There’s one factor you’ll be able to depend on with the British climate: you’ll be able to 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.
incorporates affiliate hyperlinks*
Happily, you’re additionally spoiled for selection in terms of concepts for wet days out in London, from the well-known museums and different indoor household points of interest to extra quirky issues to do with children within the rain.
I’ve stored the concentrate on comparatively central places the place doable (lengthy treks throughout London within the rain, or soggy tube journeys aren’t any enjoyable), in addition to skipping something the place it’s all in regards to the views – the London Eye may be waterproof however trying throughout a cloudy drizzly skyline will not be one of the simplest ways to expertise it! – with my prime 29 issues to do in London with children within the rain.
Wet day household points of interest in London
Sea Life London Aquarium
A beautiful various to town’s zoos for animal lovers, London’s aquarium is a superb place to go to with youthful children – the Sea Life London Aquarium close to the London Eye can get busy at peak instances and on wet days.
One of many greatest 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 value from £24.50 for adults, £21.50 for teenagers, and maintain a watch out for particular affords and weekday offers.
Shrek’s Journey
Shrek followers will love the possibility to stroll by way of the world of Far Far Away, assembly a number of the well-known characters together with Princess Fiona and Donkey.
There’s a problem to gather components to seek out Shrek and make it house safely, in addition to 10 themed dwell reveals and a 4D flying bus to finish Shrek’s Journey. Higher for main college aged children who’ll recognize the enjoyable than for toddlers and preschoolers.
With the choice to reschedule at no cost, it’s also possible to get mixed tickets to different Merlin points of interest, together with the close by aquarium or London Eye. Tickets with free cancellation are additionally obtainable from Get Your Information.
Madame Tussauds
From celebrities to superheroes to the royal household, you’ll be able to whereas away hours gazing on the waxworks on show at Madame Tussauds – and posing alongside fairly a couple of.
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 value from round £33, together with an choice to reschedule at no cost in addition to reductions when you e-book direct. It’s also possible to discover tickets with free cancellation from Get Your Information.
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 really alarming years of historical past, plus loads of particular results and rides to get your coronary heart racing even quicker.
One in every of a string of places 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 house of Queen Victoria, Kensington Palace was a favorite of George II and his courtroom, and has additionally been house to Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince William and Harry.
With altering exhibitions, together with a current 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 could be Queen to her coronation.
Elsewhere within the palace you’ll be able to 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 courtroom with some horrible historical past certain to entertain children.
Tickets value from £20 for adults, £10 for teenagers, free when you’re a Historic Royal Palaces member.
Try my overview of a day trip at Kensington Palace with children
Westminster Abbey
Unmissable in case your children are considering British historical past, over 3,300 folks have been buried or commemorated at Westminster Abbey, together with 16 separate British monarchs (or 17, when you consider the bones considered the Princes within the Tower embody these of Edward V) plus a lot of their consorts.
As you discover inside, you’ll be able to see the tombs of Henry V and all of the Tudors besides Henry VIII, alongside early kings equivalent to Edward the Confessor, who died per 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 value from £29 for adults, £13 for teenagers, and it’s also possible to purchase tickets with free cancellation right here.
For extra concepts of royal locations in London, try my decide of the most effective
Warner Bros Studio Tour
Though the Warner Bros studios aren’t in London itself, it’s solely a 20-minute practice journey from Euston (plus the shuttle bus from Watford Junction station) to succeed in the location in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.
For Potter followers – myself included – it’s the last word vacation spot at any time, however with nearly every part indoors, it’s ultimate for a wet day too. Do be sure you e-book 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 experience broomsticks, drink butterbeer (optionally available!), see the Hogwarts Specific, stroll into The Forbidden Forest and watch a dragon rampage by way of Gringotts financial institution.
For those who favor to e-book tickets with a coach switch, click on right here
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is definitely essentially the most well-known of London’s bridges, and in addition to getting a view of its well-known blue and white paint, you’ll be able to head inside to find its historical past.
There’s an opportunity to face on the glass walkway and look down, head into the engine rooms, and there are common household actions for teenagers too.
Try the Tower Bridge Path for Little Explorers and household path app. Purchase tickets to Tower Bridge through the Tiqets web site and there’s a reduction utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Try the Tower Bridge Cat sequence of tales too, considered one of my picks for the finest children books about London
London’s museums on a wet day
With world-class museums, together with free entry at so many, London’s museums are implausible year-round however particularly when it’s chilly and moist outdoors. It’s value stating that you just received’t be the one individual considering this, and it’s sensible to prebook throughout college holidays specifically.
Try my full suggestions for visiting London’s museums with toddlers and youngsters
The Pure Historical past Museum
One in every of London’s hottest museums, the Pure Historical past Museum‘s assortment covers zoology, paleontology, botany, entomology and mineralogy, in considered one of London’s most eye-catching museum buildings.
But it surely’s the dinosaurs which draw many of the guests, at the least on the primary event, with a complete part on these eternally fascinating creatures – even when Dippy the diplodocus has been changed by Hope the blue whale skeleton.
There are recurrently particular exhibitions as nicely, such because the Incredible Beasts exhibition and Titanosaur.
Try my scavenger hunt when you’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 youngsters who wish to get palms on, with collections overlaying science and expertise from the oldest surviving steam locomotive to the mannequin of DNA and the forerunners of computer systems.
Together with the house and flight galleries, you’ll be able to observe 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 reveals and implausible interactive displays.
Try my suggestions for visiting the Science Museum with children
The Victoria & Albert Museum
The world’s largest museum of ornamental arts and design will not be essentially the most clearly family-friendly of the South Kensington museums, however there’s much more to the Victoria & Albert museum for teenagers than you would possibly anticipate.
You may discover collections spanning 5,000 years of artwork, in addition to cultures from around the globe (to not point out momentary exhibitions which have featured Winnie the Pooh and Alice in Wonderland), there’s an countless supply of inspiration.
There are numerous interactive shows, household actions and youngsters’s exercise packs to find as nicely. The sister museum, the Younger V&A (previously the Museum of Childhood) is in Bethnal Inexperienced relatively than South Kensington, however makes one other nice possibility for a wet day in London.
Try my full set of suggestions for visiting the V&A with children right here
The Younger V&A (Museum of Childhood)
After being closed for years, the London Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Inexperienced reopened in summer time 2023 with a brand new look and a brand new identify – the Younger V&A.
With its shows of toys and video games, it has been a household favorite for years (not least for the nostalgia worth), and the much-loved highlights may even be returning alongside some new future favourites – look out for Kermit the frog becoming a member of the gathering, which incorporates one of many oldest Paddington toys in existence.
Nonetheless whereas the constructing is identical grand corridor, children have been concerned in developing with the redesigned look, now themed round three galleries: Play, Think about and Design. There are areas to attraction to the youngest guests, the place studying is nicely disguised as play, plus the possibility to design your personal sport, get impressed to be artistic and extra.
The emphasis is on giving children loads of probabilities to get palms on, whether or not that’s acting on stage, listening to storytelling, creating Minecraft cities or hitting the sandpit, in addition to new gadgets occurring show, with a complete of two,000 gadgets to take pleasure in.
The British Museum
One of many world’s biggest collections overlaying 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 toddler myself, fascinated by the Egyptian galleries – and the sheer scale of things on show, the range 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.
Try my full set of suggestions for visiting the British Museum with children
The London Museum Docklands
One of many metropolis’s museums specializing in London itself, the London Museum Docklands sits in a transformed warehouse on West India Quay, as soon as the center of London’s thriving docks business, and it’s the right place to find this facet of the capital.
Galleries are set out in chronological order, so guests journey from late Tudor instances by way of to the trendy day, when London’s monetary district took over the realm, with trails to assist discover.
In addition to interactive sections, equivalent to strolling by way of a recreation of Sailortown and searching inside an air raid shelter, there are shows on slaver, in addition to on the Nice Stink and the Nice Dock Strike, so some harder-hitting matters lined right here.
Whereas a number of the shows will attraction extra to older children, there’s a fantastic play space referred to as Mudlarks for youthful ones – the primary museum is free however there’s a small cost for Mudlarks, and prebooking is strongly suggested.
The London Museum (previously the Museum of London) is quickly closed till it reopens in its new web site at Smithfield in 2026, though the London Museum Docklands remains to be open
The London Transport Museum
The gathering on the London Transport Museum in Covent Backyard begins with sedan chairs and carriage, in addition to a number 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 faux to drive a bus and get behind the controls of a tube practice simulator.
There’s additionally a particular play space for teenagers aged beneath seven, plus common household and craft actions, and particular exhibitions together with the Hidden London space.
Try my overview of a go to to the London Transport Museum with children
The Museum of the Dwelling
Reopened in 2021 after an £18 million overhaul, the Museum of the Dwelling 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, exhibiting how houses modified over the centuries, there are shows galore overlaying every part from altering expertise and video games to intelligent innovations, totally different interiors fashions and many interactive enjoyable as nicely.
Plus, it’s additionally utterly free to go to when you’re searching for concepts for a wet day in London with children that received’t break the financial institution.
Try my overview of visiting the Museum of the Dwelling with children
The Postal Museum
The Postal Museum won’t 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 begin with, you’ll be able to 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 house to Sorted! The Postal Play Area – a play space that designed as a mini city, with streets and buildings, plus tons to push, pull, slide down and extra. Periods final 45 minutes and have to be prebooked.
Then there are sometimes household trails and particular exhibitions within the museum itself, in addition to numerous interactive enjoyable.
Imperial Warfare Museum London
Based in the course of the First World Warfare, the galleries on the Imperial Warfare Museum concentrate on the experiences of individuals affected by battle, so when you’ll additionally get to see some very giant weapons, planes hanging from the ceiling and collections of medals, there’s extra emphasis on particular person tales.
A brand new gallery overlaying the Second World Warfare was added in 2021, excellent for teenagers finding out it in school, and the museum runs common household occasions throughout college holidays – current ones have lined every part from spies and espionage to battle in video and laptop video games.
There’s a separate exhibition on the Holocaust as nicely, though that is solely really helpful for youngsters aged 14+.
Tickets for IWM London can be found on the door – you might have to attend at busy instances so prebooking timed entry slots is really helpful.
Older children may even take pleasure in visiting the Churchill Warfare Rooms, the place you will get a glimpse what life would have been like in these secret corridors in the course of the tense days and nights of the Second World Warfare
Nationwide Gallery
In addition to the fabulous artwork collections, there’s loads on the Nationwide Gallery for teenagers, together with trails to observe 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 special portray every time, and stopping to color and draw is positively inspired as you discover.
Tate Fashionable
This up to date artwork museum may 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 at no cost, and you may observe a map taking you to a number of the areas finest for households, to begin getting youthful guests enthusiastic about artwork.
Uncommon issues to do in London within the rain
See a present
The West Finish is rightfully well-known for its theatre so when you’re visiting London with older children, try the offers on the TKTS sales space in Leicester Sq. when you haven’t booked upfront in addition to Todaytix.
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 reveals and a few wonderful youngsters’s theatres. Attempt puppet and marionette reveals 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: Matilda is all the time a winner with children, otherwise you’ll discover loads of Julia Donaldson variations, equivalent to The Smartest Large in City.
Work collectively at an Escape Room
Escape the rain outdoors with some household bonding time inside at considered 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 view to escape.
Cluequest in Kings Cross affords a number of the most child-friendly escape rooms in London. Children of all ages can enter Mr Q’s spy universe for Operation Black Sheep or Plan52, whereas teenagers 16+ can strive their cool new VR escape rooms.
Another family-friendly escape rooms embody Si5 Spy Missions Croydon (finest for youthful children) and Enigma Quests College of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Play a sport 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 sport of indoor loopy golf.
A number of elaborate themed indoor loopy golf venues have popped up throughout London over the previous few years, with every part from nostalgic seaside throwbacks to neon-clad tech-infused programs.
Nonetheless, it’s necessary to know that many of those loopy golf venues are focused in direction of adults, with on-site bars, late opening hours and an 18+ coverage.
For child-friendly indoor loopy golf in London, strive Puttshack White Metropolis and Puttshack Financial institution (beneath 18s welcome day by day till 6pm) or Junkyard Golf Membership Shoreditch and Junkyard Camden (beneath 18s welcome Sunday to Wednesday earlier than 6pm).
Get pleasure from a kid-friendly afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is a real British establishment and a good way to spend a wet day in London for teenagers and adults alike.
There are many cool kid-friendly afternoon teas in London to select from too.
A few my favourites embody One Aldwych’s mouthwateringly indulgent Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing facility Afternoon Tea, and the Wizard Afternoon Tea the place you’ll be able to combine your personal magical potions (cocktails/mocktails) on the Wizard Exploratorium.
Get aggressive at Crystal Maze Dwell
Whether or not you’ve received your personal fond recollections of the Crystal Maze or fancy one thing a bit uncommon to do in London with children, the Crystal Maze Dwell 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 long-lasting 90s TV present, whereas children will love working across the maze with the highly-enthusiastic Maze Masters, finishing a sequence of foolish themed challenges, from using an enormous buckaroo-ing spaceship to decoding riddles – it’s appropriate for teenagers 13+.
When you’ve completed all the challenges, you’ll even get to go contained in the Maze’s centrepiece, the Crystal Dome, the place you’ll soar round and acquire gold tokens that add factors to your ultimate 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 ‘greatest one-stop enjoyable store’ and any child’s dream day trip.
The massive indoor venue is house to central London’s solely year-round ice rink, the place you can provide ice-karting a strive, 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 have to go outdoors within the rain all day – or till you want to head house 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 filled with indoor actions, with 21 thrilling climbing challenges, plus extra wet day actions such because the Pace Climb, the Leap of Religion and extra.
The venue runs day by day climbing periods for anybody aged 4+, with absolutely educated supervisors guiding the way in which, in addition to morning toddler periods for lively tots aged two to 4. It’s also possible to e-book out all the venue for a novel youngsters’s social gathering.
Bounce round at FlipOut London
FlipOut London (E6) is London’s greatest 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.
Kids beneath 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 when you’re searching for a enjoyable London exercise for youngsters 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 sport evening 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 seek out one thing the entire household will take pleasure in.
There’s additionally a choice of foods and drinks you’ll be able to order to your desk so you’ll be able to keep so long as you wish to keep away from the gloomy climate outdoors.
Be careful for… Monopoly Lifesized. Tackle challenges with a view to purchase properties plus you play on a lifesize board, with a Junior Board when you’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 implausible toy outlets.
You may simply spend a few hours getting misplaced exploring all seven flooring of Hamleys on Regent Avenue – 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 places in London, try my decide of the most effective
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 considered one of London’s most uncommon cinemas – Electrical Cinema Portobello – the place as a substitute of seats, the display has cozy sofas and armchairs so that you can cosy up on.
The cinema reveals loads of new releases that are acceptable for older children and teenagers, whereas Children Membership every Saturday is extra appropriate for youthful youngsters.
Along with your cinema tickets, you’ll additionally get 50% off the adjoining Electrical Diner which serves scrumptious consolation meals all day lengthy.
*first revealed 2021, final up to date 2024*
PIN FOR LATER: RAINY DAYS IN LONDON WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Predominant picture, Science Museum, afternoon tea and Platform 9 3/4 courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels