All places in this area
27 places in this part of town
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
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
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
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
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
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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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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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)
Excellent play zone with rock pools, sand pits, treehouses, wobbling bridges and water pumps for building dams.
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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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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
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
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
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
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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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).
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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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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