Planning a city trip to London with your little ones soon? Here you’ll find plenty of inspiration to plan four fun-filled days. Enjoy the preparations—it’s bound to be an unforgettable trip!
Hi! I’m Helena, a cheerful thirty-something who loves exploring with her family.
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London with Kids = Good Planning
If I could give you one tip for this city trip—or any city trip with small children—it would be: plan, plan, plan. With (my) kids, you can’t just wander around a neighborhood and see what happens. Make sure you have a list of activities for each day, plus a bunch of backup options. The museum might not live up to expectations, or the weather could suddenly turn…
That’s exactly why I created a map, which I’m happy to share with you. Our family trip to London was so much fun—much more enjoyable than I ever imagined. Let’s go!
Day 1: High Tea on the Peppa Pig Bus
We arrived early by Eurostar and assumed everyone would need some time to adjust. What better way to do that than with Brigit’s Bakery’s Peppa Pig Bus Tour? This is a sightseeing bus tour for the little ones, fully themed around—you guessed it—Peppa Pig. There’s singing and games as you pass by London’s top landmarks. And not to forget: you’re served the best sweet and savory treats along the way. Since we visited in October, our tour had a Halloween theme.
We booked our tour for around noon so that the onboard high tea could double as lunch—a great idea, as we were served so many delicious treats. Our favorites were the Peppa Pig cookies and the scones. Yum!
A top activity in London with kids
The tour is in English, so it helps if you can translate a bit here and there. But it wasn’t necessary all the time. Our kids were too busy munching, looking outside, and worrying whether they were allowed to keep their Peppa Pig cups (they were! 🙂).
Boarding is at Victoria Embankment, near Somerset House along the Thames. Perfect, because there are toilets nearby you can use before boarding. We went straight there from the station. We left our luggage at a shop we found through the Bounce app—very reliable. Before or after the tour, the kids can burn off some energy at the small but charming Victoria Embankment Playground.
The tour isn’t cheap, but I definitely thought it was worth the money. High tea in London is quite pricey anyway, and this was such a unique experience. You can read more about our Peppa Pig Bus Tour experience here, including a tip on how we got a discount!
If the kids still have some energy left, you can cross the bridge for beautiful views and let them play in Jubilee Gardens or ride the Golden Carousel.
Day 2: A Church Service, Science, and Play in Hyde Park
After our first night, the kids woke up at 5 AM. Yep, that’s part of the city trip experience with little kids. We got dressed, had breakfast, and decided to head out—there’s only so much you can do in a few square meters of hotel room.
I saw that there was an early church service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, which I really wanted to visit. I’m so glad we went—it’s a stunning building, and we were welcomed so kindly. We even received a guide on what to expect during the service. It was a great way to see the cathedral, though I’d recommend attending a service at a later time, as there were only about ten people there. Or just book tickets for a guided tour.
Playtime!
After half the service (because again, we’re traveling with kids), we made our way to the Science Museum. A super fun museum full of hands-on science exhibits. The kids especially loved the airplane floor with all the activity sheets. So many things to touch and try! We easily spent two hours here. Important: don’t forget to book your free tickets in advance.
We spent the afternoon at Diana Memorial Playground, a large and fairly busy playground in Hyde Park. It’s fenced off and has set opening hours. There’s a stand for drinks and snacks and toilets for the kids. What more do you need?
Day 3: Changing of the Guard and Dinosaur Bones
Day 3 starts at St. James’s Park Playground. It’s fairly small but packed with fun. There’s a kiosk for drinks and snacks, and the park is full of squirrels. We easily spent a couple of hours here. Bonus: while we were playing, a military band suddenly started performing. Amazing!
Buckingham Palace is nearby, so it’s the perfect time to watch the Changing of the Guard. It doesn’t happen every day, so check the Visit London website for the current schedule.
In the afternoon, we headed to the Natural History Museum, full of dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and other super cool stuff kids love. Again, don’t forget to book your free tickets in advance. When we visited, it was extremely crowded, which wasn’t great. Try to go outside of school holidays if you can.
If you still have energy afterward, take public transport to the Battersea Park Playground, and from there hop on the Uber Boat back to your hotel. Depending on the time of day, you’ll get a budget-friendly glimpse of London by night.
Day 4: Hello, Cleopatra
All good things must come to an end—including our trip to London. You’ve booked a train around 5 PM, giving you a full day while still getting home at a reasonable hour. Smart!
Start the day with the Butterfly Trail at Outernet London. Then walk to the British Museum, which for me was one of the highlights of this trip. We saw Cleopatra’s mummy, the Rosetta Stone, entire temples… #NerdAlert. The perfect ending to our London adventure with kids. Once again: book your free tickets in advance.
If you have time to spare, there’s a small but charming playground in the park near the museum. Or head to Hamleys, London’s most famous—and busiest—toy store. It’s quite an experience!
And—just one more tip—if you loved the scones on the Peppa Pig bus, consider picking some up at Marks & Spencer in St. Pancras Station. They’re not quite the same, but still tasty, and you can freeze them for up to a month. Just saying. Do with that info what you will.
Public Transport Tips for London with Kids
- Children under 11 travel free with a paying adult. In every Underground station, there are either staffed gates or wider ones you can use together.
- In our experience, buses are the best transport option in London if you can find a direct route. They take longer, but are often less crowded and easier to navigate—especially for us non-metro experts. Also great for letting the kids take a quick nap.
- You can pay with your bank or credit card—no need to buy an Oyster Card anymore. But do check if your bank charges foreign transaction fees, and make sure each adult has their own card to tap in and out.
Our Hotel: Travelodge London City Hotel
Traveling with a family of four isn’t cheap. What tipped the scales for us was a great deal at Travelodge London City Hotel. Later, I worried it might be too budget-friendly for London.
But no, our stay was really pleasant. The hotel was centrally located, and we saved a lot on meals. You can read my full review of our stay [here].
Note: There are several Travelodge hotels in London. At the time of booking, this one had the best reviews. Your experience may vary with other locations.
London with Kids: Worth It?
Yes, yes, and yes! We had way more fun than expected. I wholeheartedly recommend this trip to any family – especially to parents who’ve had enough of holiday parks 🙂
Did you find some inspiration for your family trip to London? You’ll also find my best tips for a weekend in London as a couple. Because sometimes, the kids can stay home too. 😉
Happy travels!
