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The 26 greatest issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers

The 26 greatest issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers

Itโ€™s simple to suppose it’s best to postpone a household vacation in London till your youngsters are a bit older โ€“ however the metropolis is filled with youngsters, and with so many issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers, thereโ€™s no purpose to attend.

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Iโ€™ve been exploring London with my daughter since she was a child โ€“ she was a toddler after we first visited among the main museums and braved the tube with a buggy, so the bottom line is planning rigorously and selecting your points of interest correctly.

Whereas all these concepts are focused at youngsters aged 5 and beneath, as any guardian is aware of, thereโ€™s an enormous variation between an 18-month-old toddler, and a four-year-old preschooler, fairly other than accounting for their very own likes and dislikes โ€“ however with concepts for 26 issues to do in London with younger youngsters, all really helpful primarily based by myself expertise, youโ€™ll have loads of inspiration for an important time out.

London Zoo

With greater than 750 completely different species and 1000’s of animals to find on the zoo โ€“ the worldโ€™s third oldest after Vienna and Paris โ€“ this makes a implausible time out in London with toddlers.

Sprawling throughout 15 hectares, you do want to permit not less than half a day to take advantage of it. There are three colour-coded routes, so in case your youngsters have just a few favourites they need to see, itโ€™s simple to focus first on the furred and feathered inhabitants theyโ€™ll love most.

There are particular areas for various habitats, from rainforest to penguin seaside, in addition to the land of the lions, gorilla kingdom, the prospect to stroll with lemurs plus reptiles and bugsโ€ฆ too many to depend actually. There are a few walkthrough enclosures that are particularly enjoyable for little ones (until youโ€™re nervous about little grabby arms close to the animals).

Tickets price from ยฃ27.70 for adults, from ยฃ19.40 for kids aged 3-15. Below threes go free, and you can even prebook flexi tickets, plus there are discounted choices for these on Common Credit score (and another advantages).

Try my tips about visiting London Zoo with youngsters together with tips about discovering reductions

The 26 greatest issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers

Battersea Park Kidsโ€™s Zoo

This little kidsโ€™s zoo is nice for youthful youngsters โ€“ much less overwhelming than the primary London zoo, much less far to stroll round and nonetheless loads of animals to thrill, particularly when youโ€™re wanting time (a few hours is loads) or visiting London on a funds.

As a result of whereas London Zoo is a implausible time out with youngsters, thereโ€™s no query that itโ€™s a pricy one โ€“ and for youthful toddlers, theyโ€™re typically as excited by a rabbit as one thing uncommon and unique.

You gainedโ€™t discover greater creatures however there are monkeys and lemurs, wallabies, cattle, birds, reptiles and various small furry issues. Thereโ€™s additionally an journey playground to entertain โ€“ in addition to loads of house within the park across the zoo.

Tickets price ยฃ17.50 for adults, ยฃ13.95 for teenagers aged over two, beneath twos are free. Household tickets are additionally obtainable. On-line tickets are legitimate for 30 days from buy.

You can even discover extra of Londonโ€™s smaller zoos, together with a bit of free zoo in north London โ€“ try this submit for extra, in addition to our time out at Battersea Park Kidsโ€™s Zoo

Sea Life London aquarium

A beautiful various to townโ€™s zoos for animal lovers, Londonโ€™s aquarium is a good place to go to with youthful youngsters โ€“ theย Sea Life London Aquariumย close to the London Eye can get busy at peak occasions and on wet days although.

One of many greatest collections in Europe, the aquarium homes over 500 species, 14 themed zones and greater than 2 million litres of water with some uncommon creatures, in addition to some favourites together with penguins and clownfish.

Tickets price from ยฃ28 for adults, from ยฃ25 for teenagers when you ebook on-line, and youngsters beneath two go free.

Try my overview of go to to Sea Life London aquarium with youngsters

Grey rabbit sitting on straw in a hutch - one of the animals you can find in the city farms in London with toddlers and preschoolers

Go to a metropolis farm

If you happen toโ€™re visiting London with youngsters who love animals, add one of many many metropolis farms to your listing โ€“ there are half a dozen websites dotted across the capital that are free to go to.

For instance Freightliners Metropolis Farmย (between Caledonian Highway tube and Highbury & Islington) has some uncommon breeds, as doesย Spitalfields Metropolis Farm.

Atย Vauxhall Metropolis Farm, youโ€™ll discover alpacas alongside farmyard animals and even a few cats, whereas there are llamas atย Mudchute.ย Hackney Metropolis Farmย has some smaller fluffy inhabitants together with rabbits and guinea pigs in addition to bigger creatures too.

For extra concepts of free issues to do in London with youngsters, try this submit

Open-top bus tour

London isnโ€™t a small metropolis, and strolling for miles isnโ€™t going to go down properly with youthful youngsters โ€“ moderately than sporting out your individual legs, or heading underground to catch the tube, itโ€™s simple to mix getting round with some sightseeing on an open-top bus tour.

Advert showing an image of a printable scavenger hunt for London's iconic sights and the words 'click here to buy your scavenger hunt for finding some of the iconic sights of London with kids, only 99p'

London has numerousย open-top bus sightseeing excursionsย to select from so there are many completely different choices, relying which routes and occasions you need โ€“ try my comparability of the most effective bus excursions in London with youngsters right here.

Tootbusย (previously The Unique Tour firm) has a particular 45-minute London Children tour which is enjoyable for brief consideration spans, in addition to the basic hop-on hop-off tour across the metropolis.

Get 25% off utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS25 when you ebook earlier than the tip of August 2026.

Or the Londonย Massive Bus Excursionsย has its personal hop-on hop-off routes, with 24 and 48-hour tickets obtainable. Children beneath 5 go free, though if you wish to assure a seat, it may be clever to ebook in busy vacation intervals โ€“ having a toddler in your knee is one factor, having a four-year-old sitting there’s much less enjoyable!

Mix sightseeing with snacking on board one of many themed afternoon tea bus excursions from B-Bakery, together with Peppa Pig and Paddington excursions โ€“ plus thereโ€™s 5% off commonplace seats when you ebook utilizing my code MumTravels5 (min spend ยฃ115).

Collage of images from the Peppa Pig afternoon tea from B-Bakery in London

Hop on a ship

One other enjoyable method to sightsee is by taking to the Thames โ€“ in my expertise, that is higher with preschoolers than toddlers, who are likely to get bored on an extended journey down the river.

If you happen toโ€™re cautious about paying for a sightseeing cruise that your youngsters won’t love, or from being caught on a ship for ages, itโ€™s simple to get a bit of style and hop aboard Uber Boat by Thames Clippers which runs common routes alongside the river, and you’ll pay as you go.

Try extra of the completely different boat excursions of London with youngsters for extra concepts

Itโ€™s not essentially the quickest method to get round, however you could possibly cruise a few stops from round Westminster, Waterloo or Embankment right down to the Tower of London, for instance (or the other way).

Metropolis Cruisesย additionally has numerous sightseeing cruises which allow you to hop on and off, together with ones with afternoon tea so you’ll be able to benefit from the sights over some scones to assist entertain your youngsters.

One of the City Cruises boats on the Thames in London with the London Eye in the background - one of the best boat trips in London with kids

Discover Paddington

For little followers of Paddington Bear (and who isnโ€™t?), you’ll be able to spot Paddington in a number of locations round London.

Begin with a go to to Paddington Station, the place the furry hero of the books was first discovered by the Browns and obtained his identify.

The lifesize bronze statue with the label asking individuals to take care of this bear is again in its traditional residence by Platform 1, after a quick stint close to the Praed Road entrance. Hold an eye fixed out for a plaque marking his appearances on the web page and on display screen too.

Youโ€™ll additionally discover the Paddington bench within the station, the place youngsters can pose for images subsequent to him.

You may even let Paddington be your information to London too โ€“ certainly one of my picks for the most effective youngstersโ€™ books about London โ€“ or try the most effective locations to search out Paddington in London

The Paddington bear bench at Paddington station - a lovely way to theme a day out in London with toddlers and preschoolers

The station can also be the place to begin for theย Pawprint Path, with three of the Paddington statues from the 2014 assortment dotted across the metropolis.

For a much less well-known statue of Paddington, head to St Maryโ€™s Churchyard at close by Paddington Inexperienced, the place youโ€™ll discover him commemorated along with his creator Michael Bond, one of manyย Sustrans portrait benchesย dotted across the nation. Or he additionally pops up with a marmalade sandwich in Leicester Sq..

For extra issues to do round Leicester Sq. with youngsters, try my high picks

Pure Historical past Museum

Top-of-the-line museums in London with a toddler โ€“ though older youngsters will even like it right here too โ€“ thereโ€™s the prospect to see Andyโ€™s clock in the event that theyโ€™re followers of CBeebies exhibits Andyโ€™s Dinosaur Adventures and Andyโ€™s Prehistoric Adventures, plus the well-known dinosaurs and blue whale skeleton within the entrance corridor.

Thatโ€™s all simply the beginning of what you’ll be able to see on theย Pure Historical past Museum. Braver preschoolers will love the earth sciences part, together with a simulated earthquake, after being whisked upstairs by an escalator rising in direction of dramatic rumbles and pink gentle.

Advert showing an image of a printable scavenger hunt for the Natural History Museum in London and the words 'click here to buy your scavenger hunt for a visit to the Natural History Museum in London with kids, only 99p'

My daughter couldnโ€™t even be persuaded on the escalator as a toddler however youthful ones will benefit from the mammals part and you’ll actually have a little break within the gardens as properly, together with the Evolution backyard for some extra dinosaurs.

Itโ€™s unsurprisingly common, so the free tickets for weekends and college holidays do get snapped up quick when you canโ€™t go on a weekday โ€“ donโ€™t depart it too late to ebook, or take advantage of visiting earlier than faculty begins.

For my tips about visiting theย Pure Historical past Museum with younger youngsters, click on right here

View of the whale skeleton hanging in the Hintze Hall of the Natural History Museum in London - one of our 2020 family travel days out

Science Museum

A brief stroll from the Pure Historical past Museum, theย Science Museum is one other of my favorite locations to go to with youthful youngsters and other than the interactive displays of Wonderlab, which does have a reserving price, thereโ€™s no cost to go to.

Toddlers and youthful youngsters will love the hands-on space known as The Backyard, together with a water play space, making music, sensory shows, puppets and large blocks.

For extra issues to do in South Kensington with youngsters, try my choose of the most effective

The Sample Pod is one other nice one for preschoolers โ€“ it’s possible you’ll have to put your identify down on an inventory at busier occasions as numbers are restricted, so itโ€™s value checking as quickly as you arrive.

Not forgetting the fabulous gallery full of automobiles, in addition to the house gallery and shows on communications โ€“ successfully an outline of 250 years of scientific and technological advances which have reworked our on a regular basis life.

Prebooking is really helpful throughout holidays and at weekends and also youโ€™re suggested to permit not less than two hours for a go to.ย 

For my tips about visiting theย Science Museum with youngsters, click on right here.

Image showing a graphic of the London Eye on the Essential Guide to London with kids ebook cover, and the words 'click to buy my 33-page guide to London. Itineraries, tips and all you need to know before a visit to London with kids' linking to my the London with kids shop page

Victoria & Albert Museum

The third huge South Kensington museum, theย Victoria & Albert Museumย (or V&A) is one which regularly will get neglected by households โ€“ however thereโ€™s extra to see and do right here than you may count on, when youโ€™re visiting London with toddlers.

The worldโ€™s largest museum of ornamental and utilized arts has some implausible household actions to strive, even for the youngest guests, that are nice for bringing the gathering to life.

See the costumes from the Lion King, eye-catchingly dramatic court docket clothes, and a really sudden automaton of a tiger consuming a person, in addition to statues, sculptures and extra, itโ€™s a wonderful treasure trove to discover with youngsters.

Prebooking is really helpful throughout the holidays, though the V&A tends to be the quieter of the South Kensington museums. There are additionally free household occasions throughout faculty holidays and a few weekends, in addition to digital and bodily trails to comply with (the household backpacks are at the moment unavailable).

For my tips aboutย visiting the V&A with youngsters, click on right here

The main hall of the Young V&A museum in east London with cafe tables in the centre and a huge yellow sign reading DESIGN - one of the best things to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers

Younger V&A

The sister museum to the V&A in South Kensington, the previous London Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Inexperienced reopened in summer time 2023 with a brand new look and a brand new identify โ€“ theย Younger V&A.

With its shows of toys and video games, it has been a household favorite for years (not least for the nostalgia worth), and the much-loved highlights are additionally again โ€“ look out for one of many authentic Paddington Bear toys.

Nevertheless whereas the constructing is identical grand corridor, youngsters have been concerned in arising with the redesigned look, now themed round three galleries: Play, Think about and Design.

Better of all there are many probabilities to get arms on, whether or not thatโ€™s creating your individual board recreation, listening to storytelling, or hitting the sandpit, in addition to new gadgets happening show, with a complete of two,000 gadgets to take pleasure in.

Free to enter, it does get very busy at weekends, so arrive early when you can.

Striking a pose in the British Museum, on one of the activity trails around the Asia gallery that's aimed at preschoolers

British Museum

You undoubtedly donโ€™t must be faculty age to benefit from the British Museum, however that is one place that I might advocate for older preschoolers moderately than toddlers, with some enjoyable trails designed for these aged three and up.

Theyโ€™re a good way to introduce youthful guests to among the 80,000+ gadgets on show, with trails themed round numbers and colors, as a simple to method to convey among the artefacts to life. Try my go to to the British Museum with a three-year-old for extra inspiration.

In any other case, the mummies and the Historical Egypt galleries are among the many hottest (and often the busiest) however are by no means lower than fascinating. However you’ll be able to uncover Anglo Saxon treasure, video games which date again 1000’s of years, gods, jewels, on a regular basis gadgets and distinctive finds, to not point out Romans, Greeks, Vikings and an enormous quantity extra.

Solely the particular exhibitions have a cost โ€“ prebooking free tickets is really helpful at busy occasions and you’ll obtain trails upfront (restricted paper copies obtainable), with two of the Museum Explorer trails geared toward age 3-5.

For my tips about visiting theย British Museum with youngsters, click on right here.

The Horniman Museum

The one disadvantage to this pretty museum is that itโ€™s exterior central London, as a result of with a bit of little bit of all the pieces, itโ€™s significantly enjoyable with youthful youngsters โ€“ splendid in case your toddlers really feel overwhelmed by town too.

With galleries on completely different themes, theย Hornimanย is sweet for little consideration spans as you’ll be able to wander from the well-known walrus in pure historical past to world music and tradition, to see butterflies and wander the grounds exterior, the place youโ€™ll discover extra animals. EDIT: The Pure Historical past galleries are closed till later in 2026

My daughter looks at a stuffed fox, one of the interactive exhibits at the Horniman museum - my ultimate guide to London's museums and tips for London museums with toddlers and kids

The Nature Base provides youngsters an opportunity to get arms on, together with stroking a stuffed fox and badger, whereas older ones can be taught extra about conservation too.

Thereโ€™s additionally a bit of aquarium, which has a small cost โ€“ as do the non permanent exhibitions โ€“ however in any other case itโ€™s free.ย The museum could be reached by prepare from London Bridge station.

Learn extra about my go to to theย Horniman museum with youngstersย right here.

Postal Museum

The Postal Museum won’t be townโ€™s best-known museum, however there are a few the reason why itโ€™s an important one when youโ€™re on the lookout for issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers.

To begin with, you’ll be able to hop on board theย Mail Rail โ€“ beneath the museum are the unique tunnels and station platforms of Londonโ€™s 100-year-old postal railway, which as soon as delivered mail throughout town.ย 

It stopped getting used again in 2003 which signifies that guests can now journey by way of those self same tunnels on a miniature prepare.

Itโ€™s additionally residence to Sorted! The Postal Play Area โ€“ a play space thatโ€™s designed as a mini city, with streets and buildings, plus tons to push, pull, slide down and extra. Classes final 45 minutes and have to be prebooked.

Tickets price ยฃ20.50 for adults, ยฃ11 for teenagers aged 2-17 together with limitless visits to the museum for one 12 months and a single experience on Mail Rail. Sorted prices ยฃ5 for kids aged 1-8 and ยฃ2.50 for accompanying adults.

For extra tips about visiting Londonโ€™s museums with toddlers and preschoolers, try this submit

View of some of the vintage vehicles in the main hall of the London Transport Museum - a visit to check out the London Transport Museum Christmas events

London Transport Museum

There are few toddlers who arenโ€™t fascinated by automobiles โ€“ which makes this museum small little one heaven, full with classic buses, previous tube trains you’ll be able to climb inside, and numerous different interactive components.

Preschoolers will love the London Transport museum too (as will any older siblings), as you go on a journey by way of Londonโ€™s transport historical past, from sedan chairs, carriages and river transport by way of to the primary omnibus and later taxis, doubledecker buses and the underground.

With numerous quirky info, together with the eye-watering quantity of dung scooped off Londonโ€™s streets throughout the days of horse-drawn automobiles, and many shows the place you will get arms on, thereโ€™s tons to entertain youngsters.

For youthful guests aged beneath seven, thereโ€™s additionally the All Aboard play space, with a fleet of mini automobiles and dressing up (riverboat captain or bus driver? Hmmm), plus the Child DLR space if there are even youthful siblings to entertain.

Tickets price ยฃ25 for adults, together with limitless return visits for a 12 months, and is free for teenagers โ€“ you will get a reduction when you ebook by way of tiqets utilizing my code, MUMMYTRAVELS6. Thereโ€™s additionally an off-peak move obtainable.

Try my overview of a go to to the London Transport Museum with youngsters and the museumโ€™s Acton depot

Uncover Kidsโ€™s Story Centre

You donโ€™t have to have the ability to learn to get misplaced in tales at Uncover: Kidsโ€™s Story Centreย in Londonโ€™s Stratford, geared toward youngsters aged from 0 to 11.

This implausible multi-sensory play house in east London is ideal for younger kids, full with two flooring of magical Story Worlds and a Story Backyard, that includes all the pieces from a pirate ship to a spacecraft and loads of different enjoyable imaginary lands for teenagers to discover.

There are numerous timed actions and you’ll construct your individual session, together with any particular exhibitions and storytelling, plus the play areas throughout the 2 predominant flooring.

Tickets price from ยฃ10 for adults and kids aged over two, ยฃ5.50 for one-year-olds, and beneath ones go free. There are additionally household tickets, whereas exhibitions and a few actions have an added cost of round ยฃ2-ยฃ5.

Certainly one of my high uncommon issues to do in London with youngsters โ€“ you’ll be able to try the remainder right here

A view towards the London Eye against a blue sky, with the river Thames and the old County Hall building seen in the foreground - if you're looking for things to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers, fast track tickets are definitely a good idea

London Eye

Thereโ€™s one thing very enjoyable about crusing round above London in an up to date ferris wheel thatโ€™s going to attraction to a whole lot of youthful youngsters, particularly if they will select some London landmarks from on excessive.

Nevertheless, tickets to the London Eye arenโ€™t low-cost, so itโ€™s one other attraction that Iโ€™d advocate for preschoolers moderately than toddlers, particularly those that are more likely to get bored quick or need to run round. Too little, they usually simply gainedโ€™t admire the expertise.

When you suppose your youngsters are going to take pleasure in hovering above town, itโ€™s value testing quick observe tickets โ€“ there are all the time timed slots in your โ€˜flightโ€™ however that also entails an inexpensive quantity of queuing, so the quick observe possibility allows you to to skip the queue.

You’ll be able to select between two choices, the place you get precedence boarding at a particular time, or costlier open tickets, the place you flip up everytime you need and get precedence boarding. You can even discover mixed tickets with different Merlin points of interest on the South Financial institution, together with the aquarium.

Image showing a graphic of London's iconic sights and the words 'click to read my quick start guide to London, all the essentials you need to know before a visit to London with kids' linking to my blog post guide to London with kids

Discover the Sky Backyard

For a backyard thatโ€™s moderately completely different out of your common park, head to theย Sky Backyard, Londonโ€™s highest public backyard.

Sitting on the high of the skyscraper Londoners know because the Walkie Talkie constructing (when youโ€™re scuffling with instructions, it helps to know what to identify), the backyard is free to go to, though you do have to ebook upfront to absorb the views and to have ID to enter.

With a coated terrace, you will get some wonderful views throughout to the Shard (which has its personal spectacular views!), St Paulโ€™s, Tower Bridge and alongside the Thames throughout your hour slot.

Not removed from Monument station, you can even stroll previous the well-known Monument itself on the best way (whether or not you fancy singing Londonโ€™s Burning collectively is as much as you!)

For extra of the most effective viewpoints in London with youngsters, try my high picks together with some extra free choices

View across the grass to the lake in St James's park on a summer's day - the royal parks are a great place to visit in London with toddlers and preschoolers

Go to a park

London is a a lot greener metropolis than you may count on, with parks galore throughout town โ€“ every has its personal points of interest, so that theyโ€™re locations in their very own proper, but additionally nice to mix with an indoor attraction.

Coramโ€™s Fields is strolling distance from the British Museum, for instance, so a good way to burn off some power after wanting on the displays. Or Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are a great possibility when youโ€™ve been to the close by museums and are on the lookout for extra issues to do in South Kensington with youngsters.

Kensington Gardens can also be residence to the spectacular Diana Princess of Wales playground (click on right here for extra concepts of the most effective playgrounds in London), whereas Hyde Park has the Diana Memorial fountains, or you could possibly spot pelicans at St Jamesโ€™s Park, throughout the river from the London Eye.

EDIT: The playground is now closed till summer time 2026 (date tbc) for refurbishment

Somewhat additional west, there are peacocks in Holland Park whereas Regentโ€™s Park surrounds the zoo.

Or when youโ€™re heading out of the centre, you’ll be able toโ€™t miss the dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park.

Try my submit on the most effective free issues to do in London with youngsters for extra particulars on Londonโ€™s parks

The ship in the sand at the heart of the Diana Memorial playground in Kensington Gardens - one of the great free things to do in London with kids

Try a playground

Generally all you want is a little bit of time taking part in to spice up flagging power ranges โ€“ and also youโ€™ll discover play areas each in Londonโ€™s parks and dotted across the metropolis for when toddlers and preschoolers want a break from exploring.

A stoneโ€™s throw from the London Eye, Jubilee Park & Backyard has its personal playground for instance.

For playgrounds which are nearly locations in their very own proper, the Diana Memorial Playground is without doubt one of the greatest recognized, within the north-western nook of Kensington Gardens, with an enormous picket pirate ship as its centrepiece, plus a sensory path, play sculptures and lots extra.

EDIT: The Diana Memorial Playground will likely be closed from November 3, 2025 till summer time 2026 (date tbc) for refurbishment

Thereโ€™s a toddler playground in Holland Park, in addition to its journey playground for extra adventurous preschoolers, whereas when youโ€™re out by the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Tumbling Bay playground has sand, wobbly bridges, swimming pools and extra to play in.

Or in Greenwich, this new play space by the Nationwide Maritime Museum places different playgrounds within the shade.ย The Coveย is all set round a ship with sea creatures, designed to convey kidsโ€™s imaginations to life in addition to letting them climb, clamber and play to their coronary heartโ€™s content material.

And for someplace actually particular, head to Paddington Recreation Floor playground, aka Paddington Rec close to Maida Vale tube โ€“ designed for all ages and skills, itโ€™s supposed to encourage artistic playโ€ฆ youโ€™ll discover a steamliner, prepare, tunnel, musical devices, a forest play space among the many bushes, plus the spotlight, pastel colored playhouses which appear like terraced homes.

Click on right here for extra concepts of the most effective playgrounds in London

Fountains near the Royal Festival Hall with the London Eye in the background - my London Instawalk along the South Bank

Splash within the fountains

That is one to avoid wasting for a sunny day, however when town basks in a heatwave, the most effective factor to do in London with younger youngsters is to splash in one of many fountains which have began popping up in recent times.

A number of the greatest are at Granary Sq. close to Kings Cross. Made up of 1,080 separate jets, they dance in patterns, as youngsters splash excitedly amongst them.

You can even discover extra fountains within the courtyard of Somerset Home off the Strand, in addition to The Riverside at Extra London close to Tower Bridge, 200 jets organized in traces which spring as much as catch the unwary.

Or try the Showing Rooms on the South Financial institution, an artwork set up created from the fountains right here which spring into life, vanish and reappear once more. Do come ready with spare garments, and youngsters have to put on a high on this explicit splash zone!

For extra issues to do on the South Financial institution with youngsters, try my suggestions

Get pleasure from some avenue theatre

One of many nice joys of London is just wandering round, seeing whatโ€™s on and discovering one thing new โ€“ though when youโ€™re visiting London with toddlers and preschoolers, a particular objective is commonly higher than an aimless wander to see what you see.

So head for Covent Backyard and the South Financial institution, the place thereโ€™s nearly all the time one thing to entertain. At Covent Backyard, the road performers audition for the coveted slots right here, so that you may spot something from magic tips to music.

On the South Financial institution, you could possibly stumble throughout something from a pageant to a short lived seaside โ€“ however even when thereโ€™s nothing explicit happening, the pedestrianised bankside is beautiful for a stroll (with excessive partitions so that youโ€™re not going to lose toddlers into the Thames), the little playground of Jubilee gardens and the Golden carousel simply past.

My daughter walks across a rope bridge in the Children's Garden at Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens

With 300 acres to discover, it fairly merely takes years to see all of Kew Gardens โ€“ my daughterโ€™s first go to got here at just a few weeks previous, and Iโ€™ve misplaced observe of what number of occasions weโ€™ve been again sinceโ€ฆ however we nonetheless often uncover one thing new on this nook of west London.

The youngstersโ€™s playground right here is implausible: impressed by themes like gentle and earth, thereโ€™s all the pieces from water play to climbing and mini trampolines thatโ€™s big enjoyable, and suits properly along with your environment.

Youโ€™ll additionally discover common household trails and child-friendly actions throughout faculty holidays; earlier ones have included a Beano-themed occasion and one other themed round Shaun the Sheep.

Add in countless house to run round, different sudden highlights just like the dragons on the pagoda and a carved statue of a bear, the buzzing Hive set up, plus some excellent ice cream, and itโ€™s a beautiful time out at any time of 12 months.

Tickets price from ยฃ17 for adults off-peak, ยฃ2 for kids aged 4 to fifteen when you ebook upfront. Below fours enter free. You now not have to ebook separate tickets for the Kidsโ€™s Backyard

Learn my suggestions for visiting Kew Gardens with youngsters

London Wetland Centre

Simply throughout the river from Hammersmith, the beautiful London Wetland Centre at Barnes is one other enjoyable time out with preschoolers and toddlers in London.

In addition to paths by way of the wetlands, youโ€™ll discover common household occasions right here too โ€“ for instance large Lego sculptures have appeared on a number of events โ€“ in addition to toddler pleasant actions like pond dipping, plus a really enjoyable playground with tunnels to scramble by way of and extra water play (so spare garments are a great plan).

My daughter looks at a bird on one of the paths through the gardens at the London Wetland Centre in Barnes

Itโ€™s additionally residence to a pair of short-clawed Asian otters: typically exhausting to identify exterior feeding time, youโ€™ll see them scampering round when meals seems, playfully pestering employees with an affectionate nibble on their wellies in the event that theyโ€™re being sluggish with the fish, and darting and frolicking within the water.

Tickets price ยฃ17.10 for adults, from ยฃ11.12 for kids aged 4 and up. Below fours go free and there are household tickets obtainable.

Cutty Sark

One of many first stuff you see as you step off the boat at Greenwich pier or out of Cutty Sark DLR, a go to to theย historic clipper shipย makes a very uncommon time out with a preschooler.

Itโ€™s an alternative choice thatโ€™s higher with barely older youngsters than toddlers, not least due to the journey to Greenwich (until you occur to be staying there), though itโ€™s good to mix with a ship journey alongside the Thames.

If you happen to do fancy making a day of it in Greenwich, head to the Nationwide Maritime Museum as properly โ€“ itโ€™s free to enter, and youngsters can play with the interactive nice map, whereas preschoolers will benefit from the Sea Issues gallery

There are kidsโ€™s trails to comply with across the Cutty Sark however you can even wander by way of the ship peeking inside cabins, discovering the cargo she carried, plus numerous interactive shows together with an opportunity to strive crusing a digital ship (more durable than it seems!)

Better of all, you’ll be able to discover proper from the copper-bottomed hull to the deck (be careful for the carved monkey).ย Get discounted tickets by way of tiqets utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6ย 

Learn what we considered a go to to theย Cutty Sark with a preschooler.

Audio exhibit at the Cutty Sark with kids

Go to the theatre

The West Finish is rightfully well-known for its theatre, however thereโ€™s loads for youthful guests to take pleasure in as properly, with nice toddler-friendly exhibits and a few wonderful kidsโ€™s theatres.

The Little Angel Theatre in Islington has some fabulous puppet and marionette exhibits, which even the youngest youngsters will likely be mesmerised by, whereas the Unicorn Theatre close to London Bridge has exhibits geared toward mini theatregoers aged six months and up.

In south-west London, the Rose Theatre in Kingston typically has diversifications of Julia Donaldson books, whereas the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon can also be vastly child-friendly.

However youโ€™ll discover performances in central London as properly: on the Theatre Royal Haymarket, the Tiger Who Got here To Tea has been an everyday summer time possibility. Be careful for Children Week too (which truly lasts for over a month in late July and August) with free little one seats, or exhibits primarily based on Julia Donaldson books.

Suggestions for visiting London with toddlers and preschoolers

Donโ€™t pack an excessive amount of in โ€“ with youthful youngsters, you’ll be able to simply fill a day with one attraction and an opportunity to play within the parks or playgrounds, or some low-key sightseeing like an open-top bus tour.

Restrict your travelling โ€“ London is an enormous metropolis, so you could possibly simply end up needing to criss-cross backwards and forwards on the tube to pack all the pieces in, which is tiring for littler ones. If you happen to can spend the day in a single space or inside strolling distance, itโ€™s lots simpler.

Bus or tube? If in case you have a buggy, be ready to hold it down stairs in a whole lot of tube stations, as there are restricted lifts โ€“ try my suggestions for utilizing the London Underground with toddlers. Buses could be extra simple however you might need to fold your buggy and thereโ€™s a restrict to what number of are allowed on.

Keep someplace central โ€“ when youโ€™re visiting London with toddlers, it will probably assist to decide on a extra central location to remain in. First, it avoids lengthy journey occasions in and again initially and finish of the day, and in case your youngsters want a little bit of time to sit back out after a busy day exploring, itโ€™s doable to move again for some down time, even a nap, then enterprise out later.

Obtain the Flush app, which tells you the places of the closest public bogs โ€“ very helpful when it’s a must to discover someplace urgently.

*First revealed 2021, final up to date 2026*

PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN LONDON WITH TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS

The best things to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers - 25 ideas for days out with kids under five, including free things to do in London, ideas for rainy days in London, plus museums, parks, playgrounds, bus tours and more.

Disclosure: This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks โ€“ any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee

Essential picture/London Zoo/Paddington bench/Pure Historical past Museum/British Museum/Horniman/London Transport Museum/London Eye/South Financial institution fountains/Kew Kidsโ€™s playground/London Wetland Centre/Cutty Sark copyright MummyTravels; Peppa Pig afternoon tea courtesy of B-Bakery; Metropolis Cruises boat courtesy of Metropolis Cruises; rabbit/Diana Memorial playground courtesy of Depositphotos

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