Visiting London with Kids: Which Activities to Choose?

If there's one top destination for a family getaway, it's the capital of Great Britain! London is a city with a rich, exciting and inspiring history, with countless things to see, do and visit. It's also the city of Harry Potter, Peter Pan, Sherlock Holmes, Paddington Bear, and Blake and Mortimer. The city of the famous double-decker buses, the city that was once the capital of an empire on which the sun never set, the city of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Madame Tussauds, the British Museum, and home to many inspiring historical figures. Let's take a look, thanks to the writers of the website "Bonjour Londres", at the "11 must-dos" to experience in London with children.

For all visits, it's advisable to book online in advance, both to pay less and to guarantee entry — London attracts a huge number of tourists.

1. A ride on a double-decker bus, upstairs please!

Every child (or adult) visiting London dreams of just one thing when they see one of those famous red buses go by: climbing aboard and riding on the top deck. So don't hesitate to take the bus for at least one of your journeys, ideally outside rush hour. Route 5 is a good choice for its vintage buses. Website: https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/bus

2. Take a ride on the "London Eye"

This huge Ferris wheel, which was once the largest in Europe, installed in 2000, is a must for young and old alike. The ride in one of the capsules lasts half an hour and offers a 360-degree view of London and its main landmarks.

Website — from £26 for ages 2 to 15, £30 for ages 16 and up — no minimum age.

3. Activities at the British Museum

This famous museum, with its exceptional pieces, goes out of its way to welcome families. Admission is free, and there are several options available. The museum highlights a small trail of 12 objects specifically for children, such as mummies or a samurai suit of armour. The family desk in the Great Court provides activity booklets for ages 3-5 and older children during weekends and school holidays. It's also possible to hire an activity backpack (lasting around 90 minutes) for a £10 deposit, featuring eight discoveries of different cultures, plus a bag for under-5s. These activities are, however, only available in English.

Website (in English) — Free — no minimum age, although very young children may find it less interesting.

4. Madame Tussauds

We can't skip the iconic Madame Tussauds museum and its wax figures (the equivalent of the Musée Grévin in Paris). Countless famous figures, real or fictional, are represented there. Whether you want to take a photo with actors, music or sports stars, a film character, or key figures from history, there's something for the whole family. There are also many attractions on offer, such as a 5D cinema.

Website — entry from £29 (ages 2 to 15), £33 for ages 16 and up — several tickets can be combined, such as Sea Life + London Eye + Madame Tussauds, with a good discount — no minimum age, although the museum is only really worthwhile if you want to see certain characters.

5. Discover HMS Belfast

For ship enthusiasts, military history buffs, or simply for explorers, this unique piece of the Imperial War Museum is worth the trip. This former warship is moored in the Thames. Its corridors, its nine decks (via ladders) and its engine room are all accessible. The view of London from the top deck is exceptional.

Website (in English) — paid entry from age 5: £12.70, ages 16 and up: £25.45 — no minimum age.

6. London Zoo

This is the oldest zoo in the world and is home to more than 700 species! With your children, you can wander among the lemurs, stroll along the walkways over the lion enclosure, get a close-up view of tigers, cross a tropical jungle in the gorilla kingdom, greet the penguins in England's largest penguin pool, marvel at the hundreds of colourful insects in Butterfly Paradise, and much more.

Website (in English) — paid entry from age 3: £18.90, ages 16 and up: £27 — no minimum age.

7. Sea Life London Aquarium

Staying in the animal world, the country's largest aquarium awaits with open arms. With more than 500 marine species (including 40 sharks), 15 varied themed zones let you discover creatures from the surface to the ocean depths, without getting wet! The highlight of the visit is the glass tunnel, where it's you who ends up being watched by the fish…

Website (in English) — paid entry from age 2: £25, ages 16 and up: £28 — no minimum age.

8. The London Dungeon

A somewhat scary visit, best reserved for older or braver children. The London Dungeon is a very popular attraction for children, offering a dive into the past. A true museum of horrors, actors and mannequins recreate scenes from history, and you'll learn plenty of anecdotes about Jack the Ripper, witch hunts, the Great Fire of London, the plague, and more.

Website (in English) — paid entry from age 5: £23.5, ages 16 and up: £29.5 — Please note: the visit may not be suitable for younger or more sensitive visitors — understanding English is certainly an advantage.

9. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

What child, teenager or adult doesn't dream of strolling down Diagon Alley or uncovering the secrets of Gringotts Bank? A visit to these studios is a wonderful dive into the world imagined by JK Rowling. Discovering the costumes, special effects, animations and all sorts of behind-the-scenes secrets, you're guaranteed to come away delighted, even spellbound…

Website — paid entry from age 5: £43, ages 16 and up: £53.5 — no minimum age.

10. The London Transport Museum

Dive into the transport history of the world's first industrial city, with its famous buses from every era, the first steam underground train and a padded carriage from the 1890s, as well as an exceptional gallery of posters and artworks from different periods, and many other gems.

Website (in English) — free entry up to age 17, ages 18 and up: £24 — no minimum age.

11. In the footsteps of Paddington Bear

He's the most famous bear in the world! He was even received by Queen Elizabeth II. He has his own bronze statue in the station that bears his name. Several sites offer tours following in the footsteps of his story, allowing you to discover many places around the city, such as the Natural History Museum, Buckingham Palace or Big Ben.

In conclusion

London with children is clearly an exceptional destination that guarantees you a trip you'll remember for a very, very long time. The few highlights mentioned here prove this beyond doubt. What's more, it's a city close to Belgium, and it's very easy to get there in an eco-friendly way, by train or, as in the old days, by ferry. So many good reasons to treat yourself to a family getaway!

Note: The websites and admission prices mentioned above are those applicable on the day this article was published. Always check the latest prices and opening hours on the reference websites.

Article written in collaboration with "Bonjour Londres". "Bonjour Londres is a travel blog that shares all the best tips in London. It's a great site for knowing which monument to visit, which neighbourhood to stroll through, or which restaurant to eat at!"

Also read the articles "Visiting Berlin with kids", "Visit Milan with kids" and "Visit Madrid with kids".