10 Kid-Friendly Things To Do This Summer In London

There’s still a few weeks of the summer holidays left, so if you’ve run out of ideas on how to entertain the kids, take a look at our top 10 ideas for keeping them entertained in London.

1. Enjoy Battersea Park Children’s Zoo

For a wonderful family day out, Battersea Park Children’s Zoo is the perfect choice. Battersea Park sits on the banks of the River Thames in Wandsworth. The zoo not only has a great range of animals to meet and feed, but there are plenty of other activities for your children, including a café, picnic area, and adventure playground.

The zoo also runs various events throughout the year, including days dedicated to specific animals to give children the chance to learn about and interact with a range of creatures!

2. Spend the day at Ripley’s Believe It or Not

Explore five floors full of incredible curiosities from all around the world – from art to artefacts! There are 19 themed galleries to discover, as well as an interactive mirror maze and a rotating vortex tunnel! Based on Robert Ripley, a global traveller, and all what he saw and collected.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not in London is the largest Ripley’s in the world, with over 700 artefacts waiting to be discovered!

3. See an exhibition at Imperial War Museum London

The Imperial War Museums are always worth visiting, and there are five of them throughout the UK. IWM London is in Lambeth, and like most museums, is completely free to visit.

The museum showcases a number of exhibitions depicting key moments from the First World War through to the present day, as well as boasting a sizeable archive of photographs and film. The museum also puts on events, such as meeting authors, as well as providing exclusive private tours.

4. Do some London sightseeing on Thames Rockets

How about taking the kids on a tour unlike anything they’ve experienced before? There’s nothing quite light sightseeing London from a speedboat! Often voted as the number one thing to do in London, Thames Rockets were the original speedboat tour operator on the Thames, offering thrilling experiences unlike any other!

5. Explore Kew Gardens

Perhaps one of the most famous attractions in all of London are the Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew Gardens is in southwest London is the largest UNESCO World Heritage site in London, with incredible landscapes, walks, and dozens of attractions for you and your whole family to enjoy!

Kids are sure to love the treetop walkway, and the Victorian Palm Glass House is one of the most beautiful and recognisable parts of the gardens.

6. Brace yourself for the London Bridge Experience

Branded as the UK’s scariest attraction, the London Bridge Experience and the London Tombs are a delightful day out your children will be sure to remember! Known as one of the best guided tours, the London Bridge Experience is a wonderful experience for kids, bringing together history and horror as they uncover the secrets of London Bridge.

Take the kids out for a history lesson like no other. Filled with entertainment, humour, and real scares, the London Bridge Experience is not one to be missed this summer!

7. Be entertained at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

It wouldn’t be London without including one of the classics! Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in Southwark is not only visually stunning, but it has a full season of outdoor performances to enjoy. With their “Summer of Love,” Festival of Independence, and various events, there’s never been a better time to visit The Globe!

Visitors from around the world travel to watch productions in this iconic theatre, and with a range of public events and the completion of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, you can enjoy programmes indoors as well!

8. Face myths and legends at the Hampton Court Magic Garden

Come face to face with mysterious mythical beasts, storm the battlements, besiege the towers and explore the secret grotto. The Magic Garden at Hampton Court provides a new and unique way for your family to explore the palace’s past.

Each area represents myths, legends, stories and even real objects that can be found at Hampton Court. Once you have ticked everything off in the garden, it’s the perfect opportunity to discover those real objects in and around the palace

9. Take a stroll in Richmond Park

Enjoy the Great British Summer outdoors! While sun can never be guaranteed, when it hits, Richmond Park Nature Reserve is absolutely beautiful. One of the Royal Parks, Richmond is a haven of flora and fauna; from the Isabella Plantation ornamental woodland garden to a range of cycling and horse riding activities, to superb panoramic views.

Take the family out for a picnic anywhere in the vast, sprawling greenery or woods, and take some photos with the hundreds of wild deer who roam. The red and fallow deer are certainly the main attraction in the park, and their fawns are born in summer so it’s one of the best times to come and enjoy Richmond.

10. Enjoy the thrill of ArcelorMittal Orbit

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is home to the UK’s longest, tallest, and fastest tunnel slide! You can also abseil the UK’s tallest structure, ArcelorMittal Orbit, making it one of the most thrilling activities to experience this summer!

The structure is a symbol of the 2012 Olympic Games held in London, and offers unparalleled panoramic views of the UK capital. This is not for the faint of heart, but is certain to tire your kids out after an adrenaline-fuelled day!

Remember you can pre-book your journey using the Addison Lee App, and if the fun and games runs over you can snooze your driver, without having to cancel and re-book**. Simply pre-book your journey using our app to have the option to delay your car for fifteen, thirty, forty-five or sixty minutes, as many times as you please.