Exploring London with a 5-year-old turned out to be a fun adventure for us. We had previously visited London on our own, managing to see quite a bit of the city. At that time we walked over 25 km a day back then. When planning our trip with Adam, we didn’t expect to engage in intensive sightseeing. We wanted a conveniently located hotel (public transport in London can be quite expensive). Hotel that is close to the attractions we intended to visit. When we started planning our trip, we discovered that most of the places that would be interesting for our five-year-old son – much to our delight – were free! 🙂
There are plenty of attractions for children in bustling London. You can feel the magic of the famous London Eye. You can also explore ancient civilizations at the British Museum, or embark on a charming tour of the Harry Potter studio. Alternatively, you can visit the places described below.
What to do with a child in London? A list of the city’s free attractions
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Admire the London skyline from The Garden 1920 terrace
The Garden is a vast rooftop garden atop one of London’s tallest skyscrapers. It offers unforgettable views of the entire city from the 15th floor. You can see landmarks like the Tower Bridge and The Shard. What’s surprising is the abundance of plants and greenery found in The Garden 1920. It’s a stunning botanical oasis at the top of the city. That makes the terrace a perfect spot to relax and unwind in a beautiful setting. Children are fascinated by the opportunity to observe the city from a different – high – perspective.
We had less than 2 miles to The Garden 1920, which took us about 40 minutes on foot. Half a kilometer further, there’s another viewpoint – Sky Garden. The view from there is certainly more impressive as it is located on the 35th floor. Admission to the Sky Garden is also free. There can be queues, so to avoid the uncertainty of “will we get in or not?”, it’s better to book a free ticket in advance. You can make a complimentary reservation through the link HERE.
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Feed squirrels in St. James’s Park
This beautiful urban oasis, located in the heart of the city, offers wonderful experiences. And both adults and children can enjoy. In addition to picturesque landscapes and stunning views, one of the most enticing attractions for kids is the opportunity to feed the park’s adorable residents: squirrels! With their fluffy tails and energetic antics, they are truly the unofficial mascots of the park. These charming acrobats can be spotted at any time of the year. They are accustomed to being fed nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts, and almonds. You can easily find these nuts at nearby stores.
It’s important to be a little patient, as the squirrels can be shy and need some time to feel comfortable. We spent quite a bit of time in St. James’s Park. If we weren’t for our rush to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and a planned meeting with friends, we would have stayed in the park longer!
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Look at the change of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is a spectacular event that attracts many tourists from around the world. The guards are made up of soldiers from the Household Division, who serve in the army and are assigned to this role for a specific period. This ceremony is very formal and takes place with great fanfare. The soldiers are dressed in traditional red and black uniforms with tall bearskin hats adorned with a fur pom-pom on top. The entire event is meticulously coordinated and features a military band. In 2016, we attended this event without Adam, so this time, to avoid the colossal crowds, we decided to take a leisurely stroll past the Palace in the afternoon.
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See the symbol of London – the clock tower Big Ben
Big Ben is one of the tallest clock towers in the world, part of the British Parliament building in London. Going to London and not seeing Big Ben is like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. Or taking a trip to Rome and not seeing the Colosseum. The Big Ben tower is located in the very heart of the city. Children can also enjoy a walk around the area, visiting other tourist attractions – such as the nearby London Eye. In our case, the stroll around the area sparked delight in… the red double-decker buses :).
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Step back in time and make a call from a phone booth 🙂
The iconic red phone booths in London are one of the city’s most recognizable attractions. Although many have been replaced by modern communication methods, you can still find them scattered throughout the city. These iconic structures, originally designed by architect Sir Gilbert Scott in 1924, have become a symbol of London and are recognized worldwide. Phone booths were once important communication points where residents and tourists could make both local and international calls. Today, most of these traditional booths have been supplanted by modern mobile phones, but many have been preserved as “historical monuments.”
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Check out London’s most famous bridge – Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is one of London’s most iconic attractions. Located on the River Thames, it has been part of the cityscape for over 125 years. It offers many attractions for tourists. You can climb up to the towers and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the viewing platform. There is also an opportunity to tour the bridge’s engine rooms, where you can learn more about its history and operation.
If luck is on your side, you might witness Tower Bridge being raised to allow ships to pass, which is an attraction in itself. These spectacular liftings are very popular with tourists. Unfortunately, our visit did not coincide with this event, but perhaps you will be able to catch it. A schedule of the bridge liftings can be found HERE.
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See the dinosaur skeleton at the Natural History Museum
This is a place full of fascinating exhibits that will delight both adults and children. The little ones will be amazed by the enormous dinosaur skeleton, butterflies, the coral reef, and the prehistoric exhibition. Entrance to the museum is free, but it’s best to make a free reservation in advance HERE.
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If you’re interested in wildlife, visit the Horniman Museum
This smaller and lesser-known museum is equally interesting for children. Here, you will find an insect gallery, an anthropology exhibition, and an animal enclosure. The museum and garden are free to access. You need to pay a fee to enter the butterfly house and aquarium (7 pounds/person for each of these places – January 2024).
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Travel back in time at the Childhood Museum
At the Museum of Childhood (Young V&A), children can see collections of items related to childhood. For example toys, games, books, clothes, and furniture—some over 200 years old! This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about how childhood has changed over the years.
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Visit one of the best playgrounds… in the world – Diana Memorial Playground
