A rainy day in London with kids

Indoor places in London

Indoors, or with a substantial indoor part.

🎠Activities 11

• Camden Arts CentreArt centre with one-off events and workshops for families.
  FreeGames
  Official website
• Cutty SarkThe historic ship in the heart of Greenwich is open all year round, and visitors are free to explore all areas of the ship. Free under 4.Official website
• Dr Johnson's HouseFamily-friendly venue with activities for children (games, dress-up and more). Free under 5.
  Games
  Official website
• Golden HindeFull-size reconstruction of the famous Elizabethan galleon, the first English ship to circumnavigate the globe. Free under 3.Official website
• House of IllustrationVenue for illustration in all forms, from adverts to animation, picture books to political cartoons. Free under 5.Official website
• Kenwood HouseNeoclassical house on Hampstead Heath with a free art collection and wide parkland. Buggies are not allowed inside the house.
  Free
  Official website
• Rainbow Soft Play & CafeCafe with a play area, high chairs and baby changing.
  Up to age 12Play area
  Official website
• Role2PlayCafe and indoor child-friendly town where children can roleplay.
  Ages 2-6Games
  Official website
• The British LibraryNational library with free exhibition galleries and a programme of storytelling and craft sessions for children of all ages.
  FreeGames
  Official website
• Tower BridgeVisit of Tower Bridge with family craft and trails included in entry ticket. Free under 5.Official website
• Two Temple PlaceExhibitions of British art in neo-Gothic Victorian mansion. Two interactive family trails available during Open Days, designed to guide younger visitors around the buildingOfficial website

🌳Parks 2

• Crossrail Place Roof GardenWander through and admire the exotic plants, relax on one of the many benches nestled in hidden pathways or enjoy a show in the amphitheatre.
  Free
  Official website
• Sky GardenSkyscraper features a top-floor restaurant. The garden can be visited for free, book in advance.
  Free
  Official website

🏛️Museums 29

• Bank of EnglandFamily-friendly museum exploring the bank's history with activity sheets for all ages and child-friendly displays.
  Free
  Official website
• Charles Dickens MuseumMuseum with a family programme and activities for children. Free under 6.
  Games
  Official website
• Florence Nightingale MuseumMuseum with a family programme and activities for children. Free under 4.Official website
• Garden MuseumMuseum of garden history in a former church, with a cafe, a courtyard garden and a small selection of toys. Free under 6.Official website
• Islington MuseumThis will be redeveloped soon. The most interesting thing is the toy corner, and the play kitchen.
  FreeGames
  Official website
• London Transport MuseumMuseum with a family programme and activities for children of all ages. Free under 18.
  Games
  Official website
• Museum of London Archaeological ArchiveMuseum with a family programme and activities for children, including "Become an archaeologist for the day" for kids 5+ but also a play area for all ages.
  FreeAges 2+Play areaGames
  Official website
• National Portrait GalleryMuseum with a family programme and trails for children 4+.
  FreeGames
  Official website
• Natural History MuseumLandmark museum of animals and natural phenomena, with hands-on exhibits and animatronic dinosaurs. Free admission but book online to skip the queue!
  Free
  Official website
• Science MuseumThe Wanderlab, basement floor and pattern pod are all designed for children. It's great fun, but can be overwhelming. Free under 3.
  Games
  Official website
• Sir John Soane's MuseumMuseum with hands-on workshops and activities led by specialist artist educators who explore themes related to the Museum and its collection, on weekends and school holidays.
  Free
  Official website
• Southbank CentreTheatres, concert halls and an art gallery with many family activities.
  FreeGames
  Official website
• Tate BritainMuseum with a family programme and activities for children.
  FreeGames
  Official website
• Tate ModernMuseum with a family programme and activities for children.
  FreeGames
  Official website
• The British MuseumOn weekends and school holidays, take your free activity backpack or a Museum explorer trail from the Families Desk to guide you around the galleries.
  Free
  Official website
• The Foundling MuseumThe first British home for abandoned children, with art collection and children activities for all ages: family workshops for 5-12 and creative activities for under 5s. Free under 21.
  FreeGames
  Official website
• The National GalleryMuseum with a family programme and activities for children. Dedicated family space on weekends and holidays.
  Free
  Official website
• The Postal MuseumPostal Museum with dedicated play area for under 5s, Post play space for 1-8 an other activities for all ages. Free below 2.
  Play areaGames
  Official website
• University College London - Museum of ZoologyThe Grant Museum is home to 100,000 specimens from every continent, every ocean, and every animal group.
  FreeAges 5+
  Official website
• Victoria and Albert MuseumMuseum with a family programme and activities for children.
  Free
  Official website

Showing the 20 most central. See all 29 museums in London

🎡Theme Parks 1

• Hobbledown HeathTheme park with soft play, outdoor exploration imaginative play and animal for a full family day out. Free under 1.
  Play areaGamesPetting farm
  Official website

🎭Theatres 2

• Little Angel TheatreVenue staging shows and performances for children.Official website
• Polka TheatreChildren's theatre with cafe, toyzone, garden and a playground.
  Play areaGames
  Official website

🛝Playgrounds 6

• Bertie and Boo Adventure IslandSoft play centre for 0-5.
  Up to age 5
  Official website
• Kidspace Croydon30,000 sq ft indoor soft play and adventure centre in Croydon, packed with non-stop fun for children 0-12.
  Up to age 12Games
  Official website
• Kidspace RomfordIndoor play centre in Romford packed with exciting activities for children of all ages Free under 1.Official website
• KidzmaniaSoft play centre in the heart of Hackney for the younger ones.
  Up to age 8
  Official website
• Little DinosaursIndoor soft play centre.Official website
• Macaroni PenguinA place to climb, slide, hide and explore for the younger ones.
  Up to age 6
  Official website

🍔Kids Restaurants 4

• Apple Tree Childrens CafeCafe with a play area, high chairs and baby changing.
  Games
  Official website
• Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden Bar & CafeRooftop garden above the Southbank Centre with seating, planting and views over the Thames. Free to enter.Official website
• Springfield Park CafeA room to the side has activity sheets and pens. High chairs, baby changing.
  Games
  Official website
• The Dulwich Clock CafeCafe in park.Official website

See everything we have mapped in London

Practical tips

• Go early or go lateThe first hour after opening and the last two hours of the day are noticeably quieter at the big museums, including in school holidays.
• Free still needs a ticketMost free museums use timed entry slots. Book the night before, and take the confirmation on your phone rather than relying on signal at the door.
• Swap the Tube for a busBuses are step free and let a pushchair on without folding it. Sitting upstairs at the front also passes twenty minutes on its own.

If the rain eases, the parks are worth the detour even when wet. Play equipment drains fast and is usually empty for the first hour after a shower.