31 places on the list
Top 10: our best of the bunch
Ranked by our own favourites first, then by how families rate them on Google.
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Otter Chaos - board game venueGames & rainy days · South · All agesUnder £5 - 2
The Crystal Maze LIVE ExperienceGames & rainy days · Central · 8+£30+ - 3
Lee Valley Ice CentreGames & rainy days · East · All ages£5-£15 - 4
QUEENS: Skate, Dine, BowlGames & rainy days · West · All ages£5-£15 - 5
Apple Town Soft PlayGames & rainy days · North · Under 13£5-£15 - 6
Leyton Leisure CentreGames & rainy days · East · All ages£5-£15 - 7
Soft Play at Brixton RecGames & rainy days · South · Under 13£5-£15 - 8
Alexandra Palace Ice RinkGames & rainy days · North · All ages£5-£15 - 9
Lee Valley VeloPark Games & rainy days · East · All ages£5-£15 - 10
Prince Charles CinemaGames & rainy days · Central · All ages£5-£15
Everything on this list
Otter Chaos - board game venue
Choose from a library of over 500 board games to play together as a family. Enjoy food and drinks from the café while trying out everything from silly party games to strategy games. Great for older children and families, says one local - and it's a very short walk from the Tube and train.
See detailsThe Crystal Maze LIVE Experience
The TV show, for real. We loved battling the puzzles and challenges - they really are just like the show, with the countdown clock and fear of getting locked in bringing back nostalgic memories! The setting itself looks a bit run down in some areas, but that didn't stop us having a really fun evening, especially when the golf rains down inside the snowglobe and you try to snatch as much as possible. A Maze Master leads your team through Aztec, Medieval, Industrial and Futuristic zones grabbing crystals, before that confetti storm of the Crystal Dome. Older kids and teens love it - be aware that you may be mixed in with other people if your group isn't large enough to run solo.
See detailsLee 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.
See detailsQUEENS: Skate, Dine, Bowl
This massive indoor entertainment hub features an ice-skating rink, curling on ice, retro ten-pin bowling lanes, arcade games, and a pizza restaurant - it's a one-stop rainy-day centre where kids can skate on ice, bowl a strike, and eat slices under one roof, but we haven't visited yet so send us your opinions!
See detailsApple Town Soft Play
We like this bright, well-run indoor soft play, with multi-storey play, slides and a toddler zone. A decent rainy-day escape valve when the walls start closing in! Under-5s get the most out of it, but there's enough climbing, jumping and slides to keep older kids going too. There's lots of parent seating with easy supervision, and VR plus trampolines too. Insider tip: book the first session of the day; it's calmer, cleaner and you'll actually get a table with a plug socket and a coffee.
See detailsLeyton 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).
See detailsSoft Play at Brixton Rec
Our kids love to burn off energy at this colourful, multi-level indoor play structure featuring slides, winding tunnels, climbing obstacles and a Ninja Warrior-style agility course. It's cheaper than most soft plays - run by Better - but does get busy on wet days, so go early (or later in the day) if you can. Socks are mandatory!
See detailsAlexandra Palace Ice Rink
London's largest indoor ice rink, open 364 days a year for family skating and available for kids as young as toddlers, it's big enough to accommodate beginners taking their first steps on the ice, families looking for a day out, and kids wanting weekend ice discos. Skate hire is included in the general ticket price (skate sizes start from toddler sizes), penguin and seal skate aids are available too. Weekday morning and early afternoon sessions during term time are by far the quietest times to skate. Weekends, school holidays, and evening disco sessions tend to be heavily booked and crowded. Nearby is Ally Pally playground, boating lake and the Little Dinosaurs soft play centre if you want to max out your day - and Muswell Hill is a short walk away with approximately two million restaurants!
See detailsLee 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+).
See detailsPrince Charles Cinema
Tucked just off Leicester Square in the West End, the Prince Charles Cinema is London’s legendary independent repertory cinema. It's known among movie buffs for cult marathons and classic re-runs, but we also think it's a also a secret weapon for families looking for an alternative to overpriced multiplexes. From rowdy Sing-A-Long-A screenings (think Frozen, Matilda, or The Sound of Music where audience participation and dressing up are actively encouraged) to classic 80s and 90s family movie retrospectives on the big screen, your kids will remember this cinema trip! Financially it's often worth joining as a member before booking tickets, at just £15 for a year (or £60 for a lifetime membership), the steep ticket discounts mean it practically pays for itself on a single family outing. When selecting your screening, double-check the age rating and performance style, as family-friendly classics often run alongside late-night cult marathons or uncensored interactive shows. Opt for seats near the aisle in the Upstairs Screen if you’re bringing younger kids; the auditorium is cosy, and aisles make loo breaks easier! The Sing-A-Long specials are pretty interactive, complete with vocal warm-ups, prop bags, and lyrics so you never have to shush your kids for singing along.
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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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Clip 'n Climb Chelsea
Indoor climbing centre offering 22 action-packed challenges and the colourful themed climbing walls that all ClipnClimbs have, plus vertical drop slides, and challenge towers. Uses auto-belay systems so kids can safely clip themselves in and climb without parents needing technical rope skills. Arrive 15 minutes before your slot for the safety briefing so you don't lose precious climbing time. Don't forget flat-soled trainers.
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Power Up at the Science Museum
Dive into decades of gaming history at Power Up, the Science Museum's hands-on gaming experience. With more than 160 classic and modern consoles to play, from retro arcade favourites to the latest releases, it's a brilliant way for parents to share the games they grew up with and for kids to show off their skills.
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PAC-MAN Experience at Arcade Arena
Jump right into the arcade screen with London's full-scale, physical PAC-MAN adventure! Arcade Arena turns the classic video game into a high-energy interactive floor where you physically run, dodge ghosts, collect dots and level up together as a team. It's perfect for gamers, families and active older kids — and a brilliant way to get parents who grew up on the original moving too. Rounds are short and fast, so even younger players stay hooked, while teens will be battling it out for the top score. Tucked just behind Lambeth Palace, it pairs nicely with a stroll along the South Bank or a trip to the playground in nearby Archbishop's Park.
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Chronos One Escape Rooms
A cinematic, time-travel-themed escape game where the room reacts around you. Puzzles are logic-led rather than gory, so it works well for confident 10s and up and for teens who think they're too cool for museums.
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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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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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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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Sandbox VR Covent Garden
Full-body virtual reality where your group moves around a room together and becomes the heroes of the game. Players wear a headset, haptic vest and motion trackers, then team up to fight pirates, survive zombies or face dinosaurs, with your real movements tracked in the game. It is a brilliant treat for older kids, teens and birthday groups, and parents tend to love it just as much. Every game ends with a replay video of your group in action to watch back.
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Jurassic Encounter
Roaring, life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and golf - it's a dream combo for many! Dinosaur-obsessed kids will love seeing giant T-Rexes, Triceratops, and Brachiosauruses lurking, and it opens surprisingly early (7.45 on the weekend!) so for early risers where you've already put in a parental shift by 7, this is a great option!
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London's Fun Board Game Cafés (rainy day fun)
Rainy Saturday, restless kids, nobody wants another soft play? London's board game cafés are one really excellent answer. There are thousands of games on the shelves, staff who explain the rules so you don't lose half an hour to an instruction manual, and proper food (and, more importantly to my kids, milkshakes) while you play. Most charge a few pounds per person for a table slot, families are welcome during the day, and you can happily stay put for three or four hours. Here are the five we send families to again and again, from one next to our favourite neon graffiti tunnel under Waterloo to a buggy-friendly hall in Croydon. Draughts (Waterloo), SE1 7NN — hidden in the Leake Street graffiti tunnel, 1,000+ games and roaming "Game Gurus" who pick kid-friendly titles for you. Families welcome before 9pm; nachos, burgers and thick shakes. Quietest on Sunday mornings. https://draughtslondon.com/locations/waterloo/ Draughts (Stratford), E20 1FS — floor-to-ceiling windows in East Village, bright and welcoming for younger families. Pair it with Tumbling Bay playground in the Olympic Park first, then a three-hour session with toasties and milkshakes. https://draughtslondon.com/locations/stratford/ The Ludoquist (Croydon), CR0 1QE — the South London family favourite: huge, bright, a dedicated Family & Kids bookcase from age three up, buggy-friendly aisles and sourdough pizzas. Book ahead on rainy weekends. https://www.theludoquist.com/ Bad Moon Cafe (Bermondsey / Elephant & Castle), SE1 4GZ — best for tweens and teens ready for fantasy strategy and card games. Big tables, four-hour slots and stone-baked pizzas. https://www.badmooncafe.co.uk/ Loading Bar (Stoke Newington), N16 0LH — the screens-and-tabletop compromise: free retro consoles built into the booths plus quick-fire card games, no table charge, under-18s welcome during the day. https://loading.bar/
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Quiz Room
Trivia-loving kids (pretty much every child I've ever met!) will love this interactive game-show arena, you stand behind glowing quiz podiums complete with buzzers, joker cards, and sound effects. Kids feel like stars on a TV game show while trivia is customisable and age-appropriate. The kids' quiz is aimed at 8-12 year olds but older teens can tackle other quiz topics.
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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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Activate London
This is a seriously high-tech, active gaming arena that feels like stepping into a real-life video game or Floor is Lava or The Crystal Maze. Across 12 interactive rooms, groups sprint across floors of lit-up tiles (trying not to step on the red 'lava'), hurl basketballs at nets to answer quiz Qs, navigate laser grids, and scale interactive climbing walls. Everyone, from our six year old to cynical pre-teen and their parents, loved our visit.
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Indoor Caving at HarroWall
Explore an enormous indoor caving system (Europe's largest) with 170 metres of twisting tunnels and hidden chambers underneath HarroWall. Equipped with helmets, head torches, and knee pads, children crawl, climb, shimmy, and slide through guided sessions. Suitable for ages 6+, but they cannot run this session in the rare instance there is just one under-18 booked on. Coming as a pair is recommended so you have a caving buddy.
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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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Castle Climbing Centre
Premier indoor rock climbing centre housed inside a stunning Victorian former water pumping station that looks like a ... castle (duh). Kids enjoy the castle-climbing adventure while getting a full physical workout. Book a registered "Family Taster" or kid's session in advance if you're not an experienced climber yourself, as parents need certification to belay independently.
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BaySixty6 Skate Park
Undercover skate park under the Westway offering beginner Saturday morning sessions, lessons, and a free skate club.
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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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clueQuest
An award-winning escape room centre built around secret agent missions led by a fictional mouse spy named ... Mr. Q, of course. It's high-tech, with immersive puzzles but no 'jump scares', making it more accessible than some escape rooms for younger codebreakers. Best for ages 8 plus, the PLAN52 room is its classic starter mission, which is ideal for families trying an escape room together for the first time. When to go: Rainy afternoons and weekend slots.
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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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