London is one of the most beautiful cities to visit. Don’t let having littles and teenagers stop you from exploring this grand metropolis as a family. From majestic palaces to enchanting parks, from spellbinding wizardry to captivating history, our journey with kids in London proved to be a kaleidoscope of unforgettable experiences.
Resources to Help Plan
I’ve put together some links to some resources to help you find the best fit of adventures for your family.
- Rick Steves London 2015 from Amazon. This book helped us to learn about spots to visit.
- Around London with Kids had really great kid friendly food recommendations near all the famous spots. I felt really well informed about what our family would see. This is also found on Amazon
- Traveling London with Kids 40+ Must Knows Before Visiting On YouTube.
- 10 Things To Do With Your Kids In London on YouTube.
Length of Trip
The length of your trip is up to you. If you were like us, you may be coming off another adventure and while you’re there want to pack some things in. We were coming back from a trip to Ghana and had only three days in London. All the things we did were done in those three days. That’s why it is helpful to plan ahead so you can hit the ground running and see everything you wanted to. However, the length of trip is completely up to you. There are so many amazing things to see in London, let alone the rest of the UK. Plan your trip to meet your family’s needs and interests!
Travel Hacks
- Tip One: We only had a few days in London since we were coming off of a trip to Ghana. We flew British Airways. If you enter online at least 24 hours in advance, you can arrange for a kids meal on flight. This was so helpful because there were a lot more kid-friendly food options.
- Tip Two: Save time and skip the queues by booking tickets to popular attractions, tours, and shows in advance. Many attractions offer discounts for online bookings, and you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that your plans are locked in.
- Tip Three: Take advantage of London’s many world-class museums and galleries, most of which offer free admission to their permanent collections. From the British Museum to the Tate Modern, you can indulge in art, history, and culture without spending a penny.
- Tip Four: Take advantage of mobile apps and digital resources to enhance your London experience. From navigation apps like Citymapper to restaurant reservation platforms like OpenTable, technology can streamline your journey and help you make the most of your time in the city.
- Tip Five: Know how many Ubers, Lyfts or Taxis you will need with the amount of people in your party beforehand.
Where To Stay
We chose to stay in an Airbnb, which we loved. Airbnb or Vrbo are great choices because you can easily find something in your budget that works for your family. There are great hotels as well, Marriott, Hilton, etc, that you can use points on as well.
Things We Did
- The London Eye
- The Tower Bridge
- Tower of London
- Duck Tour
- Hyde Park: Hyde Park is huge, like Central Park. So make sure you are aware of that if you have littles and are doing lots of walking.
- Diana Park (in Hyde Park)
- Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Hyde Park
Diana Park
London Transportation
We took the subway. In London, it is called the Underground or “The Tube”. It was smooth and fairly easy to navigate and also cost-effective. Our kids were troopers and were willing to sit by strangers on full rides. You can also use Uber, Taxi or Lyft. However, that can be more expensive, especially if your family is too big for one vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
London is incredibly kid-friendly, offering a wide range of attractions, activities, and amenities catering to children of all ages. From interactive museums to expansive parks and family-friendly restaurants, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Some popular attractions for families in London include the British Museum, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter.
Yes, many attractions offer discounted or free entry for children, and some even have family ticket options that can help save money. Additionally, purchasing an Oyster Card for public transportation can save money on fares for the whole family.
London is generally a safe city for families, but it’s always wise to take common-sense precautions, such as keeping an eye on valuables, especially in crowded areas, and teaching children basic safety rules for navigating public transportation and busy streets.
London boasts a diverse culinary scene, with many restaurants offering kid-friendly menus and amenities such as high chairs and changing facilities. Family-friendly dining areas include Covent Garden, Southbank, and the restaurants around Leicester Square.
An Unforgettable Trip
We had an amazing time in London and made long-lasting memories. Traveling with kids can be trickier to plan, but it is all worth it.