All places in this area
39 places in this part of town
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.
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St James's Park Pelican Feeding
Gorgeous royal park next to Buckingham Palace, famous for the resident flock of pelicans living on the lake. The walkable, scootable loop takes in lovely flower beds and plenty of royal sights.
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PAW Patrol London Bus Tour
There are now a bunch of themed afternoon tea experiences held aboard a classic double-decker bus while taking in London's famous landmarks - Peppa, Paw Patrol, Paddington, Smurfs and more. And young fans of the shows love them. Here, each table comes equipped with built-in screens playing custom PAW Patrol animation and singalong missions to keep younger fans entertained (‘Chase is on the CASE’ will be your earworm for weeks). The menu includes sandwiches, sweet treats, pastries, and hot drinks or juice served in travel mugs. The route takes in Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Trafalgar Square over ninety minutes, making it a fun way to sightsee with pre-schoolers.
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Go Ape Battersea Park
Tucked into the lush tree canopy of historic Battersea Park, this high-ropes site delivers serious thrills right in central London. It features higher platforms and longer crossings than most other Go Ape locations, giving you incredible views of the Thames and surrounding skyline. Adventurers can navigate double-freefall tarzan swings, high-wire crossings, and zip lines. You can easily turn your visit into a full day out by pairing it with a walk through Battersea Park, a visit to the nearby children's zoo, or food at Battersea Power Station - see separate listing.
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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!)
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Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
Climb aboard a restored vintage red double-decker bus for the ultimate marmalade-filled sightseeing adventure. Operated by Brigit's Bakery, this tour is tailor-made for young Paddington fans and families celebrating a special occasion. Each table comes equipped with built-in screens showing custom animations where Paddington and Mrs. Bird guide you through London's landmarks, keeping little ones completely enthralled between treats. The afternoon tea menu is genuinely delicious - featuring turkey and ham sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream, and themed cakes (including miniature marmalade sandwiches, of course!). Look out for: Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, Nelson's Column and St Paul's Cathedral. Our take: ideal birthday present (as not cheap!) - but the tea food quality was really high, the tour is fun, and the kids loved it.
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Deen City Farm & Riding School
This 5-acre urban farm is nestled next to Morden Hall Park; it's sweet and free - though a donation to the charity running it is appreciated. Animals include alpacas, pigs, donkeys, ducks, geese, and owls alongside rare British farm breeds, and there's a riding school too. You can buy small bags of feed pellets to give to the friendly goats, sheep, and cows.
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Shrek's Adventure! London
Tucked inside County Hall right next to the London Eye, this interactive, actor-led walk-through experience takes kids on a mission to Far Far Away. It starts with a 4D flying bus ride piloted by Donkey, followed by interactive live-action rooms where kids help solve puzzles, meet fairytale characters and save Shrek. Look out for: the 4D magic bus ride, the Poison Apple Pub, and meeting Shrek for a photo at the end.
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Pottery Café
If you need a quiet, creative sanctuary, The Pottery Café is pure magic. It has sites in Fulham and Battersea, and is one of London's first pottery-painting studios, definitely designed with families in mind. You pick your plain ceramic piece, from mugs and plates to money boxes and animal figurines, and start painting. The glazes get fired in the studio's on-site kilns, ready for pickup a week or so later. We recommend booking a morning slot on a weekday or early weekend if you can, as the studios get louder and busier as the days go on. If you're bringing a baby, opt for a foot-print mug or plate; the staff are seasoned pros at helping you stamp squirmy baby feet onto ceramics without fuss. Aprons are provided, and stencils, sponge stamps, and easy-squeeze bottles make it effortless for toddlers to produce something that actually looks good in your kitchen. Studio fee is £6.50 per painter (covers paints, glazing, and firing) plus the cost of your chosen ceramic item (ranging from £12 up to £35+).
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Polka Theatre
Tucked away in Wimbledon, Polka children's Theatre is one of those gems that actually understands how kids (and parents) operate. It has two spaces: the main stage for bigger kids, and the smaller adventure theatre, which caters brilliantly to toddlers and babies with short, cushion-on-the-floor shows where nobody minds if someone decides to crawl across the stage mid-scene. There's also free indoor and outdoor play - you don’t even need a show ticket to turn up, there’s a free indoor play corner stuffed with books and toys, plus a brilliant sensory garden out back with a wooden climbing frame to let them burn off steam. The cafe is actually great too: clean high chairs, buggy parking and nice food. And shows in the early-years space are capped at 30–45 minutes, with soft lighting and acceptance that toddlers don't sit still. Go for the relaxed slots if you have sensitive kids, the house lights stay up and everyone can move around freely. Walk five minutes down the road to South Park Gardens for a great local playground and a green space if you'd like to afterwards.
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Candlelight Concerts
These atmospheric live classical music performances held in stunning London venues are illuminated by thousands of flickering LED candles. String quartets perform classical renditions of teen-favourite soundtracks: Taylor Swift, Anime Classics, Hans Zimmer, Coldplay, K-Pop and many more.
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Paperdoll Art Studio - splatter painting workshops
Children learn pouring, dripping, flicking and splatter techniques to create their own canvas artwork. Guided by a professional artist, kids splash paint freely while wearing full protective overalls. Includes a 30 × 40cm canvas, paint, protective gear, artist guidance, tickets £45/child.
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Gravity
It's easy to spend a rainy day in this massive multi-story family entertainment centre, which features high-speed e-karting for older kids, AR bowling, immersive gaming, and mini-golf. Loaded with cutting-edge tech games, digital darts, and high-tech arcade fun all under one roof.
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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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F1® DRIVE London
Got a young racing enthusiast in the family? Head underneath Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the world's first official Formula 1-branded electric karting venue! Custom-designed karts come with authentic F1 steering-wheel displays, engine sounds and real-time telemetry, so kids aged 8+ can test their skills, battle for lap times and chase the chequered flag on a slick 500m track. Grown-ups can race too — expect serious family rivalry.
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The Gruffalo Afternoon Tea at Raffles
The latest in London's themed luxury afternoon teas, we visited the new Gruffalo tea in The Drawing Room at Raffles London at The OWO to check it out. Our first impression: this is very five star. There's a pianist, the tinkle of silverware and a luxury atmosphere where children are really welcome - I wouldn't want to bring a tantruming toddler, but stepping into the tea feels really special for parents and children alike. The menu cleverly translates Julia Donaldson’s world into delicious bites. The kids were offering hot chocolate stacked with cream and marshmallows (or fruit juice) alongside themed sandwiches: there's 'Roasted Fox' (ham), 'Little Brown Mouse' (cheddar with scrumptious tomato), 'Scrambled Snake' (egg watercress), and 'Deep Dark Wood' (cucumber). Next course was plain or sultana scones with clotted cream, strawberry jam, and lemon curd, alongside fun (and deeply sophisticated) pastries like Owl’s Pot of Soup (carrot and vanilla cream), and a chocolate shortbread Gruffalo. At £50 per child, this is a steep investment, and a few details fell short: we weren't offered sandwich or pastry refills, although they were provided when we asked for more sarnies (four, a £50 a pop, felt stingy). And while the menu alludes to storytelling, and the cakes had Gruffalo images, it wasn't as interactive as some other teas, which have diggable chocolates or themed books provided to go home with. Again, this is nit-picking but the price demands perfection. Adults are also served a separate Old War Office-inspired tea menu (£85/head), which was really lovely, and triggered questions about the unique venue and what history happened there from the kids. Our verdict? This was a gorgeous, memorable luxury splash-out, and we came home with a box of leftover cakes and scones that extended the fun - though story-loving kids may wish for a bit more hands-on magic. NB We were invited to try out the tea as guests of Raffles, but all views are our honest own ones!
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Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
Sightseeing on a classic Route-master bus while eating Peppa Pig cookies - this is proper toddler heaven! Each table has a tablet showing Peppa episodes, which coincide with the sights as you drive past them (the Queen episode hasn't been updated yet though!) and you get to keep cute big-and-little travel cups. Expect lots of singalongs, and surprisingly delicious food - with a range of hot and cold drinks, colouring/activity books to take home, and boxes for leftovers too.
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The Sherriff Centre (Hullabaloo Soft Play)
Soft play inside the nave of a stunning 19th-century church - Hullabaloo at The Sherriff Centre is one of London's most unusual places for children to burn off energy. The former church at St James' has been reinvented as a bustling community hub, with a dedicated toddler area for under-2s and a multi-level junior play frame for children up to ten, all set beneath soaring ceilings. There's a newly introduced outdoor nature trail too, so you can mix indoor climbing with a breath of fresh air. It runs daily, and once a month the church stays open late on Friday nights for the popular Soft Play Lates - a chance for kids to play after dark while parents kick back with drinks and snacks from the on-site bar and café. It is a lovely way to make an ordinary evening feel like an occasion, and a brilliant rainy-day option that doesn't feel like a compromise.
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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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Vauxhall City Farm
This charming, free community farm tucked in the shadow of London skyscrapers, home to alpacas, pigs, horses, and small pets. Gives kids a chance to get up close to farm animals in central London, meet famous alpacas, and hold guinea pigs.
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Battersea Park Children's Zoo
A small, cute zoo tucked inside Battersea Park, built just for younger children. Meet meerkats, otters, squirrel monkeys, ring-tailed lemurs, farm animals and more, with plenty of feeding talks and keeper chats through the day. It is compact enough to see properly in a morning, has a play area and café, and pairs perfectly with the park's big adventure playground or a pedal boat on the lake.
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Houses of Parliament Tour
Peel back the history of one of the world's most famous buildings with this tour through Westminster Hall, the House of Commons chamber, and the House of Lords. It’s worth going for a guided tour if you can - the charismatic guides are super-knowledgeable and happy to answer even the most inquisitive kids’ questions. The tours highlight centuries of political history, Victorian architecture and royal traditions - although the benefit of the cheaper self-guided audio tour is that families can set their own pace and there is dedicated content for younger visitors. Pre-booking online ahead is strongly recommended as visitor tickets sell out fast - especially for guided tours.
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London Wetland Centre (WWT Barnes)
105 acres of urban nature reserve filled with otters, rare birds, adventure play areas and wetland zip-lines.
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Westminster Abbey
A thousand years of coronations, royal weddings and Poets' Corner packed into one very grand church. This one won't be a hit with ALL children, we found, but history fans will really enjoy the kids' audio guide, which includes hunting for tombs, and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries give a brilliant bird's-eye view down into the Abbey.
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Battersea Park Playground, Park and Power Station
Massive green park featuring adventure playgrounds, a boating lake, a pagoda, and lots of wide-open space for kids to scoot, play football or burn off energy. Do the park first, then head to the power station for lunch at the Arcade marketplace or a kid-friendly restaurant like Where the Pancakes Are, then browse the Lego store, Peppa Pig shop and Bounce. The children's zoo tucked inside the park is the ultimate anti-London-Zoo for younger kids: small scale, with meerkats, lemurs, otters and monkeys, plus a play area packed with vintage fire engines, tractors, life-sized wooden boats and sandpits.
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Serpentine Lido Playground & Hyde Park Boating
A gated wooden playground right beside the Serpentine with climbing frames, swings and ducks to feed. Take a ride on the boats too: there is a small pond with child-only boats, a larger one for family boating, and solar-powered Solarshuttle pedalos crossing the lake. 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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Estorick Collection
The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art - which opened in London in 1998 and is housed in a Grade II listed Georgian town house - might not sound like a family-friendly activity. But this hidden gem of a gallery, which specialises in modern Italian art, Futurism, and sculpture, is small enough to prevent museum fatigue in children, hosts a free Family Trail to help you explore the Futurist art movement and portraiture in its collection, features a tranquil garden café serving excellent Italian food, and has Mini Marvels, an interactive and sensory play space designed for families with young children, which is free for kids (aka included in the adult ticket price.)
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Anya Hindmarsh's Ice Cream Project
Cool off in these fountains and splashpads - always check direct on websites to ensure they're up and running!
See details★ 4
Battersea Power Station
Wander for free (there are often treasure hunts to particpate in), visit the brightly-designed Prospect Place Playground, or do one of the many paid-for activities: two cinemas, Bounce Battersea, and get a taste for the heights at the Chimney Lift. For tots, there's soft play centre, Macaroni Penguin.
See details★ 4.6
Stephen's House and Gardens
Small park with gardens, pond, cafe and playground with sandpit, which often hosts seasonal events including treasure hunts, Halloween nights and summer outdoor theatre for children. Lots of green with clear visibility for sports games and running around.
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Tate Britain
This art gallery on the Thames showcases five centuries of iconic British art, including the world's largest collection of works by Turner.. but you'll be here for the free, hands-on family play activities and children's explorer trail map you can pick up at the Clore Learning Centre.
See details★ 4.7
Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park
Stroll through these iconic central London parks - featuring Serpentine lake views, expansive grounds, and historic statues - while joining the crowds at Buckingham Palace to show the kids the guards and splendour. Head to St James's Park near Duck Island around 2:30pm to catch the daily pelican feeding time, and visit its playground and cafes for a break.
See details★ 4.7
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers (Westminster to Greenwich)
Forget expensive, slow-moving tourist cruises — riding the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers with contactless or Oyster is London's ultimate river-sightseeing hack for families. Hop on at Westminster Pier and grab seats near the back outdoor deck, or settle inside the high-speed catamaran, which has panoramic windows, tables and an onboard cafe bar serving hot drinks and snacks. The route down to Greenwich delivers a thrilling speed boost once you pass Tower Bridge, offering a fresh, stress-free vantage point of London's big hits without pushing buggies through crowded pavements. Key sights to look out for: the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, St Paul's Cathedral, HMS Belfast, sliding directly beneath Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf skyscrapers, and the historic Cutty Sark at Greenwich.
See details★ 4.5
Alexandra Palace
It's huge and there's lots to do at Ally Pally: 196 acres of parkland with sweeping skyline views over London - older kids will enjoy the Summit, where you walk over the top of the iconic building - but on the ground there's loads to do too. Ice skating inside, swan pedalos on its the dedicated boating lake, an expansive playground which works for both older and younger kids, and includes a sandpit. There are a few cafes, including Lakeside Café, loads of picnicking spots, and Little Dinos - a soft play with large outdoor space that's a huge hit with younger kids (and with better coffee and adult seating than most). The park is free, parking is charged, activities all cost extra.
See details★ 4.5
SEA Life London Aquarium
Sharks, rays, penguins and turtles right beside the Thames at County Hall. A walk-through tunnel and plenty of tanks at child height make it an easy win when the weather turns - and it's right next to the London Eye so a huge amount to do within walking distance. Always book online for a discount!
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Westminster Cathedral
London's striking red-and-white brick Catholic cathedral, with glittering mosaics inside. Entry to the cathedral is free; the bell-tower viewing gallery has a charge and great views across Westminster. Often mistaken for its famous neighbour Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral is London’s mother church for Roman Catholics and a hidden gem for families. Built in a striking Neo-Byzantine style with bold red-and-white striped brickwork, it feels like a piece of Constantinople dropped right into Victoria. Inside, culture-loving kids will be mesmerized by the contrast between the lower walls (lined with over 100 types of shimmering marble) and the towering vaulted ceilings, which remain unpainted and pitch-black, giving the nave a mysterious, cave-like atmosphere.
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The Royal Mews
Tucked right beside Buckingham Palace, the Royal Mews is a working royal branch that combines horse power with real-life fairytale carriages. Kids love seeing the gleaming ceremonial coaches up close—including the spectacular Gold State Coach used for coronations—and meeting the famous Windsor Grey and Cleveland Bay horses that pull them. There are plenty of hands-on activities, like learning how to harness a wooden horse, stepping inside a replica landau carriage for photo ops, and dressing up in footmen's livery.
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Florence Nightingale Museum
The Florence Nightingale Museum, tucked away inside St Thomas’ Hospital on London’s South Bank, offers a surprisingly intimate and engaging peek into the life of the woman who revolutionized modern nursing. Far from a dry history lesson, the museum brings Florence’s story to life through interactive displays, vivid artifacts, and colorful storytelling that hits just the right note for younger visitors. Kids can discover the actual oil lamp she carried through the dark wards during the Crimean War, meet Jimmy the pet owl she rescued and carried in her pocket, and see the heavy medicine chests used on the battlefield. To get the most out of your family visit, timing and a little preparation make all the difference. Catching one of the live performance sessions—where an actor portraying Florence brings her Crimean adventure to life—is easily the highlight for kids, so it is well worth checking the event schedule on the morning of your visit to time your arrival. The museum sits directly opposite the Houses of Parliament, making it an easy companion visit to a walk along the South Bank, but because space inside is cozy, visiting earlier in the day or during late afternoon hours helps avoid school groups and gives kids room to engage with the interactive stations without waiting. The museum offers clever activity trails at the front desk that turn the collection into a scavenger hunt, keeping little eyes focused and entertained as you explore. For a grand finish, cap off your trip with a stroll to the nearby Archbishop’s Park play area just a short walk away, giving kids a chance to burn off extra energy in the fresh air while parents enjoy views of London.
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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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