Looking for family-friendly activities in London during the school holidays can be a challenge, but we’ve got you covered. Whether it’s the summer break or the Easter holidays, we’ve got practical suggestions to keep the whole family entertained. From interactive museums and wildlife encounters at the zoo to captivating theatre shows and exhilarating adventure activities, we’ll help you plan a holiday filled with fun and educational experiences. Plus, we’ll introduce you to the thrilling world of family escape rooms in London, a perfect blend of teamwork, problem-solving, and excitement for all players.
Learn and Play in the Best Museums For Families
London is home to hundreds of amazing museums, but not all of them offer the most engaging experience for younger visitors. In terms of interactive exhibits, active experiences, and content tailored to children specifically, here are 4 fantastic choices:
- Science Museum: The science museum is built around engaging younger visitors with a range of fascinating exhibits covering everything from air and space travel to the development of modern technology, with interactive exhibits, a range of fascinating objects, and even live experiments. The Science Museum also houses a giant IMAX Screen, showing a range of educational and narrative films. Even better, standard entry to the museum is free.
- The London Dungeon: For older children only, The London Dungeon takes families on a shocking journey through London’s history, with skilled actors transporting them to plague-ridden streets, the final days of the gunpowder plot, and the year that Jack the Ripper stalked the streets of Whitechapel. For families up for a fright, this is a great shared activity.
- Transport Museum: Located in Covent Garden, this museum boasts a fantastic array of historic vehicles to explore from buses to trains, taking visitors through the history of public transport in London. There’s also a fantastic interactive area for children and a rotating series of exhibitions across the year.
Young V&A: Formerly known as the Museum of Childhood, this recently redeveloped museum is aimed exclusively at children 14 and under, featuring a diverse range of toys and other childhood objects from across history. Like the Science Museum, entry is free for all.
Step Into Nature at London Zoo
London Zoo offers a true wildlife adventure for families. Unlike any museum, it brings children face-to-face with the animal kingdom, featuring interactive experiences that entertain and educate. With over 700 species, from the majestic lions in the Land of the Lions exhibit to the intriguing Rainforest Life, young explorers can immerse themselves in diverse habitats. The Zoo’s hands-on activities, educational talks, and opportunities for close encounters ensure a thrilling day out for all ages.
Highlights include the Butterfly Paradise, where children can walk among free-flying butterflies, and the Animal Adventure zone, designed specifically for younger guests, encouraging them to climb, crawl, and meet animals at eye level. London Zoo not only captivates with its wildlife but is also committed to conservation, making your visit a step towards supporting global biodiversity.
Spice up the School Holidays With a Show
London is the home of theatre in the UK, and there’s a range of amazing shows for the whole family to enjoy at any time. Perfect for the Christmas or Easter holidays, some of the popular choices at the moment include:
- The Lion King: Featuring fantastic costumes and puppetry, this long-running adaptation of the beloved Disney classic is a great choice for the whole family.
- Wicked: A musical prequel to The Wizard of Oz, Wicked features songs like “Defying Gravity” and eye-popping special effects.
- Matilda: This award-winning musical features songs by Tim Minchin, and is adapted from the iconic Roald Dahl novel. Now celebrating over a decade in the UK, this will be a great time for children of all ages.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The official 8th part of the Harry Potter story, this play follows on from the books and features amazing magical sets and production. For fans of the series, it’s a must-see.
Get Adventures With These Family Activities
London also offers a variety of exciting adventure activities for children and parents to enjoy, from racing to arcades:
- Capital Karts: Located in Canary Wharf, this is a full go-kart experience for children ages 7 and up. Offering blistering speed, tight corners, and the thrill of friendly competition, it’s a perfect experience for aspiring petrolheads.
- Babylon Park: This family destination features a variety of rides and activities, tied together by an extraterrestrial theme. From rollercoasters to VR simulators, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
- Go Ape Battersea: For an active outdoor activity look no further! Go Ape challenges families to navigate challenging paths and obstacles high within the trees. From climbing nets to ziplines, this is a thrilling experience in the heart of London. You’ll find a range of courses accommodating children of all ages.
Why Choose a Family Escape Room in London
Over the last decade, we’ve seen first-hand how escape rooms are an amazing activity for the whole family in London. Placing you within a detailed and immersive series of rooms recreating everything from a school for magicians to a submarine, you’ll have just 60 minutes to solve a series of interconnected puzzles.
We offer 3 family-friendly escape rooms from our Shoreditch location, and will soon be hosting even more from our new Holborn venue. You’ll be accompanied over the radio by one of our trusty Questmasters, who’ll ensure that teams of all experience levels have a brilliant time. You can choose from:
- School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Cast spells and solve magical mysteries to excel in your final exam at the secretive School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Ideal for aspiring witches and wizards of all ages.
- Million Pound Heist: Your family have just 60 minutes to infiltrate the secretive vault of a criminal group deep below London. Only the best teams will leave with the full million, could you be the next?
- Submarine: Mission WaveBreak: Your team are about to be smuggled onto a deep sea submarine, on a vital mission to prevent a catastrophic launch. This multi-room escape experience offers a truly thrilling time for the whole family.
If you’re interested in an engaging, immersive experience that will engage children, teens, and parents, book one of our escape rooms for families today.
