London promises something for everyone, and delivers. For those of you travelling with kids, this carries special meaning. It means you have cheerful options to the blood stained Tower of London! Here are a few tips for London attractions for kids:
Pollockâ€™s Toy Museum â€“ After Willy Wonkaâ€™s chocolate factory, Pollockâ€™s Toy Museum gets my vote for most fascinating place. Not only will you find toys here, youâ€™ll find toys from across the world and generations, all under one roof â€“ from doll houses to train sets, puppets and puppet theatres to tin toys and board games, they have it all. And if that wasnâ€™t enough, there is toy shop to explore as well.
On a similar note, you could visit the National Museum of Childhood. You could also stop by Madam Tussauds Wax Museum. Itâ€™s an opportunity to introduce your kids to Einstein, Newton, Gandhi and Spiderman, all at once.
The Natural History Museum â€“ Which kid (or adult for that matter) can resist a room full of dinosaurs? Hereâ€™s a museum that brings the magic of science alive. It shows your kids how much fun science can be with a hands-on experience. Itâ€™s an excellent source of educational entertainment. Other museums of interest include the Science Museum, the British Museum (look for special Childrenâ€™s tours) and the Horniman Museum. Heather has also written about Great Free Museums for the Family in London on Europe a la Carte.
London Parks â€“ London has lots of green spaces where your kids can burn energy. Let the run around, enjoy picnics and take part in local matches as they discover some of Londonâ€™s favourite playgrounds. One such popular spot is the Peter Pan inspired Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Garden in Londonâ€™s Kensington Garden complex. In addition to the usual attractions, it also comes with a giant wooden pirate ship, tepees and adventure tunnels.
Transport Museum â€“ The Transport Museum, a tribute to Londonâ€™s transport system, is one of the most fun museums in the city. Exhibits include life size vintage trams, red buses, taxis, and even a representation of the London tube. The icing on the cake is the fact that kids can run around these exhibits, handle the steering and explore these vehicles. Donâ€™t be surprised to see grown men doing the same.
City Farms â€“ When in London spend the day with your kids at one of the many city farms. These farms are an opportunity to experience nature and farm life within the city limits. On offer are a number of activities from handing farm animals to participating in the community gardens. Some city farms also have specialized activities for kids like beekeeping and riding.
In addition if your visit coincides with the English school holidays, be sure to check out the number of special holiday programs designed for kids.
Best of London Tips
Read our Best of London Travel Tips, to help you get the most from your visit to the city.