London is a family-friendly city with loads of things to do with kids. This is what my kids enjoyed on their first visit to London - in random order. However, if you don't have kids with you, then you will still enjoy them.
London Eye Observation Capsule
The Coca-Cola London Eye was the first attraction we chose to visit in London because the kids had heard – and read - so much about it and were eager to ride it. It was built as part of London's millennium celebrations and has become one of the modern icons of the London skyline. Much more than a ferris wheel, the London Eye is the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel.
The futuristic looking capsules allow you to gain panoramic views of London unfolding before you, while you sit in comfort. The interactive touch screens give you information on what you are seeing. The 32 capsules can hold up to 800 people at one time and a complete turn takes about thirty minutes. Kate Moss has enjoyed 25 rotations and Jessica Alba has been on the wheel 31 times. We were suitably impressed too.
London Dungeon
The London Dungeon is a fun, interactive, sometimes cheesy and sometimes creepy journey through London’s history. Key historical events and sinister characters such as Jack the Ripper, the plague and the torture chambers are re-enacted by skilled actors in theatre-style as you walk through the dungeons, led by staff members.
Audience members are chosen to participate in the various acts. I was thrown into the docks for treason and my son was on trial for pinching young ladies’ bottoms. There are also two rides included in the experience and a free drink... if you survive. If you have teens or tweens, this is a must. The kids loved it and we laughed about our experience for days to come.
British Royal Family at Madame Tussauds
This was another attraction that the kids were eager to visit before we even went to London. We got to hobnob with celebrities like Usain Bolt, One Direction and the British Royal Family at Madame Tussauds, the most famous wax museum in the world. It is probably the closest we'll ever get to them. Most of the models looked uncannily real and my kids had great fun imitating their poses.
Then we were terrified by the gruesome Chamber of Horrors, before we were escorted onto the Spirit of London ride. The mini-replica of London’s infamous black cab took us for a ride through London’s history. That was not all. We then went to watch the Marvel Superheroes 4D movie which the kids loved and visited the new Star Wars experience which contains wax figures of the favourite Star Wars heroes and villains.
The Shard
I have a soft spot for views from lofty places and the Shard is the tallest skyscraper to grace the London skies. It is also the tallest building in the European Union. The spire-like structure appears to emerge from the River Thames and boasts spectacular 360-degree views of London. There is an indoor viewing gallery on Level 69 and an open-air viewing gallery on the 72nd floor. The kids were fascinated with the interactive audio guides and the strategically-positioned Tell:Scopes that enable guests to see London by day and night and provides information on over 200 landmarks in 10 languages. You can also use the wi-fi “in the sky” to share your experience on social media.
View from the Shard
Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station
Harry Potter fans will recognise this as the location where Hogwarts students run through the wall to get to the Hogwarts Express. It is totally free to visit and you can get a photo of yourself “going through” Platform 9 ¾ . Staff members dressed as Hogwarts students help you to pose for your photo with a Hogwarts scarf and a wand while holding on to the trolley. After you’ve got that photo, you can visit the gift shop where you can purchase all sorts of fabulous Harry Potter merchandise.
The Original London Sightseeing Tour
The Original London Sightseeing Tour started the first sightseeing bus tour of London in 1951. It is a great way to explore London in comfort and with invaluable commentary. Free walks and river cruises on the River Thames are included in the ticket. Kids get their own commentary and activity pack. Read about our experience here.
British Museum
Museums are not every child’s cup of tea and my children are no exception. But the British Museum boasts a fascinating collection of treasures from around the world including the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies and this will be sure to intrigue the children. Many of the city's top museums, including this one, are free to visit making them great activities to do in London in the rain .
The GMT Line
If your kids have studied the Greenwich Meridian in school, as mine have, take them to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich - where they can stand over the GMT line, with one foot in the Western hemisphere and one foot in the Eastern hemisphere. It will make it more real to them. They can also visit London’s only planetarium here. Also, in Greenwich, you can take them to visit the Cutty Sark, one of the world's most famous ships.
Changing of the Guard
During the Changing of the Guard ceremony, one regiment of the Queen's guard takes over from another. The kids will be impressed with all the uniquely British pomp and ceremony outside the massive palace. The best view is from the steps of the Victoria Memorial. The ceremony lasts for 45 minutes but does not take place daily. See the website for dates and get there early.
Part of Ripley's treasure trove
All the other attractions on this list had been planned and scheduled by me before we went to London but when my kids saw Ripley’s and what it was about, they were really keen on going there and so we went on our last day in London. They now wholeheartedly agree that it was one of their favourite attractions. There are 6 floors containing over 700 extraordinary artefacts and exhibits, some interactive, collected from around the world. We were blown away by the hurricane simulator, got lost in the mirror maze and lost our balance in the Black Hole tunnel. It was great fun!
2019 Update: Ripleys London is currently closed.
See this great guide on Where to stay in London. Or book accommodation here.
What are your top things to do in London?
Follow me on Instagram.
Disclosure: 1/17
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
[…] a market all the better. Food tours are great for everyone and they are also one of the many great thing to do in London with kids as they can try new foods and also get entertained people watching. This article is a review of […]
[…] season, so spring for a fast-track ticket to jump the line (especially if you’re exploring London with young ones) or go all out and enjoy some bubbly by reserving their Champagne […]
Awesome post, thanks for the useful information.
Thanks for the useful information 🙂
This information is magnificent. I understand and respect your clear-cut points. I am impressed with your writing style and how well you express your thoughts.
Wow ...... Thanks For Sharing
This site is absolutely fabulous!
What a totally amazing website. You've got something special going on here!
Great post!
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful article.
Thanks for providing this info.
It can be difficult to write about this topic. I think you did a fantastic job though! Thanks for this!
Thank you Rohini. There is so much to do in London that drawing up a short-list is not easy.
Wow! This was a great post. I remember being about 11 the first time I went to London! I would love to take my kids now. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Amina. I was amazed at how kid-friendly London is!
Asalamoalikum Sara,
Thanks for sharing such vivid and come to life snaps .
I really enjoyed reading
Thank you Myda.
Love my home city 🙂 It really is a beautiful place to live Alhumdulilah
You're lucky to live here Umme Hafsa.
Thanks for sharing...planning to go London in the summer. Most of these are on my list.
Thanks Fozia. Let me know if I left any must-do's out 🙂
i want to visit london, too! this makes me wanna fly there. </3
Hope you get to go soon Kai!
Use to visit London before I had kids, now I know things I can do with them there when they get older.
What is your favourite spot in London Umm Asiya?
I LOVE IT. AMAZING SIS. JAZAKUMULLAH KHAIR <3
Thank you Hafsa Waseela.
Visiting museums are among my favourite things; I can visit the same one over and over again especially if there's a special exhibition going on.
I also love lofty building with great views.
Thanks for sharing.
I enjoy them too Amina. And museums like The British Museum always have special exhibitions going on!
Thanks for sharing! It's really well written and informative. Makes me eager to visit there one day insha Allah!
Thank you Aussiepursuit. I would love to visit Australia next year!
No bookshop? All look like fun. Oh travel money, travel money.
Haha, my daughter is a huge bookworm so we had to go to Foyle's Bookshop. We also went to the British Library but we we couldn't access the children's section because we didn't have access cards.
London is on our travelling bucket list. Masha'Allah, thank you making my job to find places to see a little easier :). Wasalam
You are welcome Papatia. I'm glad you find it helpful.
London my fav city. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Zara - London certainly has a lot to offer!