Things To Do in London With Kids: An Easy Family Day Out
- Thursday October 22nd 2026
With so many things to do with kids in London, a simple plan can make the day much easier. This guide uses the London Eye and the surrounding South Bank as a starting point, with ideas you can adapt around your children's ages, interests and energy levels.
Leaving space for travel, meals and breaks helps keep the day flexible, especially with younger children in tow. A little planning before you set off means more of your time in London can be spent enjoying the day together.
Planning Easy Family Days Out in London
The London Eye makes a reliable anchor for the day. There's no shortage of other things to do with kids in London close by. A morning start, one main attraction and a proper lunch break give the day its shape. You don't need to plan every hour to make it work.
A family might spend the morning on the London Eye, then take a leisurely lunch nearby. If everyone still has the energy afterwards, adding a second, shorter activity close by can round off the day nicely.
This kind of loose plan is also easier on the budget, since free time by the river costs nothing. Adding just one or two paid attractions is often enough to make for one of London's easiest family days out.
Start With the London Eye or River Cruise
Visiting the London Eye with kids is suitable for all ages, with a rotation lasting around 30 minutes. Children under two can visit free of charge, though a booked ticket is still required for them. The London Eye is also fully accessible to wheelchair users, with more detail on the accessibility page.
Booking tickets in advance makes it easier to plan around nap times, mealtimes or quieter parts of the day. The London Eye River Cruise is another memorable way to see the city, particularly for children who enjoy boats. It's a 40-minute circular sightseeing cruise with landmark views and commentary, giving the day a different pace.
Choose London Attractions for Kids by Age and Interest
When picking London attractions for kids, it helps to think about what each child enjoys most. SEA LIFE London Aquarium and Shrek's Adventure! London both offer colourful, interactive experiences.
The London Dungeon tends to appeal more to older children who enjoy darker stories and scares. Madame Tussauds London suits families interested in celebrities, pop culture and photo opportunities. Between these, there's no shortage of kids' days out in London to enjoy close to the London Eye.
Check each attraction's own details before booking, so you can choose the best fit for your little ones – especially for younger or sensitive children.
Make Family Memories in LondonFAQs About Things To Do in London With Kids
Yes. The London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, Shrek's Adventure! London and The London Dungeon are all close together on the South Bank, around County Hall. That makes it easy to combine two or more in the same day.
Aiming for one or two ticketed attractions in a day tends to work best. This leaves enough time for queues, meals, travel and breaks. Fitting in more can turn a relaxed day into a rushed one.
Yes. Only your first attraction gets a timeslot when you book. You'll need to reserve a free slot for each of the others on the official multi-attraction tickets page. You then have seven days from your first visit to fit in the rest.
The London Eye's pods are enclosed, so they're a safe bet whatever the weather. SEA LIFE London Aquarium is fully indoors, and Shrek's Adventure! London and The London Dungeon are both housed inside County Hall. The River Cruise depends more on the weather, so check current visitor information before you travel.
Once you've settled on which of these things to do with kids in London suit your family best, it then helps to check current availability for the London Eye, River Cruise or multi-attraction tickets. That way, you can lock in the times that suit your day.
