Exploring London with Kids: Free Family Adventures
London is one of the best cities in the world for family adventures and surprisingly, many of the best things to do in London with kids are completely free.
From world-class museums and royal parks to colourful neighbourhoods, playgrounds, urban farms and hidden canals, there are endless ways to explore the capital without spending a penny.
Whether you're visiting London for the first time or looking for new free days out in London with kids, this guide covers the very best experiences across Central, North, South, East and West London.
Inside you'll find:
• the best free attractions for families
• lesser-known places London locals love
• free festivals and seasonal events
• family-friendly London walks
• kids eat free restaurants
• low-cost transport adventures kids love
Let’s explore the best free things to do in London with kids.
If you’re visiting London with little ones, take a look at our guide below for helpful tips on getting around the city with babies and young children.
Free Things to Do in Central London With Kids
Central London is where many of the capital’s most famous attractions are located. It’s also surprisingly family friendly, with museums, riverside walks, playgrounds and beautiful public squares to explore.
If you're visiting London with kids for the first time, this list is a brilliant place to start. You can easily combine several attractions in one day and many are within walking distance of each other.
Natural History Museum
A favourite with families visiting London. Kids love the giant blue whale skeleton and dinosaur gallery.
Science Museum
Interactive exhibits and hands-on displays make this one of the best free museums for children.
Changing of the Guard
Watching the soldiers march outside Buckingham Palace is one of London’s most iconic free experiences.
Trafalgar Square
Climb the lion statues, watch street performers and visit the National Gallery.
Covent Garden
Street performers entertain crowds throughout the day and children love the lively atmosphere.
South Bank Walk
A fantastic riverside walk passing the London Eye, street performers and food markets.
Tate Modern
A brilliant free modern art gallery located inside a converted power station.
St Paul’s Cathedral
While entry to the cathedral is paid, admiring the building and exploring the surrounding streets is free.
Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square
One of the best places in London with kids in summer.
Highlights include
• fountains children can run through
• a playground
• riverside seating areas
• the Lightroom museum nearby
• free outdoor cinema screenings in summer
Free Things to Do in West London With Kids
West London is home to some of the capital’s most beautiful green spaces and royal parks. If your kids need space to run around, this is the place to go.
Many of London’s best playgrounds are here and the parks are perfect for picnics, cycling and wildlife spotting.
Hyde Park
One of London’s largest parks and perfect for families.
Things kids love
• Diana Memorial Playground
• feeding ducks on the Serpentine
• boat watching
• cycling paths
Kensington Gardens
Located next to Hyde Park and home to the famous Peter Pan statue.
Holland Park (pictured)
A beautiful park with a fantastic playground and Kyoto Garden.
Notting Hill Streets
Colourful houses and lively neighbourhood streets make a fun wander with kids.
Free Things to Do in North London With Kids
North London offers a mix of countryside-like parks, scenic viewpoints and charming neighbourhoods that are perfect for family adventures.
It’s a brilliant area to explore if you want a break from the busiest tourist areas.
Hampstead Heath
A huge wild park where children can climb hills, explore woods and enjoy incredible views across London.
Parliament Hill Viewpoint
One of the best skyline views in London.
Primrose Hill
Perfect for a picnic with a view of the city skyline.
Free Things to Do in East London With Kids
East London is vibrant, creative and full of colourful streets, markets and urban nature reserves.
It’s also one of the best areas in London for spotting street art.
Columbia Road Flower Market
Held every Sunday and filled with music, flowers and lively stalls.
Victoria Park
One of London’s best parks for families with playgrounds and open spaces.
Hackney Marshes
A huge green area perfect for cycling and picnics.
Queen Elizabeth Park
Home to the London 2012 Olympics and now a great place to wander.
Free Things to Do in South London With Kids
South London is often overlooked by visitors but it has some of the most scenic parks and viewpoints in the city.
Greenwich Park
Climb the hill for spectacular views across London and Canary Wharf.
Horniman Museum Gardens
Beautiful gardens with incredible views across the city.
Brockwell Park
A fantastic local park with playgrounds and open spaces.
Free Activities With Animals and Farms
If your children love animals, London has several free city farms where families can visit without paying an entry fee.
These are fantastic for younger children and feel like little countryside escapes inside the city.
Poplar Union Farm
Small community farm in East London.
Hackney City Farm
Popular with families and close to Columbia Road Market.
Mudchute Farm
One of the largest city farms in London with horses, sheep and goats.
Spitalfields City Farm
Another lovely farm with a relaxed atmosphere.
Surrey Docks Farm
Located near the Thames with beautiful river views.
Free Walks in London Perfect for Families
Exploring London on foot is one of the best ways to discover the city. These family-friendly walks are great for weekends and often pass playgrounds, cafés and beautiful views.
Little Venice Walk
Start near Paddington and walk along the canal towards Camden.
Regent’s Canal Walk
A lovely waterside walk passing colourful canal boats and ending at Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square.
Richmond Park Walk
Spot wild deer and enjoy huge open landscapes.
Canary Wharf Garden Walk
Explore Crossrail Place Roof Garden and the riverside paths.
Hackney Wetlands Walk
A peaceful nature area perfect for bird spotting.
Free Viewpoints in London
Seeing London from above is always exciting for children. While some viewpoints charge entry, there are several fantastic free viewpoints in London.
Sky Garden
One of the best free viewpoints in London located inside a skyscraper.
Parliament Hill
Beautiful skyline views.
Primrose Hill
Perfect for sunset.
Greenwich Park
Amazing views across Canary Wharf and the Thames.
Low Cost London Adventures (Just the Price of Transport)
Some of the best experiences in London cost little more than a transport ticket and kids absolutely love them.
Emirates Cable Car
Cross the Thames with incredible views of the O2 and Canary Wharf.
Ride the DLR
Sit at the very front and it looks like the kids are driving the train.
Bus Routes Past Landmarks
Take the top deck of a London bus for a cheap sightseeing tour. Several routes such as the 9, 11, 15 and 24 are known for passing major landmarks, making them a cheap and scenic sightseeing option.
Christmas Lights Bus Ride
Hop on a bus through central London to see the festive lights.
Free Festivals and Events in London
London hosts many free festivals and seasonal events throughout the year.
Chelsea in Bloom
Usually held in May alongside the Chelsea Flower Show.
Chinese New Year
Celebrations in Chinatown and Trafalgar Square.
Canary Wharf Winter Lights
January light festival.
London Christmas Lights
Carnaby Street, Regent Street and Covent Garden.
Kids Eat Free in London
Many restaurants offer kids eat free deals during school holidays.
Popular options you can find across London include;
• Bills
• Bella Italia
• Pizza Express
• Franco Manca
• Las Iguanas
Always check current offers before visiting.
Hidden London Ideas for Local Families
If you live in London, you’ve probably seen the main attractions. These lesser-known spots are great for discovering new corners of the city.
Ideas for locals;
• Hampstead Pergola
• Kyoto Garden Holland Park
• Walthamstow Wetlands
• Epping Forest
• Little Venice canal boats
• Battersea Power Station riverside walks
• Crossrail Place Roof Garden
