For many families, the idea of travelling with children to discover new destinations and cities is an exciting prospect. However, once the initial enthusiasm has worn off, it’s natural to wonder whether the destination will appeal to them, or whether there will be places where children can have fun and let off steam after spending hours looking at museum displays or paintings in galleries.
If you’ve chosen London, fortunately there are really plenty of things to do with children, and your holiday will be thoroughly enjoyable, even with kids in tow.
If you’re in the Exhibition Road area, head straight to the Natural History Museum or the Science Museum.
Both offer free entry. The first will certainly amaze younger visitors with its enormous dinosaurs, whilst the second will show them (and you too, rest assured) the world through fresh eyes, thanks to an extensive range of original and cutting-edge exhibitions dedicated to technology, medicine and industry. Amongst the highlights are the world’s first computer, conceived by Charles Babbage in the nineteenth century, and the Energy Hall, which tells the story of the Industrial Revolution.
For children who love dressing up and costumes, a visit to the theatre section of the Victoria and Albert Museum could be interesting, where you’ll find masks and costumes worn on stage throughout the centuries.
And for those who adore film and sports stars, Madame Tussauds wax museum will be perfect for seeing their idols in person (albeit in wax form!).
If you get the chance, rain or shine, don’t miss the Museum of Childhood, with free entry, in east London. Toys and games, dolls and building blocks, toy cars and cooking sets, from the 1600s to today, are the stars of this exhibition, which, to give you an idea of its quality, is curated by the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Broadly speaking, in these museums you’ll also find a wide range of educational activities and free workshops designed specifically for children. And near Piccadilly Circus, don’t miss a fascinating collection of the world’s strangest inventions on display: Ripley’s Believe It or Not will be an enjoyable experience for adults too!
Just outside the city, there’s no shortage of theme parks: roller coasters and adrenaline define Thorpe Park (30 km from London), whilst the village built entirely from the world’s most famous coloured bricks (LEGOLAND) is less than an hour’s drive away.
To make the most of London’s fine weather, there are plenty of opportunities for younger children to have fun. Before letting them loose in the parks, take them to the place that makes every child happy – the zoo.
The London Zoo is located in Regent’s Park and, with over 15,000 specimens, will keep curious little ones entertained for quite some time. Once the visit is over, if their appetite for animals hasn’t been satisfied, the London Aquarium with its huge glass tanks will be another thrilling experience.
For the more adventurous, a good tour of the HMS Belfast will be the perfect opportunity to imagine battles and enemy ships, whilst for children with a chivalrous spirit, the Tower of London with its mysteries and, who knows, ghosts will spark plenty of spine-tingling stories!
With all these ideas for play, the best approach is to head to a playground where they can freely express their imagination, which will have been more than adequately stimulated.
Fortunately, London has no shortage of green spaces, but if you’re looking for something truly unique, visit Kensington Gardens, where the Diana Memorial Playground with its famous ship inspired by Captain Hook’s adventures will delight your children.
Don’t forget Hyde Park and the many activities offered by the Serpentine Lake (boating and a beach in summer).
Coram’s Field is located in the heart of the Camden district and was created with children’s enjoyment in mind, designing a world that would suit them perfectly.
Coram’s Field is a playground closed to unaccompanied adults. In fact, from the age of 16 onwards, you must be accompanied by a child if you wish to enter.
Children will find numerous interactive games outdoors, two sandpits for fun with others, and an outdoor pool – also for children – which only opens in spring and summer.
Don’t miss the “City Farm” where you can get up close to goats, rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens living in complete freedom.
The park opens every day from nine in the morning with closing times that vary depending on the season:
Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and due to bad weather or special events.
Entry is free.
Coram’s Field is located at 93 Guilford Street in London and can be reached in several ways:
The Coram’s Field playground is a registered charity that provides children with a large and varied space to play and have fun. Inside, you’ll also find sports programmes for young people up to 16 years old, after-school programmes and a youth centre for teenagers aged 13 to 19.
The Diana Memorial Playground in London is located in the heart of Hyde Park, right in the former Princess’s estate. Ideal for children up to 12 years old and completely inspired by Peter Pan and his Never Never Land.
The Diana Memorial Playground was opened on 20 June 2000 in memory of the Princess and to provide children with a safe place to play in Hyde Park. Its most famous and important feature is undoubtedly the pirate ship built almost to full scale, entirely in wood, where children can play – climb and jump into the surrounding sand. There are also interactive games for disabled children with designated areas.
The Diana Memorial Playground is open from six in the morning until sunset, so opening times vary depending on the season.
The Diana Memorial Playground is located in London at Broad Walk (W2 4RU) and is easily reached by underground from Lancaster Gate and Queensway – Bayswater and High Street Kensington stations.
In this playground all children are welcome and, as mentioned, there are many areas dedicated to those with different disabilities, whether physical or visual (in fact there are special plants with appropriate technology).
Not just games but also the chance to visit the residence of Princess Diana at Kensington Palace.
Holland Park is a public park located in Chelsea and is one of the most distinctive and affluent areas around, especially thanks to its high-quality shops and restaurants as well as its Victorian-style architecture.
Holland Park is not only London’s most “luxurious” park but also one of the largest at 22.5 hectares, where you’ll find areas for children (up to twelve years old) with interactive and fun games. Recommended for ages 4 to 12.
Holland Park is open every day from 7.30 am until half an hour before sunset, varying its hours depending on the season.
Holland Park is located near the charming Notting Hill – Portobello Road at Ilchester Place (W8 6LU). It’s accessed by underground from Notting Hill station or Kensington High Street.
There is disabled access parking near the entrance for accompanying adults.
In addition to children’s games, you can visit the Kyoto Garden within the park – a meticulously maintained Japanese garden donated by the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce in 1991.
London Fields is located in a particularly distinctive area of London – the borough of Hackney, an evocative place known for its colours and vast green spaces.
The London Fields park spans 12.6 hectares and features numerous attractions and facilities for all ages. There are two children’s play areas and a swimming pool, which closes in autumn and winter (open from 26 May to 30 September).
London Fields park is open 24 hours a day, while the children’s pool is open from 11 am to 7 pm.
London Fields is located in WestSide E8 3EU, accessible by underground from London Fields station.
London Fields park offers its visitors not only an enormous park for strolling or picnicking in peace, but also live music events – dance performances and various other shows.
Tumbling Bay Playground is located within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, built in 2012 to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Among other things, it has an area dedicated entirely to children (of all ages), to have fun and play.
The Tumbling Bay Playground offers children a complete space featuring sand pools, tree houses, wobbly bridges and rocks for imaginative play of every kind. Not only that: there are also slides, swings and plenty of space to run around in complete freedom and safety.
The playground is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
The Tumbling Bay Playground is located at Olympic Park Avenue in London (E20 1DY).
You can reach it by underground from Hackney Wick Overground Station – 9 minutes from the entrance.
It’s a vast park where you can have every kind of experience, especially for children who always want to play and have fun. Among the many attractions is a fountain with 195 water jets that intersect along a labyrinth (technologically advanced and controlled) during the day, whilst at night it’s illuminated by colourful lights.
Hyde Park is London’s iconic vast park, which contains – within it – a play area dedicated exclusively to children. A dedicated zone where they can have fun in complete safety.
Within the great green lung of London, children can find swings – slides and interactive equipment including a small climbing frame. The structures are recommended for children aged 2 to 10/12 years old and preferably accompanied by parents.
The Hyde Park playground is open from 5 am to midnight, seven days a week – throughout the entire year.
The park is located within Hyde Park – London (W2 2UH). You can reach it by underground from Lancaster Gate – Marble Arch (Central Line) and Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line).
The children’s area has recently been expanded to accommodate many more people who can play together – without queuing. There are plenty of animals roaming freely and there’s also a riding school.
A playground designed by children for children, which combines respect for the environment with the desire to play and have fun in complete peace and safety.
Ideal for children aged 6 to 16 years old, this area is completely dedicated to them and built within a park that features many flowers and a delightful pond. The games have been designed and constructed in wood by the young people who frequent the park, and you’ll find swings, walkways, bridges, a tower 20 metres high and then nets – slides and much more besides.
Lollart Street Adventure Playground is open from 3.30 pm to 7 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The park is located at 10 Lollart Street – London – (SE11 6XP), accessible by underground from Kennington and Vauxhall stations (a ten-minute walk from the park).
Before entering the playground, a form must be completed by the parents and handed to the staff on duty. Additionally, young people don’t need to be accompanied, as they are supervised by the attendants who are within the area.
By this point, everyone will undoubtedly be feeling a bit peckish, so a visit to a child-friendly venue where the occasional tantrum or burst of boisterous laughter won’t draw disapproving glances is more than welcome.
But where should you head? You can’t go wrong with M&M’s World at Leicester Square (which hardly needs introducing) or the Rainforest Café, which, as the name suggests, is quite literally set within a rainforest!
Only venture into the Hamleys Toy Shop on Regent Street if you’re prepared to give in to your children’s wishes—it’s simply one of the world’s most stocked toy shops!
City Card allow you to save on public transport and / or on the entrances to the main tourist attractions.
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