If you visit London regularly, it’s easy to feel like you’re returning to the same major family attractions again and again – but look a little further, and it’s not hard to discover some far more unusual things to do in London with kids.
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Great if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, or simply fancy a change to mix up your days out in London with kids, I’ve picked out 37 quirky things to do with kids in London – there are options which are great for younger kids if you’re visiting with toddlers, and a few hidden gems to appeal to teens.
And along with places you can visit year-round, you’ll find some unusual experiences and events to pop in the diary, which are perfect if you’re planning ahead or making a wishlist of fun things to do in London with kids.
For more ideas of the best things to do in London with kids, check out my top picks
Take a ride on the Mail Rail
If you think a trip to the Postal Museum doesn’t sound like one of the most fun things to do in London with kids, think again as this lesser-known London museum has an exciting added secret.
Running underneath the museum are the original tunnels and station platforms of London’s 100-year-old postal railway which once delivered mail across the city.
The railway stopped being used for mail in 2003, but visitors can now travel through the tunnels on a miniature train – known as the Mail Rail – in a unique interactive experience suitable for adults and kids of all ages.
Sleep with the lions at London Zoo
Easily one of the most unusual things to do in London with kids is to enjoy an overnight stay at the London Zoo Lodges.
The zoo’s nine themed Lodges can be found inside the Land of the Lions exhibit, within roaring distance of the pride of Asiatic lions. The unique overnight experience includes three special after-hour tours, dinner and breakfast, plus entrance to the zoo both days of your stay.
The Zoo Lodges have special family nights for children aged 5-15, while teens 14+ can stay on adult only nights too. Unfortunately, children under 5 can’t stay overnight.
For more tips on visiting London Zoo with kids, check out this post
Have a sleepover on the Golden Hinde
Discover the secrets of Tudor medicine (bleeding and more bleeding), learn the realities of life at sea and fight off the Spanish on board the Golden Hinde – the replica of the ship which Sir Francis Drake sailed around the world.
Even better than a visit on board the galleon, moored on the South Bank near Southwark, is the chance to sleep overnight with the Golden Hinde night voyage – the Family Night Voyage includes (nearly) authentic vegetable stew for dinner and actors bringing tales of Elizabethan pirates and privateers to life.
It might not be the most comfortable night’s sleep for adults, but it’s an unforgettable experience. If you don’t fancy that, there’s also Escape from the Golden Hinde, London’s most unusual escape room.
Read my review of a sleepover on the Golden Hinde
Visit the dinosaurs in Crystal Palace Park
Head to the south of the capital for a day out discovering one of the most unusual attractions in London: the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs.
The 30 life-size models were installed back in 1854 and were based on the latest scientific knowledge at the time, meaning some are a little different from the dinosaurs we’re used to imagining now. Nonetheless, they’re still definitely worth seeing and are sure to prove a big hit with young kids.
The Grade I listed models can be found on the south east side of Crystal Palace Park, which is also home to one of the largest Victorian hedge mazes in the country.
One of my top free things to do in London with kids, check out my other top picks
Indulge your sweet tooth
If a day out in London isn’t enough of a treat, there are plenty of places to put the icing (or ice cream) on the cake.
Based on the Brothers Grimm’s famous tale of Hansel & Gretel, Camden Market’s Hans & Gretel is a magical fairy-tale inspired dessert cafe, entirely covered from floor to ceiling in candy canes, lollipops, cupcakes and colourful sweets galore.
There are also giant statues of Hansel and Gretel to greet you at the shop’s entrance and a makeshift candy house that kids can sit inside for photos.
Not only is the store itself a fun and quirky place to visit in London with younger children, but its many indulgent desserts are sure to be a big hit with kids of all ages. You can choose from sweet Hungarian funnel cakes, bubble waffles, freakshakes, ice-cream, pick’n’mix and more.
For more things to do in Camden with kids, check out my top picks
Or how about a donut tour of London with kids – two hours exploring the area around Southwark and London Bridge, including four stops for doughnuts on the way.
There’s quirky history, a chance to learn more about everyone from the Romans to Sir Francis Drake and Shakespeare, as well as a sight of Tower Bridge.
For more things to do around Tower Bridge with kids, check out these ideas
And Covent Garden is another great stop for some indulgence. Home to Milk Train, where your ice creams can come swirled in candyfloss, the area also has some of the best places for hot chocolate in London with kids.
Step into the Roman Mithraeum
Hidden for centuries, the 3rd century Roman temple of Mithras was rediscovered in 1954 at a Second World War bomb site, on the site of the Walbrook – one of London’s lost rivers.
Today, the reconstructed Mithraeum has reopened in its original underground site beneath Bloomberg’s European Headquarters at 12 Walbrook, with information aimed at kids as well as more details on the men-only Roman cult.
Perfect if you have kids studying Roman Britain (or Roman London), it’s free to enter although it’s recommended to prebook tickets.
For more Roman sites in London, check out my round-up of the remains of Londinium
See where a king was executed
The Banqueting House is the only part of the ancient Palace of Whitehall still standing – once the royal heart of London, Henry VIII moved his court here after a fire at the Palace of Westminster.
Used by Tudor and Stuart monarchs until 1968 when it too burned down, the Banqueting House is the third one to be built, designed for James I. And while opening hours are limited, you can still see inside.
Charles I commissioned the wonderful ceilings painted by Rubens… later one of the last sights that he saw, when he walked to his execution at a specially build scaffold outside.
Look out for the bust of the King on the walls, with its plaque reading: “His Majesty King Charles I passed through this hall and out of a window nearly over this tablet to the scaffold in Whitehall where he was beheaded on 30th January 1649.”
For more of the best royal places in London with kids, check out my top picks
The Brunel Museum
One of London’s least well-known museums, the site in Rotherhithe tells the story of the ambitious project to connect the north and south banks of the Thames with a tunnel under the river.
When you visit The Brunel Museum, across the river from Wapping, you can learn more about the Brunels, father and son, who were the brains behind the tunnel, as well as descending down into part of it.
There’s also some lovely outdoor space to explore – and currently an al fresco cocktail bar, using ingredients foraged from the museum gardens, if you need something restorative after venturing below ground!
The Grant Museum
Everyone knows London’s Natural History Museum but you can find Britain’s oldest natural history museum in London too, with 67,000 different specimens at the Grant Museum of Zoology.
Some are distinctly weird and wonderful too – a jar of moles and the brain collection for starters – which make it better for older kids keen to learn more about life on earth than more squeamish preschoolers.
Newly reopened in 2024 after a year’s refurbishment, it looks at human impact on biodiversity. There are also regular events, including family sessions on selected Saturday – previously kids had the chance to feel how sharp a shark’s tooth is or how heavy an elephant’s tusk, while there’s also a chance to use VR technology to transport you to a coral reef.
Entry is free – you can’t book so you may need to wait if it’s busy, although it’s rare to have to hang around long on weekdays.
For more unusual museums and attractions, keep an eye on the pop-up events taking place as well as experiences like Twist Museum of Illusions with kids
The London Museum of Water and Steam
While Kew’s biggest attraction – the Royal Botanical Gardens – needs no introduction, there’s another reason for families to head to this part of west London: the London Museum of Water and Steam.
Based in the former Kew Bridge Waterworks buildings, the museum tells the story of London’s water supply from Roman pipes to the latest technology – as well as a virtual trip into the sewers and a look back through the centuries when the water in your postcode could have meant life or death.
Even more excitingly for kids, it has some of the huge pumping engines required by the city. In fact, it’s the world’s largest collection of stationary steam pumping engines – and there’s also a narrow-gauge steam locomotive and small garden.
Plus there’s a splash zone in the Waterwheel courtyard that’s sure to be an instant hit with toddlers and preschoolers (and anyone who likes playing with water).
The Old Operating Theatre Museum
Not one for younger kids, this chance to step inside a 19th century operating theatre is fascinating but not for the faint-hearted.
Housed in the attic of an early 18th century church, part of the old St Thomas’s hospital, the garret was once used to store herbs before the theatre was added – now the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe.
Its own survival rate is a lot better than that of the patients, who underwent surgery in a time before anaesthetics and antiseptics.
You have to climb a 52-step spiral staircase to reach it, and there are often family-friendly activities and mock demonstrations – perfect if you have a budding surgeon in the family.
For more tips on visiting London’s museums with kids, check out this post
Brave the Clink Prison Museum
If you’ve ever heard the phrase about being thrown ‘in the clink’ for someone being put in jail, you can visit the very prison which inspired it in London.
The Clink was once among the most feared prisons in London back in medieval times, thanks to its gruesome conditions – anything from plots against the king to following the wrong religion and not paying your debts could have seen you locked up here.
Finally closing in 1780, six centuries after the first prisoners were locked inside in the 12th century, only a few elements remain on Bankside, most now inside the museum.
You can visit on a self-guided tour with audio to tell some of the stories of the Clink’s long history, as you pass through the themed rooms. Recommended for ages 7+ but be aware there are replica torture devices among other items on display – not for the faint-hearted!
Crossness Pumping Station
When the Victorians built things, they didn’t do it by halves – and that includes something as practical as a pumping station. No utilitarian building for them: Crossness Pumping Station is spectacularly colourful, with some ornately intricate cast ironwork inside.
Built by Sir Joseph Bazalgette (the man responsible for London’s sewage system after the Great Stink), it opened in 1865 to help clean the river Thames and stop the cholera epidemics which had haunted the city.
There are open days throughout the year, although tickets must be prebooked – and on some the restored Prince Consort engine will be ‘in steam’ and working away.
The closest Station is Abbey Wood (trains run from London Bridge): it’s then a short bus journey or around a 1.5 mile walk to the pumping station.
Spot storybook characters at Brompton Cemetery
A trip to a cemetery might seem like a strange thing to do in London with kids, but it’s actually a fascinating way to spend a day – especially if it’s one of the Magnificent Seven, the ring of seven private graveyards built in the 19th century and inspired by the Père Lachaise in Paris.
One of the most interesting cemeteries to visit in London with kids is Brompton Cemetery. Beatrix Potter used to live in nearby South Kensington and supposedly the names on some of the tombstones inspired characters in her stories.
While walking around, keep an eye out for the graves of Peter Rabbett, Jeremiah Fisher, Mr Nutkins, Mr Brock and Mr McGregor.
Explore the Charles Dickens Museum
Got a bookworm in the family – or hoping to bring a few exam texts to life? Charles Dickens’ former home in Doughty Street has been converted into a museum dedicated to his life and work, which is perfect for fans of his books.
As well as getting to look around the site where he wrote some of his early tales, including Oliver Twist, the Charles Dickens Museum is furnished as it would have been in 1837, so you can all but imagine the author, quill in hand.
There are regular family events to appeal to younger kids as well. Open Wednesday to Sunday, often longer in school holidays – plus as it’s only five minutes’ walk from the Postal Museum, you could easily combine the two.
Step into a world of stories at Discover
Step into a fairytale in east London – in fact you can lose yourself entirely in the world of stories at Discover: Children’s Story Centre in London’s Stratford, aimed at kids aged from 0 to 11.
This fantastic multi-sensory play space is perfect for young children, complete with two floors of magical Story Worlds and a Story Garden, featuring everything from a pirate ship to a spacecraft and plenty of other fun imaginary lands for kids to explore.
Throughout the year the centre also invites authors, illustrators and other artists to run exciting events and interactive activities for kids, part of its mission as a not-for-profit organisation which aims to support a love of language, literature and stories for kids in the capital.
Visit the House of MinaLima
If you’ve watched a single Harry Potter film, you’ll recognise the work of graphic design duo Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima – aka MinaLima.
The brains behind everything from the Marauder’s Map to packets of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, you can look around their London gallery and shop on Wardour Street in Soho for free.
For more Harry Potter locations in London, check out my top picks from the films and books
Visit a park in a church
There’s been a church of St Dunstan on this site since around 1100, added to by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London before being damaged in the Blitz during the Second World War.
But while the bombing left the church in ruins, it also led to one of the most unusual green spaces in the whole of London.
Transformed to a public garden, you can still see the arched stone windows of St Dunstan in the East, now with ivy entwined around the stone and moss growing.
At the heart of the church, trees grow and there are benches set in a circle to relax amid this busy section of the city between the Monument and the Tower of London. Enter from Idol Lane or St Dunstan’s Hill, from 8am to 7pm/dusk (unless there’s an event taking place).
Walk The Line
London’s first public art walk, The Line is a great way to enjoy art, heritage and nature – as well as giving you a very good excuse to go for a stroll.
If you tackle it in one go, allow around 2 ½ hours – the route runs between the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The O2, along some of east London’s waterways and following the line of the Greenwich Meridian – although it’s best to walk in smaller chunks, especially with younger kids.
There are half a dozen artworks on the North Greenwich peninsula alone, near The O2. You can also hop on the tube if you’d like to see each one but your kids don’t fancy doing the entire route on foot (or you’re short of time).
Explore the Cartoon Museum
The Cartoon Museum bills itself as the only museum in London where you’re encouraged to laugh out loud – whether you give in to giggles and guffaws or not, this is a fantastic place to explore with kids who love comics or cartoon art.
There are events encouraging kids to get drawing and animating, as well as special exhibitions – including one on Wallace & Gromit – but the main collection includes over 6,000 original cartoons and comics, as well as a library of more than 8,000 comics and books.
Following the history of British comics from the 18th century to present day works, the Fitzrovia site is only a short walk from Oxford Street.
Visit the Graffiti tunnel
This 300m Leake Street tunnel beneath Waterloo station is London’s longest legal graffiti wall – the images change constantly but you’re guaranteed to discover something eye-catching here, plus you’re welcome to add your own artwork too.
Popularised after Banksy’s 2008 Cans Festival, there are sometimes sessions for wannabe street artists but anyone can just bring their own paint and get creative.
And despite the fact that it’s only around a five-minute walk from the London Eye, it’s often overlooked by the hordes of people visiting the South Bank.
Head down Chicheley Street and across York Road to find it, or you can see the Graffiti tunnel location on Google Maps. Keep an eye out for any events taking place at the Leake Street Arches, which are also home to various places to eat, including Draughts Board Game Cafe.
Attend a family-friendly rave with Big Fish Little Fish
Clubbing with your kids? I bet that’s something you didn’t expect to be doing.
Big Fish Little Fish organises family raves in London (and other cities in the UK), with appearances at some of London’s family-friendly festivals as well as regular events in the capital. Their unusual afternoon events take place regularly at clubs and even museums across London too.
Featuring live DJs, fancy dress, bubble machines, face-painting, a craft area and babies-only chill-out area, the raves are great fun for adults and kids alike!
BFLF’s unique kid-friendly raves are intended for younger children, and adults without children are not permitted into the events. You can find their upcoming raves here.
See a performance at the Puppet Theatre Barge
The UK’s only floating puppet theatre, the Puppet Barge has been delighting audiences with puppet shows for over 40 years.
Moored in Little Venice (supposedly named by the poet Robert Browning), the 50-seat theatre has regular children’s performances including plenty of options suitable for older preschoolers, as well as some open to all ages.
If you’re visiting between June and October, the barge does usually cruise off to another location during the summer months, sometimes to Richmond but also outside London along the Thames, so do check before you book.
Browse Word on the Water
Browsing books has never been more fun than at this bookstore on a canal barge, moored near Granary Square, just a short walk from King’s Cross station.
You can find kids books among the titles stacked on indoor and outdoor shelves at Word on the Water, but there’s plenty for all ages if you’re visiting with tweens and teens.
Bounce around at FlipOut London
FlipOut London (E6) is London’s biggest indoor trampoline and adventure park, located in East Ham.
Spread over two floors, the huge park is an active kid’s dream, with over 50 trampolines and stunt areas, foam pits and battle beams, a 30ft slide, 12 climbing walls, indoor caving, a laser maze and a ninja warrior course.
Children under 5 can enjoy the dedicated toddler area, while everyone else (including adults) can make the most of the rest of the adrenaline-fuelled activities, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a fun London activity for children of all ages, from toddlers to teens.
For more ideas of things to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers, check out this post
Zoom down the world’s longest tunnel slide
Who doesn’t love a good slide? But while there are some great playgrounds in London, none of the slides quite compare to the adrenaline thrills of the ArcelorMittal Orbit in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park at Stratford.
You have to be at least eight years old and over 1.3m tall to ride the longest tunnel slide in the world, which is an impressive 178m long with 12 twists and turns, ending in a corkscrew section.
Along the way, not only are you sliding through the UK’s tallest sculpture, you can get glimpses of the Park and London’s skylines as you zoom through the transparent sections – in between plunging into darkness, so you’re never quite sure which way you’ll go next.
Currently closed for essential work, it’s due to reopen in summer 2024
Kayak on the canals
London’s river is famous but it’s easy to forget the city’s canals – in total, there are over 100 miles of waterways in London, which means it’s also perfect to try your hand at Stand Up Paddleboarding or a spot of canoeing or kayaking.
Moo Canoes has a base at Hackney Wick if you’re looking to take out a canoe (good for families who all want to be in the same boat) or Limehouse for kayaks (great if you’re a solo parent, or prefer to split kids and adults between the boats).
Or you can try paddleboarding with intro options at Poplar, out in east London from the same company, as well as in west London at quiet Brentford with Active360
For more of the best boat trips in London with kids, check out my top picks
Create your own boat tour
Head out on the river on a self-drive adventure, at the helm of one of the electric boats from GoBoat, to see another side of London from the water.
There’s a choice of four London locations, including Paddington, Canary Wharf and Kingston-upon-Thames, and while you are restricted by the rules of the waterways and the length of time you book the boat for, otherwise you get to explore at your own pace.
The original Paddington location takes you past pretty Little Venice with its houseboats, through the long Maida Hill tunnel and past the monkeys on the canalside at London Zoo.
Check out our review of a family day out in London with Go Boat
Go mudlarking
Londoners have been scouring the shores of the Thames for its treasures for centuries and while mudlarking (as it’s known) has more restrictions these days, it’s still just as fun.
Anything from Roman jars to Tudor jewellery have been unearthed from the river’s banks over the years, and there are special mudlarking tours to help families get involved too.
The Thames Explorer Trust runs family-friendly sessions all along the river, including at Greenwich and near Wapping, for age 8+.
One word of warning: you can’t just climb down with a spade and start digging – quite apart from the safety aspect, there are certain zones where it’s not allowed, and you’ll need a license before you head out alone.
Chelsea Physic Garden
The fascinating mix of plants at the Chelsea Physic Garden make it a lovely place to while away an hour or so with kids – and while it’s much smaller than the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, it’s also walking distance from Sloane Square tube so easier to visit.
There are often children’s trails and special workshops, as well as the glasshouses to explore, all a stone’s throw from the river.
Walk-up tickets are available, or you can prebook tickets, including for family activity days.
The Kyoto Garden at Holland Park
Look out for peacocks in Holland Park, often to be found strutting magnificently around the Kyoto Garden, also known as the Japanese Garden.
The garden itself was a gift from the Japanese city, and with its waterfalls and pools reflecting the cherry blossom in Spring and the flaming Japanese maple trees in autumn, it’s a beautiful spot to stroll. Keep an eye out for the koi carp in the pond as well.
If your kids are looking for something more thrilling than zen tranquility, the park also has its own adventure playground, aimed at children aged five to 14, with a zip wire, climbing frames and wall, and various other fun options, along with a sandpit area for younger kids.
For tips on more of the best playgrounds in London, check out this post
Hit the beach in London
There are several different places where you can swim outdoors in London – most famously the ponds on Hampstead Heath, or pools including Parliament Hill Lido. But if you want to chill out on the sand without leaving the city, you need to head west.
Ruislip Lido has its own beach on the edge of the reservoir, as well as a splash pad water play area for kids – swimming isn’t allowed in the lake itself as it’s not safe, although you may spot people paddling.
There are also woodland walks, playgrounds and Britain’s longest 12 inch gauge miniature railway, which winds around the water and through the woods.
On a hot summer’s day, you can expect crowds to flock there – while it’s definitely an unusual day out in London with kids, it’s not a secret – but if you can time your visit for a sunny weekday or a warm afternoon out of season, it’s a lovely spot.
Try Europe’s largest adventure golf course
North London is home to Europe’s largest adventure golf course – Lost Jungle London, with its two crazy golf courses themed around the Amazon and Congo.
With 18 holes each – you can choose to play one or the other, or take on both together – there are slowly moving giant snakes, wobbly bridges and waterfalls, not to mention a giant gorilla set in the centre, quirky facts, a faintly spooky Aztec temple, occasional water hazards and the occasional skull.
One of my daughter’s own favourite days out, the closest tube station is Stanmore, at the end of the Jubilee line.
Check out my review of Lost Jungle London with kids
Explore God’s Own Junkyard
Head to Walthamstow in East London, and you can have a neon-coloured nosy around God’s Own Junkyard at weekends (and on Fridays).
Some of the piles of neon signs are former film props, but you’ll find all kinds of brightly wonderful creations on display – and heaped up against the walls – from retro signs to religious statues and disco paraphernalia.
Best for teens and older kids (you may want to distract younger kids from reading a few of the psychedelic delights on display), it’s also free to explore.
See a working windmill
Who knew that London still had a working windmill? But the 200-year-old Brixton windmill has both its original wind-powered machinery and steam-powered millstones from 1902 – although these days they run on electricity.
You can take 30-minute tours of the windmill – prebooking is essential, and because there are limited numbers allowed inside, they tend to get booked up quickly. With steep ladders, kids can only go above the first floor if they are over 1.2m tall and able to climb the stairs unaided.
As well as picking up some Brixton Windmill flour, there’s also a playground at the Windmill Gardens park, with events usually taking place throughout the year.
The windmill is around a mile from Brixton underground station, on the Victoria line.
Be amazed at the Magic Circle
Inquisitive kids will jump at the opportunity to step inside the headquarters of the Magic Circle – the world’s most famous magic society.
Check out the Sunday afternoon Kids Show Live event for kids aged 5+, where families can watch real-life magicians and see up-close magic at the Magic Circle in London’s Euston.
It also hosts regular close-up magic shows of an evening which are more suitable for older kids and teens – the recommended minimum age is 10+.
Attend the annual Covent Garden Puppet Festival
Did you know that the very first recorded Punch and Judy show took place in Covent Garden in 1662?
Now, over 350 years later, The Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet Festival takes place each year on the second Sunday of May to commemorate the occasion – it might only take place on one day per year, but as one of the most unique and unusual things to do in London with kids, it’s worth popping in your diary.
The unusual festival sees Punch & Judy ‘Professors’ and puppeteers from all across the world come together in Covent Garden to perform and celebrate the art form, which has been a big hit with kids for generations.
The event includes a brass band procession, shows and workshops, and is completely free to attend.
For more ideas of family days out in London, check out my pick of the best things to do in London with kids, along with the best free things to do in London with kids as well as things to do in London in the rain with kids
*last updated 2024*
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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission
Images: Golden Hinde/Crystal Palace dinosaurs/Banqueting House/Brunel Museum/Old operating theatre/St Dunstan/ArcelorMittal/Ruislip Lido/Brixton windmill courtesy of Depositphotos; Crossness pumping station: Paul Martin/Picfair; London zoo/Harry Potter/Little Venice/Puppet Barge/Chelsea Physic Garden/Lost Jungle copyright MummyTravels
