40 Free Days Out and Things to Do With Kids in London
I'm still adding to this list, so keep checking back, please get in touch if you've got any hidden gems to recommend, or if you have a picture to replace any that I'm missing (ie the places that have words). As a thank you, I'll send a 20% money off voucher to spend in the shop for anything that gets used.
I've tried to make sure that all the details on here are up to date, but please do double check on the websites I've linked to before you travel in case anything has changed. Although I'd love to be able to travel to every place on here, time and practicalities dictate that I've sourced a lot of information from 3rd parties so some information might be incorrect (Please let me know if you spot anything that is so that I can amend it).
Especially important: double check parking costs to avoid any nasty surprises on a day out that was supposed to be cheap, and obviously, be careful if you're visiting places with kids, especially where the terrain is dangerous (ruins, cliffs, beaches, slippy paths etc).
Happy adventuring!
Explore everything to do with the natural world including dinosaurs, mammals, volcanoes, earthquakes, and get your photo taken with Andy's clock. There's lots to keep kids entertained throughout. Check out what's on.
Explore contemporary art in a gallery that doesn't require kids to keep quiet. There's lots to keep kids engaged including Tate Draw, Uniqlo Tate Play, have a look at their suggested activities, and check out what's on.
See the Roman temple dedicated to the god Mithras, hidden underneath the Bloomberg buildings in the city. There are kids trails to follow, and an atmospheric experience to view the temple. Tickets are free, but you need to book ahead.
While it's not free, I've included it because of their £1 annual passes for those receiving Universal Credit. There's so much to see and do, play areas, and interactive exhibits, including a train driving simulator.
Enjoy strolling round the 2nd biggest conservatory in London, home to a huge amount of tropical plants. Admission is free, but you need to book your tickets in advance.
Containing a huge amount of just about everything, including displays on Ancient Rome, Africa, death. Check out the object trails, explorer trails, and have a look at the family events.
A beautiful park with ancient trees, grasslands, and deer herds. Explore the Isabella plantation, see the viewpoint from King Henry's mound, and play in the playground.
Watch the ceremony where The King's Guard hands over responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace to the New Guard, with marching and music. Check the link to see timings.
Probably one thats best with older kids, you can get tickets to watch debates in both the House of Commons, and the House of Lords from the public galleries.
Visit London's highest public garden, at the top of the Walkie Talkie building. A sub tropical oasis. You need to prebook, tickets get released on mondays and sell out fast. Or, you can get entry when you book to eat in the restaurant.
A huge venue, there's always free things to see and do both outside and in (entry to some exhibitions is charged). Check out what's on.
Visit the house packed with history, including where Catherine of Aragon was sent for a while. There's a lot to see including the Tudor Hall, botanic garden, sensory room, and archaeology finds.
See the dinosaurs, play in the big playground and sandpit, try and solve the tricky maze. See the site where the original crystal palace stood, and the sphinxs. There's also a skate park, and a museum.
St Dunstan in the East
Church Garden
A beautiful, tranquil garden set in the ruins of a Wren church, with benches and a fountain. More of a pop in if you're near place than going out of your way, but a nice break from the hustle and bustle.
A gallery and shop in Soho showcasing the graphic art of the Harry Potter and Magical Beasts films, founded by Eduardo Lima and Miraphora Mina, the graphic designers who were in charge of the artwork on the films. A must see for all Potter fans, along with this self-guided tour.
Walk underneath the Thames with this 370 metre Victorian foot tunnel linking Greenwich with the Isle of Dogs. There's fun massive lifts to help you get up and down, but they're often out of service, check on the website for updates.
A beautiful resting place for thousands of people including Emmeline Pankhurst. There's beautifully carved mausoleums, a domed chapel that was based on St Peter's Basilica, a visitor centre and a cafe. Check out the spider stroll, famous graves.
Check out the impressive interiors, impressive paintings collection, and 112 acres of parkland. There's a trail for kids 5+ to follow, family activities in the Housekeepers Room.
Visit the wild park that inspired Narnia. Explore woods, meadows, ponds and amazing views. There are playgrounds, bathing ponds, a boating pond, sports pitches and much more.
While not free, I've included Kew Gardens due to their scheme of £1 tickets for those receiving Universal Credit. Visit the world's largest Victorian glasshouse, and see the outstanding collection of plants. There's loads for kids to do including the children's garden, and treetop walkway.
They always have such great festivals and free holiday activities on at the Southbank Centre. The programme is constantly changing, check what's on here. If you're strolling down the southbank, then have a play on the sandy beach near the Oxo tower.
A concept store, with a lot of fun to offer, your teens are going to love it. Check out the gaming bus and car simulator.
A biomedical research institute near Kings Cross, with public exhibitions. Explore the building blocks of life in the 'Cut and Paste' exhibition and think about DNA and the ethical decisions that get thrown up around altering it.
Planning to reopen summer 2023, visit this family friendly museum showing the downside of Victorian life through role play, hands on exhibits and talks.
Learn all about seafaring past and present with lots of hands on activities and interactive exhibits. Highlights include the giant map and sea things gallery. Check what's on. You can also pay to visit the Ahoy play gallery (for under 7s).
Discover London's port history with lots of hands on learning including lots of hands on learning. Check out this highlights map to show activities including a magnet wall, train table, and wartime shelter. See what's on. There's also the Mudlarks Family Gallery for under 9s (entry charges apply).
A brilliant park with loads for kids to do. Stand under the Olympic rings, play in the playgrounds including sand and water play, wobbly bridges and treehouses. There's also a seasonal splashpad, and lots of gardens to stroll through.
A playground in Kensington Gardens, there's a Peter Pan inspired wooden pirate ship, sensory trail, teepees, and a beach. Have a look at the note on the website about how busy it gets, and admission policy. While you're there, stroll around the Italian gardens, see the Elfin Oak, and Peter Pan statue.
A museum focussing on the natural world, and global cultures, with lots for kids to do. Highlights include the animal walk, world gallery, and hands on base. There's a charge for the Butterfly House, Aquarium, and some exhibitions. Check what's on.
Set in 32 acres of countryside in the heart of East London, you can see the farm animals getting fed, the sheep being moved. There's also a pet's corner, aviary, cafe and picnic area. See the events page for holiday activities.
Visit the animals including sheep, goats, chickens and alpacas. You can pay to take part in cuddle corner and hold some of the smaller animals. There's also an aviary, and a cafe.
An urban nature reserve in Kings Cross with woodland, grassland, wetland, pond, and marshy areas. There's a visitor centre, pond dipping platform. While you're there, head to Granary Square to play in the fountains.
Download the free 'Keeper of Paintings' app onto your phone for your 7-11 year olds so that they can get involved with the immersive adventure, helping them to learn and explore the collection of paintings.
An art institution with lots on to encourage the whole family to get creative. See if you can spot the chameleon in the displays. Pick up an art detective's pack in the collection diary. Check out the family workshops.
See a huge collection of aircraft and memorabilia, including 'design your own plane', family trails, borrow a backpack, and an outdoor playground with mini models of iconic aircraft. Check out the events.
A museum telling the history of war and conflict, including the First World War galleries, Second World War galleries, and Holocaust galleries. Check here for family events.
A museum and library exploring health and human experience, including exhibitions on our relationship with milk, being human. A great museum to visit with kids 14+
The premier library in the country. Visit the family station, packed with ideas to play, make and explore (check opening times). Check for family events including an under 5s workshop, family workshops, and relaxed openings.
You know what the kids would love to be filling in as you're exploring new places? An epic activity pack! And it should be filled with easy activity ideas, and stickers, and personalised!
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