Area guide

Things to do with kids in Stratford & Olympic Park

Family days out, playgrounds, museums and green space in Stratford & Olympic Park — sorted by what's actually fun with children.

All places in this area

7 places in this part of town

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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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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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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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
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

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