Guide to things to do with kids in London

There's nowhere quite like The Natural History Museum when you're a child in London, plus, it's free to visit. Housed in a beautiful building in Kensington, this museum teaches incredible lessons about the world's natural history through interactive exhibitions and jawdropping displays. The giant life-sized whale is a firm favourite amongst children and adults alike.

The free-to-visit science museum is home to interactive galleries and award-winning exhibitions telling the story of incredible scientific achievements. The museum houses more than 15,000 unique objects, like a real piece of the moon and the spacecraft that the astronaut Tim Peake travelled on when he came back to Earth from the space station.

Explore the Wizarding World at the film studio that was home to the Harry Potter film franchise for over a decade. The studio features sets, props, and costumes created for the films and saved by the crew to showcase the magic of filmmaking to fans. Discover original sets, animatronic creatures, and special effects on two soundstages and a backlot adjacent to the working film studios. Accessible from London via Watford Junction, shuttle buses take you directly to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour venue.

See farm animals up close and get to know the workings of an urban farm at Hackney City Farm in Bethnal Green. This community charity spot teaches some excellent lessons about the natural world and farm life whilst also teaching the skills to live life with a minimal environmental impact. There's also a farmyard shop for stocking up on homemade goodies and snacks.

It's the oldest scientific zoo in the world but London Zoo remains a popular day out with the city's residents and visitors today. A whole host of different creatures live here and there are various activities and food and drinks options on-site. Educational activities aimed at children take place here regularly, including during school holidays.

Crystal Palace Park Farm is free to visit and offers a fantastic opportunity for children to get stuck into urban farm life. Meet and greet an assortment of animals like donkeys, horses and pigs, and learn all about the ins and outs of a working farm.

Enjoy the ultimate power of creativity at the V&A museum, the world's leading design museum home to more than 2.3 million objects dating back over 5,000 years. You can wander around rooms featuring the museum’s permanent collection or swing by one of their seasonal exhibitions; previous shows have included Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga, to name a few.

Take part in an immersive indoor life-sized Monopoly on a 15-metre X 15-metre board. The game is suitable for anyone aged nine or over but younger players are encouraged to play the junior board, a fun fairground board that is packed with family-friendly challenges.

For a child, there's no place quite like Hamleys. There are a few branches dotted around the city, but the most impressive is Hamleys on Regent Street. People travel far and wide to visit this iconic toy shop, and it’s not hard to see why; it houses seven floors full of games, toys, and arts and crafts and is the world’s oldest and largest toy store.

Unicorn Theatre is the UK’s leading theatre for young audiences, creating productions that aim to encourage children to question and explore the world around them. They emphasise the importance of accessibility and believe that children of all abilities and perspectives have the right to experience this kind of work.

The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park features Tumbling Bay Playground with rock pools, sand pits, slides, swings, wobbly bridges and more and has been built on the natural landscape of the ground. It has been built with the aim to encourage children to play in a more natural environment. There are also parks with more challenging climbing frames as well as a climbing wall and water fountains for cooling off from the summertime heat.

All age groups will be fascinated by what they see at Sea Life Centre London Aquarium. Located on the South Bank, this aquarium is home to the UK's biggest coral reef as well as a wide array of aquatic creatures. Learn more at a feeding session or a talk from one of the expert staff.

Get up close to herds of deer just a stone's throw from central London in Richmond Park, an area teeming with ancient trees and wildlife species. You can also try your hand at horse riding or hiring a bike to explore off-road along the Tamsin Trail.

Get lost in the leafy Victoria Park in East London, where you can make use of the playground facilities, hop on two wheels at the skate park or even hire a pedalo boat on the lake. Be sure to grab a pastry and juice from Pavilion bakery at some point throughout your day here.

Visit the world’s leading museum of urban transport at the London Transport Museum. Here you can learn about the link between the growth of London and transport dating all the way back to 1800. See a whole range of transport treasures from red route buses to classic London taxis.

Visit the free National Maritime Museum with your children to discover the fascinating world of maritime treasures. Throughout the summer months, there are maritime-themed events taking place, including indoor and outdoor play sessions and plenty of games.

Take the kids along to learn about the ins and outs of a working farm at Belmont Farm in Mill Hill, North London. Here they can meet an assortment of farm animals, like cows, chickens, sheep and even alpacas. You can head along to meet different animals, like the ‘meet the cows’ session, where children can learn a little about the dairy industry and the lives of the cows that live at Belmont Farm. 

Whether you want to stock up on chocolate common toads or a jar of edible eyeballs, you can get all of your monster supplies from Hoxton Street Monster Supplies. This one-of-a-kind store prides itself on being the only purveyor of goods for monsters of every kind and even just browsing offers the little ones a unique and entertaining experience.

Get stuck into a game of junior paintball at Bunker51, a themed Cold War nuclear bunker activity centre for all ages. Not only do they do children-friendly paintballing, but they also host airsoft games, laser tag, escape rooms and a variety of zombie experiences so that there's something to suit every child.

Explore London's World Heritage Site at The Tower of London, a royal fortress and London landmark. Once inside, you can ogle the Crown Jewels up close, meet the infamous ravens and explore the castle ground at your own leisure. This historical site plays an important role in telling the story of the royal history of London and is a must for anyone visiting the country.

Gosh! Comics is one is for comic book enthusiasts. Located on a street in Soho, this comic book store stocks everything from graphic novels to limited edition comic books. However, they've also got sections dedicated entirely to kids.

Step into a fascinating world of art with your little ones at The National Gallery. The gallery houses a collection of incredible paintings, from Da Vinci and Van Gogh to Monet and Turner which you can enjoy simply admiring, but there’s also a plethora of activities for families to enjoy, like storytelling sessions and audio tours for kids.

Enjoy the artist-led workshops, events and exhibitions hosted at Whitechapel Gallery for children and families. Get stuck into under-fives sessions, reading workshops and other child-friendly experiences that are sure to keep your little one busy for the best part of a day.

Finsbury Park went through a major spell of renovations during the early 2000s and now is chock full of things to do and explore. There’s a play area for children, tennis courts, a running track and plenty of surrounding walking routes - the one from Ally Pally to Finsbury Park is a must.

Try your hand at a spot of bowling at one of All Star Lanes' funky bowling alleys. Once you've worked up a suitable appetite, finish the session with some delicious homemade American food, like the classic Mac ’n’ cheese or the crispy buttermilk chicken thighs with American cheese sauce. 

This microcosm of a classic city has been built purposely to teach children aged between four and 14 about the workings of everyday life. Let your child engage in role play as they make their way around the city, from learning to be a pilot to putting out fires as the local fire brigade.

The Wallace Collection is open for families to explore throughout the entire year. Get stuck into their downloadable activities or take part in their monthly Hands On Armour sessions that pair handling real armour alongside creative workshops and storytelling for an immersive and interactive experience. 

Get lost in a world of immersive gaming at this unique experience at a few London locations. All of the games use motion tracking, touch screens and surround sound for the ultimate experience from the moment you enter the box. It's also a great activity for team building as you have to play in groups of two to six.

This one is suitable for slightly older children but is still definitely worth a visit. Here you can learn all about WWI and WWII and how human conflict has had an impact on Britain throughout the years. You can see how London survived the Blitz as well the stories of those who took part in either war.

Whatever the season or time of year, there's always something you can pick at a pick-your-own farm around London. October brings big plump pumpkins, spring sees the arrival of raspberries and blackberries, and come Christmas time, you can even pick your own Christmas tree at certain spots. It's a great activity for children to get stuck into whilst also learning about seasonal produce. Take a look at our fruit-picking article to find the best spot.

This free museum is located in an 18th-century Grade I-listed structure on Kingsland Road, offering insightful stories about the evolution of homes over the centuries. Witness the transformation of interiors from 1600 to the present day and delve into the changing trends in decoration and furniture. Additionally, you can enjoy a splendid garden adorned with seasonal exhibits that showcase the historical evolution of gardens.

If your kids are keen on skateboarding, Hackney Bumps is the ideal place for them to learn the ropes. This community project was built in Clapton in the 1980s and is ideal for skating beginners, made up of concrete bumps without ledges or rails. Skating classes for kids, with all equipment provided, are available here too.

Kids and adults will be equally entertained looking at the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs. These Grade I listed monuments were built in the Victorian days and are pretty different to what we know about dinosaurs now. Families can tour these fascinating sculptures on foot or by pedalo for a rather surprising day out.

Coram's Fields in Bloomsbury is a seven-acre playground that's been in situ since the 1930s. Open to anyone aged under 16, there are a number of areas and loads of fun to discover. Take on the zip wire or climbing wall, jump in the paddling pool, or run around to work off some energy. 

On the outskirts of the city, you'll find Lost Jungle London, the largest adventure golf course in Europe. There's no need to book ahead – turn up when you're ready to play. Three exciting and challenging courses are available to try, with dramatic decor to set the scene. You can also book kids' parties here.

Your kids won't get bored of shopping if you take them to Pandemonium. This well-stocked toy shop has a vibrant red exterior and is jam-packed with thrilling toys and games for various age ranges. Best of all, there's an on-site playroom where kids can have fun and the adults can relax with a coffee.

London has its own beach in Ruislip Lido. On the edge of the capital, this artificial beach is a sandy spot ideal for various activities. Kids will be entertained by the play areas around here, plus there's a miniature railway that's a fun way to explore the surroundings.

Take the kids to work off some energy at Flip Out. These lively trampoline and adventure playgrounds have areas for all ages, including the smallest children. Each venue is a hive of activity and colour, with various features to explore. Parties for kids are available here as well.