There’s one factor you possibly can depend on with the British climate: you possibly can by no means depend on it – so it’s all the time value having concepts for issues to do in London within the rain with children, everytime you’re visiting town.
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Fortuitously, you’re additionally spoiled for alternative in the case of concepts for wet days out in London, from the well-known museums and different indoor household sights to extra quirky issues to do with children within the rain.
I’ve stored the give attention to comparatively central areas the place potential (lengthy treks throughout London within the rain, or soggy tube journeys are not any enjoyable), in addition to skipping something the place it’s all in regards to the views – the London Eye is likely to be waterproof however trying throughout a cloudy drizzly skyline isn’t one of the best ways to expertise it! – with my prime 29 issues to do in London with children within the rain.
Uncommon issues to do in London within the rain
Work collectively at an Escape Room
Escape the rain exterior with some household bonding time inside at certainly one of London’s many escape rooms. You’ll get to totally immerse yourselves in an imaginary world whereas fixing clues and puzzles collectively with a purpose to escape.
Cluequest in Kings Cross affords a few of the most child-friendly escape rooms in London. Youngsters of all ages can enter Mr Q’s spy universe for Operation Black Sheep or Plan52, whereas teenagers 16+ can attempt their cool new VR escape rooms.
Another family-friendly escape rooms embrace Si5 Spy Missions Croydon (finest for youthful children) and Enigma Quests College of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Play a recreation of indoor loopy golf
One other of the most effective issues to do on a wet day in London with children is a little bit of aggressive enjoyable with a recreation of indoor loopy golf.
A number of elaborate themed indoor loopy golf venues have popped up throughout London over the previous couple of years, with all the pieces from nostalgic seaside throwbacks to neon-clad tech-infused programs.
Nonetheless, it’s vital to know that many of those loopy golf venues are focused in the direction of adults, with on-site bars, late opening hours and an 18+ coverage.
For child-friendly indoor loopy golf in London, attempt Puttshack White Metropolis and Puttshack Financial institution (underneath 18s welcome every day till 6pm) or Junkyard Golf Membership Shoreditch and Junkyard Camden (underneath 18s welcome Sunday to Wednesday earlier than 6pm).
Get pleasure from a kid-friendly afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is a real British establishment and an effective way to spend a wet day in London for youths and adults alike.
There are many cool kid-friendly afternoon teas in London to select from too.
A few my favourites embrace One Aldwych’s mouthwateringly indulgent Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing unit Afternoon Tea, and the Potions Room Afternoon Tea the place you possibly can combine your individual magical potions (cocktails/mocktails) on the Wizard Exploratorium.
Get aggressive at Crystal Maze Stay
Whether or not you’ve bought your individual fond recollections of the Crystal Maze or fancy one thing a bit uncommon to do in London with children, the Crystal Maze Stay is a enjoyable and family-friendly immersive expertise on Shaftesbury Avenue within the coronary heart of London’s West Finish.
Mother and father will take pleasure in travelling again in time into the enduring 90s TV present, whereas children will love operating across the maze with the highly-enthusiastic Maze Masters, finishing a sequence of foolish themed challenges, from driving an enormous buckaroo-ing spaceship to decoding riddles – it’s appropriate for youths 13+.
When you’ve completed all the challenges, you’ll even get to move contained in the Maze’s centrepiece, the Crystal Dome, the place you’ll soar round and accumulate gold tokens that add factors to your last rating.
For extra uncommon issues to do in London with children (in any climate), try this publish
Skate, Bowl and Play at Queens
Hidden away within the West London neighbourhood of Queensway, Queens calls itself London’s ‘largest one-stop enjoyable store’ and any child’s dream day trip.
The large indoor venue is dwelling to central London’s solely year-round ice rink, the place you can provide ice-karting a attempt, vibrant bowling alleys, a retro gaming arcade and scrumptious burgers equipped by MEATliquor.
With so many enjoyable actions in a single place, you received’t must go exterior within the rain all day – or till it’s essential to head dwelling and Queensway tube station is true subsequent door.
Get lively at Clip’n’Climb
One other enjoyable factor to do in London within the rain with children who don’t like to take a seat nonetheless for lengthy is a climbing session at Clip ‘n Climb Chelsea.
Clip‘n’Climb is full of indoor actions, with 21 thrilling climbing challenges, plus extra wet day actions such because the Velocity Climb, the Leap of Religion and extra.
The venue runs every day climbing periods for anybody aged 4+, with absolutely educated supervisors guiding the best way, in addition to morning toddler periods for lively tots aged two to 4. You may also ebook out the whole venue for a singular kids’s get together.
Bounce round at FlipOut London
FlipOut London (E6) is London’s largest indoor trampoline and journey park, positioned in East Ham.
Unfold over two flooring, the massive park is an lively child’s dream, with over 50 trampolines and stunt areas, foam pits and battle beams, a 30ft slide, 12 climbing partitions, indoor caving, a laser maze and a ninja warrior course.
Youngsters underneath 5 can benefit from the devoted toddler space, whereas everybody else (together with adults) can profit from the remainder of the adrenaline-fuelled actions, so it’s excellent for those who’re on the lookout for a enjoyable London exercise for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers.
Head to London’s Board Sport Cafe
Drag the youngsters away from their iPads or PS5s and revel in a superb quaint household recreation night time at London’s first Board Sport Cafe Draughts.
Now with two venues in Waterloo and Hackney, the cafes have over 1,000 distinctive board video games on their cabinets, so that you’re assured to search out one thing the entire household will take pleasure in.
There’s additionally a choice of foods and drinks you possibly can order to your desk so you possibly can keep so long as you prefer to keep away from the gloomy climate exterior.
Be careful for… Monopoly Lifesized. Tackle challenges with a purpose to purchase properties plus you play on a lifesize board, with a Junior Board for those who’re visiting with children.
Hit London’s world-class toy outlets
Dodge the rain by treating the youngsters to a day exploring London’s many unbelievable toy outlets.
You may simply spend a few hours getting misplaced exploring all seven flooring of Hamleys on Regent Road – the world’s oldest and largest toy retailer – whereas the likes of the LEGO Retailer and M&M World are simply across the nook in Leicester Sq..
Plus don’t miss the magical Harry Potter retailer at Platform 9 ¾ in Kings Cross.
For extra concepts of Harry Potter areas in London, try my choose of the most effective
Spark their creativeness at KidZania London
Head to Westfield buying centre in Shepherd’s Bush the place you’ll discover KidZania – one of many coolest and most immersive children play areas within the capital.
The 75,000sq ft real-life mini-city lets children take management of all the pieces. Youngsters can expertise working as a pilot, police officer, physician, actor, DJ or absolutely anything else they need. They even earn kidZos (KidZanian forex) which they will spend on different actions or on the mini-city Division Retailer.
KidZania is for kids aged 4-14, and over eights may be left alone after check-in so that oldsters can head off to discover the various outlets and eating places in Westfield. Every session is 4 hours lengthy, making it an effective way for the entire household to flee a drizzly day in London.
Watch a film at Electrical Cinema
There’s nothing fairly like spending a wet day snuggled up watching a film. So how about heading to certainly one of London’s most uncommon cinemas – Electrical Cinema Portobello – the place as an alternative of seats, the display has cozy sofas and armchairs so that you can cosy up on.
The cinema exhibits loads of new releases that are applicable for older children and teenagers, whereas Youngsters Membership every Saturday is extra appropriate for youthful kids.
Together with your cinema tickets, you’ll additionally get 50% off the adjoining Electrical Diner which serves scrumptious consolation meals all day lengthy.
See a present
The West Finish is rightfully well-known for its theatre so for those who’re visiting London with older children, try the offers on the TKTS sales space in Leicester Sq. for those who haven’t booked upfront.
For extra issues to do round Leicester Sq. with children, try my prime picks
There’s loads for youthful guests to take pleasure in as nicely, with nice child-friendly exhibits and a few wonderful kids’s theatres. Strive puppet and marionette exhibits on the Little Angel Theatre in Islington, whereas the Unicorn Theatre close to London Bridge is geared toward mini theatregoers aged six months plus.
You’ll discover performances in central London as nicely: on the Theatre Royal Haymarket, there are some nice household pleasant exhibits just like the Tiger Who Got here To Tea and Peppa Pig’s Enjoyable Day Out, in addition to Frozen the Musical on the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Wet day household sights in London
Madame Tussauds
From celebrities to superheroes to the royal household, you possibly can whereas away hours gazing on the waxworks on show at Madame Tussauds – and posing alongside fairly just a few.
And there are consistently updates and new figures being added: the Marvel Corridor of Heroes is all the time a favorite for followers of the films, there’s a Star Wars space, in addition to seeing the celebs of sport, style and movie.
Tickets price from round £33, together with an choice to reschedule without cost in addition to reductions for those who ebook direct. You may also discover tickets with free cancellation from Get Your Information.
Shrek’s Journey
Shrek followers will love the possibility to stroll by way of the world of Far Far Away, assembly a few of the well-known characters together with Princess Fiona and Donkey.
There’s a problem to gather substances to search out Shrek and make it dwelling safely, in addition to 10 themed dwell exhibits and a 4D flying bus to finish Shrek’s Journey. Higher for major college aged children who’ll recognize the enjoyable than for toddlers and preschoolers.
With the choice to reschedule without cost, it’s also possible to get mixed tickets to different Merlin sights, together with the close by aquarium or London Eye. Tickets with free cancellation are additionally accessible from Get Your Information.
Sea Life London Aquarium
A beautiful various to town’s zoos for animal lovers, London’s aquarium is a good place to go to with youthful children – the Sea Life London Aquarium close to the London Eye can get busy at peak occasions and on wet days.
One of many largest collections in Europe, the aquarium homes over 500 species, 14 themed zones and greater than 2 million litres of water with some uncommon creatures, in addition to some favourites together with penguins and clownfish.
Tickets price from £24.50 for adults, £21.50 for youths, and preserve a watch out for particular affords and weekday offers.
London Dungeons
One for older and braver children, a visit to the London Dungeons is assured to scare you into forgetting the climate, with dwell actors whisking you thru 1,000 actually alarming years of historical past, plus loads of particular results and rides to get your coronary heart racing even sooner.
One in all a string of areas across the UK, like the opposite Dungeons, every location has areas themed to swimsuit its personal historical past too. The London Dungeon, for instance, brings you head to head with the Nice Fireplace and Sweeney Todd.
Kensington Palace
Childhood dwelling of Queen Victoria, Kensington Palace was a favorite of George II and his court docket, and has additionally been dwelling to Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince William and Harry.
With altering exhibitions, together with a latest one on royal style, it’s also possible to see shows from Queen Victoria’s early years, from her troublesome relations along with her mom to her first assembly with future husband Prince Albert, in addition to tracing her path from a princess no-one thought can be Queen to her coronation.
Elsewhere within the palace you possibly can nonetheless play Georgian playing video games, spot a throne, marvel on the grand staircase and picture the balls held right here – plus the seedier facet of the royal court docket with some horrible historical past positive to entertain children.
Tickets price from £20 for adults, £10 for youths, free for those who’re a Historic Royal Palaces member.
Take a look at my assessment of a day trip at Kensington Palace with children
Westminster Abbey
Unmissable in case your children are concerned about British historical past, over 3,300 individuals have been buried or commemorated at Westminster Abbey, together with 16 separate British monarchs (or 17, for those who imagine the bones regarded as the Princes within the Tower embrace these of Edward V) plus a lot of their consorts.
As you discover inside, you possibly can see the tombs of Henry V and all of the Tudors besides Henry VIII, alongside early kings akin to Edward the Confessor, who died every week after the abbey was consecrated.
Plantagenet kings together with Henry III, who had the present abbey constructed within the 13th century, and Edward I additionally lie right here, whereas Mary I and Elizabeth I share a tomb. The final King of England to be buried right here is George II.
And each king or queen of England has been topped right here, besides two – Edward V, who was deposed and presumed murdered earlier than his coronation, and Edward VIII who abdicated earlier than his may happen.
Tickets price from £29 for adults, £13 for youths, and it’s also possible to purchase tickets with free cancellation right here.
For extra concepts of royal locations in London, try my choose of the most effective
Warner Bros Studio Tour
Though the Warner Bros studios aren’t in London itself, it’s solely a 20-minute prepare journey from Euston (plus the shuttle bus from Watford Junction station) to achieve the location in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.
In case you want to ebook tickets with a coach switch, click on right here
For Potter followers – myself included – it’s the final word vacation spot at any time, however with nearly all the pieces indoors, it’s supreme for a wet day too. Do ensure you ebook forward as tickets get snapped up nicely upfront.
There are props galore, an array of magical creatures plus background on how the units and animatronics have been created, in addition to the possibility to trip broomsticks, drink butterbeer (non-compulsory!), see the Hogwarts Categorical, stroll into The Forbidden Forest and watch a dragon rampage by way of Gringotts financial institution.
London’s museums on a wet day
With world-class museums, together with free entry at so many, London’s museums are unbelievable year-round however particularly when it’s chilly and moist exterior. It’s value mentioning that you simply received’t be the one particular person pondering this, and tickets do want prebooking at current.
Take a look at my full ideas for visiting London’s museums with toddlers and children
The Pure Historical past Museum
One in all London’s hottest museums, the Pure Historical past Museum‘s assortment covers zoology, paleontology, botany, entomology and mineralogy, in certainly one of London’s most eye-catching museum buildings.
But it surely’s the dinosaurs which draw a lot of the guests, a minimum of on the primary event, with an entire part on these eternally fascinating creatures – even when Dippy the diplodocus has been changed by Hope the blue whale skeleton.
There are often particular exhibitions as nicely, such because the Implausible Beasts exhibition and Titanosaur.
Take a look at my scavenger hunt for those who’re visiting the Pure Historical past Museum with children
The Science Museum
One other of London’s hottest museums, the Science Museum is good when you’ve got kids who prefer to get arms on, with collections protecting science and expertise from the oldest surviving steam locomotive to the mannequin of DNA and the forerunners of computer systems.
Together with the area and flight galleries, you possibly can comply with humanity’s technological advances, medical historical past, areas like The Backyard and Sample Pod that are nice for youthful children, in addition to Wonderlab (one a part of the museum which does have an entry cost) which has exhibits and unbelievable interactive reveals.
Take a look at my ideas for visiting the Science Museum with children
The Victoria & Albert Museum
The world’s largest museum of ornamental arts and design isn’t probably the most clearly family-friendly of the South Kensington museums, however there’s much more to the Victoria & Albert museum for youths than you would possibly anticipate.
You may discover collections spanning 5,000 years of artwork, in addition to cultures from all over the world (to not point out non permanent exhibitions which have featured Winnie the Pooh and Alice in Wonderland), there’s an limitless supply of inspiration.
There are numerous interactive shows, household actions and youngsters’s exercise packs to find as nicely.
Take a look at my full set of ideas for visiting the V&A with children right here
The British Museum
One of many world’s biggest collections protecting human historical past, artwork and tradition, the museum has round eight million artefacts (solely a tenth are ever on show) in nearly 100 galleries.
I’ve been visiting the British Museum since I used to be a baby myself, fascinated by the Egyptian galleries – and the sheer scale of things on show, the variability and the fascinating tales behind so many artefacts imply that children are prone to be simply as enthralled, whether or not it’s by the mummified crocodile, the Easter Island Moai or one thing else.
There are additionally some nice trails, together with ones geared toward preschoolers, plus an app that will help you discover.
Take a look at my full set of ideas for visiting the British Museum with children
The Museum of London
Town’s museum about London itself, the Museum of London takes you proper from prehistoric occasions by way of to extra trendy eras, exploring the individuals who lived on the location over the centuries and the way their affect endures.
EDIT: The museum is quickly closed till reopening in its new web site at Smithfield in 2026, though the Museum of London Docklands continues to be open
Alongside the best way, children can uncover Romans, Saxons (together with an opportunity to pop inside a recreated Saxon home), medieval London and the plague, the Nice Fireplace and extra.
There are additionally some nice household trails to comply with across the museum. In case you’re visiting with older children, try the Museum of London Docklands too – additional out in east London, there are some fascinating shows about London’s river and dock historical past.
The London Transport Museum
The gathering on the London Transport Museum in Covent Backyard begins with sedan chairs and carriage, in addition to a few of the earliest transportation used within the metropolis.
However the highlights are firmly targeted on London’s buses and tubes. In addition to having the ability to see altering designs for London’s transport and the event of the well-known tube map and indicators, children can fake to drive a bus and get behind the controls of a tube prepare simulator.
There’s additionally a particular play space for youths aged underneath seven, plus common household and craft actions, and particular exhibitions together with the Hidden London space.
Take a look at my assessment of a go to to the London Transport Museum with children
The Museum of the House
Reopened in 2021 after an £18 million overhaul, the Museum of the House is just toes away from Hoxton Overground station – and whereas the gardens received’t be at their finest on a wet day, the shows inside are fascinating.
In addition to the interval rooms, displaying how houses modified over the centuries, there are shows galore protecting all the pieces from altering expertise and video games to intelligent innovations, completely different interiors fashions and plenty of interactive enjoyable as nicely.
Plus, it’s additionally utterly free to go to for those who’re on the lookout for concepts for a wet day in London with children that received’t break the financial institution.
Take a look at my assessment of visiting the Museum of the House with children
The Postal Museum
The Postal Museum may not be town’s best-known museum, however there are a few explanation why it’s a fantastic one to go to in London on a wet day with children.
To start with, you possibly can hop on board the Mail Rail – beneath the museum are the unique tunnels and station platforms of London’s 100-year-old postal railway, which as soon as delivered mail throughout town.
It’s additionally dwelling to Sorted! The Postal Play House – a play space that designed as a mini city, with streets and buildings, plus heaps to push, pull, slide down and extra. Classes final 45 minutes and should be prebooked.
Then there are sometimes household trails and particular exhibitions within the museum itself, in addition to a number of interactive enjoyable.
Nationwide Gallery
In addition to the fabulous artwork collections, there’s loads on the Nationwide Gallery for youths, together with trails to comply with and household actions.
For youthful children, there are sometimes Sunday storytelling periods on the ‘magic carpet’ geared toward under-fives, stopping in entrance of a distinct portray every time, and stopping to color and draw is positively inspired as you discover.
Tate Fashionable
This up to date artwork museum could be very welcoming to children, in addition to having the massive turbine corridor to run round in.
In addition to the particular exhibitions on the Tate Fashionable, there’s loads to see without cost, and you’ll comply with a map taking you to a few of the areas finest for households, to begin getting youthful guests eager about artwork.
*first printed 2021, final up to date 2023*
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Important picture, afternoon tea and Platform 9 3/4 courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
