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Iโve got fond memories of visiting London as a child. The tall buildings casting shadows on the pavement, the different smells coming from every street corner, and people โ lots of people, everywhere! Now Iโm raising children of my own, Iโm always keen to take them to the capital when I can.
Weโre not the only ones who love London either; according to parliament data, the capital attracted 50% of all visits to the UK in 2018. We tend to fly in to Gatwick Airport when we go and pick up a bunch of anytime train tickets to give us a little flexibility.
Once youโve got there yourself, here are five ideas for family-friendly activities.
The Science Museum
Are your kids into science? Mine arenโt especially, but they still loved this free museum! Inside youโll find exciting hands-on displays and demonstrations aimed at children of different ages โ and you might just learn a thing or two yourself.
Thereโs also an amazing IMAX theatre which screens eye-popping educational films throughout the day.
The Natural History Museum
Just next door is the Natural History Museum. This magnificent building captures the imagination from the moment you step inside, with huge displays of dinosaurs or mammals dominating the entrance hall.
Thereโs also an ice rink outside at Christmas time which made our visit extra special. Be prepared to queue, howeverโฆ
Hamleys
As toy shops go, Hamleys must be one of the most magical Iโve ever seen. Located just a short walk from Oxford Circus, the window displays alone are worth a visit – and once youโre inside you might find your inner child gets a little carried away!
The staff here are great and put on demonstrations all day long. We managed to leave without spending all our money, but Iโm not sure how!
The Barbican Big Adventure
The Barbican Big Adventure is a self-guided adventure trail that gets everyone working together. Youโll need to solve clues, play games and even show off your talents to make it round the Barbican building, and you could even win a prize at the end.
This is definitely one of the more out-there activities weโve enjoyed in London. See how you get on with your family.
A London kids bus tour
You canโt move for hop-on hop-off bus tours in the capital, but not all of them do enough to keep kids interested. Thankfully, there are some tours available that are more tailored to little ones.
Theyโre usually shorter and cover off the kind of sights kids wonโt get bored of. See if you can book online to avoid missing out.
Are you planning a trip to London with your family? Whether you tell your kids all about what youโll get up to or youโd rather keep it as a surprise, youโre bound to have a great time together.
What do you think?