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Home › Donut Guides › Things to Do with Kids › London

Things to Do in London with Kids


London is brilliant with kids, and many of its best museums are free: dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, rockets at the Science Museum, a pirate ship playground in Kensington Gardens and Tower Bridge to walk across. This guide is organised by area, with parent tips from our local guides and free picks flagged.


We run three London tours, including Borough Market and Tower Bridge, the West End and Covent Garden, and families are some of our favourite guests.


By the Underground Donut Tour team · Updated November 2026

At a glance

  • Free favorites: The Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the Diana Memorial Playground, the Changing of the Guard, Covent Garden street performers
  • Rainy day picks: Natural History Museum, Science Museum, SEA LIFE London Aquarium
  • Sweet treat: Our London doughnut tour welcomes kids 2 and up

Kid-friendly things to do in London, by neighborhood

South Kensington and Hyde Park

Natural History Museum

Free

Dinosaurs, a blue whale skeleton and an earthquake room.

Visit website ›

Science Museum

Free

Real rockets and engines. The interactive Wonderlab costs extra.

Visit website ›

Diana Memorial Playground

Free

A pirate ship playground in Kensington Gardens.

Hyde Park

Free

Pedalos on the Serpentine in warm months and plenty of space to run.

Parent tip: The museums get busy at weekends. Arrive at opening time and head straight to the dinosaurs.

Westminster and the West End

Changing of the Guard

Free

Bands and guards in bearskin hats at Buckingham Palace. Check the schedule first.

Covent Garden

Free

Street performers, shops and our sweet treats tour.

London Eye

A giant observation wheel on the South Bank.

Visit website ›

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

Rainy day pick

Sharks, penguins and a glass tunnel next to the London Eye.

Visit website ›

The South Bank and the Tower

Tower of London

Crown Jewels, ravens and Beefeater tours.

Visit website ›

Tower Bridge

Free

Walk across for free, or pay to see the glass floor walkways.

Borough Market

Free

A huge food market and home to our Borough Market tour.

Parent tip: Ride a Thames river boat between Westminster and Tower Bridge. Kids love it, and it doubles as a sightseeing tour.

Sweet treats and kid-friendly eats

Underground Donut Tour (kids welcome, ages 2 and up). Our Borough Market and Tower Bridge, West End and Covent Garden tours each walk a different part of London with stops for fresh doughnuts and sweet treats, plus stories about the city along the way. Guides set the pace around your group, which makes it easy with kids.

Taste London's best donuts on one walk

Kids 2 and up are welcome. Guides set an easy pace for little legs.

Parent tip: Let us know about allergies or dietary needs when you book, and download our free Kids' Activity Book for the trip.

What families say about our London tours

"This was a great way to get our kids to learn a little about London while also seeing some sites and having fun while doing it."

Mandy, TripAdvisor, April 2025

"This was my kids favorite tour of the week."

Mary A., TripAdvisor, December 2024

"Oscar kept our kids ( 9 & 12) engaged and laughing along the way."

Jody R., TripAdvisor, October 2024

All 5-star guest reviews.

Exploring on your own? Our Best Donut Shops in London guide lists the city's best doughnut shops by neighbourhood, and Best Christmas Doughnuts in London covers the festive specials.

Sample days

Day 1: The South Bank

  1. Morning: Borough Market doughnut tour.
  2. Walk across Tower Bridge.
  3. Tower of London.
  4. River boat to Westminster.

Day 2: Museums

  1. Natural History Museum at opening time.
  2. Lunch in South Kensington.
  3. Science Museum.
  4. Diana Memorial Playground.

Day 3: The West End

  1. Changing of the Guard.
  2. Lunch.
  3. Covent Garden street performers.
  4. London Eye at sunset.

London with kids by season

Holidays

  • Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: rides, markets and an ice rink.
  • Trafalgar Square Christmas tree: a gift from Norway every year.
  • Skating at Somerset House: an ice rink in a grand courtyard.
  • Christmas lights: Oxford Street, Regent Street and Covent Garden all light up.
  • For seasonal treats, see Best Christmas Doughnuts in London.

The rest of the year

  • Spring: parks in bloom and fewer crowds.
  • Summer: long days, outdoor fountains and park picnics.
  • Autumn: crisp walks and half-term events in the museums.
  • Winter: Christmas lights, ice rinks and cosy museums.

London with kids FAQ

Is the London doughnut tour good for kids?

Yes. Kids 2 and up are welcome, and guides set the pace for families.

What are free things to do in London with kids?

The Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the Diana Memorial Playground, the Changing of the Guard and Covent Garden's street performers.

Which London museum is best for little kids?

The Natural History Museum is a favourite for dinosaurs, and the Science Museum has hands-on galleries.

What's a good rainy-day plan?

The Natural History Museum, the Science Museum or SEA LIFE London Aquarium.

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