London with Kids: Planning a London Vacation the Whole Family with Love
Are you looking for a vacation destination the entire family will love? London should be at the top of your list! London was the first international trip we took with kids, and it did not disappoint.
In 2014, we took a family trip to London for a very special reason. My Nana (my mom’s mum), passed away in late 2013.
She was originally from London, surviving the bombings of WW2 as a kid by evacuating to Wales. When they moved back to the city, she recalls playing in the rubble and hiding in shelters when the sirens would go off.
Later on, she met my grandfather who was stationed there, and they eventually got married and moved back to the USA.
She wanted her ashes spread in London, so my whole family decided to make the pilgrimage to London to honor her and celebrate her memory.
There were 12 of us in total: my parents, my 5 sisters and me, 3 husbands, and our toddler.
London truly had something for everyone, including some great places to take young kids.
Now that we have 4 kids, I would love to take our family of 6 back to experience everything all over again - and maybe add in a few London attractions we didn’t fit in on our first trip!
Here are the best things to do in London with kids - and adults!
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Getting Around - London Travel Tips
One of the first questions we had, when we were planning our trip, was whether we would need a car seat in London for our toddler.
Ultimately, we decided to stick to public transportation and leave the car seat at home.
The best thing to do if you’re planning to use public transportation in London with kids is to buy an Oyster Card. You can purchase these ahead of time and purchase travel credits so you’ll be ready to go as soon as you land at the airport.
We took the Tube from Heathrow to our Airbnb, which was quite the spectacle, but it worked out just fine.
The great news is that the London Underground (the Tube), as well as all buses and trams, are free for kids under the age of 11. Since transportation around the city was one of our biggest expenses, it’s a very nice touch to have kids getting around for free!
If you’re traveling with a stroller like we were, my best advice is to either:
Bring a lightweight umbrella stroller that you can easily carry up and down the stairs. Bring a carrier, too, in case you need to take the baby/toddler out while carrying the stroller up and down the stairs to get to the underground stations. or…
Take the buses everywhere so you don’t have to deal with stairs at all.
We took option number 1, and it worked out nicely because we had several other adults with us who could help with the stroller.
Top Things to Do in London with Kids
There is so much to do in London that the challenge is narrowing down the activities to fit your itinerary. It’s a big city, so it can be tough to fit everything on your list.
One way our family narrowed it down was by purchasing the London Pass and prioritizing activities on the card. The passes are not cheap, but remember that entrance fees to many of the sites on the pass are not cheap either! We found we saved money by purchasing the card, but if you’re prioritizing free activities, that might not be the case for you.
You can choose anywhere from a 1-Day Pass to a 10-Day Pass, depending on how many days of your trip you think you’ll need to use it. Keep in mind that the pass works with consecutive days, not 24-hour periods, so be sure to start using your pass right away in the morning to get the most use out of it.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Our family loves trolley tours and bus tours, and have done them in Key West, Santa Barbara, Nashville, and Savannah.
A Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is a great way to get acquainted with a city on your first day there, and doubles as transportation from point A to point B.
It’s also nice to hear history and fun facts that you wouldn’t otherwise hear about and tends to keep kids pretty engaged.
This was on our original list of things we wanted to do in London, but we ended up switching it out for something else at the last minute.
If I ever make it back to London with our 4 kids, this will be high on my list of things to do.
The London Eye
The London Eye is a 135-meter observation wheel and one of London’s most popular attractions.
We landed in London in the morning, and after checking into our Airbnb, we headed over to experience the London Eye at sunset.
It was so hard to stay awake with the jetlag we were experiencing, but this ended up being the perfect activity to get us out of the house. We got a 360-degree view of the city’s skyline, and it was a great way to be able to orient ourselves in the city and see where some of the most iconic buildings were.
This is a great thing to do in London with toddlers because they are completely safe in the enclosed pods, and they can get right up close to the window to see everything.
This was a really enjoyable activity, and I would definitely do it again!
The British Museum
One of the rare FREE things to do in London, the British Museum is a can’t-miss addition to your itinerary.
From the Rosetta Stone to Egyptian Mummies, there are so many artifacts and exhibits that will appeal to kids.
You can also visit the Families Desk to see if there are any challenges for kids to complete as they make their way through the museum.
Our daughter was just 14 months when we visited, so I can’t say that she was particularly interested in anything the museum had to offer. My husband and I took turns walking around with her so the other one could enjoy the museum.
I think older kids would get a lot more out of the experience, but babies and toddlers are more than welcome, too!
Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is not actually a circus, but rather a public space and intersection of 5 roads in London’s West End.
This area is reminiscent of Times Square in New York: flashing advertisements, souvenir shops, restaurants, and big crowds.
While there is not necessarily a ton to do in Piccadilly Circus itself, there are several important sites within walking distance of the area such as Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, and Oxford Street which has some great shopping.
When we stopped there, we only stopped for a bit to take in the glorious chaos of Piccadilly Circus, then we headed a few blocks east to stop at M&M World London and the LEGO Store. Both are excellent stops for kids!
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is an iconic site, hosting some of the most famous coronations, weddings, and burials in English history.
You can wander through the chapel, see the royal tombs, marvel at the cloisters, and behold the coronation chair. So much of the country’s history is there at Westminster Abbey.
Now, is this a kid-friendly activity? I would say absolutely yes. It’s always a little tougher with toddlers, but I still think it’s worth it to give it a try.
Our own 14-month-old would bolt away from us the moment we set her down, touch people on the back of the knee, and say, “Hi!” as loud as she could.
The cloisters offer a little bit more space if you have a vivacious toddler like ours.
This is on the London Pass, so be sure to plan this site for one of your pass days.
Bike Tour
One of our favorite activities on the trip was a half-day bike tour of London. Highlights included seeing the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, seeing Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and riding through the courtyards of Westminster Abbey School - plus so much more.
It was really cool to see some smaller historical spots we might not have otherwise seen, like the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
We took the Love London Tour with the London Bicycle Company that comes with the London Pass.
It’s important to know that this is only suitable for kids ages 10 and up who can ride a bike well. Even as an adult, it was tough at times to keep up, or a little nerve-wracking when a giant doubledecker bus would speed by.
We were able to do this because I had extended family there, and half of our group took the tour one morning, and the other half of the group did it the next morning. Whichever group was not on the bike tour watched our toddler.
So unfortunately this is not a great suggestion for families with young children, but I still wanted to include it on the list because it’s such a unique experience, and might be fun for families with older children!
Kensington Palace
Kensington is one of the historic royal palaces that you can tour on your trip to London. It is the former home of Queen Victoria and Princess Diana, and the current London residence of The Prince and Princess of Wales (William and Kate).
Inside the palace, you can see the King’s State Apartment, the Queen’s State Apartment, the Jewel Room, and more! We loved the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, a display of dresses worn by royals over the years. It’s fascinating to see the changes in style and fashion!
Our toddler really enjoyed Kensington Palace Gardens which had so many beautiful pathways to explore.
You’ll also find the Princess Diana Memorial Playground located next to Kensington Palace, which is free to visit and features a wooden pirate ship, teepees, and sensory trails. It’s a must-visit if you’re going to Kensington Palace with kids!
Churchill War Rooms
Churchill War Rooms are the underground headquarters of Winston Churchill and his team during WW2. There is so much history to learn about here, and my husband and I found it absolutely fascinating.
Unfortunately, our toddler did not. I have some nightmarish memories of my husband taking our crying 1-year-old out of the museum, and me trying to follow the sound of the crying through the winding passageways to see if he needed any help.
In line with our experience, the website recommends this museum for kids ages 10+, though all ages are welcome.
I would have to agree. I could see our oldest (who is now 9 and a half), enjoying Churchill War Rooms now, but probably not our other 3 kids.
This is on the London Pass, so be sure to plan this site for one of your pass days.
Get Fish and Chips at a Local Pub
Did you know that many London pubs allow children during the day, or sometimes in certain areas of the restaurant?
Getting fish and chips and a pint in a London Pub is certainly a bucket list activity for us adults, and you can certainly check this off your list even if you have kids in tow.
A quick search for kid-friendly pubs will turn up options such as The Florence Pub, The Eagle in Shepherd’s Bush, and The Windsor Castle in Kensington.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is not open year-round, as it is the King’s official London residence and working royal palace. It is open for 10 weeks during summer and select dates during winter and spring.
Book a guided tour, or use the self-guided audio tours. They have audio guides for kids, too! See the State Rooms, the Throne Room, the Ballroom, and more!
Be sure to wander the Palace Gardens out back, and time your visit so that you can see the Changing the Guard outside the palace, which takes place at 11:00 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday and daily in the summer.
Because we saw the Changing the Guard on our bike tour, we ended up skipping the palace tour, but it’s something I’d love to see on a future visit!
Tower of London
The Tower is a fortress in the middle of London that houses the crown jewels and is the site of the prison, torture, and executions over the course of history. You’ll also meet the Yeoman Warders (or Beefeaters), the guardians of the Tower of London, and fantastic storytellers!
Yeoman Warder tours run every 30 minutes and last for about an hour. We really enjoyed listening to their stories and fascinating bits of history. Though our little one did not have the attention span to get anything out of the tour, we did notice many other kids on the tour who got to interact with the Beefeaters.
The Tower of London is also home to the Crown Jewels, and you can wait in line to see them! This was an enjoyable stop, and I felt like we all learned so much. This is a must-visit destination in London, and it’s on the London Pass, so be sure to plan this site for one of your pass days.
Tower Bridge
Right across from the Tower of London you’ll find the Tower Bridge, a historic lift bridge just downstream from the famous London Bridge (which is actually quite unimpressive).
It’s a beautiful structure, and you can go inside and walk over the famous glass floors and see incredible views of London from the high-level walkways.
Entrance is included on the London Pass, so be sure to plan this site for one of your pass days.
Thames River Boat Ride
If you want a way to get around London with a different perspective, the hop-on hop-off boat ride on the Thames River is the way to go!
You can get on or off at any of the ports and use the boat ride as transportation to fit in as many sightseeing activities as you can, or you can sit back and relax as you watch the London Skyline go by.
There is a lovely little cafe on board for snacks and beverages, so it really is a nice way to spend an afternoon!
Entrance is included on the London Pass, so be sure to plan this site for one of your pass days.
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is one of the most famous neighborhoods in London, and we really enjoyed grabbing a coffee at Wafflemeister and just wandering the streets full of colorful houses.
The rainbow-colored rows of houses reflect the bohemian spirit of this neighborhood, so take your time exploring the side streets off Portobello Road. There’s nothing quite like strolling a charming neighborhood in a new city (which is something we enjoyed doing in Savannah, too).
Portobello Market
Portobello Market is a street market in Notting Hill that’s open every day of the week, but you’ll probably have the most success on a Saturday when everything is open.
If you’re looking to avoid crowds, though, a weekday morning will be your best bet!
You’ll find antiques, souvenirs, and food stalls all around the market, so this could be a fun place to let kids pick out a souvenir!
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is located near Kensington Gardens, and just over a mile from Portobello Road. Visit the Marble Arch, take a paddle boat out on The Serpentine (the river between Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens), or stop and smell the roses in the rose garden.
This would make a great spot for a picnic lunch, too!
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Tour
Whether or not you’re a fan of football (ahem, soccer), touring the Emirates Stadium, home of the Arsenal football club, is a great way to learn more about the sport and the history of the team and stadium.
Take an audio-guided tour of the stadium and get a sneak peek into the locker rooms, the players’ tunnel, and the dugout.
Our toddler had a blast running around here, and if you have any sports-obsessed kids in your family, this is a perfect stop to add to your itinerary.
Entrance is included on the London Pass, so be sure to plan this site for one of your pass days.
Ride a Double Decker Bus
Though we mostly used the Tube to get around London, we did ride a double-decker bus during our visit, and we really enjoyed it!
You can use the same Oyster Card you use for the Tube, which makes it easier for visitors who want to use a variety of public transportation.
Use the TFL Oyster app to help figure out where bus stops are and where you need to disembark. There’s a spot for strollers and wheelchairs on the busses, making it easy to use for parents with babies and toddlers!
The Regents Park
Sometimes kids just need to be kids, so head to The Regents Park where younger children can play on the new Gloucester Gate Playground or one of the other 3 playgrounds within the park.
Stroll through one of several gardens around the park, such as Queen Mary’s Gardens, or just pick up some bread, cheese, fruit, and crackers from the market and have a picnic in the park!
The London Zoo is also located on the edge of Regents Park, so if you have animal lovers in your family this would be a great stop as well!
Afternoon Tea
One of my favorite things we did in London was attend High Tea. The men in the group went on the Lord’s Cricket Ground Tour, while my mom, my sisters, my toddler, and I went to the Drawing Rooms at the Ampersand Hotel for afternoon tea.
It was very fancy, and I was worried at first that bringing a toddler it would be frowned upon, but the staff could not have been more friendly. They got us a high chair, and when I took my toddler out to walk around the halls when she was getting restless, they brought her a rubber ducky to play with!
Because we were 7 adults and 1 toddler, I didn’t specifically look for a kid-friendly afternoon tea at the time. Now that I’m writing about it and searching for afternoon tea for kids, I found that the Ampersand Hotel has a science-themed tea and a dinosaur-themed tea with kid menus!
If I were going back today with my 4 kids, I would definitely choose one of those.
This tea room was very aesthetic and super Instagrammable, so I would highly recommend choosing this one if your kids are a bit older and would appreciate that!
You could also do a London Afternoon Tea Cruise on the Thames to enjoy your refreshments on the River Thames, or check out the London Afternoon Bus Tour.
Harry Potter Tours and Sites
One thing we missed out on the first time we visited London was seeing any Harry Potter-themed sites or taking any Harry Potter tours. Most of the family wasn’t interested, so we skipped them in favor of other sites.
Now that my oldest daughter is 9, we share a love of all things Harry Potter. We’ve read the books aloud together, and I even took her to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for her 9th birthday!
Related: How to Do the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in One Day
With a fellow Harry Potter fan in tow, I would definitely check out the London Harry Potter Walking Tour or the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour.
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a public square that features many historic buildings and popular attractions. Located in central London, it's the perfect spot to see the National Gallery, check out The Mall - a tree-lined street leading up to Buckingham Palace, get a photo of the Trafalgar Square lions, or check out the Police Box - the smallest police station in London.
London is such a great place to visit with kids!
Between the kid-friendly attractions, beautiful architecture, history, and idyllic parks, there is no shortage of things to do on a family trip to London. You'll easily fill each day of your trip with fun things to do on your London family vacation.
If your kids are itching to see the Eiffel Tower, plan a side trip to Paris for a few days and just hit the highlights.
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Emily Krause is a Florida-based travel blogger who writes about exploring the world with kids. On A Mom Explores you’ll find best family travel destinations, Disney World tips, and how to make travel with babies and toddlers a little easier.
Emily believes that exploring starts in our own backyards, and adventure can happen anywhere with the right mindset.
