London is a fabulous city to explore with young kids. For English speaking families, London is a great first international destination because there is no language barrier and the city’s extensive public transportation network makes it relatively easy to get around. London in the summer is gorgeous and so much fun. But if you are traveling during the winter months, there is still so much to do! Continue reading for my top things to do with young kids in London in winter. Many of these options are free, which is always nice, but you may need to book them in advance.
First, let’s talk weather. London’s winter weather is quite rainy and can be very dreary. The days are noticeably short. But there are usually breaks in the rain showers and, because the climate is chilly but not frigid, you can usually fit in some outdoor time even in the winter. Read my post on What to Pack For Your Kids For a Winter Trip to England if you are wondering what winter gear to pack when visiting London in the winter.
Now on to the activities!
1. Transport Museum
This place is FANTASTIC for little ones. Especially if yours are as transit obsessed as mine. The London Transport Museum is very interactive with multiple buses, old train cars, and other vehicles that visitors can climb onto. There are two interactive play areas for toddlers and young children. There is also a simulator of a London Underground train that allows visitors to experience operating a Tube train.
The Transport Museum is very popular. Even on weekdays the place can be quite busy with school groups that sometimes overwhelm the play areas, but the museum offers so much to see and interact with outside of the play areas. Strollers/prams are permitted, but the museum encourages visitors to park their strollers in a designated stroller park just inside the main doors.
The museum is located in Covent Garden where you can find many food options and a beautiful market space to explore after your time at the museum. There is a small cafe inside the museum if you need to grab something during your visit.
At the time of our last visit, children entered for free. Adults had to purchase an annual pass to visit, which allows free entry for 12 months. All visitors, including children, needed to reserve an entry time in advance. Of all the museums on this list, I would say the London Transport Museum is the most tailored to toddlers and preschoolers. I definitely recommend you check it out!
2. Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum in South Kensington is located inside a beautiful building with gardens that feature dinosaur skeletons, wildlife, water features and more. Entrance to the front garden is free and does not require a ticket. At the time of our last visit, entrance to the museum was also free but required booking a timed entry. As with many of London’s free museums, donations were encouraged.
In the main hall you will find an impressive blue whale skeleton hanging from the grand ceiling. One of the highlights for my preschooler was the life-size, animated replica of a T. Rex. The animated T. Rex is located in a separate room off of the main dinosaur exhibit. If you think this ferocious creature might frighten your child, you can easily skip it and still see the rest of the dinosaur exhibit. My kids also enjoyed the creepy crawlies exhibit with a life size replica of a termite mound (it is huge!).
Visitors can bring their own food and eat in the picnic area in the basement, although it can be quite packed with school kids and feels a bit like a dungeon. Weather permitting, I would much prefer to enjoy a snack in the garden before or after my visit. The T. Rex Restaurant is convenient for hot plates ordered at the counter, and there are multiple cafes and snack bars throughout the museum for small bites.
Strollers/prams are permitted and there is descent elevator or ramp access throughout most of the museum. The museum lacks a designated play/learning area for young children but the exhibits were sufficiently entertaining for my little ones.
3. Science Museum
The Science Museum in South Kensington has many wonderful exhibits. We enjoyed the flight gallery, which holds a large variety of aircraft suspended from the ceiling and other flight-related displays. There is also an exhibit on space exploration. My curious preschooler who is very interested in how things were “in the olden days” really liked the steam engines and computers and telephones (with old models of phones and computers on display). The toddler was less interested in the main exhibits in this museum, as most of them were a little advanced. There is an indoor discovery area for young children in the basement, but it was closed the day we went (a Monday).
The Science Museum is located next door to the Natural History Museum and it is possible to visit both in the same day. The Museum is free for all but donations are encouraged. At the time of our last visit, visitors were required to book a timed entry.
4. British Museum
This museum is massive and offers so much to see from all over the world. A lot of the exhibits are a bit advanced for the youngest children, but I still think this is a very worthwhile stop for the whole family.
There is a family information desk that offers discovery backpacks to engage young visitors. But check the website to confirm the hours that the family desk is open. At the time of our last visit, the family desk was only open on weekends and school holidays.
The impressive Great Court (the main hall) and reading room are really nice. There is elevator access to the upper floors of the museum and the Great Court Restaurant. Strollers/prams are permitted, but are a bit limiting if you want to explore the exhibits in depth as there are several places with steps but no ramp and the elevators can get quite busy.
Don’t miss afternoon tea!
If you are wanting to experience the British tradition of afternoon tea with your young ones (see item 7 below), the British Museum is a great place to do this. Instead of paying per person to have tea, I was able to purchase a single tea that included a beautifully presented tea stand and a generous pot of tea that I was able to share with my children. This ended up being a relatively inexpensive way to experience afternoon tea in London. I recommend that you either book a tea time in advance or head up to the Great Court Restaurant when you first arrive and put your name down before you start exploring the museum.
5. Hyde Park
Even in the winter Hyde Park is beautiful and on a clear day can be surprisingly full of people. We love to walk the various paths and people watch. You can get something to eat or drink at one of the many cafes and kiosks (indoor and outdoor options are available year-round). Paddle boats are available to rent, even in the winter.
If you have young children, the playgrounds are the highlight of this wonderful city park. I have raved numerous times about the Diana Memorial Playground. This Peter Pan themed playground is so well designed. It has indoor toilets, benches, a small covered area, a cafe, climbing structures with typical playground equipment, teepees and wooden houses, a water feature (only flows in the warmer months), a massive sand area, and, best of all, a large wooden pirate ship, all within a secured gate.
A major renovation is scheduled for the Diana Memorial Playground in autumn of 2025 – spring of 2026, so check online for information about closures.
Quick tip: I like to put rain pants/rain suits on my kids when we are at playgrounds in the winter. Even if it is a clear day, equipment can still be wet and muddy. The rain suits keep their clothes clean and dry.
6. Royal Sites and Ceremonial Events
The spectacle of the Guard Mounting (or “Changing the Guard”) at Buckingham Palace, is something my little ones really enjoy. The ceremony takes place multiple times a week and includes a military band.
The best place to view the ceremony would be right at the front of the palace fence/gates, but you have to arrive very early to snag a spot there, which can be tough with little ones. But you can watch the guards and band march in and out while playing processional music from anywhere on the roundabout outside the palace/around the Queen Victoria Memorial. Because these ceremonies take place regularly, I recommend fitting this in on a dry day so that you aren’t standing out in the rain.
You can also witness changing of the Horse Guards at Whitehall. Check online for information on the times and days of these ceremonies and other royal ceremonial events.
7. Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is a wonderfully British tradition that your family can enjoy. Numerous children’s teas are offered throughout London. You can find extensive lists of hotels, museums, and other locations that offer a childrens’ afternoon tea online. There are also tea bus options. For children over 2 years old, the Peppa Pig Bus could be a fun way to fit in some sightseeing while enjoying an afternoon tea. Or have tea on the Paddington Bus with your children over 5.
Afternoon tea is not a cheap experience. And many of the children’s teas are still pretty fancy or offered in high end hotels. If you are looking for something more casual, you can enjoy afternoon tea at one of the many museums across town. See Item 4 above for my positive review of tea at the British Museum.
8. Riding a Double-Decker Bus
This one is so easy and if your kids aren’t accustomed to riding a lot of public transportation, it is likely to be a big hit! No need to pay for the expensive sight-seeing buses. Just catch a public double-decker bus, head up to the upper front of the bus and enjoy the views as you ride around London.
When you are ready to return, just hop off, cross the street, and catch the same number going back the other direction. We spent a cold and rainy nap-time riding aimlessly from the South Bank through Westminster and Chelsea. The youngest took a nap in my lap while the rest of us enjoyed the views. While taking a stroller on a bus is no problem in London, if you want to ride up top, you will need to leave the stroller behind.
9. Exploring Paddington Station
My kids love the story of Paddington Bear, his obsession with sticky marmalade, and his propensity to find himself in a bit of a mess. My kids also love train stations. Paddington Station is a wonderful combination of both. Watch the trains, talk about how the station works, where the trains are going, then snap a picture with the Paddington statue and pick up a souvenir inside the Paddington Bear shop. During our last visit to Paddington Station, the Paddington store had temporarily relocated (still within the station) for renovations.
10. South Bank Walk
The South Bank of the River Thames is a great place stretch your legs and provides spectacular views of the city, including the Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, the London Eye, Globe Theater, and more.
If you only have time for a short walk, cross the river via the Golden Jubilee Bridge and head west past the London Eye, then back over the river via the Westminster Bridge. This little stretch packs in a lot of activity and things to see. My kids LOVE the Golden Jubilee Bridges, which include both pedestrian bridges and a train bridge. From the Golden Jubilee Pedestrian Bridge (southwest side) you can watch many different transportation vehicles (trains, boats, police boats, and aircraft) and get great views of some of the city’s most famous sites. There are elevators that make crossing with a stroller easy.
Once on the other side, you will find public bathrooms, food options, a carousal, the Jubilee Gardens, a fantastic playground, the London Eye, and several indoor attractions, including Sea Life. If you have a pram/stroller, you will find step-free acess to the Westminster Bridge around the back side of the County Hall (near the Marriott).
If you have time for a longer stretch, you can walk farther in either direction. I recommend heading East toward the Tate Modern and Shakespear’s Globe and then down to Borough Market.
11. SEA LIFE London Aquarium
This is a fun place to spend a couple hours on a rainy day. It is not the most spectacular aquarium that I have been to, but it offers a lot to see and was an enjoyable and educational experience for my children. I would budget at least a couple hours to make your way through the entire aquarium.
There are quite a variety of animals to see and learn about, including fish, rays, sea turtles, sharks, snakes and other rainforest critters, penguins, and jelly fish. The place can get pretty busy when school groups come through. Aquariums are usually not among the cheaper experiences, and this one is no different. If you are planning to ride the London Eye (located right next to SEA LIFE), you can bundle your tickets with SEA LIFE for a discount. At the time of our visit, children under 2 were free.
12. London Eye
Riding the London Eye is a great way to get sweeping views of the city. The pods are fully enclosed, keeping you out of the elements (although heavy rain might obscure the view). The pods move very slowly and it takes about half an hour to complete the ride. You can bring strollers inside the pods but you must collapse them before boarding.
You can purchase tickets at the ticket office, but pre-booking online for a specific time slot is recommended. If you will be visiting other sites in the area, you can bundle London Eye tickets with tickets to other attractions for a discount. Check the website for more details and offers.
13. Toy Shopping
Harrods
Harrods is a luxury department store in Knightsbridge. If you are in the area, it is worth stepping inside even if you aren’t a big shopper. If you have little ones in tow, I recommend heading to the Egyptian escalators in the center of the building. My kids love riding escalators of any kind, but Harrods’ are particularly eye-catching. There are also elevators if you have a pram/stroller. Whenever we pop in for a visit we like to head up to the toy and baby/children’s departments to ooh and aah over the adorable (and insanely expensive) baby clothes. You can also grab a bite or a sweet treat inside or just outside the store at EL&N London.
Hamleys
I will be honest, I have not yet taken my kids to Hamleys, the world’s oldest toy shop. We usually pack very light and don’t have a lot of room to bring home toys. While I like to window shop, when it comes to toys, my kids much prefer to actually shop. But if you have room in your luggage and are in the mood to indulge, Hamleys is massive and has a wide selection of toys for kids of all ages.
To sum it up…
Winter can be a great time to visit London. In the winter months the crowds are down a bit and the prices (flights, hotels, attractions) are generally cheaper. With the right mindset, the right gear, and this list of places to explore, you and your family should have no trouble enjoying your time in London in winter.
