Things To Do In London With Kids: Family Shows And Attractions

Published Tue, 21 July 2026

London does not suffer from a shortage of family attractions. The real difficulty is resisting the urge to cram six of them into one increasingly fractious afternoon. A successful day in the capital needs rhythm: something energetic, something to eat and one main event worth remembering.

South Kensington remains a sensible place to begin. The Natural History Museum has dinosaurs, gemstones and a building dramatic enough to compete with its contents. Next door, the Science Museum offers rockets, machines and interactive exhibits capable of absorbing children who ordinarily declare themselves bored within minutes. Both are free, although families visiting during weekends or school holidays should plan ahead.

For fresh air, Hyde Park provides room to move without requiring another ticket. The South Bank is a livelier alternative, with river views, street performers and several famous landmarks within walking distance. Covent Garden also works particularly well before a West End show: there is enough activity to hold children’s attention, plenty of places to eat and, crucially, no need to cross half of London before the curtain rises.

Theatre is where an ordinary sightseeing day can become something more distinctive. The Lion King may be based on a story most children already know, but its theatrical invention makes it feel anything but familiar. The procession of animals through the auditorium remains one of the great West End entrances, while the masks, movement and music demonstrate what live performance can do that a screen cannot.

Matilda The Musical is a sharper, more mischievous proposition. Children respond to its rebellious heroine and gleefully grotesque adults; parents tend to appreciate just how dark and intelligent the humour is. It is family entertainment without the sugary aftertaste.

My Neighbour Totoro offers a gentler kind of spectacle. Its puppetry and dreamlike staging turn a quiet story about childhood, uncertainty and imagination into something visually extraordinary. For families seeking scale and fantasy, Wicked delivers flying witches, extravagant costumes and an argument about friendship and prejudice hidden inside a blockbuster musical.

Oliver! brings a classic British story back to the stage with songs that several generations will recognise. It is darker than its cheery reputation sometimes suggests, but its energy and characters make it a strong choice for families with older children. Disney’s Hercules, meanwhile, offers a brighter, faster experience, combining comedy, adventure and a score familiar to fans of the animated film.

The sensible approach is to choose one major London attraction and one show, leaving enough space between them for lunch and the inevitable negotiation over snacks. Check age recommendations and running times before booking; “family-friendly” does not mean every production suits every child.

A theatre and dinner package can make the evening easier, particularly for visitors unfamiliar with the West End. With the restaurant and performance arranged together, there is less chance of discovering at 6.45pm that every nearby table has disappeared.

There are countless things to do in London with kids, but the best family days are not necessarily the busiest. A museum, a wander through the city and a West End show can offer more than a frantic tour of landmarks: it gives children a London experience with an actual story to take home.