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(This post was updated March 2026.) London is one of the very best places to travel with children – there are so many fun things to do in London with kids! There is so much variety – everything from world-class museums to outdoor space to live theater, much of which is free. Planning a family trip to London? Keep scrolling down for our 3 Day London Itinerary with Kids!
I truly believe London is one of the very best cities for a family trip because London with kids is maybe even better than with just adults! After living here nearly 3 years, we’ve done so much and yet still feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface.
If you can spend one week in London, I highly recommend it, but a 3 day London family itinerary is a great starting point.
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If you’d like to take the guesswork out of planning a London trip with kids, I offer bespoke travel planning services. I love helping you save time and money in planning a custom trip that’s perfectly tailored to your interests and needs!
The top family-friendly London areas I’d recommend are South Kensington/Knightsbridge, Mayfair/Marylebone/Soho, and Westminster. Some of these areas sort of blend together, but they’re all great pockets that have lots to do (and eat!) and have excellent access to the rest of the city. These are perfect spots to stay in London with kids to be near the best things to do in London with kids. See this post for some great London accommodations options for each!
I also have a couple of places I always check when booking family accommodations when traveling. Here are the two sites I use the most!
Booking is where I tend to find the best rates for hotels and even apartment rentals. I also like to check Expedia and Hotels.com.
I also like to check VRBO for larger accommodations!
Especially with a big family, it’s important for us to pack minimally so we don’t feel totally overwhelmed when we travel. Here are some of our favorite minimal packing essentials for families!
For more packing ideas here’s what I packed for:
I highly recommend using London’s terrific public transport system to get around. Both the Tubes and buses are efficient, affordable, and super connected.
For adults, I recommend simply using contactless payment on your phone/watch or with a credit card – it will automatically cap at the daily/weekly maximum and charge you the best rate. Children under 11 are completely free with a paying adult on all London public transport (up to 4 children per adult).
For children ages 11-15, it’s worthwhile to get an Oyster card with a Young Visitor discount. Just ask any station manager to add the discount and it will charge you a reduced fare.
See THIS MAP to view all the stops on our 3 day London family vacation!
This post on visiting London with kids contains affiliate links, but all opinions are 100% my own. That means I earn a small commission if you purchase through my link, but doesn’t increase your price. Thank you for supporting this blog!
I’m of the (slightly unpopular) opinion that the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace is not the best for families. The crowds can get reaaaally intense, you typically need to arrive quite early, and it’s not usually the most exciting for young kids. Instead, take an early walk by the palace gates (before it gets crowded) and pop into St James’s Park to play at the playground instead!
If you do decide to watch the Changing of the Guard, I highly recommend booking a guided tour – they’re excellent at finding the perfect spots for different parts of the ceremony, and will allow you to view much more than you’d be able to on your own. This activity tends to be very crowded so having a guide often makes the difference between seeing it and not. This tour is very affordable and extremely well done. Another great option is to see the changing of the Horse Guards, which tends to be MUCH less crowded (and I think way more fun because…horses!). Info on all the guards changings HERE.
After your stroll through St. James’s Park to play at the playground and watch the animals at the lake (we love the swans!), head over to Westminster Abbey and the Parliament building, which are right near each other. Westminster Abbey is filled with incredible history and is majestic to see even from the outside. If you’d like to tour the inside, there’s a really well-done multimedia guide with audio + videos/scavenger hunt/etc for children. If you don’t want to pay to enter, plan to return later in the day for Evensong, which is free to attend (though you must stay for the whole service – check here for times).
Next, head over to Big Ben. It would be impossible to visit London without seeing the famous clock tower (which is technically called the Elizabeth Tower – the bell itself is called Big Ben!). While you can of course just walk around outside, touring the Parliament building (aka Westminster Palace, which the tower is a part of) is a great option. This site also has a terrific, family-friendly multimedia guide that kids usually love. If you’re traveling with kids ages 11+, walking up the tower to Big Ben is another amazing option – you’ll have to book in advance and be online within about .2 seconds of them releasing tickets, but it’s worth trying. 🙂
Next, stop for some lunch. We love to grab a meal deal from any grocery store (usually between £3-5 for a main, a side, and a drink) to eat in Parliament Square Garden with a view of Big Ben!
After eating, if you’re with younger kiddos, visiting the Royal Mews in London with kids offers an exciting glimpse into the historic stables and carriages used by the British Royal Family. Children love seeing the horses and the iconic Gold State Coach. The interactive displays and engaging guided tours ensure a fun and informative visit for the whole family.
If you’re traveling to London with older kiddos/teens/adults, head to the Churchill War Rooms. Visiting the Churchill War Rooms in London with kids provides the opportunity to be immersed in the secret underground bunker where Winston Churchill led Britain during WWII. Older kids will enjoy the interactive exhibits and original wartime artifacts, along with the museum’s hands-on activities and compelling stories.
If you’d like to do the London Eye, now is a good time to head over to do that. I recommend booking your tickets in advance, though know that the experience is pricey. While you’re there, be sure to stop at the Jubilee Playground right under it – so fun and with epic views. Another option is to head to the Leake Street Arches to see the cool street art and graffiti. You can even take your own paint pens to add to the artwork.
Finally, end the day with a pub dinner. There are lots of options in the area, The Red Lion pub is one option that’s filled with loads of history.
The Tower of London is such an iconic part of the city and is a must do on any London visit. Historic castle and former residence of many monarchs, you’ll love hearing the history of power and executions, as well as seeing the Crown Jewels. And playing knights and swords, of course. Be sure to make time to take a tour with a Yeoman Warder (aka Beefeater) – the Tower guards are knowledgeable and entertaining and a tour is included with your admission. Be sure to check the hours for the tours in advance. I recommend arriving just before opening to head straight to the Crown Jewels, and then taking in the Beefeater tour and White Tower after. Plan on spending 2-4 hours here.
Next, head up to Spitalfields Market to grab a quick lunch. It’s much less crowded than the super-popular Borough Market, and has lots of lovely independent shops, as well.
After lunch, head over to a take in a West End show. Matilda, Paddington, Lion King, and My Neighbor Totoro are all great for younger kiddos, though note that shows generally require kids to be ages 4+.
Finally, grab a quick dinner before heading back to your lodging. We love Vasiniko for delicious pizza in the theatre district, or Dishoom is always delicious!
If you still have energy, visiting the Sky Garden in London with kids offers breathtaking views of the city’s skyline from a public garden in the sky. Children will love exploring the lush indoor gardens and open-air terrace, providing a unique and exciting experience. The best part is that it’s totally free! Just be sure to book your tickets right when the become available as the spots go very quickly. Another option for a terrific and free viewpoint is from the terrace of the One New Change building – you’ll get a spectacular view of St Paul’s Cathedral, and you don’t need to book anything in advance.
Start day 3 in London with a museum morning! We absolutely adore both the Transport Museum and the Postal Museum, and both are extremely kid-friendly and unique to London. If you have a vehicle lover, the Transport Museum is a must. Adults will love some history on London’s various transportation systems, while little ones will be occupied for hours with all the wonderful, hands-on exhibits. It’s a dream for the toddler through elementary crowd! Alternatively, make your way to the Postal Museum, which offers a unique and interactive exploration of Britain’s postal history. Kids will enjoy riding the underground Mail Rail train and engaging with lots of hands-on exhibits from sending mail through a working pneumatic tube and dressing up as postal workers through the ages. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance during busy seasons.
After the museum, head over for a special afternoon tea – we love The Dilly for it’s fun, London-themed tea and The Ampersand for the cool science-themed and dino-themed teas.
After tea (which is definitely enough food for a full meal!), head over to Hyde Park. We love walking around the pond near Kensington Palace, by Serpentine Lake and doing the pedalo boats, or going over to Diana Memorial Fountains in warm weather to play in the water. (The Diana Playground is currently closed for renovation, but once it’s reopened, this is my #1 rec for where to head!)
If you have time after the park, consider touring Kensington Palace. The audio guides are included with the cost of admission and are excellent, including and especially the kids’ version. Kids will love all the little activities they have inside, including some little toys like those enjoyed by Queen Victoria.
Tip: If you’re traveling as a family to London and plan to visit this and even one other attraction on the list of Historic Royal Palaces, it may be worth it to get an annual pass. Or here’s a combined ticket for the 3 most popular ones.
If you have time, visit Portobello Market, one of the world’s largest antique and food markets. Children will love exploring the eclectic stalls filled with unique treasures, street food, and lively performances. A fun and memorable outing for the whole family. Or head over to Hamley’s toy store (the largest in the world) for a vast array of treasures!
If you feel up to an evening activity, Royal Albert Hall has lots of incredible performances, and there are tons of other theatre options in London!
There’s definitely too much to see in London for a 3-day itinerary, so here are some of our favorite other stops. And be sure to check out my full week one-week London itinerary with kids!
South Kensington has a number of super great, family-friendly museums. Hintze Hall in the Natural History Museum is worth a stop just to see the gorgeous hall, some of Mary Anning’s findings, and the blue whale suspended high above. The nearby Science Museum‘s Wonder Lab requires a small fee and must be booked in advance, but is so fun for kiddos, and there are plenty of other amazing (and free) exhibits to explore, as well. The Victoria and Albert Museum focuses on applied & decorative arts, which may not seem the most fun with kiddos. BUT they have hugely entertaining family backpacks you can check out for FREE with wonderful activities to keep kids engaged and excited. They also have family-friendly games and digital guides on their website.
If you or your kids are Harry Potter fans, it’s definitely worth finding a few sites. Platform 9 3/4 is almost always crowded, but it’s fun to see, regardless. We opted not to wait in the line for a photo and just paused by the side of it.
The Studio tour in Leavenworth is an all-day event, but I’ve heard it’s fantastic. It sells out quickly, so be sure to purchase tickets in advance.
If you’d like to stay in London itself, THIS Harry Potter walking tour would be perfect for all the Muggles in your group!
London is filled with amazing, walkable, beautiful neighborhoods. Consider strolling South Kensington or Notting Hill; the Portobello Road market is always buzzing with activity next door. There are plenty of opportunities for self-guided tours or just wandering, and lots of beautiful buildings and markets along the way. If you’d like something more organized, there are more OPTIONS than you could imagine!
It’s always delightful seeing London from a boat! This evening cruise sounds dreamy, or you could do a hop-on-hop-off London river cruise to get to various sites along the way. Or if you’d like to visit the London Eye, this combined ticket would be perfect.
(Even without the river cruise, if you choose to visit the London Eye, I’d absolutely recommend an advance purchase Fast-Track ticket. The lines get crazy!)
We love going here and seeing so many incredible manuscripts, including an original Magna Carta. If your kids are into books, this would be a wonderful (and free) stop.
Any of these would be wonderful options if you have extra days in the city, as well. Truly, you could spend a lifetime in London with kids and not do it all! If you do have some more days, there are a number of fantastic day trips in the area, as well – here’s a great one!
Here are some more options we love!
