There’s one factor you may depend on with the British climate: you may by no means depend on it – so it’s at all times price having concepts for things to do in London in the rain with kids everytime you’re visiting the metropolis.
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Fortunately, you’re additionally spoiled for selection when it comes to concepts for wet days out in London, from the well-known museums and different indoor household points of interest to extra quirky things to do with kids in the rain.
I’ve saved the give attention to comparatively central places the place attainable (lengthy treks throughout London in the rain, or soggy tube journeys are not any enjoyable), in addition to skipping something the place it’s all about the views – the London Eye may be waterproof however wanting throughout a cloudy drizzly skyline just isn’t the finest manner to expertise it! – with my prime 29 things to do in London with kids in the rain.
Rainy day household points of interest in London
Sea Life London Aquarium
A beautiful different to the metropolis’s zoos for animal lovers, London’s aquarium is a superb place to go to with youthful kids – the Sea Life London Aquarium close to the London Eye can get busy at peak instances and on wet days.
One of the 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 kids, and hold a watch out for particular provides and weekday offers.
Shrek’s Adventure
Shrek followers will love the likelihood to stroll by 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 acquire elements to discover Shrek and make it dwelling safely, in addition to 10 themed dwell reveals and a 4D flying bus to full Shrek’s Adventure. Better for main college aged kids who’ll respect the enjoyable than for toddlers and preschoolers.
With the possibility to reschedule free of charge, you may also 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 Guide.
Madame Tussauds
From celebrities to superheroes to the royal household, you may whereas away hours gazing at the waxworks on show at Madame Tussauds – and posing alongside fairly a couple of.
And there are continually updates and new figures being added: the Marvel Hall of Heroes is at all times a favorite for followers of the films, there’s a Star Wars space, in addition to seeing the stars of sport, style and movie.
Tickets price from round £33, together with an possibility to reschedule free of charge in addition to reductions in case you e book direct. You can even discover tickets with free cancellation from Get Your Guide.
London Dungeons
One for older and braver kids, 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 sooner.
One of a string of places round the UK, like the different Dungeons, every location has areas themed to swimsuit its personal historical past too. The London Dungeon, for instance, brings you face to face with the Great Fire 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 current one on royal style, you may also see shows from Queen Victoria’s early years, from her tough relations 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 in the palace you may nonetheless play Georgian playing video games, spot a throne, marvel at the grand staircase and picture the balls held right here – plus the seedier facet of the royal court docket with some horrible historical past certain to entertain kids.
Tickets price from £20 for adults, £10 for kids, free in case you’re a Historic Royal Palaces member.
Check out my overview of a time out at Kensington Palace with kids
Westminster Abbey
Unmissable in case your kids have an interest in British historical past, over 3,300 folks have been buried or commemorated at Westminster Abbey, together with 16 separate British monarchs (or 17, in case you consider the bones thought to be the Princes in the Tower embody these of Edward V) plus lots of their consorts.
As you discover inside, you may see the tombs of Henry V and all the Tudors besides Henry VIII, alongside early kings comparable 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 in the thirteenth 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 might happen.
Tickets price from £29 for adults, £13 for kids, and you may also purchase tickets with free cancellation right here.
For extra concepts of royal locations in London, try my choose of the finest
Warner Bros Studio Tour
Although 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 attain the website in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.
For Potter followers – myself included – it’s the final vacation spot at any time, however with virtually all the pieces indoors, it’s ideally suited for a wet day too. Do be sure you e book forward as tickets get snapped up nicely in advance.
There are props galore, an array of magical creatures plus background on how the units and animatronics had been created, in addition to the likelihood to trip broomsticks, drink butterbeer (optionally available!), see the Hogwarts Express, stroll into The Forbidden Forest and watch a dragon rampage by Gringotts financial institution.
If you favor to e book tickets with a coach switch, click on right here
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is well the most well-known of London’s bridges, and in addition to getting a view of its well-known blue and white paint, you may head inside to uncover its historical past.
There’s an opportunity to stand on the glass walkway and look down, head into the engine rooms, and there are common household actions for kids too.
Check out the Tower Bridge Trail for Little Explorers and household path app. Buy tickets to Tower Bridge by way of the Tiqets web site and there’s a reduction utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Check out the Tower Bridge Cat sequence of tales too, one among my picks for the finest kids 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 exterior. It’s price declaring that you simply received’t be the solely particular person considering this, and it’s smart to prebook throughout college holidays in explicit.
Check out my full ideas for visiting London’s museums with toddlers and kids
The Natural History Museum
One of London’s hottest museums, the Natural History Museum‘s collection covers zoology, paleontology, botany, entomology and mineralogy, in one of London’s most eye-catching museum buildings.
But it’s the dinosaurs which draw most of the guests, not less than on the first 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 commonly particular exhibitions as nicely, comparable to the Fantastic Beasts exhibition and Titanosaur.
Check out my scavenger hunt in case you’re visiting the Natural History Museum with kids
The Science Museum
Another of London’s hottest museums, the Science Museum is good in case you have youngsters who like 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.
Along with the house and flight galleries, you may observe humanity’s technological advances, medical historical past, areas like The Garden and Pattern Pod that are nice for youthful kids, in addition to Wonderlab (one a part of the museum which does have an entry cost) which has reveals and implausible interactive reveals.
Check out my ideas for visiting the Science Museum with kids
The Victoria & Albert Museum
The world’s largest museum of ornamental arts and design just isn’t the most clearly family-friendly of the South Kensington museums, however there’s much more to the Victoria & Albert museum for kids than you may count on.
You can discover collections spanning 5,000 years of artwork, in addition to cultures from round the world (not to point out momentary exhibitions which have featured Winnie the Pooh and Alice in Wonderland), there’s an limitless supply of inspiration.
There are varied interactive shows, household actions and youngsters’s exercise packs to uncover as nicely. The sister museum, the Young V&A (previously the Museum of Childhood) is in Bethnal Green relatively than South Kensington, however makes one other nice possibility for a wet day in London.
Check out my full set of ideas for visiting the V&A with kids right here
The Young V&A (Museum of Childhood)
After being closed for years, the London Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green reopened in summer season 2023 with a brand new look and a brand new identify – the Young 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 assortment, which incorporates one among the oldest Paddington toys in existence.
However whereas the constructing is the similar grand corridor, kids have been concerned in arising with the redesigned look, now themed round three galleries: Play, Imagine and Design. There are areas to enchantment to the youngest guests, the place studying is nicely disguised as play, plus the likelihood to design your individual sport, get impressed to be artistic and extra.
The emphasis is on giving kids loads of possibilities 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 objects happening show, with a complete of two,000 objects to get pleasure from.
The British Museum
One of the world’s best collections overlaying human historical past, artwork and tradition, the museum has round eight million artefacts (solely a tenth are ever on show) in virtually 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 selection and the fascinating tales behind so many artefacts imply that kids are seemingly 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 aimed toward preschoolers, plus an app to make it easier to discover.
Check out my full set of ideas for visiting the British Museum with kids
The London Museum Docklands
One of the metropolis’s museums specializing in London itself, the London Museum Docklands sits in a transformed warehouse on West India Quay, as soon as the coronary heart of London’s thriving docks trade, and it’s the excellent place to uncover this facet of the capital.
Galleries are set out in chronological order, so guests journey from late Tudor instances by to the modern-day, when London’s monetary district took over the space, with trails to assist discover.
As nicely as interactive sections, comparable to strolling by a recreation of Sailortown and looking out inside an air raid shelter, there are shows on slaver, in addition to on the Great Stink and the Great Dock Strike, so some harder-hitting matters lined right here.
While a few of the shows will enchantment extra to older kids, there’s a fantastic play space known as Mudlarks for youthful ones – the major 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 website at Smithfield in 2026, though the London Museum Docklands remains to be open
The London Transport Museum
The assortment at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden begins with sedan chairs and carriage, in addition to a few of the earliest transportation used in the metropolis.
But the highlights are firmly centered on London’s buses and tubes. As nicely as having the ability to see altering designs for London’s transport and the growth of the well-known tube map and indicators, kids can fake to drive a bus and get behind the controls of a tube prepare simulator.
There’s additionally a particular play space for kids aged beneath seven, plus common household and craft actions, and particular exhibitions together with the Hidden London space.
Check out my overview of a go to to the London Transport Museum with kids
The Museum of the Home
Reopened in 2021 after an £18 million overhaul, the Museum of the Home is barely 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.
As nicely as the interval rooms, exhibiting how properties modified over the centuries, there are shows galore overlaying 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 fully free to go to in case you’re in search of concepts for a wet day in London with kids that received’t break the financial institution.
Check out my overview of visiting the Museum of the Home with kids
The Postal Museum
The Postal Museum may not be the metropolis’s best-known museum, however there are a few the explanation why it’s a fantastic one to go to in London on a wet day with kids.
First of all, you may 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 the metropolis.
It’s additionally dwelling to Sorted! The Postal Play Space – a play space that designed as a mini city, with streets and buildings, plus tons to push, pull, slide down and extra. Sessions final 45 minutes and have to be prebooked.
Then there are sometimes household trails and particular exhibitions in the museum itself, in addition to plenty of interactive enjoyable.
Imperial War Museum London
Founded throughout the First World War, the galleries at the Imperial War Museum give attention to the experiences of individuals affected by conflict, so when you’ll additionally get to see some very massive 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 War was added in 2021, excellent for kids learning it at college, and the museum runs common household occasions throughout college holidays – current ones have lined all the pieces from spies and espionage to conflict in video and laptop video games.
There is 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’ll have to wait at busy instances so prebooking timed entry slots is really helpful.
Older kids may even get pleasure from visiting the Churchill War Rooms, the place you may get a glimpse what life would have been like in these secret corridors throughout the tense days and nights of the Second World War
National Gallery
As nicely as the fabulous artwork collections, there’s a lot at the National Gallery for kids, together with trails to observe and household actions.
For youthful kids, there are sometimes Sunday storytelling classes on the ‘magic carpet’ aimed 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 Modern
This up to date artwork museum may be very welcoming to kids, in addition to having the enormous turbine corridor to run round in.
As nicely as the particular exhibitions at the Tate Modern, there’s a lot to see free of charge, and you may observe a map taking you to a few of the areas finest for households, to begin getting youthful guests fascinated by artwork.
Unusual things to do in London in the rain
See a present
The West End is rightfully well-known for its theatre so in case you’re visiting London with older kids, try the offers at the TKTS sales space in Leicester Square in case you haven’t booked in advance in addition to Todaytix.
For extra things to do round Leicester Square with kids, try my prime picks
There’s a lot for youthful guests to get pleasure from as nicely, with nice child-friendly reveals and a few wonderful youngsters’s theatres. Try puppet and marionette reveals at the Little Angel Theatre in Islington, whereas the Unicorn Theatre close to London Bridge is aimed toward mini theatregoers aged six months plus.
You’ll discover performances in central London as nicely: Matilda is at all times a winner with kids, otherwise you’ll discover loads of Julia Donaldson diversifications, comparable to The Smartest Giant in Town.
Work collectively at an Escape Room
Escape the rain exterior with some household bonding time inside at one among London’s many escape rooms. You’ll get to totally immerse yourselves in an imaginary world whereas fixing clues and puzzles collectively in order to escape.
Cluequest in Kings Cross provides a few of the most child-friendly escape rooms in London. Kids 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.
Some different family-friendly escape rooms embody Si5 Spy Missions Croydon (finest for youthful kids) and Enigma Quests School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Play a sport of indoor loopy golf
Another of the finest things to do on a wet day in London with kids is a little bit of aggressive enjoyable with a sport of indoor loopy golf.
Several 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.
However, it’s necessary 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 City and Puttshack Bank (beneath 18s welcome each day till 6pm) or Junkyard Golf Club Shoreditch and Junkyard Camden (beneath 18s welcome Sunday to Wednesday earlier than 6pm).
Enjoy a kid-friendly afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is a real British establishment and an effective way to spend a wet day in London for kids and adults alike.
There are loads of 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 Factory Afternoon Tea, and the Wizard Afternoon Tea the place you may combine your individual magical potions (cocktails/mocktails) at the Wizard Exploratorium.
Get aggressive at Crystal Maze Live
Whether you’ve received your individual fond recollections of the Crystal Maze or fancy one thing a bit uncommon to do in London with kids, the Crystal Maze Live is a enjoyable and family-friendly immersive expertise on Shaftesbury Avenue in the coronary heart of London’s West End.
Parents will get pleasure from travelling again in time into the iconic 90s TV present, whereas kids will love working round 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 kids 13+.
Once you’ve completed all of the challenges, you’ll even get to head inside the Maze’s centrepiece, the Crystal Dome, the place you’ll leap round and acquire gold tokens that add factors to your ultimate rating.
For extra uncommon things to do in London with kids (in any climate), try this publish
Skate, Bowl and Play at Queens
Hidden away in the West London neighbourhood of Queensway, Queens calls itself London’s ‘biggest one-stop fun shop’ and any child’s dream time out.
The enormous 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 provided by MEATliquor.
With so many enjoyable actions in one place, you received’t want to go exterior in the rain all day – or till you want to head dwelling and Queensway tube station is true subsequent door.
Get energetic at Clip’n’Climb
Another enjoyable factor to do in London in the rain with kids who don’t like to sit nonetheless for lengthy is a climbing session at Clip ‘n Climb Chelsea.
Clip‘n’Climb is packed with indoor actions, with 21 thrilling climbing challenges, plus extra wet day actions comparable to the Speed Climb, the Leap of Faith and extra.
The venue runs each day climbing classes for anybody aged 4+, with totally skilled supervisors guiding the manner, in addition to morning toddler classes for energetic tots aged two to 4. You can even e book out the complete venue for a singular youngsters’s celebration.
Bounce round at FlipOut London
FlipOut London (E6) is London’s largest indoor trampoline and journey park, positioned in East Ham.
Spread over two flooring, the enormous park is an energetic 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.
Children beneath 5 can get pleasure from the devoted toddler space, whereas everybody else (together with adults) could make the most of the remainder of the adrenaline-fuelled actions, so it’s excellent in case you’re in search of a enjoyable London exercise for youngsters of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers.
Head to London’s Board Game Cafe
Drag the kids away from their iPads or PS5s and luxuriate in a superb quaint household sport evening at London’s first Board Game 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 discover one thing the entire household will get pleasure from.
There’s additionally a choice of foods and drinks you may order to your desk so you may keep so long as you want to keep away from the gloomy climate exterior.
Watch out for… Monopoly Lifesized. Take on challenges in order to purchase properties plus you play on a lifesize board, with a Junior Board in case you’re visiting with kids.
Hit London’s world-class toy retailers
Dodge the rain by treating the kids to a day exploring London’s many implausible toy retailers.
You can simply spend a few hours getting misplaced exploring all seven flooring of Hamleys on Regent Street – the world’s oldest and largest toy retailer – whereas the likes of the LEGO Store and M&M World are simply round the nook in Leicester Square.
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 choose of the finest
Watch a film at Electric Cinema
There’s nothing fairly like spending a wet day snuggled up watching a film. So how about heading to one among London’s most uncommon cinemas – Electric Cinema Portobello – the place as an alternative of seats, the display screen has cozy sofas and armchairs for you to cosy up on.
The cinema reveals loads of new releases that are applicable for older kids and youths, whereas Kids Club every Saturday is extra appropriate for youthful youngsters.
With your cinema tickets, you’ll additionally get 50% off the adjoining Electric Diner which serves scrumptious consolation meals all day lengthy.
*first revealed 2021, final up to date 2024*
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Main picture, Science Museum, afternoon tea and Platform 9 3/4 courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
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