A local’s guide to unique, cheap and free things to do in London with kids you have to have on your bucket list, from free museums to quirky activities!
Visiting London with kids, beyond being just possible, might be one of the best decisions you ever make to tighten family bonds and discover a bit more of the world together.
Well, if most of the guides I write are aimed at solo travelers, digital nomads, couples or friends in London, I have decided to share with you some kid-friendly ideas.
So, whether you’re visiting London with kids, tweens or teenagers, you’ll find here some really cool things to do in London on a budget, along with a few unmissable food spots.
Let’s get to it!
London With Kids: Unique, Cheap and Free Things to Do
Since London definitely is an expensive city, the budget for a family of three or four is evidently more substantial than for, well, a freelancer or a student in London.
But over my years living in the city, I have discovered there are many free things you can do.
I have also discovered that London will always have something cheap going on as well, from live performances to movie screenings in places like Somerset House (the latter is only open during the summer though).
Anyhoo – here are all my ideas to make the most out of your time in London with kids!
The Must-Visit Free Museums in London Perfect To Visit With Kids
Free Things to Do in London With Kids: Science Museum, South Kensington
Let’s start with some of London’s free museums, and the first one I would pick for kids is definitely the Science Museum, located in South Kensington, West London.
Entry is free, and there are plenty of hands-on activities and installations that toddlers to teenagers – and even adults! – will love there.
Read: The Best Things to Do in London Bridge
Free Things to Do in London With Kids: National History Museum, South Kensington
If your kids are passionate about all things history, but may not be old enough to comprehend the significance of austere historical sites, a more interactive place to visit would be the National History Museum, located a stone’s throw away from the Science Museum.
Hanging from the central hall ceiling, the 25-meter-long blue whale skeleton is eye-catching kids and adults alike; but the dinosaur exhibition is probably what will make smaller ones even more intrigued.
Read: The Best Things to Do in Soho
Free Things to Do in London With Kids: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Located in Greenwich, South East London, the National Maritime Museum makes for one of the most beautiful, yet quite secret museums that can be found in London.
Gathering a huge collection of artifacts, the National Maritime Museum treads along various British battles, discoveries and trading over the centuries – all enhanced by the activity stations scattered around the museum!
Read: The Best Things to Do in Canary Wharf
Free Things to Do in London With Kids: Visit the Young V&A Museum, Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green’s Young V&A Museum is one of the latest museums I’ve visited along with the Ragged School Museum (more suitable if you’re visiting London with kids a little older).
The Young V&A is also a place where, from hands-on activities to colorful dollhouses, kids can really have fun while learning about toys, designs and costumes of the past, and adults can also understand more about the evolution of kids’ entertainment over time.
Read: The Best Free Things to Do on London’s Central Line
Free Things to Do in London With Kids: Visit the British Museum, Russell Square
What makes the British Museum a favorite of mine is its extensive collection of Egyptian mummies, Assyrian sculptures, and Greek and Roman frescoes and statues.
Where the British Museum is even more interesting for kids is that it’s the perfect place for a weekend scavenger hunt, which you start by picking up a kids’ backpack at the Family Desk.
Then, off we go in the hunt of the century, getting more and more excited about various art forms and cultures, just a few minutes away on foot from both Holborn and Tottenham Court Road!
Other Great Ideas of Things to Do in London With Kids
Cheap Things to Do in London With Kids: Visit the M&Ms Store, Leicester Square
Leicester Square’s Sculpture Trail (which includes Mr Bean, Mary Poppins and Harry Potter!) might already be great to follow with kids, but when you’re done counting them all, why not pop by the M&Ms shop?
To say it’s a huge chocolate and candy store would be an understatement: the rows upon rows of pajamas and other mugs make the M&Ms shop feel like more of a museum…
And so colorful that little ones will love it!
Read: The Best Things to Do in Camden Town
Cheap Things to Do in London With Kids: Visit the Lego Store, Leicester Square
You don’t have to walk too far from the M&Ms store to the Lego store, since they face each other.
The Lego store, with its impressive collection of Harry Potter lego statues and other Big Ben and Tube sculptures, is a great place to visit in Central London with kids, even if you’re not planning to buy anything.
Read: 13 Things to Do in Crystal Palace, South East London
Cheap Things to Do in London With Kids: Go for a Picnic in St James’s Park With a Meal Deal
St James’s Park, located a few minutes’ away from Piccadilly Circus, is one of my favorite parks to spend time in when it’s the time of the year that I live in London.
With its Duck Cottage Island and beautiful water views, and maybe a swan or two, you’ll love to wander around St James’s Park before enjoying an affordable meal deal and a great moment!
Read: The Best Things to Do in London When It Rains
Free Things to Do in London With Kids: Visit Covent Garden
Visiting Covent Garden is always a great experience.
From cute bakeries to colorful places like Neal’s Yard, it’s a gorgeous neighborhood that pleases everyone.
Walk around the Apple Market, discover Mercer Walk and St Martin’s Courtyard, and why not try an authentic Swedish cinnamon bun at Bageriet?
Read: The Best Non Touristy Things to Do in London
Free Things to Do in London With Kids: Kensington Palace & Princess Diana Memorial Garden
If you’d like to visit another one of London’s royal parks, Kensington Palace is probably one of the best options with kids, especially since adults can sit while kids can play at the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground.
To pursue even more fun, you’ll also find a quirky Peter Pan statue at Kensington Gardens; at the memorial playground are also scattered toys inspired by Peter Pan, along with a sensory trail and a giant pirate ship.
Read: The Prettiest Villages in London
Cheap Things to Do in London With Kids: Get a Fish-Shaped Pastry in Chinatown, Central London
Located on Newport Court, in the heart of Chinatown, Taiyakiya is a tiny Japanese dessert place that offers some of the best taiyaki in London.
If this place makes amazing lychee rose, Nutella and peanut butter, ramune or matcha ice cream and fish-shaped pastries, there’s another place you can also visit nearby.
It’s called Chinatown Bakery, and this one, in addition to taiyaki, also sells huge pieces of cloud cakes and various treats – and makes for one of the Central London’s cheapest eats!
Read: The Poshest Areas in London
Best Things to Do in London With Kids: Visit Colorful Borough Market, London Bridge
While the food in Borough Market won’t make for a completely free experience if you decide to get something, what’s interesting about this historic market is that you can get free samples to try.
We’re here in one of the most famous markets in London.
If you do decide to get a sweet treat, my ultimate go-to is always Bread Ahead Bakery with its huge doughnuts filled with vanilla, honeycomb, Nutella, jam and seasonal flavors!
Read: The Prettiest Places for Nature in London
Free Things to Do in London With Kids: Visit Greenwich Park For Cherry Blossom (Spring Time)
If you’re visiting London with teenagers and would like to do something a little bit off the beaten path, I like to recommend checking out cherry blossom spots.
Greenwich Park is one of the most beautiful parks in London to do so.
Smaller kids will also enjoy Greenwich Park for its huge playgrounds, and why not visit the National Maritime Museum I mentioned earlier while you’re in the area?
Read: The Prettiest Mews in London
Free Things to Do in London With Kids: Columbia Road Flower Market on Sundays
The Columbia Road Flower Market makes for one of my favorite hidden gems in East London, and the Sunday market is a colorful haven for kids and adults.
A cute little market in a beautiful zone only minutes away from the Museum of the Home!
Read: The Best Christmas Decorations in London
Free Things to Do in London With Kids: Walk Along Southbank
From street performers to skateboarders, sculptural benches and views of London, the Southbank is one of the places I love to recommend as it’s clearly my favorite in London.
Or at least, one of my favorites.
Walk from Borough Market near London Bridge and you’ll spot a couple of fun murals (including a Shakespeare mural!), the Clink Museum, and water running alongside you.
Read: The Cutest Pink Places in London
Free Things to Do in London With Kids: Enjoy London Views from Horizon 22
High up we go with Horizon 22, which is a great viewing platform to visit with kids if you’ve forgotten to book the Sky Garden in advance.
In any case, both are free rooftops, with Horizon 22 giving us spectacular views over London from 59th floors over ground: mind-blowing for all!
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in West London
Free Things to Do in London With Kids: Tower Bridge
If you would rather enjoy views of London from the ground, Tower Bridge is a landmark you shouldn’t miss.
From there, you can admire views of Canary Wharf, the City Hall, the Shard, and the Tower of London as well.
Chances are, whenever you visit London, there will be a sculpture art trail, like those from Gillie and Marc that often take place around town with gorgeous sculptures of endangered animals – have fun finding them all!
Walk across Tower Bridge, and discover a few of London Bridge’s hidden gems while you’re at it, like the Stephen Balkenhol wooden sculptures hidden up close to the station!
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in South London
Free Things to Do in London With Kids: Check Out Street Art Neighborhoods
There are plenty of gorgeous street art areas in London, but a few favorites, which should appeal to kids, are Shoreditch, Brick Lane, or even the Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel near Waterloo station.
If you would like something a bit different, too, I would recommend checking out the rows colorful houses of Notting Hill and those of Camden Town – a quirky little moment out!
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in North London
Free Things to Do in London With Kids: Visit the Hackney City Farm, East London
Located in East London, the Hackney City Farm makes for a great day out admiring and understanding farm life and various animal species – another really great thing to do with kids when you’re on a budget.
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in Oxford Street
London With Kids: Unique, Cheap and Free Things to Do
There you have them, some of my favorite ideas to spend some real quality time in London with kids!
From shops that pretty much double as museums, to actual museums, and of course, parks and landmarks, you’ll hopefully have found here some new ideas of free things to do in London.
And, if you’re traveling with teenagers, here are a few more ideas I’ve written about in the past that you should know of:
- Take part in an immersive experience
- Discover gorgeous themed coffee shops
- Enjoy visiting some beautiful bookshops!