The Ultimate Guide to London Days Out with Kids
These aren’t the most touristy of places but more the neighbourhood hidden gems or suggestions of ideas for what to combine with a kid friendly attraction to keep the adults happy too! We used to live in London pre kids and although we’ve since moved out to a village around half an hour north in Hertfordshire, we still love and crave a London fix at a weekend. I get such an energy and buzz from this city especially on a sunny day at a weekend. Some of our happiest days out and memories with the kids have been in this city. So here’s all of our favourite places to go;
- North & West
- Primrose Hill & Regent’s Park ~ easy to park for free at weekends, this is always our go to. We have London zoo membership so have spent many a weekend morning here for the last few years. We love combining the views from Primrose Hill with one of the take out brunch spots ~ either It’s Bagels, Little Bread Peddler then a quick play at the colourful Chalcot Square playground before the zoo opens. Or picking up picnic supplies from Gail’s or Panzer’s Bakery in St John’s Wood. Nearby there’s also a few of our favourite epic playgrounds {at the bottom of Primrose Hill and at Gloucester Gate} or you could walk to leafy Belsize Park or Hampstead, always a favourite but it’s steep on the way up! I’m always amazed by just how gorgeous the nature is in Regent’s Park given how close to Oxford Street the bottom end of it is, the cow parsley is always magnificent and the rose gardens. Definitely picnic worthy.
- Hampstead is a gorgeous area, almost village like and on a sunny day it’s so buzzy and hard to beat. Don’t miss the Heath, this playground or this one and the Saturday Farmer’s market is excellent. Hampstead is full of bakeries and gelato shops, you’re spoilt for choice. …. Pizza L’Antica is fab for one of the best Neapolitan pizzas in London but be prepared to wait for a table or get a takeout and head to the Heath with it. Venchi or Oddono’s for gelato.
- We used to live in Maida Vale so it’s always super nostalgic for us to go back.
This playground is one of the best in London for kids with the mini street and houses along with lots for them to play and climb on, it’s like three big playgrounds in one. We normally pick up breakfast from Gail’s opposite Maida Vale tube first. From here you can wander along the Venice canals, the famous Clifton Nurseries posh garden centre is nice for a browse or if you walk a bit further it’s nice to combine with Notting Hill, Portobello Road or Hyde Park. Paddington has a new Market Halls with great food options or there’s a really nice new Wahaca too which is always our favourite for a kid friendly spot for the best Mexican street food. Just a really pretty part of London.
- Kings Cross/Coal Drops Yard always makes for an easy and great day out. There are amazing fountains to splash in so take a change of clothes. There’s a curated selection of shops, Sostrene Grene is a fav, a weekend food & artisan market, little streams for children to play pooh sticks in and just a lovely clean space to run around. So many great food options here, Dishoom, Caravan, Leon, the food market and a fun retro Photo Booth hiding underneath Coal Drops Yard.
- Holland Park has one of the best playgrounds around with its adventure playground complete with a zip line, really good slides, sand and water play and the Japanese Kyoto garden is worth a wander. Combine with High Street Kensington or Westfield or Notting Hill.
- Westfield White City is a great option for a rainy day or is actually quite a good base to park if it’s not a weekend. They have cars to rent for kids to be pushed around in. There’s basically every shop you could wish for and loads of good restaurants too. Combine with Notting Hill/Holland Park.
- The Princess Diana Memorial Garden has a huge pirate ship in a sand pit {the palm trees make it feel like you could be somewhere tropical}, musical playground, teepees and beautiful children’s park that’s gated {only those with children can enter}. It’s open from 10am daily.
- I have mixed feelings about the Natural History Museum and Science Museum. They’re iconic and probably come up as one of the best things to do in London with children, and they’re free. But every time we’ve been it’s been unbearably busy. Even on a weekday term time! So they’re not my personal favourites. The science Museum has a basement garden with water play & a mini soft play for little ones which is fun but again, it’s small and gets really busy. On my list to do is to book the Wonder Lab at the science museum which looks great and maybe because it’s paid/bookable it will be less busy. They are obviously a good way to spend a rainy day in the city. Nearby is South Ken for some lovely restaurants/take away options. I can never resist Ole and Steen! And it’s nice to walk to Chelsea’s Kings Road from here. You could also combine with the Princess Diana memorial garden playground or Holland Park.
Central
- The Postal museum. Book the Sorted play session, it’s an interactive mini postal role play. Our children loved posting all the letters, playing with the wooden building blocks and sliding down the big slide. Then ride the mail rail if you’re not claustrophobic, it’s really small and goes through London’s old postal tunnels. I really enjoyed seeing the display of all of the Royal Mail children’s Christmas letters to Santa.
- Nearby is Coram’s Fields, a central London oasis just for children. A great playground for all ages.
- The Transport Museum in Covent Garden is on our list but we haven’t actually made it there yet. I’ve heard good things though especially if your kids love trains/buses. The ticket you buy becomes an annual pass automatically so you can go as many times as you want throughout the year and kids go free.
- Covent Garden always has lots going on. Definitely a must at Christmas to see the lights & then walk through Leicester Square up Regent’s Street and to Oxford Street. But it’s always busy! Hamley’s, Liberty of London and Selfridges are institutions and have epic toy departments if you’re in the right mood for them ~ read they can be overwhelming! The Build a Bear department in Hamley’s is a really special experience to take kids for a special birthday gift though. And the LEGO stores are always a fun stop.
- I love the Tate Modern for kids. Look up their current exhibitions as most school holidays they run free play sessions. Last summer we went to an amazing collaborative painting session.
- Likewise the Southbank Centre & the Barbican often have family friendly, interactive design exhibits. We went recently to Replay and it was one of the best art exhibition we’ve been to, an art installation meets epic den building imaginative soft play all made from recycled materials.
- I haven’t mentioned things like the London Eye, the London Dungeons, the Tower of London, the West End, the Aquarium but you might want to look them up. I do really want to take the kids on the London eye because I think they’d love seeing London from above like a toy town and remember going on it myself with my parents as a teenager.
East
- Columbia Road flower market on a Sunday morning has so much going on. Live music, dreamy plants and flowers to buy. It does get busy so be prepared to battle through with a buggy, either go early or go at the end of the market day ~ 2pm ish for a bargain. Don’t miss the gorgeous Bob & Blossom, I just want to buy everything for the kids in that sweet shop. Nearby there are 2 city farms which are free and fun for little ones ~ Hackney City farm and Spitalfields City Farm. Both have amazing really nutritious food in their cafes too. Such a juxtaposition with the animals and city skyline.
- You’ve also got the newly reopened Young V & A museum which is free and all geared around children. There are interactive bits for them to play with along with the history of toys with nostalgia for grown ups. Try to avoid going at a peak/busy time as the interactive bits are fairly limited so I imagine it’s hard to wait if busy!
- Just a bit further across, Victoria Park is ginormous. We went for the first time last summer and our children loved the splash park and giant slides. Don’t miss Pophams Bakery nearby in Victoria park which again feels kind of village like.
- Horizon 22 is a free viewing platform which rivals the Shard. I still can’t believe that @horizon22b is free! London’s highest, free, viewing platform. We tried to book a time slot online in advance but there were none available for the day we were in London but if you go there & scan the QR code on the door it’s likely you’ll get some at the door. We got straight in. Especially if you go in the morning. Such an amazing view across London, the kids loved watching the buses & boats moving down below looking like a little toy town & Raffy thought that the Shard looked like a 🚀. It’s mad when you go back down to the bottom & realise you’re then in that city looking up instead. Such a cool building with such kind friendly, happy staff everywhere too! You go through airport style security, up in a fast lift & can take buggies in with you. | we combined this with @eatalylondon just up the road & @balloon_museum after but there’s so much around there to do/see/eat! I wrote this instagram post on it.
- The Discovery Story Centre, Stratford high street. In my opinion I’d say it’s really underrated and not shouted about enough, we really loved it. The website has improved since we booked I think as I was a bit confused about the concept before we went but essentially you buy a ticket to the centre which has 2 interactive floors and a garden but then you can book an immersive experience, we went for the Box Rocket which is on until June and was so brilliantly done. Not all of it was allowed to be filmed so you’d be in for some surprises! We’d definitely go back again when there’s a new exhibition. And it was cleverly designed for all ages to enjoy and even had some craft activities too.
South;
Battersea Power Station is one of London’s newly redeveloped areas and it’s just all been so uniquely designed, I love seeing the old power station. You should go to Dishoom for brunch ~ their sausage and egg naans are the best ever ~ wander around the shops both inside and outside on Electric Avenue, go into the old power station, play at the rainbow playground {which is such a great size and crucially, has good visibility for seeing your kids} and sit by the river. There’s always lots going on around there. It’s good to combine with Battersea Park just a few minutes walk away which is huge and has another amazing playground and mini petting zoo, or cross the bridge and wander around Chelsea. Or take the Uber boat from the dock just outside which is a great way to travel along the river up to the central sights. Our children love spotting Big Ben and the London eye.
- we’ve only been to Battersea power station on a sunny dry day so far but I’ve heard great things about this soft play at Macaroni Penguin there if the weather is inclement. It gets booked up though!
Canary Wharf / Greenwich
- One of the ultimate museum days out that combines a bit of everything. We normally park near to Canary Wharf as we’re north of the river but you could do the reverse if you park in Greenwich. We often get breakfast around Canary Wharf, Dishoom or Leon most likely then either have a play session at the London Docklands museum which has water play/a soft play/lots of building materials, book in advance! Or we go straight over to Greenwich on the DLR. the DLR is a fun ride for kids, especially if you get on the front of it where they feel like they’re driving the train. Then we head for Greenwich Park & the Maritime museum. Usually stopping at one of the bakeries in Greenwich for some picnic supplies. The Maritime museum is great for kids, all free, and at weekends they often have craft sessions. Don’t miss the upstairs children’s gallery & the Cove playground outside.
- There’s a great park in Greenwich park itself with a big sand & water area that my children love, there’s locks for them to make rivers run through etc. And it’s always worth the steep walk up the hill to the top, next to the observatory to see one of the best views in London!
From Greenwich to get back across you can walk under the river through the foot tunnel which is a unique experience but make sure both lifts are in service if you’ve got a buggy. Or take the cable car or the uber boat or DLR again. We sometimes stop at Mudchute farm or Stepney city farm before grabbing some dinner - shake shack or Wahaca usually! Also in Canary Wharf over the summer they have free mini golf that doubles as an art installation which is fun for kids or adults of all ages actually.
- The only thing about Canary Wharf are all the different levels, a bit of a pain constantly finding lifts with a pushchair but doable!
further south
- Hampton court palace magic garden is an incredible place. Combine with the river right next door, it’s lovely to cycle along or go into Bushy Park to see the deer or Kingston. I shared this reel on instagram about it. Here are some pointers if you’re planning to visit as I found the website info a bit confusing before we went! ~ entry to the magic garden isn’t guaranteed, they only let a certain amount in. We looked on a map & went straight there for opening and they actually let us in just before 10! ~ you get 90 minutes in there then you can queue up if you want to go back as long as you leave an hour between each play ~ take swimwear/towels, the water fountains & sand are really fun ~ it’s staffed & so well kept, they even had a huge first aid cupboard & there’s a little cafe in there if you want a coffee/croissant ~ we took a picnic to Hampton court but wish we’d bought food from the cafe near to the rose garden, the roasts & curries all looked amazing! ~ make sure you visit the spectacular palace, gardens & maze after. ~ you can get this as an attraction on the flex @thesightseeingpass to make tickets cheaper if you’re going to want to visit any other attractions within 2 months around London *ad/pr
- Picnic Play Centre Kingston is a cute children’s role play centre with a hairdressers/building site etc that they can pretend to have jobs in. Park in bushy park, walk through it and across the bridge into bustling Kingston upon Thames full of shops and restaurants and a weekly market.
- Richmond makes for a beautiful day out. We love Ham House, Petersham Nurseries, walking through Richmond park or along the river, getting the little Hammerton’s ferry across, mooching around the town which is full of a real mix of lovely shops and the best food options ~ hello Ottolenghi, Napoli on the road pizza, ole and steen, Leon, itsu, venchi to name just a few. Then going to Richmond Green and then getting back on the river. It’s a circuit that never gets old. We can never resist a quick Look in the Fara kids charity shop. It’s a bit lacking in great playgrounds given how leafy and kid filled it is but there’s a new one that’s just opened at the bottom of Richmond park by the Petersham Gate https://maps.app.goo.gl/UN8cZtqduyMaSqVM8?g_st=ic & there’s a half decent one near Hammerton’s ferry. https://maps.app.goo.gl/jLxduFApn5itfCbA8?g_st=ic
- Kew Gardens is just such a delight in all seasons, one of my all time favourite places in the UK full stop. And Kew Green feels like the epitome of an English Green with houses and wisteria to die for. Don’t miss the Palm House, the inspiring children’s garden which is all designed around the four elements. {My kids love the trampolines, water play in the summer, the giant metal slides and little houses in the sandpit.}
- The London Wetlands Centre in Barnes is a new discovery for us but one we’re so glad to have found. Full of birds, Otters, a Friday forest school {as an extra}, a huge adventure playground with rope bridges going across the wetlands, an indoor discovery centre with some water play & a cool transfer screen to make drawings come to life in a virtual river, big playground with badger sets my children loved running and hiding in & a new splash pad about to open! It includes so much and makes for a great educational day out. Parts are a little dated but it kind of adds to the charm. Barnes is just the dreamiest London village too, we wish we’d had more time to wander around it.
A note on getting around; It will depend where you’re coming from as to the best way to get into town and where exactly you’re going to as to how central it is/how easy parking is. Obviously there’s the train. If you’re going into town at a weekend, almost definitely on a Sunday, you can often park for free if you’re outside the congestion area. Some areas are easier than others. I usually check on google maps street view as to the parking arrangements. Alternatively Just Park is a good option. We usually try to walk, London is a great city for walking but it’s big! So you do need to try to plan it or focus on just one area. The underground can be great but not the easiest with a buggy or little kids {the lifts are infrequent and not at every station. If you do want to then plan ahead on google maps by selecting the accessibility option on public transport}. The DLR is a lot better as it’s newer and not underground but that’s only around east London. The Uber boat is a great option for going across London on the river and gives amazing views along the way! And don’t underestimate buses, granted they’re not always that easy with a big double buggy at rush hour but they are fun for kids and a good way to get around.
Some food ideas; one of the things we love about London compared to where we live is the amazing choice of food. Everywhere! So much choice. A few favourites that are easy and guaranteed to be good and have several locations {if you’re from the UK you’ll probably have your own favourites but this is also meant as a guide for those visiting from abroad} ; Leon for healthy fast food at great prices, their kids menu is great and we love their breakfast pots and lunch boxes. Wagamama for noodles/rice/katsu curry, v kid friendly. Wahaca for Mexican, again has a great kids menu and is so delicious. Franco Manca/Pizza Pilgrims/Pizza Express for an easy pizza lunch. Buns from Home for amazing cinnamon buns and their ever changing weekend specials. Gail’s for artisan pastries/sourdough/salads. M&S food for picnic supplies. Itsu for sushi/healthy Asian inspired salads and noodles. Shake Shack or Honest burgers if you’re craving a burger! Dishoom is a must if you like Indian food, their twist on breakfasts are a particular favourite and again they’re very kid friendly with great colouring for kids & a kid menu. Caravan & Granger & Co are our go to for an all day nice brunch menu. Lina Stores is a recent discovery for pasta.
Let me know if I’ve missed anything! And I’ll keep adding to this if we discover any new gems.