4 Days in London with Kids – 12 Highlights You Can't Miss as a Family + BONUS

Discovering London with children is a very special trip. The city remains on my list of favorite cities in 2025, as London, unlike Dubai or Tokyo, has remained very traditional and authentic. Countless times over the past 15 years, I've browsed record stores in Camden Town, eaten fancy lunches in the City of London, and enjoyed urban nature in Hyde Park.

This time, however, it was different. This time it was a real adventure because it was my first time in London with children. And suddenly I saw the city with completely different eyes.

The four days weren't about rushing through all the classic sights. Instead, we needed a mix of famous highlights, family-friendly places, and genuine "wow" moments that we'll remember as a family.

The city fortunately offers so many magical moments. Our kids were amazed when they saw the guards in front of Buckingham Palace and how they marched past us. At the Paradox Museum, the world suddenly turned upside down, and in Greenwich, we were simultaneously standing with one foot in the east and the other in the west of the world, at least in terms of time.

In just four days, we experienced an incredible amount. Despite this, it wasn't a stressful rush from A to B, but a perfect mix of sightseeing, breaks for play in London's beautiful parks, and cozy moments with hot chocolate and cake in small cafes.

So if you're planning a trip to London with your family and don't know where to start, this post is for you. I'll take you through our 4-day exploration of the city, show you our absolute highlights, and give you tips on how to experience London with kids in a relaxed way.

00. General Tips for London with Kids

If you've been following Wandernotizen for a while, you know I usually take things easy. So here are a few tips for London to make your city trip even more relaxed.

Many of the most famous sights and museums are completely free. From the Natural History Museum to the Science Museum to the British Museum. You can discover exciting places for days without paying an entrance fee. But beware: even if admission is free, you usually have to Reserve tickets online in advance, to get guaranteed entry. I missed this at the National History Museum and so we actually couldn't get in or would have had to wait two hours. #fail

For traveling through the city, the Subway free for children under 11, as long as they are traveling with a paying adult. This makes getting around straightforward. You simply go through the wide ticket gate with the kids.

The weather in London is known for being unpredictable. So be sure to pack Rain capes or umbrellas One. Many children even find it fun to hop through the streets in the drizzle. Nevertheless, it's worth a Plan B for bad weather. There are museums you can visit without a reservation or numerous other indoor attractions.

On the go, you should always Snacks and water London is full of cafes, but the prices add up quickly and not every place is kid-friendly. All over the city there are Refill Stations, where you can refill your water bottles for free.

And an important safety tip: In a metropolis like London, it's easy for children to get lost in crowds. Hold her hand, especially at train stations, on the Underground, and in large squares. Arrange in advance a Solid meeting point, in case someone gets lost. It gives everyone a sense of security.

Discover London for Free as a Family [BONUS]

Especially if you're traveling to London with family for the first time, there are numerous great opportunities to explore the city cheaply or even for free. London is known as an expensive city, but if you know (and you will after this post 😉) where to look, you can experience a lot with your family without paying a single pound in admission. Especially on your first visit, there are countless highlights that are not only child-friendly but also convey the real London feeling.

1. Discover the great museums for free
I already mentioned that above, and there will be a separate section about it further down.

2. Experience Royal Flair at the Changing of the Guard
The Changing of the Guard ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace is an experience for the whole family. The red uniforms, the music of the military band, and the impressive choreography make this moment a true London classic, and it costs not a penny. It's worth arriving early to get a good spot. However, we had the bad luck that on the very day we visited Buckingham Palace, there was no Changing of the Guard. I am familiar with the event from past visits, though. It is truly worth seeing.

3. Parks as Play and Picnic Havens
In the heart of the city, you'll find green oases. In St. James's Park, you can watch pelicans and picnic with a view of the London Eye. Hyde Park offers boat rentals and playgrounds, and at the Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens, a giant pirate ship awaits little explorers.

4. London from above, free
The Sky Garden is a real insider tip for families. Spectacular views, tropical plants, and plenty of space to marvel. Admission is free, you just need to book a time slot online in advance.

5. Free city tour on a double-decker bus
For a free „sightseeing tour,“ simply hop on bus line 11 or 15. From the upper deck, you'll get a great view of many attractions. It's almost like a paid tour, but free. We didn't do this, although I used to ride the bus a lot in London. With line 11 or 15, you'll pass by many sights.

Now I'd like to present our 12 highlights that made London particularly special for us.

01. Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus – Shopping in London

The probably two most famous streets or squares in London are the Oxford Street and the Piccadilly Circus. Therefore, they are a must, especially if you are visiting London with children. There are numerous great shops for the kids, especially the M&Ms Store, which is also a highlight even if you don't like chocolate. =)

I'm M&M's Store London Do you get M&Ms in ALL 16 million colors, it feels like. The selection is huge anyway and is supplemented by several clothing collections and even dishes and kitchen equipment. The store spans 3 floors, so you can plan for a good hour here. By the way, the whole store smells pleasantly of chocolate.

Directly opposite is a large LEGO Store. Here is Big Ben built from Lego, though it's two stories high. It's worth seeing. There are also many large Harry Potter figures. If you're a fan, you'll surely be interested in that.

Within walking distance of Piccadilly Circus, which is beautifully lit up in the evening, is Chinatown, Soho. There are countless good restaurants here. I love Asian food, and I always find what I'm looking for in Chinatown. Besides that, it's simply worth seeing to stroll through the neighborhood.

Leicester Square is also within walking distance. It's a large square with an impressive fountain in the middle. Since we actually had excellent weather in England for two months, the fountain provided a good way to cool off. Especially for the kids, who were allowed to run around there.

While not free, a ride on a hop-on hop-off bus is also a great idea for discovering London. You can see all the popular sights in a short amount of time. I always book these tours through GetYourGuide. Here is the link* for the most popular tour of London, ideal for London with kids.

02. Camden Town – My Favorite Neighborhood in London

Camden Town It's like a giant adventure playground, for all age groups. I used to buy records here more often. I still remember exactly how a Ryanair flight from Frankfurt to London was cheaper than a trip to the record store in Cologne. =)

While this is no longer the case today, a trip to Camden is always worthwhile. Especially if you're already in London anyway. As soon as you get off the subway, you're immersed in a colorful world here.

Houses with giant sculptures on their facades, streets full of music, and the aroma of food from all over the world. For our kids, just wandering around was an experience. And then, of course, the food, because there's a lot of street food here. From Thailand, Mexico, Italy, or India. Everyone is guaranteed to find something they like here.

Camden Market is located very centrally. Once a black market in London, today you'll find numerous small shops and stalls here with handmade jewelry and original souvenirs. You can take a short break on Regent's Canal, watch the boats, or simply enjoy the colorful scenery. Camden is lively, loud, and energetic, making it perfect if you want to experience the creative, unvarnished side of London.

Amusingly, one of the record stores I used to frequent is still around. It was a great memory because my last visit must have been around 2002. In a gaudy clothing store, I was able to show my kids the original Street Fighter game. Not exactly suitable for kids that age, but it was still funny.

03. Greenwich – Stand on the famous Prime Meridian

Since we have to set our watches back and forth several times a year due to changing time zones, I spontaneously had the idea of making a detour to Greenwich. Our kids now have watches of their own and had to set them back an hour when we got off in London.

Greenwich is one of those places in London that perfectly combines history and experience. The Royal Observatory stands on the hill. There, you can marvel at the famous Prime Meridian line. Here, you stand with one foot in the Western Hemisphere and the other in the Eastern Hemisphere.

In addition to the meridian line, the observatory features exciting exhibitions on astronomy, timekeeping, and the history of navigation, which are also presented in an understandable way for children. Afterwards, a walk through the expansive Greenwich Park is worthwhile, offering a dreamlike view of London.

We didn't visit the observatory because we didn't have much time. The entrance fee wouldn't have been worth it for us. Therefore, here's a little pro tip on how you can see the Prime Meridian line in Greenwich for free.

There is a small black gate right next to the main entrance to the Observatory. You can go through there, and after about 20 meters, you'll see the Prime Meridian line on the wall and on the floor. This saves your family about 60 EUR in the end.

When you have more time and that is, of course, always more relaxed, then you can conveniently book tickets via GetYourGuidebook.

04. The O2 – Your Adventure Under the Dome

The O2 is an exciting place, especially if you're traveling in London with your family. It's located right in Greenwich, which is why we planned it after visiting the Prime Meridian line. You can recognize it from afar by its impressive, round dome.

Originally, the striking building opened in 2000 as the Millennium Dome. It is a symbol of the start of the new millennium and was home to a major exhibition on science, technology, and culture at the time.

After the exhibition ended, the dome stood empty for a few years until it reopened in 2007 as The O2. Since then, the venue has developed into one of the largest entertainment complexes in the world, featuring concerts, sporting events, dining, leisure activities, and experiences for the whole family.

Our absolute highlight was Clip ’n Climb, a small indoor climbing gym. Here you'll find over 20 colorful climbing challenges, a spectacular 10m high Vertical Drop Slide, which is a slide where you are pulled up until you are vertical. Then you can let go and really pick up speed. It's one of the highest slides in Great Britain. There are also some 12m high climbing walls. Our kids had a lot of fun here.

Furthermore, you can stroll through O2, eat in the many restaurants, or go to the cinema. The shopping mall is more like an outlet center, which is why there are one or two good bargains to be found here.

The O2 is also recommended as a bad weather program for London. We spent about 3 hours there, including a delicious lunch.

05. Hyde Park – London's Central Park and Green Oasis

Imagine stepping out of the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, and suddenly you're in the middle of a vast green oasis. That's the Hyde Park. It is one of the most famous parks in the world and a place where you can forget that you are in a city of millions for a few hours.

Hyde Park was established sometime in the 16th century by Henry VIII and served as a royal hunting ground. It wasn't until 1637 that it was made accessible to the public. Since then, it has been a central meeting place for Londoners and tourists from all over the world. The Speakers’ Corner in the northeast of the park is particularly famous, where everyone has been allowed to speak freely for over 150 years. Whether it's major political speeches or the dissemination of quirky ideas.

As a family in London, you can go for a wonderful stroll, cycle, or simply have a picnic on one of the vast lawns here. In the summer, you'll quickly make friends because there are families everywhere spending the day here with their kids.

In the center of Hyde Park is the Serpentine Lake, a large artificial lake. Here you can rent pedal boats or simply watch the numerous ducks and geese swimming.

A highlight for children are the many playgrounds, and if you like animals, then a detour to the tame squirrels, who approach curiously, is worthwhile.

Hyde Park is ideal for breaking up a day of sightseeing and giving the kids a break. It's best to bring some snacks or a picnic. The large meadows are perfect for stretching your legs. If you need coffee or ice cream, you'll find small kiosks and cafes all over the park. I've been to Hyde Park many times, and it's even more fun with family.

06. Buckingham Palace

As mentioned above, Buckingham Palace is a great way to explore London with children for free. Visiting the royal palace is a must when you're in London. The magnificent palace, the residence of the British royals, fascinates with its imposing facade.

The guards are patrolling in front of the palace, with their red uniforms and bearskin hats. Our kids found that very amusing. Unfortunately, there was no Changing of the Guard when we were there. Check the times online so you won't be disappointed. Most of the time, the Changing of the Guard takes place at 11 AM.

The ceremony itself is like a little play, with music and precise choreography. The kids love it, and it's also worth seeing for us adults.

The sight of the palace alone is a highlight. Our kids curiously asked if a queen really lives here. No, I said, of course not. No queen lives here... but a king =) King Charles III or simply Charles Philip Arthur George, as friends call him. He has only worn the crown since 2023 and has ruled the United Kingdom ever since. But that's just by the way.

By the way, if you want the whole show, you can also Palace tour* book. I haven't done that yet. Feel free to tell me in the comments below if it's worth it.

07. Big Ben and Westminster Bridge

This time I didn't really want to go to Big Ben, as I've been here 30 times (it felt like it), though in reality it was probably 10 times. But this time I'm in London with family and since we still had some time that day and Westminster was on our way home anyway, we made a spontaneous stop here.

It's simply impressive how sumptuously the Houses of Parliament loom on the banks of the Thames. You'll also find this gigantic building under the name Palace of Westminster. It was once the residence of royalty, but no royal has lived here for about 500 years.

The most famous part is the Elizabeth Tower, which contains the bell that everyone knows: Big Ben. It always strikes on the hour. The four smaller bells chime every quarter hour. So, if you're walking across Westminster Bridge like us and looking around the area, there's a good chance you'll hear The Big Ben as well.

08. Harrods – Noble Shopping in London

Tired of sightseeing? Then it's time for some shopping. If you're visiting London with children, a trip to Harrods is a great idea. The department store is worth seeing and, in addition to many toy shops, some of which offer exquisite premium toys for the super-rich, it also boasts the famous and delicious Food Halls.

There you'll find treats from all over the world. Our kids found that incredibly exciting, as we also saw Japanese strawberries and melons there, for example, which we... ta-daaa... know from Japan. 🙂

As you stroll through the streets of Knightsbridge, the magnificent building with its distinctive dome and golden decorations catches your eye from afar. Especially in the evening, when thousands of small lights illuminate the facade, it looks almost like a palace.

It was founded in 1834 by Charles Henry Harrod as a small grocery store. Today, Harrods is certainly one of the most famous department stores in the world. If you're in London with your family and at Harrods, you don't have to see all seven floors.

Pick out a few highlights and enjoy the great atmosphere. Of course, many products are super expensive, but that's not what Harrods is all about. You can simply stroll through the magnificent rooms, marvel at the artfully designed escalators, or admire the luxurious shop windows.

If you've bought a few souvenirs and your vacation fund is now empty, you'll like the next highlight.

09. Science Museum – Perfect for enjoying London with children

The Science Museum in London is free and gigantic. It's ideal for spending an interesting and exciting day in London with the whole family. The museum is located in South Kensington and is within walking distance of places like Harrods. As mentioned, admission is free, and as soon as you enter, you'll notice that it's not just about looking, but many exhibits are interactive.

There are incredibly many things for children to discover. The museum is generously laid out, there are cafes, picnic areas, and even special family tours. On rainy days, it's the perfect place to spend a few hours without boredom setting in. But even on good days, like the one we had, I would plan at least half a day here.

If you want to see everything here, you should plan for more than one day, as some of the individual exhibitions and exhibits can take a relatively long time if you look at them in detail.

Pro-Tip: Although the museum is free, I recommend booking tickets online. We wouldn't have gotten in because it was too crowded. Especially on weekends and during school holidays, this is a must.

10. Paradox Museum

Wow, that was a truly exciting and fun museum, and educational at the same time. If you want to experience something extraordinary in London with kids, you should definitely go to the Paradox Museum go.

Everything here is interactive, and the world is turned upside down, sometimes literally. It's all about illusions and optical tricks. As soon as you enter, you realize that nothing is as it seems. Rooms are upside down, reflections confuse your perception, and suddenly you're part of a giant 3D illusion.

Our kids loved moving through the crazy installations, taking photos, and laughing when they suddenly seemed to be stuck to the ceiling or appeared to be shrunk to miniature size. You practically become part of the exhibition yourself here, which is fun and provides many entertaining moments.

The Paradox Museum is guaranteed not to be the typical museum you'd expect to find in a city like London. Plan for enough time. We spent about two hours here, but could easily have stayed for another hour. It's fun to take pictures and videos of all the crazy models and installations. We all had a blast here.

11. Covent Garden

Many paths in London lead to Covent Garden. You'll find what you're looking for in Covent Garden, especially if you're searching for more unusual and often cheaper shops. I love the neighborhood because there are many cool Asian shops here that are more authentic than those in Chinatown (Editor's opinion).

This place in the heart of the city is known for its special blend of tradition, entertainment, and modern lifestyle. Originally, Covent Garden was one of London's most important marketplaces in the 17th century, where fruit, vegetables, and flowers were traded. Today, the old market hall is an elegant meeting place with small boutiques, cafes, and souvenir shops.

What makes Covent Garden so special for families are the many street performers. Jugglers, musicians, magicians, and acrobats perform on the large square in front of the market hall. Our kids were fascinated by the performances, and often the audience is even included.

From Covent Garden, you can walk directly to Oxford Street, or to King's Cross, and also Soho. Chinatown is not far from here. We walked to King's Cross and then moved on to Highlight 12.

12. Harry Potter and Platform 9 ¾

Harry who?? Okay, I have zero clue about Harry Potter and the stories. However, I will read or listen to all 7 books in 2025. Because the full-cast editions are coming out. That means that each character in the book will have a different narrator.

To get into the mood, we walked to platforms 9 and 10 in King's Cross. There you'll find the famous luggage cart that disappears halfway into the wall. Your children (and possibly you yourself) can take a photo here, as if they are disappearing through the wall into the magical world. An employee will even help you with matching scarves from the Hogwarts houses, which flutter in the wind. This makes the picture look even more real.

Especially if you're in London with children and Harry Potter plays a role in your family, then there's no way around this famous Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station. This is exactly where Harry and his friends begin their journey into the wizarding world.

If you'd like to buy a few more souvenirs, you can do so directly at the Harry Potter Shop next door. Visiting Platform 9 ¾ is free, but there might be a few hundred other people who had the same idea. We only took a photo from the side too. The wait was 20 minutes and as I said... Harry Potter??

London trip tips tourist attractions

Bottom Line - London with Kids

London, a city that, just like New York, never sleeps. Visiting the English capital with family is significantly different special as alone or as a couple. Beautiful. Interesting. Exciting. We spent a wonderful 4 days in London with children.

The city is large, colorful, and full of contrasts, which makes it so special. Between historical landmarks like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, there are green oases like Hyde Park and lively and vibrant places like Covent Garden. London has something for everyone, and especially if you are traveling to London with your family, you will definitely get your money's worth.

I would also like to mention that we did not spend the 4 days in London consecutively, but rather within a 4-week period. So we did not undertake all 12 highlights on 4 consecutive days. That would have been quite exhausting for the kids and for us too. But I think if you are only in the city for 4 days, you will find some great inspiration and ideas here to make your stay in London with children an exciting experience.

Have you ever been to London with children? What did you like best there? What else should we see there next time? What else is missing from my London trip report with kids?

Family Photo Gallery London 2025

As always, there are tons of photos from our trips. This way, you can get a lot of impressions in advance. 😉