26 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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Leake St graffiti tunnelViews & landmarks · Central · All agesFree★ 4.7 - 2
The Line Sculpture Trail and Cable CarViews & landmarks · East · All agesFree - 3
The Lookout, 8 BishopsgateViews & landmarks · Central · All agesFree - 4
Horizon 22 London viewing platformViews & landmarks · Central · All agesFree★ 4.8 - 5
Battersea Power StationViews & landmarks · Central · All agesFree★ 4.6 - 6
Kenwood House & GroundsViews & landmarks · North · All agesFree★ 4.7 - 7
River bus on a Thames Clipper BoatViews & landmarks · Central · All ages£5-£15★ 4.5 - 8
Verulamium Park (St Albans)Views & landmarks · West · All agesFree★ 4.1 - 9
Alexandra PalaceViews & landmarks · Central · All agesFree★ 4.5 - 10
Houses of Parliament TourViews & landmarks · Central · 8+£15-£30
Everything on this list
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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Warner Bros. Studio Tour London (The Making of Harry Potter)
Walk through the real sets from the Harry Potter films — the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and Platform 9¾ — plus props, costumes and butterbeer.
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Harry Potter Film Locations Walking Tour
Led by a knowledgeable and entertaining guide, discover iconic filming locations, real world inspirations, and behind the scenes stories from the beloved film series.Start at King’s Cross Station to see Platform 9¾, then explore Leadenhall Market, the Monument to the Great Fire of London, London Bridge for views of Tower Bridge, Borough Market, the River Thames, Millennium Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Cenotaph, Downing Street, and Horse Guards Parade. Learn about Ministry of Magic filming locations, see Trafalgar Square, discover the inspiration for Gringotts Bank, and finish on Shaftesbury Avenue at the Palace Theatre, home of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It's one for older kids as it lasts almost three hours, but the engaging guides kept us entertained!
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The London Eye
Glass pods carry you 135m above the Thames for a slow 30-minute 360-degree spin over the city... there are interactive digital guides telling you what to look out for too. Pods are buggy-friendly. But make sure the weather looks decent for the day you want to go!
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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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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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Oxford Street & Piccadilly Circus shopping and viral pics
The ultimate teen and child pop-culture trail - start at Oxford Circus and stop wherever your kid wants to - there's 7 floors of toy magic at Hamleys, visit Selfridges to check out viral food trends and social media popups, walk down to Piccadilly Circus to sit under the iconic Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain (aka Eros). Football fans will love Fanatics, and there's always some street performers and freebies along the route.
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Tower of London & Crown Jewels
The Tower of London is a total slam-dunk for kids - which is partly why you need to go as soon as it opens to avoid the crowds! But it's worth it - where else can they see real crown jewels, hear gruesome execution stories, and meet giant, moody ravens - and not-at-all-moody beefeaters? (The ones we met were very friendly and happy for photos!) But since it’s a sprawling medieval fortress, navigating it with impatient children requires a game plan. On arrival, do the Crown Jewels Sprint: Ignore the entrance photo-ops, and the second that gates open, march straight to the Jewel House before the hour-long queue forms. There's a moving walkway to look at the biggest crowns, then loop back into the standing lane so kids can get up close to the sparkles. We recommend catching a Beefeater Tour. These are free 45-minute walks which are full of bloody history and stand-up comedy that keeps kids hooked. Join an early morning tour before legs tire. If kids are stalling, tell them to hunt for the ravens - the six resident birds on the South Lawn. When the central White Tower gets packed, head up to the ramparts. Kids can run through medieval turrets and aim imaginary arrows through slits while you enjoy views of Tower Bridge. Don't miss the random animal room near the back of the tower - learn how the Tower of London led to the formation of London Zoo! Pack snacks and - if you can - take a sling rather than a buggy, though they're welcome, it's easier to navigate when nimble. The on-site café get busy, but they actually serve up really good food (better than almost any other London attraction we've been to!) including great salad bars and good kids choices.
See detailsThe 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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Greenwich Park & Royal Observatory Grounds
Historic park with incredible skyline views across the river, a large gated playground, a deer enclosure and sweeping hills. Grounds and the Prime Meridian line outside are free; the Observatory museum is ticketed.
See detailsLeake St graffiti tunnel
Get creative at one of London's only permitted graffiti locations! Bring spray paints (£2 in Poundland), wear masks to stay safe and enjoy decorating the walls to your heart's content.
See details★ 4.7
Chinatown, Leicester Square & movie magic
Sensory overload, West End-style. Start at the two big Leicester Square anchors: the four-storey M&M'S London, with its life-size photo-op characters, and the LEGO Store, home to a giant brick-built Big Ben and London Underground display. Then head through the Chinatown gate off Wardour Street for lanterns, bakery windows piled with bun art, bubble tea, bubble waffles, taiyaki soft-serve, and the area's cheap buffet-style Chinese restaurants for a low-stress lunch. On the way, we love to visit the West End Arts Library (westminster.gov.uk/arts-library), a short walk from Leicester Square tucked between the square and the National Gallery on the site of Isaac Newton's former home: it's free to enter and has a cute kids' corner packed with hundreds of brand-new artist-related books and a little sofa to curl up and read (open Mon–Fri 10am–8pm, Sat 10am–5pm, closed Sundays). If there's appetite for more walking, Trafalgar Square is five minutes south with lions to climb, fountains, and street performers, the National Portrait Gallery just off it offers free entry with family trails and activity sheets, and Covent Garden with the London Transport Museum is 10–15 minutes away and a big hit for kids who love trains and buses. Wrap up the day with a film at one of Leicester Square's cinemas, or check the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for same-day discounted family show tickets. This stretch is always heaving with tourists, so brace for crowd navigation, especially around M&M'S World and the LEGO Store on weekends and school holidays.
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Somerset House Courtyard & Fountains
Iconic neoclassical courtyard where 55 dancing water fountains shoot straight out of the cobblestones all summer.
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Cutty Sark Ship
History-loving kids can explore the world's last surviving tea clipper, walking the wooden decks, taking the ship's wheel and meeting actors playing Victorian sailors.
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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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Arsenal Emirates Stadium Tour
A behind-the-scenes look at the Premier League winners’ home stadium, with touch-screen audio handsets helping explain all. Fans can walk through the home dressing room, take photos in the press conference room, walk down the tunnel, and sit in the manager's pitchside dugout. The ticket price includes entry to the Arsenal Museum, where you can view historic match kits, trophies, and memorabilia from the club's history. Note that stadium tours do not run on home match days.
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The London Dungeon
Live actors and underground rides tell London's grisliest history — plague, fire and Jack the Ripper. It's recommended age 12+ but my kids were fine with the spookiness from 10, it depends on your kids. The emphasis is on fun experience rather than museum-style historical facts, but it's an entertaining place for teens especially.
See detailsThe Lookout, 8 Bishopsgate
A high-rise public viewing platform on the 50th floor with 360-degree views over the Gherkin, Tower Bridge and the Thames. Far quieter and easier to book than the Sky Garden, so much less stressful with impatient young kids.
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Canary Wharf
Urban area with rooftop gardens, seasonal free activities including mini golf and sport/film screenings, small playgrounds and lots of food/drink options. Great for scooting/cycling. Combine with a trip on the DLR (ride the first carriage and pretend to be the driver), and the Museum of London Docklands
See detailsBattersea 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.
See detailsHorizon 22 London viewing platform
The highest free viewing platform in Europe, offering 360-degree views across London from 58 stories up. Small pond and landscaping, but you're mainly here for the views! Tickets drop in batches online weeks in advance, so ensure you book before you visit.
See details★ 4.8River bus on a Thames Clipper Boat
Take this fast river boat service cruising past London’s major waterfront landmarks, from Big Ben to Tower Bridge. It's ostensibly a commuter service but turn it into an affordable family river cruise by boarding at Westminster Pier and riding east toward Greenwich while using standard TfL Oyster card or a tap-in debit card. Under £10 per adult (Children under 5 travel free, older children half price).
See details★ 4.5Alexandra 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★ 4.5Kenwood House & Grounds
Perched on the edge of Hampstead Heath, Kenwood offers sweeping grassy hills, duck ponds, tree-climbing and historic architecture. It’s fantastic for families, dog owners, and picnickers looking for open space to run wild. Insider tip: walk downhill from the main house and search for the famous "Hollow Tree" (searchable on Google Maps) for a natural climbing structure the kids will love. Inside the main house, there's art galore, often a kids' trail, and children's dress-up outfits and games to keep the history alive. There's also an ice cream cafe and a restaurant at the main house. Paid parking in the car park, free on local roads. No formal playground here, but trees provide plenty of fun - and you can walk through to Hampstead Heath and its playgrounds if you need.
See details★ 4.7Verulamium Park (St Albans)
Spanning over 100 acres of parkland set around historic Roman ruins, this destination park boasts a huge playground, splash park, mini-golf course and a lake teeming with waterfowl. It is an exceptional day trip for families with young children and history buffs alike - it has Roman bath ruins inside the park, but you can also walk across it to the Verulanium museum, to St Albans' town centre with shops, cafes and the St Albans museum itself, with lots of kids' activities and dress-up (all free). Insider tip: order waffles from the famous The Waffle House located right at the edge of the park. Mine's a banofee special.
See details★ 4.1