You’re by no means in need of concepts to entertain your loved ones in the course of the daytime, however discovering issues to do within the night in London with youngsters will be surprisingly restricted at occasions.
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Whereas youthful youngsters are prone to be tucked up in mattress or quick asleep in a buggy, there’s nonetheless a giant chunk of time to fill for older main age youngsters, tweens and youthful teenagers who positively aren’t going to be planning an early night time however aren’t sufficiently old for some issues geared to older teenagers.
So once you’re planning what to do in London after 6pm, I’ve picked out 24 of the perfect issues to do within the night in London with youngsters – and tips about the apparently child-friendly night actions which aren’t nearly as good as you’d suppose.
Head to the theatre
London’s theatre is among the many finest on the earth, and also you received’t be in need of family-friendly exhibits to look at, from big-name productions like The Lion King, Matilda and Six to Depraved, Mrs Doubtfire and Again to the Future, to call just a few.
I’m a giant fan of the TodayTix web site and app for reductions on tickets, together with rush tickets and lotteries – together with £40 seats for Harry Potter And The Cursed Youngster, which doesn’t simply fill your night however your complete afternoon as properly.
In the event you’re already in central London, the TKTS ticket sales space in Leicester Sq. is open each day (Monday-Saturday from 10.30am to 6pm, Sundays 12-4.30pm) – the one Official London Theatre ticket sales space, it ought to all the time have the perfect offers of the day. When the tickets are gone, they’re gone although. There’s additionally the prospect to see all of the offers on the TKTS web site if you happen to’re not close to Leicester Sq..
Ceremony of the Keys
Head to the Tower of London after darkish and you’ll watch historical past in motion on the historic Ceremony of the Keys, some of the uncommon issues to do in London with youngsters.
Again within the 14th century, Edward III was livid to find he may stroll into the Tower of London unchallenged – and decreed the fortress ought to be locked at sundown and unlocked at dawn from that time on. And the custom continues to at the present time.
With a purpose to see it, you’ll must prebook – tickets can be found from the beginning of the month and get snapped up very quick. The go to begins at 9.30pm and runs for round 35 minutes (latecomers will not be allowed in, so it’s price getting there a bit early as there are additionally safety checks).
Try my expertise of watching the Ceremony of the Keys with youngsters
Journey the London Eye
One of many metropolis’s hottest sights, the London Eye can also be a unbelievable night expertise with youngsters, as you watch the town’s lights start to change on as nightfall falls.
Take a night “flight” over the capital because the solar units and you’ll see some unbelievable views of iconic landmarks like Massive Ben, the Homes of Parliament, and the River Thames, illuminated for the night time.
In summer time, the London Eye stays open till round 8:30pm though if you happen to’re visiting throughout winter, sundown is far earlier, at round 4pm in December so you’ve extra choices to look at the town lit up. You’ll be able to examine the sundown occasions for London right here.
View from The Shard
Whereas not all of London’s viewpoints enable under-16s to go to within the night, the View From the Shard is family-friendly in any respect hours. The commentary deck, which is without doubt one of the tallest within the metropolis, stays open till 10pm newest, relying on the season.
From the highest, you’ll be able to take pleasure in 360-degree views of the capital, together with well-known websites like Tower Bridge, The Gherkin, and the London Eye, all lit up towards the night time sky. Youngsters will love the interactive telescopes highlighting key sights, whereas teenagers can benefit from the thrilling digital actuality expertise.
In the event you’re contemplating one other of London’s viewpoints with youngsters, keep in mind that the favored Sky Backyard doesn’t enable kids after 6pm, whereas Horizon 22 closes at 6pm or earlier than so is barely an excellent choice throughout winter. The Backyard at 120 does keep open to 9pm throughout summer time so it’s one other free choice for issues to do after 6pm in London with youngsters
Evening River Cruise
One other nice method to see the town from a unique perspective is on a night boat journey alongside the Thames with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. Youngsters will love seeing London’s high sights illuminated at night time as you cruise alongside the river.
Leap on at Greenwich and head west till you attain the London Eye (or vice versa), taking in iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral alongside the best way. Boats run frequently till round 10:30pm and children underneath 15 get 50% off the usual fare.
Metropolis Cruises is another choice – the particular night time cruises are often 18+ however you’ll be able to catch one of many later scheduled sightseeing cruises from Westminster pier to Tower pier, which is able to see the river lit up throughout late autumn and winter.
Evening Bus Tour
For a enjoyable and stress-free method to see London’s landmarks after darkish, hop on an evening bus tour. These open-top buses take you previous a number of the metropolis’s most well-known sights illuminated at night time, together with the Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Piccadilly Circus.
Most bus excursions embody a stay guided commentary that can hold friends of all ages entertained with fascinating info and enjoyable tales in regards to the metropolis, making it each an academic and thrilling night exercise. Simply bear in mind to wrap up heat if you happen to plan on sitting on the highest ground.
There’s a alternative of bus routes as properly – Tootbus has an everyday London night time bus tour, in addition to a shorter Christmas lights tour, whereas Golden Excursions additionally runs an evening bus tour.
IFS Cloud Cable Automotive
Take within the sights of East London from above with a journey on the IFS Cloud Cable Automotive (previously Emirates Air Line Cable Automotive), operating till 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 9pm the remainder of the week.
The journey takes you 90 metres above the River Thames between Greenwich and the Royal Docks. Alongside the best way, you’ll be able to soak up sights like The O2 Area reflecting on the river and the intense lights of Canary Wharf.
The journey lasts about 10 minutes, or you’ll be able to e-book a spherical journey for an extended expertise. End in Greenwich and luxuriate in a meal at one of many family-friendly eating places at The O2.
Go to the Outernet
Head to the Outernet subsequent to Tottenham Courtroom Street station, an incredible free digital leisure area which options big wraparound digital screens. The most important of its form in Europe, the screens present a wide range of cutting-edge immersive artwork shows and exhibitions on rotation.
Open into the night, Outernet is a good cease with youngsters after procuring on Oxford Road or earlier than heading down into the West Finish for dinner.
It’s utterly free to go to and there’s no must e-book. You’ll be able to merely simply stroll in and benefit from the unbelievable shows.
Jack the Ripper Tour
For older youngsters keen on horrible historical past, a Jack the Ripper strolling tour is a captivating night exercise in East London, with an entire string to select from.
On an immersive tour, you’ll discover the streets of Whitechapel and observe within the footsteps of London’s most infamous serial killer. A educated information brings historical past to life with participating tales, info, and images from the previous.
Youngsters can examine potential suspects and piece collectively clues shared all through the tour to determine who they suppose dedicated the notorious unsolved murders of 1888.
Probably the most uncommon is the Jack The Ripper tour from Insurgent Excursions, and fairly than specializing in the thriller of the serial killer, seems to be on the ladies who misplaced their lives. Subtitled ‘What About The Ladies’, it goals to inform the victims’ tales, share the fact of life within the East Finish fairly than serial killer sensationalism.
Ghost bus tour
Ghost excursions aren’t only for Halloween. Older kids and teenagers can take pleasure in listening to darkish tales from London’s previous on this Ghost Bus Tour, the UK’s solely comedy-horror theatre sightseeing expertise on wheels.
On the 75-minute London bus tour, you’ll go to the town’s most well-known sights and listen to tales of murders and hauntings that the majority different excursions miss out on. So whether or not you’re a neighborhood or simply visiting the capital, you’re assured to be taught one thing new.
You’ll be guided by a stay ‘conductor’, and some thriller friends alongside the best way, who’re there to verify the interactive tour is a enjoyable, spooky, and memorable expertise for all of the household.
The tour departs from a bus cease on Northumberland Avenue at 19:30 and 21:00 every night – appropriate for youngsters 5+, though realistically this one’s higher with older youngsters.
Try my overview of the Ghost Bus Tour of London – with youngsters, or with out
Night procuring within the West Finish
Deal with that household to a night procuring spree in London’s West Finish, with loads of outlets open till late.
Hamleys, the town’s oldest and largest toy retailer, is open till 9pm, with seven flooring of toys, video games, and crafts to discover. With loads of interactive shows and hands-on actions, it’s enjoyable to go to even if you happen to don’t purchase something!
After Hamleys, head to Leicester Sq. to take a look at The LEGO Retailer and M&M Retailer, each open till 10pm.
The LEGO Retailer options big LEGO fashions of London landmarks, together with a full-sized tube carriage, whereas the M&M Retailer affords 4 flooring of chocolate-filled enjoyable.
Loads of outlets alongside Oxford Road are additionally open till 10pm on weekdays and Saturdays, if you wish to squeeze in some extra retail remedy, or hop on the tube to Westfield White Metropolis or Westfield Stratford, that are each open till 9pm each day besides Sundays.
Babylon Park London
For a enjoyable night exercise for teenagers of all ages, head to Babylon Park, a hidden underground amusement park in Camden Market.
The distinctive space-themed park options a wide range of rides and video games. For youthful youngsters, there’s a mini-roller coaster, bumper vehicles, and drop tower, whereas older youngsters and teenagers can benefit from the park’s many arcade and video video games, talent video games, and VR experiences.
The park is open till 8pm on weekdays, 10pm on Saturdays, and 9pm on Sundays. It’s utterly free to go to however you’ll must buy “cash” to benefit from the rides and video games.
For extra issues to do in Camden with youngsters, take a look at my high picks
Indoor mini golf
My daughter is a big fan of mini golf, each the standard outside model (enjoyable however not nice for the night when it’s darkish!) and the high-tech indoor choices like Puttshack and Junkyard Golf.
So it’s positively price conserving a household sport of mini golf on the checklist of what to do in London after 6pm – with just a few provisos.
As a result of most indoor programs are adults-only after 7pm, together with each Puttshack and Junkyard Golf’s varied areas throughout London – so that you could possibly e-book in for a 6pm slot relying on the day, which ought to depart sufficient time to finish your sport, however you’ll have to be out as quickly as you’ve completed.
In the event you’re seeking to fill an hour earlier than dinner with older youngsters, it’s a enjoyable choice to strive, however it actually received’t fill the entire night (and don’t anticipate to show up after consuming).
Paradox Museum
The Paradox Museum is a brand new interactive museum in Knightsbridge full of cool optical illusions and immersive displays that play tips in your thoughts and problem your notion of actuality.
It’s a enjoyable night exercise for households in London, with loads of mind-boggling immersive shows and alternatives to snap some quirky household images.
The distinctive museum is open till 8:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7pm the remainder of the week. Give your self at the least 90 minutes to benefit from the many displays.
Warner Bros Harry Potter 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, and it stays open to 10pm at weekends.
And once you’re this shut, there’s no means it’s best to danger lacking this final vacation spot for Harry Potter followers in London – it’s finest to e-book forward as tickets get snapped up properly upfront, though if daytime tickets are gone, it’s nonetheless one of many enjoyable issues to do in London after 6pm with youngsters, particularly older youngsters.
Enable loads of time to journey broomsticks, drink butterbeer (elective!), uncover props, see the Hogwarts Categorical, stroll into The Forbidden Forest and watch a dragon rampage by Gringotts financial institution.
There are shows galore, and it’s solely once you go to that you simply realise the astonishing element and simply how a lot work has gone into every facet, to not point out an array of magical creatures plus background on how the units and animatronics had been created.
Try hippogriff Buckbeak, whose feathers had been added by hand and saved groomed by the Creature Results group, or work together with Dobby the Home Elf. And if you happen to’ve all the time needed to go to Hogwarts, that is the one place you’ll discover the entire fortress.
There are particular occasions all year long, in winter you’ll be able to uncover Hogwarts within the Snow or a Darkish Arts theme for Halloween, in addition to different non permanent exhibitions.
In the event you’re on the lookout for resorts close to Harry Potter Studios London, take a look at my high picks, or if you happen to want to e-book tickets with a coach switch from London, click on right here or direct through Golden Excursions
Road performers in Covent Backyard
Covent Backyard is certainly one of London’s high neighbourhoods to go to with youngsters always of the day. The massive central piazza is all the time full of proficient avenue performers who entertain the crowds properly into the night.
From quirky human statues to musicians, acrobats, magicians, and comedians, avenue performers present enjoyable leisure for teenagers and adults of all ages. They’re free to look at, however it’s all the time good to depart a tip if you happen to loved their efficiency.
After the present, you’ll be able to discover close by outlets, seize a chunk to eat, or just benefit from the space’s vibrant vitality. There are sometimes pop-up occasions happening, so it’s a enjoyable space to discover year-round.
Wander the South Financial institution
The River Thames is the guts of the town, so a stroll alongside the river is all the time the most effective issues to do in London with youngsters – don’t simply rush from A to B, save a while to find the quirky particulars, absorb the river views at sundown and illuminated at night time, and benefit from the avenue performers.
Stroll from Westminster Bridge to Southwark Bridge, and there are views of landmarks just like the Homes of Parliament and St Paul’s, in addition to strolling previous the London Eye.
Maintain strolling in direction of the Oxo Tower (whose home windows cleverly acquired across the prohibition on promoting) to Gabriel’s Wharf the place the financial institution widens and also you get an ideal view in direction of Blackfriars Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral, in addition to some pretty locations to eat, earlier than reaching the Tate Fashionable and Shakespeare’s Globe theatre.
In the event you do hold going a bit additional and you’ll see the Golden Hinde, a duplicate of the ship wherein Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe, plus the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.
There are sometimes altering non permanent artwork installations, even an city seaside in summer time, plus festivals and occasions all year long – take a look at this stroll alongside the South Financial institution for extra inspiration, in addition to these highlights to identify.
Take a more in-depth take a look at the lampposts as you head alongside The Queen’s Stroll and the riverside too – often known as dolphin lamp requirements, they’re primarily based on creatures on the Fontana del Nettuno within the Piazza del Popolo in Rome.
QUEENS Skate Dine Bowl
QUEENS in Bayswater is a good spot for lively households, with a enjoyable vary of actions to strive, together with ice skating, ice karting, curling, bowling, and arcade video games.
After you’ve loved the actions, you too can seize some scrumptious burgers from MEATliquor on web site.
It’s price understanding that QUEENS is an adults-only venue after 8pm, with the final entry for teenagers at 7pm, however it’s nonetheless an ideal spot for some early night household enjoyable in West London, near Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
Monopoly Lifesized
Be careful for… Monopoly Lifesized. A cross between a real-life model of the board sport and an escape room, you’ll tackle challenges with a purpose to purchase properties.
Appropriate for age 9+, there are 4 boards to select from, together with a Metropolis model for modern-day London and the Basic board.
Anticipate to be taking part in towards extra than simply your loved ones (except you’ve a HUGE household), with as much as 24 taking part in directly, and groups of a most of six. Video games final round 80 minutes and it closes at round 11pm.
Crystal Maze Reside
Whether or not you’ve acquired your personal fond reminiscences of the Crystal Maze or fancy one thing a bit uncommon to do in London with youngsters, the Crystal Maze Reside is a enjoyable and family-friendly immersive expertise on Shaftesbury Avenue within the coronary heart of London’s West Finish.
Dad and mom will take pleasure in travelling again in time into the enduring 90s TV present, whereas youngsters will love operating 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 9+.
You’ll battle towards the clock within the 4 zones – Industrial, Futuristic, Medieval and Aztec – as you remedy mysteries and face bodily challenges. You then’ll even get to move contained in the Maze’s centrepiece, the Crystal Dome, the place you’ll leap round and gather gold tokens that add factors to your ultimate rating. Final periods are round 8pm at weekends.
Sleep at a museum
In the event you’ve acquired barely youthful youngsters who nonetheless don’t need the enjoyable to finish after 6pm in London, take a look at the museum sleepovers which run often all year long.
Dino Snores on the Pure Historical past Museum is for teenagers aged 7-11, the place you’ll get to seek out out extra about a number of the Museum’s creatures by torchlight, take pleasure in some enjoyable actions and sleep over in one of many galleries.
Be ready for a late night time, settling right down to sleep at midnight, then an early breakfast earlier than a path across the galleries earlier than the museum reopens at 10am. If in case you have older youngsters who’d additionally take pleasure in it, the DIno Snores Particular occasions are for teenagers (as much as 17-year-olds)
Or take a look at Astronights on the Science Museum for a similar age vary, with space-inspired workshops, exhibits and actions, plus VIP tickets together with airbeds, and breakfast earlier than you head off the subsequent morning.
The British Museum sleepovers are an ideal choice for older youngsters or you probably have a giant age vary within the household. appropriate for ages 8-15.
Every sleepover has a singular historic theme, with workshops, actions and storytelling, the place you may sleep within the Egyptian, Assyrian and Greek galleries, then observe an unique path after breakfast earlier than the museum reopens.
Evening Voyage on the Golden Hinde
Uncover the secrets and techniques of Tudor medication (bleeding and extra bleeding), be taught the realities of life at sea and combat off the Spanish on board the Golden Hinde – the duplicate of the ship which Sir Francis Drake sailed around the globe.
Even higher than a go to on board the galleon, moored on the South Financial institution close to Southwark, is the prospect to sleep in a single day with the Golden Hinde night time voyage – the Household Evening Voyage contains (almost) genuine vegetable stew for dinner and actors bringing tales of Elizabethan pirates and privateers to life.
Learn my overview of a sleepover on the Golden Hinde
Sleepover on the Zoo
Simply some of the uncommon issues to do in London with youngsters is to take pleasure in an in a single day keep on the London Zoo Lodges inside roaring distance of the lions.
The zoo’s 9 themed Lodges will be discovered contained in the Land of the Lions exhibit, inside roaring distance of the satisfaction of Asiatic lions. The distinctive in a single day expertise contains three particular after-hour excursions, dinner and breakfast, plus entrance to the zoo each days of your keep.
The Zoo Lodges have particular household nights for youngsters aged 5-15, whereas teenagers 14+ can keep on adult-only nights too. Sadly, kids underneath 5 can’t keep in a single day.
Seasonal enjoyable – pop-up occasions
You’ll discover loads of particular seasonal occasions all year long as one other method to spend the night in London with youngsters.
Brighten up the darkish evenings throughout winter with gentle trails for Halloween in addition to a lot happening at Christmas.
Strive a strolling route previous the London Christmas lights, observe a festive illuminated path or head to one of many Christmas markets – Winter Wonderland is enjoyable for all ages, however teenagers will take pleasure in hitting the rides and snacking on the meals stalls into the night.
Or in the course of the summer time months, there are outside theatre performances and outside cinema screens popping up across the capital, for an evening out with youngsters in London that’s a bit extra enjoyable than your common multiplex.
Fever additionally has some nice pop-up exhibitions and interactive experiences to take a look at.
Disclosure: This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Pictures: Tower of London/Ghost bus/Diagon Alley/Golden Hinde copyright MummyTravels, Puttshack courtesy of Puttshack, all others courtesy of Depositphotos
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