London with Kids: The Ultimate Guide (2025)

Finding a kid-friendly hotel in a big city like London is no small task, but The Westin London City pulled it off perfectly.

From the moment we checked in, the kids were completely into the Westin London City! They were handed activity books, postcards to send home, and a scavenger hunt to complete around the hotel. The prize at the end was choosing a stuffed animal from a giant basket, which they took very seriously. They also got to borrow a Polaroid camera for the trip, which they love carrying around and documenting with. 

The lobby has a cosy kids’ play corner and free scooters to borrow, which we took out for a spin along the Thames Path right outside. It was such a fun and easy way to get moving after a long flight.

The pool was warm and bright, and right next to the spa. My husband and I took turns watching the kids swim while the other booked a quick massage. It was the most civilized way to handle jet lag.

Food was another big win. My picky eaters loved the breakfast buffet, while I made full use of the unlimited flat whites and fresh green juice. At dinner, the kids went for the make-your-own pizzas, milkshakes, and colouring pages from the kids’ menu. And when they were "done" they ran over to the play area next to the restaurant, which made it easy for us to actually sit and enjoy a meal.

Being a Marriott property, you can use Bonvoy points to book, which is always a bonus. And the location could not have been better, right on the River Thames beside Millennium Bridge, with Borough Market, St. Paul’s, and Tate Modern all a short walk away. It made getting around with the kids so much easier and meant we could do more without spending half the day in transit.

The easiest way to get from Heathrow Airport into central London is the Heathrow Express. The non-stop train takes just 15 minutes to Paddington Station, where you can easily connect to the Tube or grab a taxi to your hotel. Also, kids under 15 travel free!

If you prefer a direct car transfer, Welcome Pickups is a reliable option we’ve used many times across Europe. They offer comfortable cars with car seats available on request, which is especially convenient after a long flight with kids.

Once in London, the Tube is one of the fastest ways to get around, with 11 lines and over 270 stations. It’s quick, efficient, and well-connected to most major sights, but not all stations are particularly stroller-friendly. Finding lifts (and having to take multiple lifts) can be a pain in certain stations, so allow extra time if you’re traveling with a stroller. Use Google Maps with the “wheelchair accessible” filter to find step-free routes. Kids under 11 travel free on the Tube, DLR, and London Overground when accompanied by a paying adult.

We also really LOVE the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers which is a fun way to travel along the River Thames. You can hop on from piers like Bankside or Westminster and enjoy the views along the way. Family day passes are available and can be booked through the app.

Buses are another great option, especially if you have a stroller, as they are fully accessible and allow you to board without folding it. They’re also fun for kids if you can grab a seat upstairs at the front for the best views.

Although London is big, it's very walkable, especially if you plan your days by neighbourhood! We used our Bugaboo Butterfly travel stroller every day and both kids took turns in it when tired. It's truly one of the best travel strollers on the market and was essential for long days out! It made navigating the city much easier and kept us from spending too much of the day in transit.

London is fantastic with kids, but it’s busy, the weather changes quickly, and you’ll be on your feet for hours. These are the things I’d pack and the hacks I swear by to make it easier.

1. Bring a Great Travel Stroller 

Even if your kids are “walkers,” London involves miles of walking. A lightweight, sturdy travel stroller like the Bugaboo Butterfly is essential. My 4 and 6 year olds both ended up using it! 

2. Pack Rain Gear
London weather is notoriously unpredictable. Foldable rain jackets for everyone are must-haves. We love Reima and Jan and Jul for the kids! 

3. Layer Clothing
London weather changes quickly. Pack layers so you can adjust easily. 

3. Plan for Downtime
London can be intense. Schedule playground stops, green spaces, or short hotel breaks to reset — especially for younger kids.

4. Travel Toys + Entertainment
The Mini Jetsetter Magnetic Travel Kit and the Yoto Mini were the MVPs of keeping our kids happy, busy and off the screens while in the stroller, at pubs and restaurants, and during downtime.

Use the code below to get 10% off your Yoto order 👇

(discount applies to any order above the price of a Yoto Mini $69.99USD or $99.99CAD)

5. Wear Comfortable Shoes
Good sneakers are essential for long days on your feet. If you want extra security against rainy days, choose a waterproof pair like Vessi and Jan & Jul for the kids.

6. Carry a Power Bank
Between maps, tickets, and photos, your phone will drain quickly. Keep a slim portable charger like this magnetic one in your bag.

7. Use Contactless Payment
Tap your bank card or phone for the Tube, buses, and DLR. It’s cheaper than buying paper tickets and easier than topping up an Oyster card.

8. Book Tickets Ahead
Many attractions require timed entry. Booking online saves money and avoids long queues.

One of my favourite souvenirs from London isn’t something we bought, it’s the photos we had taken here on our very first big trip as a family of four! My youngest was just 5 months old at the time, and having those beautiful images from that season of life (and post-covid lockdown) is something I’ll always treasure. We’ve used Flytographer in several cities, including Barcelona, Venice, Lisbon, New York, Porto, and Amsterdam, and we always walk away with STUNNING photos! While we couldn’t fit it in for this trip, if you’re visiting London, I highly recommend booking a session. London’s mix of iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge and Big Ben, along with charming streets and hidden corners, makes for an incredible backdrop.

Here are a few tips for a smooth photoshoot experience with kids:

• Book the shortest session (30 minutes is perfect with little ones)

• Morning light is always the best

• Bring small treats as motivation (sometimes bribes are necessary! we bring skittles or smarties)

Discount Code: If you’d like to try it out, use this link  to get  $25 USD off your first booking (note: you'll see the discount applied at checkout after you create an account).

Don't miss The Postal Museum! Kids can ride a miniature train through old mail tunnels under London, a route once used to deliver real post across the city. It’s such a unique experience and surprisingly fun for adults too. Afterwards, they can spend an hour at Sorted! play space, which is designed like a working mail town. Kids can dress up in postal uniforms, sort letters on conveyor belts, load parcels onto trolleys, and deliver them to adorable child-sized houses. Note that Sorted! is a separate timed entry, book your tickets in advance. 

A short walk away from The Postal Museum is Coram's Fields, a 7-acre park specifically for children. Adults can only enter if accompanied by a child, which makes it feel extra safe. There are multiple playgrounds for different ages, a splash pad, a wildlife garden, and a small cafe serving coffee and ice cream. It’s fully staffed, fenced, and perfect for a relaxed play break. 

Always lively, Covent Garden is full of street performers, market stalls, and shops that are surprisingly entertaining for kids. You can spend an entire afternoon watching magicians, musicians, and living statues. And make sure to pop into Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop - a tiny, old-fashioned toy store that feels like stepping into a storybook. They specialise in traditional toys, marionettes, and paper theatres. It's so darn cute! 

The London Transit Museum is right at Covent Garden, and it is an interactive and genuinely fun museum for all ages, packed with historic buses, trams, and Tube trains you can climb aboard. There are play zones for younger kids, and the exhibits do a great job of bringing the city’s transport history to life. A great stop if your kids love vehicles!

Just a short walk from Covent Garden, Seven Dials Market is an indoor food hall that we love with kids! It's casual and bright, has a cool vibe, plenty of seating, lots of variety, and enough space for little ones to move around. You can get everything from tacos to pizza here, and everyone leaves happy. 

This is hands-down one of the best playgrounds in London. There is a huge wooden pirate ship to explore surrounded by sand and natural water play elements, as well as musical play areas, teepees, and winding paths to explore. It’s fully fenced and staffed, and adults can only enter with a child, which makes it feel extra safe. There’s a cafe right inside for coffee and ice cream breaks. It's one of the most iconic and fun playgrounds in Europe.

Note: the playground is closing in autumn 2025 for a massive £3 million upgrade, with plans to reopen in spring 2026. If you’re visiting after that, check ahead because it’s going to be next-level.

Holland Park’s Adventure Playground is a fantastic option, especially while the Princess Diana Playground is closed for refurbishment. It’s not your average swings-and-slide setup - think tall climbing structures, rope bridges, slides built into hills, a zip line, and a sand and water play area. The mix of natural elements and adventure-style equipment makes it a favourite, and the park is also beautiful to wander through.

Both FREE to visit and next door to each other in South Kensington, the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum are two of the most popular museums to visit with kids. Both museums get packed fast, so arrive right at opening on a weekday for the best experience, and avoid a rainy weekend day!

At the Science Museum, there are SO many interactive experiences for kids. There's an entire sensory and water play area for toddlers aged 3-6 called The Garden, while older kids can get hands-on with rockets, planes, and engineering exhibits, or head to the paid Wonderlab for interactive science shows and experiments for ages 7-14 (book ahead of time).

Another cool thing at the Science Museum is their quirky, hands-on Science Afternoon Tea. It’s part tea, part science experiment, and looks like so much fun. Kids get test tubes filled with colourful toppings, fizzy sherbet, chocolate popping candy, crushed “moon rocks,” and jelly cubes to make their own wild creations. There are also cupcakes to inject with “blood” frosting using a syringe, “edible soil” to taste, rocket cookies, and jelly served in a petri dish. My kids would be all over this - 100% on our London list for next time!

One of my favourite random finds in London. We really love the pub culture in London and have taken our kids to many around the city. The Churchill Arms is an iconic flower-covered pub in Kensington that also happens to serve some of the BEST Thai food I've ever had. Totally unexpected, but my husband and I both agreed it was one our favourite meals from our 6 week Euro trip. There are also lots of other families there in the afternoons (just avoid the evenings, it can get pretty crowded). 

Even though we skipped this area on our most recent trip since we had previously tackled it, it’s a must for first-time visitors. Along the South Bank, you’ll find the Children’s Play Area at Jubilee Gardens, which is a great stop before or after a ride on the London Eye . There’s also the Golden Carousel right along the river that kids love.

A short walk away is St. James’s Park, which has a playground with a cool view of Buckingham Palace, scenic walking paths, and a resident colony of pelicans that you can see being fed at the Duck Island Cottage daily between 2:30 and 3:00pm. Pair this with the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace for a classic London morning.

You also can't miss Hamleys Toy Store which is a kids paradise with multiple floors of toys, demos, and interactive experiences. And if you need a family-friendly meal nearby, Mercato Mayfair is one of our favourites from a past trip. It’s a stunning food hall set inside a converted church with plenty of seating and options for everyone.

I can’t recommend the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers enough for getting around London with kids. It's waaaay more relaxed, fun and scenic than taking the Tube with kids and dealing with stroller lifts. Kids go free with with a Family Hop-On-Hop-Off ticket, which lets you  jump between some of London’s best spots while avoiding the crowds. There’s loads of space for strollers, indoor and outdoor seating, and snacks onboard to keep little ones happy, along with coffee and babyccinos.

One of the best places to go by boat is Greenwich. It feels calmer and more family-friendly than central London, with big open spaces, cool family friendly museums, amazing playgrounds and parks, and a great vibey food market. We made this an entire day and it ended up being one of our trip highlights! We hopped on the Uber Boat at Bankside Pier right outside our hotel and passed underneath Tower Bridge on the way, which is a pretty amazing sight from the water.

Our first stop was the FREE National Maritime Museum, where the brand new Ahoy! Children’s Gallery is a must. This space is designed for younger kids with areas to climb, dress up, role play, and explore hands-on exhibits. Note that it’s free to enter, but you do need to book a timed slot in advance. The All Hands gallery is another fun spot for interactive sea-faring activities for kids, as well as The Cove outdoor playground with a multi-levelled ship to climb and a giant colourful kraken to explore. 

Easily one of London’s best green spaces for families. The playground here has some of the best and most unique water and sand play features, all built from natural materials and spread across different zones so kids of all ages can find something to enjoy. There are also swings, slides, climbers, and mini forts and little trails. From the playground, it’s a short but steep climb to the Royal Observatory at the top of the hill, where you’ll get sweeping views over London’s skyline. This is also where the famous Prime Meridian Line begins, dividing the world into Eastern and Western hemispheres. You can also buy tickets to go inside the Observatory for more interactive exhibits and astronomy fun.

Greenwich Market is buzzing with food stalls offering everything from pizza to Vietnamese sandwiches to cheesy fries (SO good). We grabbed something different for everyone and sat outside at one of the picnic tables for a super low-stress meal with kids. Alternatively, head to Trafalgar Tavern, a historic riverside pub dating back to 1837. The interior is full of nautical charm with dark wood, ship paintings, and big sash windows. Outside, the terrace sits right on the Thames, lined with the pub’s iconic flags fluttering overhead, making it a perfect spot for fish and chips while the kids watch boats go by.

We didn’t get to it on this trip, but the Cutty Sark is worth a mention. This historic sailing ship is now a museum with plenty for kids to enjoy. They can aboard, explore below deck, and take part in themed family trails, as well as meet costumed characters from the ship’s past. For younger ones, there are ShipMates sensory sessions for under-5s.

This is a must-visit because it’s genuinely cool with an unmatched vibe! But be warned, it can get overwhelmingly busy, so plan accordingly. Most stalls open at 10 a.m., so get there in the morning if you want to avoid the food queues. By early afternoon (around 12:30 p.m.) it starts getting packed and navigating with little ones becomes a challenge. Honestly though, even when it's packed, we love grabbing a pint from the pub, picking up ice cream for the kids, and just settling in to people-watch. Don’t miss the chocolate-covered strawberries! If you want a sit-down meal that still works with kids, Franco Manca is a popular but delicious chain with sourdough pizzas and a family-friendly atmosphere or try to snag a table at Padella which serves incredible fresh pasta!

Even if modern art isn’t usually your thing, Tate Modern is surprisingly family-friendly. They often have interactive installations, kid-focused activities, and big open spaces that are great for letting little ones move around. The Turbine Hall alone is worth a peek for its sheer size. Admission is free, but some special exhibitions require tickets.

Right next to St Paul’s Cathedral, One New Change is a shopping centre with a hidden gem: its free rooftop terrace! Take the glass lift to the top for sweeping views over St Paul’s and the London skyline. 

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre has some really great family tours and workshops for kids that bring Shakespeare’s world to life. One of the tours we wanted to do (but ran out of time) was the Ghosts and Ghouls Family Tour, which tells creepy and funny tales from the theatre’s history. They also have a Sword Fighting Demonstration, where you can watch experts in action and learn about the techniques actors used on stage.