Activities in London

Battersea Park Children's Zoo

Address Battersea Pk, London, SW11 4NJ, United Kingdom Map, Location Entrance is at Chelsea Gate on Queenstown Road. Near the Peace Pagoda close to the river, Cost £6.50 adults; £4.95 children, Hours 10am–5.30pm (4pm in winter), every day, Tube Sloane Square Website

I’m a big fan of London Zoo but I was really blown away by Battersea. It’s compact, all on one level (so easy for buggies and little legs) but the best thing about it is its originality. The cages are well laid out with interesting activities for the animals – it looks perfectly curated and has some interesting creatures, both cute and furry (rabbits, baby meerkats, a mouse house, etc) and the more reptilian. The farm section has a cute miniature pony, donkeys and pigs – all happy to be petted. more

British Museum

Address Great Russell Street, London Map, Website

Like all of London's museums, the British Museum is free of charge, making it easy to stop in even for a short time until your child's interest flags. The collection here is marvelous, and you can follow your child's interests - from Egyptian mummies to African masks and more. The central rotunda is a great place for kids to stretch their legs and have a snack before heading back into the gallery. more



Coram's Fields

Address 93 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DN Map, Tel 020 7833 2393 Call, Website

It's difficult to believe that this seven-acre park is right in the middle of London. In addition to a great playground and a petting zoo, Coram's Fields hosts after school activities that allow drop-in visitors. more

Gambado Family Play Centre

Address 7 Station Ct, Townmead Rd, London, SW6 2PY, UK Map, Tel 0207 384 1635 Call, Cost Adults £2.50; 1-2yrs: £7.45; 3-10yrs: £9.45; Under-ones go free., Hours 9.30am – 6pm every day., Tube Fulham Broadway Website

If, like me, you have pocket-rocket children who need to burn off energy, then this indoor play centre complete with dodgems, climbing wall and ball pools will give them plenty of ways to blow off steam if it’s raining outside. Parents can relax in the lovely little café. more

London Duck Tours

Address Chicheley Street, London, SE1 7PJ, UK Map, Tel +44 (0)20 7928 3132 Call, Location Opposite All Bar One and the Slug & Lettuce and is approximately 100 yards to the rear of the London Eye, Cost Adults £20; Children £14 Website

The amphibious road/river vehicles used for this tour were originally built for war but now have a much more benign use. The tour departs from behind the London Eye, goes past Big Ben (by road) and then takes a dramatic turn straight into the River Thames – cue squeals of excitement from all the kids (and a few dads). It was great fun and, at just over an hour, isn’t too long for the children to be sitting down. more

Natural History Museum

Address Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK Map, Tel 44 (0)20 7942 5000 Call, Cost Free, Tube South Kensington Website

We went to the free Natural History Museum on a weekend and a weekday. We enjoyed the mid-week visit loads more. more

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Address The Broad Walk, London, W2 4, UK? Map, Location Map placement is approximate, Cost Free, Open May–August: 10am–7.45pm; April & September: 10am–6.45pm; March & early October: 10am–5.45pm; February & late October: 10am–4.45pm; November –January: 10am–3.45pm, Tube Lancaster Gate, Queensway, Bayswater, High Street Kensington Website

A playground that has something for all ages, the Diana Memorial playground is a child’s fantasy come true – there’s a life size pirate ship complete with masts and sails as well as sand pits, swings and the ilk. A café and, of course, the rest of Hyde Park, including the Serpentine lake makes this a great day-trip. Picnicking on the grass in the summer under the trees, Tom and I really enjoyed this park. more

Russel Square

Address Russel Square, London Map,

This park, close to the British Museum, has a splash fountain that kids can run through in nice weather. more

Tate Modern

Address 53 Bankside, London, SE1 9TG, United Kingdom Map, Tel 020 7887 8888 Call, Links Family Events at the Tate Modern Website

Visitors to the Tate Modern either love it or hate it. The extensive modern art collection, and the gallery's focus on challenging the status-quo may either delight or confuse you. Regardless of where you stand, though, we think this is a great museum for kids. While there aren't kid-specific areas, the fact that the main collection is free makes it easy to stop and start your visit as needed. There is a child friendly cafe, and the bookstore is packed with art books and art-related toys for kids. A park outside, and a large open entry area provide a great resting spot for parents or a place for cooped up kids to roam. more

The Science Museum

Address Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD Map, Location Placement on map is approximate, Hours 10am-6pm Daily (closed Dec 24 & 25), Cost Free Website

A great alternative to the Natural History Museum, especially if you have boys. It’s full of rockets, cars and airplanes suspended from the vast ceilings. The fantastic sensory exploration area on the ground floor that’s great for younger children. There’s a basement play area, but it can get a bit claustrophobic down there. more

Reader Favorites

James Bond Tour of London Movie Locations

Address SE1 7PY Map, Tel 0844 2471 007 Call, Website

This bus tour takes you to the film locations from the James Bond movies in and around central London. Its a fun way to see places in the films as well as real spy places too. Worth going on for sure!! more

London Aquarium

Address SEA LIFE London Aquarium, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB Map, Tel 0871 663 1678 Call, Website

The London Aquarium is one of London's great attractions, and the only place in the capital where you kids can come face to face with sharks and other sea monsters. Great for those rainy London days, and with open tanks of Sting Rays it is fun for the whole family. There is also an open tank (supervised) for children to touch some sea life, which is great and always a hit! more

London Brass Rubbing Centre

Address Trafalgar Square, London, England Map, Hours Mon-Wed 10am-7pm; Thu-Sat 10am-10pm; Sun 12 noon - 7pm, Metro Charing Cross, Cost Starts at £4.50 Website

The London Brass Rubbing Center is located inside St Martin-in-the-Fields. Take in a lunchtime concert and then take your kids inside to discover brass rubbing. The staff will provide all the materials they need and help them create a brass rubbing to help them remember their visit. more

Pizza Express

Address 85 Victoria Street London UK SW1H 0HW (one of many locations) Map, Website

Sounds like a cheap Pizza chain, but it is not. While having several locations in the UK, the pizza is less Dominos, more like a nicer wood burning oven pizza place. The kids meal is around 5 pounds and it includes an appetizer, pizza or pasta, a dessert, and a "babyccino" (warm milk with a dusting of cocoa). For the adults, they have thin pizza with toppings to include procuitto and porcini mushrooms, nicer pasta dishes, and a few other entrees. Yes, they also serve wine. more

Victoria and Albert Museum

Address Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London, UK Map, Tel +44 (0)20 7942 2000 Call, Website

In the summer this is one of the best places on a hot day...The galleries are lovely and cool and interesting to kids of all ages. My daughter loves going here and has done since she was 6 months! It's free to go in, and the food in the cafe is healthy and child friendly and yummy for adults too. Best of all is the fountains in the central courtyard. A brilliant place to let the kids run free in the hot weather, splashing around and the adults can have a nice picnic knowing the area is fully enclosed and safe. more