15 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.
- 1
London Aquatic Centre - inflatablesPlaygrounds · East · All ages£5-£15★ 4 - 2
Diana Memorial PlaygroundPlaygrounds · West · Under 13Free★ 4.7 - 3
Babylon ParkPlaygrounds · North · All ages£15-£30★ 4.4 - 4
Highgate Wood & Queen's WoodPlaygrounds · North · All agesFree★ 4.7 - 5
Coram's Fields PlaygroundPlaygrounds · Central · Under 13Free★ 4.7 - 6
Berkhampstead (castle, canal, playground)Playgrounds · Central · All agesFree★ 4 - 7
Finnegan's WorldPlaygrounds · West · Under 9£5-£15 - 8
Crystal Palace Park Maze and Dinosaur PlaygroundPlaygrounds · South · Under 13Under £5 - 9
Inflata Nation ColindalePlaygrounds · North · Under 13£15-£30 - 10
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Tumbling Bay Playground)Playgrounds · East · Under 13Free
Everything on this list
Finnegan's World
Set inside a converted former bank on West Ealing Broadway, this lovely, independent soft play café is designed for babies, toddlers, and young children. The venue focuses on imaginative play with miniature shop setups, soft climbing ramps, and sensory toys - it’s far more than the usual blocks and slides. Parents can sit back with decent coffee and a slice of cake while keeping a direct line of sight on their kids.
See detailsCrystal Palace Park Maze and Dinosaur Playground
One of the largest hedge mazes in the UK, dating back to the 1870s and right beside the famous Victorian dinosaur statues. The revamped playground has bone-shaped climbing structures, a footprint-shaped sandpit, slides, swings and balancing beams, built to be inclusive with accessible equipment and seating.
See detailsInflata Nation Colindale
This massive indoor arena gives kids the chance to enact their Gladiator dreams - it's packed wall-to-wall with connected inflatable activities. Race down giant 11-meter slides, tackle the obstacle ball course, jump onto tipping slides, and scramble up climbing walls. There's a dedicated, sealed-off area for under-4s so toddlers can bounce safely away from the energetic older kids. It's a nice workout for both kids and adults, or the on-site café balcony means parents can watch the action from above.
See detailsQueen 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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National Army Museum (Play Base)
A high-quality indoor soft-play centre with an army assault course, mess-hall kitchen and command vehicle, plus lots of role play. The rest of the museum is free and has plenty for older kids.
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Lee Valley White Water Centre (Water Tubing)
This 2012 Olympic venue offers plenty of ways for the whole family to get wet, from family paddling sessions to water tubing and inflatable obstacle courses on the calmer lakes. There is a sandy beach play area and a terrace cafe beside the white-water course.
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TeamSport GoKarting & Activities Brent Cross
Perched on the top floor of Brent Cross Red Car Park - glam, we know - this indoor entertainment venue features a 400m multi-level electric karting track that our kids love. There are adult and junior high-speed karts, plus a separate mini track for four-to-seven-year-olds. You can easily pair a race session with their on-site duckpin bowling, electronic games arcade, pool tables, and diner food. Or pop next door to Brent Cross for a shop and eat.
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The Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace
Perhaps London's most theatrical adventure playground, with a massive fire-breathing dragon to climb, battlements, secret grottoes, turf mounds to slide down and sandpit siege towers.
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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.
See detailsCoram's Fields Playground
This 7-acre urban oasis features adventure playgrounds, a city farm with small animals, sandpits, and adults are only allowed in if they're with kids. Its annual free play day includes even more activities, from crafts to bouncy castles and snacks.
See details★ 4.7London 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★ 4Babylon Park
Indoor theme park and arcade centre in Camden - including a mini rollercoaster, bumper cars and simulation rides
See details★ 4.4Diana Memorial Playground
huge, gated adventure play space in Kensington Gardens featuring a massive wooden pirate ship, teepees, and sensory trails. There's sand, water and a musical trail. Ice cream cafe and it's based in the huge Kensington Gardens with lots of areas to explore - could combine with Holland Park for a full on playground day. The Diana Memorial Playground reopened in Summer 2026 after a revamp. Aim to arrive when it opens at 10 AM, as capacity is capped and queues form quickly on sunny afternoons.
See details★ 4.7Berkhampstead (castle, canal, playground)
Historic market town Berko is a rural day-trip close to northwest London - it has an idyllic canal, castle ruins dating back to 1066, and plenty of family-friendly playgrounds. For history-loving kids, toddlers who enjoy spotting trains and boats, and parents wanting great independent eateries, this is a great day out. Baby parents: leave the buggy behind if you plan to explore the castle ruins, as the path isn't very buggy-friendly, and use a sling instead. Lots of eateries around Lower King's Street if you don't fancy a picnic.
See details★ 4Highgate Wood & Queen's Wood
These twin ancient woodlands offer dens, stick-building spots, and miles of shaded walking trails alongside Highgate Wood's superb playground with dedicated toddler sections, swings, zipline and dual sandpits. Highgate Wood's Pavilion Café has delicious café food and coffee, while the smaller (and quieter) Queen's Wood has a small cafe too.
See details★ 4.7