury duty. Step into a thrilling courtroom drama where the audience is the jury. Listen to testimonies, analyze evidence, and ultimately decide… guilty or not guilty? This interactive show sees audiences sit as the jury in a live courtroom drama to watch a murder trial unfold. You listen to witness testimonies, analsze evidence, and use your phone to vote on key moments to decide the final verdict. Your votes steer the story..

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Woolwich Waves
All ages£5-£15
Games & rainy days · East

Woolwich Waves

This community leisure centre's heartbeat is its pool with wave machines, water jets, and splash play areas for children. There's also two indoor soft play areas and a crèche, making it easy to turn a swim trip into a full morning out. Greenwich residents holding a local Greenwich One Card can snag discounted swim slots. You need to book for family fun swim to access the water slides and interactive splashpad. After swimming, take a short 5-minute walk over to the historic Royal Arsenal Riverside development, with pedestrianised squares and family-friendly food halls. Kit tip: pack a [puddle suit](https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=kids+puddle+suit) and a [wet bag](https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=wet+bag+for+swimming) — both earn their place on a splashy day out. More ideas in our [family kit list](https://kidsfun.london/guides/what-to-pack-family-day-out-london).

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London Fields Lido
All ages£5-£15
Parks & gardens · East

London Fields Lido

A heated 50m outdoor pool in the middle of a Hackney park, open all year round — steam rising off the water in winter is half the fun. Family sessions, a paddling-friendly shallow end and the park and playground right outside. Kit tip: pack a [puddle suit](https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=kids+puddle+suit) and a [wet bag](https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=wet+bag+for+swimming) — both earn their place on a splashy day out. More ideas in our [family kit list](https://kidsfun.london/guides/what-to-pack-family-day-out-london).

See details
Canary Wharf
All agesFree
Views & landmarks · East

Canary Wharf

Urban area with rooftop gardens, seasonal free activities including mini golf and sport/film screenings, small playgrounds and lots of food/drink options. Great for scooting/cycling. Combine with a trip on the DLR (ride the first carriage and pretend to be the driver), and the Museum of London Docklands

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Olympic Park Stratford
All agesFree
Parks & gardens · East

Olympic Park Stratford

Visit Tumbling Bay playground, enjoy the vast network of family-friendly cycling routes, and splash in the water fountains

See details★ 4.5
London Aquatic Centre - inflatables
All ages£5-£15
Playgrounds · East

London Aquatic Centre - inflatables

Challenge yourself on this epic inflatable course, set on the Olympic 50m pool. With thrilling obstacles, slides, and climbing walls, it’s perfect for adventurous swimmers aged 8 and up. Check dates on the website. Adult – £12.60, Junior – £9.45

See details★ 4
Toca Social interactive football
All ages£15-£30
Treats & eats · East

Toca Social interactive football

An interactive, high-tech football entertainment and decent food, featuring private playing boxes and digital target games.

See details★ 4.8
Walthamstow wetlands
All agesFree
Parks & gardens · North

Walthamstow wetlands

You won't feel like you're on the doorstep of central London in the fresh air and beautiful scenery of Walthamstow wetlands. Take a leisurely stroll, or follow the designated cycling route; there's a bevy of wildlife to spot... and a great cafe to bribe unwilling kids with cakes and ice creams. Mini beast hunts, forest school sessions and storytelling run frequently too - some charges apply.

See details★ 4.6
Young V&A (Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood)
All agesFree
Museums & galleries · East

Young V&A (Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood)

A museum completely redesigned for children, with interactive design, building toys, display cabinets of toys from parents' own childhood (way to feel old), performance spaces, and creative play zones. Large cafe on the ground floor and a temporary exhibit space as well as a large theatre area where kids can act.

See details★ 4.4
Hackney City Farm
Under 13Free
Wildlife & farms · East

Hackney City Farm

A community farm offering kids a chance to meet pigs, sheep, goats, and ducks in the middle of East London. Visit the on-site Italian cafe for great fresh bread and coffee, and bring small change if you want to buy feed for the animals.

See details★ 4.5
National Maritime Museum
All agesUnder £5
Museums & galleries · East

National Maritime Museum

The world's largest maritime museum features boat displays, naval art, and a massive world map floor grids. But as a family, you need to head straight to the Ahoy! gallery (for ages 0–7) or AHOY! Children's Gallery for interactive pirate-themed ship play. Ever-changing exhibitions are often child-friendly too. Cove playground is fab too - there's a solid morning or afternoon to be spent here. Combine with a Greenwich wander round its parks, cafes and shops. Museum is free, play slots cost £4.50 on weekends plus school and bank holidays.

See details★ 4.6
IFS Cloud Cable Car and Royal Docks
All ages£5-£15
Getting about · East

IFS Cloud Cable Car and Royal Docks

Take this cable car ride soaring over the river Thames between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks. Don't overpay - tap in with an Oyster card or debit card for cheap pay-as-you-go fares rather than buying full-price tourist tickets at the terminal counter - and boost your day with a trip to the O2's attractions and outlets, a visit to City Hall (go on a weekday and try to book into watch Mayor's Question Time - free but must book) or the Royal Docks' summer beach area if it's open. Cable car prices are: £6.00 Adult / £3.00 Child (one-way with contactless)

See details★ 4.5
Mudlarks at the London Museum, Docklands
Under 13Under £5
Museums & galleries · East

Mudlarks at the London Museum, Docklands

This London museum features a fantastic kids' area with water play, building blocks, and a climbing zone that's kept clean and tiny and packed with fun. It’s a great free indoor option that's perfect for toddlers up to kids aged 8 - you can find out what the docks were used for and what life would've been like for sailors many years ago, 'drive' a DLR train in the soft play area, move ships along the docks on the water play station and help the workers move their cargo using wheelbarrows. Sessions last 45m and cost from £4 - book ahead online. The rest of the (excellent) museum is free.

See details★ 4.6
RAF Museum, Hendon
All agesUnder £5
Museums & galleries · East

RAF Museum, Hendon

This recently-updated museum is a must for airplane fans: its massive hangars are filled with real planes, chinooks, helicopters, and ride-on replicas; there's a new soft play area, a fun outdoor aviation-themed playground, simulators and more. There's a cafe so you can make a day of it. Free tickets can be booked ahead of time; there's scant local parking so you'll need to pay for the car park. Frequently-changed exhibitions are child-friendly and fascinating.

See details★ 4.8
Discover Children's Story Centre
Under 9£5-£15
Museums & galleries · East

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.

See details★ 4.3
Broomfield Park
All agesFree
Parks & gardens · East

Broomfield Park

There's a large adventure playground here alongside a conservatory, a model boating pond, and a lake. It makes for a nice afternoon out - especially if you stop by the nearby Baskervilles Tea Shop for delicious babyccinos and cakes.

See details★ 4.2
Elstree Aerodrome
Under 13Free
Getting about · East

Elstree Aerodrome

If you've got aviation-obsessed kids - or just those that like to look up - plan a trip to this airfield north of London. It's pure magic for transport-obsessed toddlers: a working airfield where toddlers can spend hours thrilled by the steady stream of light aircraft and helicopters taking off and landing. Don't miss out on the surprisingly good on-site café to grab a hot drink or nice lunch while you plane-spot.

See details★ 4.2
Woodberry Wetlands
All agesFree
Parks & gardens · North

Woodberry Wetlands

This regenerated urban nature reserve offers smooth, buggy- and scooter-friendly boardwalks surrounded by wildlife, reedbeds, and play areas. It’s ideal for families with young children, birdwatchers, and anyone looking for a fresh, scenic walk. Park near Bethune Road or Lordship Road, bring scooters for the kids to zip along the paths, and don't forget to visit the historic Coal House Café for great coffee and sourdough lunches.

See details★ 4.6
Capel Manor Gardens
Under 13£5-£15
Parks & gardens · East

Capel Manor Gardens

This is a university for horticulture - which is brilliantly open for families to explore with loads of activities too. It features over 30 themed gardens - including a children's garden, maze, fairy garden, and Japanese garden - along with a small farm and reptile collection (the snake always surprises me), kitchen garden, and acres and acres to explore. It’s a wonderful, good value outdoorsy day out - pack a picnic to enjoy on the grounds, or expect simple school lunch-style fare in the canteen. Check out their calendar for seasonal children's events like Easter egg hunts, and summer festivals, there's always a good kids' treasure hunt trail too.

See details★ 4.6
ExCeL London
All ages£15-£30
Games & rainy days · East

ExCeL London

As massive as a city within a city, ExCeL London in the Royal Docks hosts everything from pop-culture juggernauts like MCM Comic Con and MegaCon to interactive immersive family experiences and the festive London International Horse Show. Because the central venue boulevard stretches for nearly a kilometre, taking kids to an event here can feel like a mini-marathon. Navigating it with minimal fuss takes a little extra know-how. Seek Out the Secret Family Room: If you have toddlers or babies in tow, head to Level 0 near Hall S9. This dedicated Family Room has comfortable chairs for feeding, a microwave for baby food, bottle warmers, changing mats, and a private sink/toilet away from the main crowds. Turn Travel Into an Attraction: Skip the crowded Tube ride home and head to the Royal Victoria side to ride the IFS Cloud Cable Car across the Thames to the O2. Exhibitor and visitor ticket holders often get discounted cable car fares, making it a budget-friendly air-adventure!

See details

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