London With Kids: Planning a Family Trip to London
Visiting London with kids is actually much easier than many people expect. The city is very family-friendly, public transport is easy to use, and there are lots of attractions specifically designed for children, including museums, parks, boat rides, playgrounds and interactive attractions.
One of the best things about London for families is that many major museums are free, which means you can go in for an hour or two without worrying about wasting money if children get bored. Attractions are also spread across central London, so it is easy to group activities together and avoid too much travelling.
When planning a trip to London with children, it is best to mix famous landmarks with fun attractions and parks, rather than trying to visit too many historic buildings in one day. London works best for families when you plan one main attraction, one museum or activity, and some time in a park or open space each day.
This guide covers family attractions, museums, parks, transport tips and itinerary ideas, so you can plan a trip that both adults and children will enjoy.
Best Family Attractions in London
There are many attractions specifically designed for families, and some of the most popular places for visitors travelling to London with kids are located around Westminster and the South Bank, where several attractions are close together.
The London Eye is one of the most popular family attractions because it is exciting for children but also provides fantastic views of the city. Nearby, you will also find SEA LIFE London Aquarium, which is very popular with younger children.
The London Dungeon is another attraction in the same area, although it is usually better for older children rather than very young kids because it can be quite dark and loud.
Madame Tussauds is another very popular family attraction where visitors can see wax figures of celebrities, film characters and historical figures. Children often enjoy the film and superhero sections the most.
These attractions are all quite expensive individually, which is why many families look at London attraction passes if they plan to visit several attractions in a short trip.
Best Museums for Children in London
London is one of the best cities in the world for museums for children, especially because many of them are free and very interactive.
The Natural History Museum is one of the best museums for families, with dinosaur skeletons, animal exhibits and one of the most impressive museum buildings in London. Right next door is the Science Museum, which has interactive exhibitions, space displays and hands-on science exhibits that are very popular with children.
The Transport Museum in Covent Garden is another excellent museum for children, especially for younger kids who enjoy buses, trains and the London Underground. The museum includes old London buses and trains that children can explore.
Museums are perfect when visiting London with children, especially on rainy days, because they are indoors, educational and often free.
Many families spend an entire day in South Kensington, where the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum are all located very close together.
Parks, Playgrounds and Outdoor Spaces
London has a lot of parks and green spaces, which makes it a great city to visit with children who need breaks from sightseeing. Visiting parks is often what makes a London trip enjoyable for families rather than exhausting.
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are some of the best parks for families. Kensington Gardens includes the Diana Memorial Playground, which is one of the best playgrounds in London and very popular with children.
St James’s Park, located near Buckingham Palace, is another great park to visit with children because you can see ducks, swans and pelicans, and it is a nice place to relax between sightseeing.
Regent’s Park is also a good park for families and is located near London Zoo, which can be combined into a full day out.
Adding parks into your itinerary is very important when visiting London with kids, because children usually enjoy the trip much more if sightseeing is mixed with outdoor time and playgrounds.
Getting Around London With Kids
One of the biggest concerns for families visiting London is transport, but getting around London with kids is actually quite easy once you understand how the system works. The London Underground, buses and trains cover almost the entire city, and most major attractions are located in central London.
Children under a certain age can travel free on buses and the Underground when travelling with an adult, which makes public transport much cheaper for families than in many other major cities. Buses are often easier with children because you don’t have to go up and down stairs into Underground stations, and you also get to see the city while travelling.
The Underground is usually the fastest way to travel across London, especially between areas like Westminster, the City of London, South Kensington and Camden. However, some stations have a lot of stairs, so it is sometimes worth checking whether stations have lifts if you are travelling with a pushchair.
Many families use contactless bank cards or Apple Pay/Google Pay rather than buying travel tickets, as this is usually the easiest way to pay for transport in London.
Planning your day so that you visit attractions in the same area rather than travelling across the city multiple times makes travelling with children much easier.
Family-Friendly Areas to Stay in London
Choosing the right area to stay is very important when visiting London with kids, because London is a very large city and travelling long distances every day can be tiring for children.
Areas such as Westminster, South Bank and Covent Garden are very good locations for families because they are close to many major attractions and you can walk to places like the London Eye, Big Ben, river walks and theatres.
South Kensington is another excellent area for families because it is close to the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. This area is slightly quieter than central London but still very well connected by Underground.
Paddington is also a good area for families because it has good transport connections, restaurants and hotels, and it is close to Hyde Park.
When visiting London with children, it is usually best to stay in central London or near an Underground station on a main line, so you do not spend too much time travelling each day.
London With Kids Itinerary Ideas
When planning a trip to London with children, it is usually best to plan each day around one main attraction and one or two smaller activities, rather than trying to visit too many places in one day.
A typical family day in London might include a major attraction in the morning, a museum or park in the afternoon, and a simple activity like a river walk or boat ride later in the day. This keeps the day interesting without being too exhausting.
For example, one day could include the London Eye, a walk along the South Bank and a river cruise, while another day could include the Natural History Museum, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens playground.
Another good day could include the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and a river walk, which are all located close together.
Planning your days by area is the best way to enjoy London with kids, because it reduces travel time and makes the trip less tiring for children.
Is a London Attraction Pass Worth It for Families?
Many families consider buying a London attraction pass because many of the most popular attractions for children are quite expensive when bought individually.
Attractions such as the London Eye, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, river cruises and hop-on hop-off buses can add up quickly if you are paying for multiple people. Attraction passes can sometimes save money if you plan to visit several paid attractions in a short period of time.
However, attraction passes are not always cheaper for every family. London also has many free museums, parks and attractions, so some families prefer to visit mostly free attractions and only pay for one or two major attractions.
Before buying a pass, it is usually best to plan which attractions you actually want to visit and then compare the total cost of individual tickets with the price of the pass. This helps you decide whether the pass is worth it for your trip.
For families who want to visit several major attractions, a pass can make planning easier and sometimes reduce the overall cost of sightseeing.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Travelling to London with children can be a fantastic experience, but a little planning makes the trip much easier:
- Plan one main attraction per day: Trying to do too much in London can be exhausting for children.
- Use buses as well as the Underground: Buses are easier with pushchairs and you get to see the city while travelling.
- Visit parks regularly: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and St James’s Park are great places for breaks.
- Book popular attractions in advance: The London Eye and Madame Tussauds often sell out.
- Mix museums and fun attractions: This keeps children interested and avoids too many historic buildings in a row.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Frequently Asked Questions About London With Kids
Is London good for families with children?
Yes, London is a very family-friendly city with museums, parks, attractions and public transport that make it easy to visit with children.
What are the best attractions in London for kids?
Popular attractions for families include the London Eye, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Tower of London, river cruises, London Zoo and Madame Tussauds.
Do children travel free on London public transport?
Children under a certain age can travel free on buses and the Underground when travelling with an adult, which makes public transport very affordable for families.
How many days do you need in London with kids?
Most families find that three to four days is a good amount of time to see major attractions without rushing too much.
Which area of London is best to stay with kids?
Westminster, South Bank, Covent Garden, South Kensington and Paddington are all good areas because they are central and well connected by public transport.
Further Reading & Related London Guides
If you are planning a family trip, start with our London Itinerary Guide, which explains how to plan your days, group attractions by area and avoid spending too much time travelling across the city.
You may also want to read our London in 3 Days guide, which is a good example itinerary for first-time visitors and can easily be adapted for families by adding parks and museums.
Our Getting Around London and Oyster vs Contactless guides are especially useful when visiting London with children, as they explain how public transport works, the cheapest ways to travel and how children travel for free.
If you are planning to visit several attractions such as the London Eye, Madame Tussauds or river cruises, you should also read our London Attraction Pass Comparison guide to see whether a sightseeing pass could save your family money.
These guides together will help you plan a London trip that is easy to navigate, well organised and enjoyable for both adults and children.
Last Updated
April 2026
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