Planning a family trip to London just got easier with our list of free things to do in London with kids. There is no doubt that London can be expensive, but you’ll be pleased to know that there are so many free options when it comes to taking the kids out for the day.
London’s parks, national museums and neighbourhood walks make genuinely free family days possible. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland can also be free to enter in its designated off-peak slots, but entry at standard and peak times is charged and rides, games and most attractions cost extra. Always reserve the required entry ticket and check exactly what is included.
Free Things to do in London with kids
London is a city that is jam packed with family-friendly things to do. Here are some options:
Take a stroll through one of London’s famous parks
It’s easy to think that London is all hustle, bustle and high-rises, but there are many spacious parks in London. Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park are central favourites. Enjoy watching the birds and squirrels, but do not feed or touch them: The Royal Parks says feeding wildlife does more harm than good. The free Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground is in Kensington Gardens, next to Kensington Palace; it reopened after renewal on 5 August 2026.
Follow a free walking route
A self-guided walk costs nothing and can turn sightseeing into a game. Try spotting statues and pelicans around St James’s Park, follow the South Bank between Westminster and Tower Bridge, or adapt our one-day London itinerary. Santander Cycles are not a free alternative: TfL currently charges from £1.65 to hire a cycle.
Visit the most famous toy store in the UK
A visit to Hamleys on Regent Street is free, although resisting a purchase may be the difficult part. The flagship store has seven floors of toys, demonstrations, events and elaborate displays.
Visit a child friendly museum for FREE
Whoever said museums are boring hasn’t stepped foot into one of London’s iconic museums! London is filled with impressive museums – and so many of them are free. Some of the ones we recommend are:
- Science Museum: Curious children will love the Science Museum, it’s filled with experiments, games and activities – there’s no way they’ll be bored here.
- Natural History Museum: This is a firm favourite thanks to its rooms filled with impressive dinosaur fossils and bones. It’s so easy to get lost in the many rooms here, especially the interactive creepy critter rooms.
- Young V&A: The former Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green reopened as Young V&A with free Play, Imagine and Design galleries created for children, young people and families.
Visit an urban farm
Surprisingly even in London, you can find farms – where the whole family can enjoy meeting the sheep, goats and many more cute animals. We recommend Hackney City Farm, which has free entry in zone 2. If you want to visit this farm, we would suggest visiting Broadway Market in Hackney and Regent’s Canal too.
Look for family events at Somerset House
Somerset House runs family workshops and seasonal courtyard activities, but they are not held every Saturday and not all are free. Check the dated What’s On programme for free drop-ins and any age or booking requirements.
Kew Gardens: low-cost rather than free
Kew Gardens is a strong family day out, but it should not be treated as a free attraction. Under-fours enter free; from 2 September 2026 the official child price for ages 4–15 is £2 online or £4 at the gate, while ages 16–29 use the higher young-person rate and adults pay the standard admission. Prices and seasonal promotions change, so check Kew’s official ticket page.
Watch a royal ceremony
Watching the Changing of the Guard from the public viewing areas is free. The schedule changes and ceremonies can be cancelled, so check the confirmed dates and practical viewing advice in our Changing of the Guard guide before travelling.
Book a free London viewpoint
The Sky Garden offers free timed tickets for panoramic views from the City. Tickets are released in batches and popular times disappear quickly, so this is free but not usually spontaneous.
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.