When contemplating a trip across the pond with a young family, there’s a lot to consider. The duration of the flight, the time difference, (and how it will impact naps and sleep), and the transport logistics—to name a few. In these ways, London wins hands down. It’s a seven-hour overnight flight from New York and just five hours (or four during daylight savings) time difference, plus you can hop on the tube to the city center.
Besides the relative convenience as compared to some further afield European destinations, the UK capital is packed with kid-approved attractions—from the excellent science museum and the tot art room at Tate Modern to entertaining West End musicals and the London Eye—as well as sprawling parks for teetering and running around.
When the kiddos are sufficiently tuckered out after a full day out and about, a plethora of London family-friendly hotels await with British charm, generously sized rooms and connecting setups, pint-sized perks like mini robes, and on-staff babysitters. There are children’s teas and tiny scavenger hunts and excellent cocktail bars for parents who want to take advantage of childcare.
Ahead, the mom- and kid-approved picks to help plan the perfect family trip to London.
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Where to stay in London with kids
Brown’s Hotel, A Rocco Forte Hotel
The Brown’s Hotel is the oldest hotel in London. It’s also the best luxury family stay in the city, with an unrivaled level of thoughtfulness and attention to detail that extends to tiny guests. Our spacious suite and connecting room were kitted out with every conceivable amenity to make traveling with my toddlers less stressful.
Beyond the much-appreciated basics like a crib and baby bath products, I was surprised and delighted to see a changing pad, diapers, wipes, a nappy pail, play mat, high chair, silicone plates, cup, and utensils, blocks, coloring books, crayons, stuffed monkeys (one of the many nods to the Jungle Book, which Rudyard Kipling penned at the property), and a royal fabric play tent. Mini Paddington bears and strawberry jam sandwiches take the crown as the sweetest turndown amenity. The chocolate chip cookies are a close second. It’s also exceedingly well located in the heart of Mayfair, a short walk from the Green Park.
Treehouse Hotel London
Showing off a playful side of London’s accommodation scene, the sustainably minded Treehouse Hotel London exudes ease and whimsy. The property is super stylish, but in a reassuringly hands-off way where parents won’t feel compelled to monitor kids’ every move. Rooms and suites tap into a sense of nostalgia—like fulfilling a long-held childhood fantasy—while still delivering practical high-tech inclusions and magazine-worthy design. Connecting layouts are ideal for multigenerational families or crews with older kids who crave their own space. When little ones check in, the team will kit out guest quarters with cute tents, movie-night milk and cookies, coloring books, board games, and children’s bathrobes and slippers.
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
Family-run The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences sits on the periphery of Green Park for instant access to grassy lawns for running when the “wiggles” hit. Comfy connecting rooms and suites are available for families. For even more space, book one of the homely residences, which have fully-equipped kitchens, dining areas, and separate sitting rooms. The property also offers additional perks during February half-term and Easter breaks, such as a free third night, complimentary eats for the under-12 crowd, story time, and crafts.
St. Ermin’s Hotel, Autograph Collection
London is an expensive city. Finding an overnight that’s well-suited to families and won’t blow the entire vacation budget is not impossible. St. Ermin’s Hotel, Autograph Collection is an excellent four-star option that falls squarely into the kid-friendly canon. Family rooms have joy-inducing tents and children’s books, plus a sofa bed and two bathrooms (because “I have to use the potty” means there’s no time to wait for someone else to wrap up using the loo). Other amenities include a rooftop beehive and kitchen garden, a dedicated kids concierge, and “spy for a day” programming. It’s also well located near Westminster Abbey and St. James’s Park Playground.
Things to do in London with kids
Hyde Park
London is awash with green spaces. Even with fierce competition, you can’t beat sprawling Hyde Park. The vast grassy lawns provide hours of nature-focused fun. The stroller-friendly paths are great for wheels and little walkers. Swans, ducks, and geese float on the lake. In the warmer months, families can rent a pedal boat and cruise around. Hyde Park also has a couple of small playgrounds and some spots to grab lunch or snacks, so you don’t have to leave when hunger hits.
Diana Memorial Playground
You can take kids to the coolest, most interesting places—and they’ll still always ask to go to the playground. That’s normal and developmentally appropriate. Located next to Kensington Palace, Diana Memorial Playground is a splendid spot for climbing, sliding, and digging. The large wooden pirate ship might be the main attraction, but it also has sandpits, larger-than-life tents, a sensory trail, and various climbing structures. When it’s time to leave, the promise of peeping ducks swimming in the nearby lake and waddling the paths is a great way to lure littles out and mitigate meltdowns.
Science Museum
From space stories to 3D IMAX documentaries, the Science Museum is packed with interesting exhibitions and experiences guaranteed to get active minds interested in science. For older kids, the hands-on gaming experience spotlights the top video games and consoles from the past 50 years. Entry is free; donations are welcome. It’s worth paying for admission to the interactive WONDERLAB gallery.
West End
If you’re trying to get kids off screens, the wonders of live theatre should do the trick. London’s West End stages many family-friendly shows. Little fans of the beloved, four-foot bear in the blue coat who loves marmalade sandwiches, will enjoy Paddington the Musical, which has earned rave reviews from critics and theatergoers of all ages. In July 2026, The Gruffalo arrives at the Lyric Theatre for little ones ages 3+. Older children who can sit through a longer outing have their pick of options like the new Disney Hercules musical (through July 2026), and long-running favorites The Lion King, Wicked, Matilda The Musical, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Jurassic Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand
For the most part, afternoon tea tends to be a more formal, adultified affair. The Jurassic-themed tea at The Ampersand, on the other hand, very much caters to kids. The volcanic meringue eruption and chocolate fossil kit are sure to excite tiny patrons. Parents can get in on the fun, too, with a pot of English breakfast or a glass of bubbly.
Tate Modern
Sometimes, err usually, the fantasy of taking little kids to a museum outweighs the reality. That’s not the case at the Tate Modern. The former power plant turned exhibition space is architecturally striking and packed with interesting things to see and do—starting with the stairs and sloped ramp in the grand entry (our kids ran up and down for 45 minutes). There’s also a children’s art area with stations for zine making, watercolor, calligraphy, wall stickers, and drawing with big orb crayons. Free entry means more money to buy souvenirs at the gift shop.
The London Eye
Is the London Eye touristy? Of course. Does that mean travelers should skip it? Well, that depends. Families who love a bit of a thrill won’t want to pass up the chance to go for a 30-minute spin on one of the world’s most iconic rides, complete with panoramic views and countless photo ops. Tickets cost $39 for adults and $35 for kids. Children under 2 years old ride free. If you’re planning to do a lot of sightseeing, it’s well worth looking into a combo multi-attraction ticket to bundle and save a few bucks.
Family-Friendly London eats
Mayfair Chippy
Fish ‘n’ chips is a rite of passage on any trip to the UK. The Mayfair Chippy, right on North Audley Street, does it right with crispy cod and fries (and mini portions for little diners). Plus, the food comes out quickly, cutting down on the idle time between ordering and eating. Coloring pages help with that, too.
Fallow
For a hearty breakfast or brunch the whole family will love (and a pretty space that looks very pretty for snapping shots of children digging into all the deliciousness), head to Fallow in Mayfair. There’s a “mini Fallowers” menu with corn ribs, cheeseburgers, chicken strips, and soft serve. Rest assured, the royal croissants are kid-approved.
Borough Market
When you can’t all decide what cuisine to get (or the kiddos keep going back and forth), set Google Maps to Borough Market and do a mini food tour to satisfy everyone. Highlights include nibbling on cheese and fresh produce, as well as handmade pasta at Padella Borough Market and Greek dips at Agora. FYI, it gets very busy on the weekend, so you might want to consider a mid-week jaunt.
The Jack Horner
Pubs are part of the cultural fabric of London. Most of these long-standing watering holes dole out more than just booze. The Jack Horner, situated on Tottenham Court Road, not far from the British Museum, has a cozy, unfussy feel that’s well-suited for families and a kids menu featuring child-friendly traditional British dishes, such as beef shortcrust pies, sausage and mash, and sticky toffee pudding.
Buns from Home
Getting a kid to go to a bakery isn’t a hard sell. The hand-rolled croissant buns from Notting Hill-born Buns from Home are tasty enough to bring a smile to any little face. Plus, the Holland Park Avenue location is a 15-minute walk from Holland Park, so you can grab some fresh bakes to eat after playing on the playground or moseying through the Japanese gardens.
FAQs
How many days do you need in London with kids?
London has enough to do to warrant many trips back across the pond. If it’s your first time in the UK capital, it’s best to budget at least four days. This will give you plenty of time to hit the many parks, see the big-ticket sites, check out a museum or two, and see a show without feeling rushed.
What time of year is best to visit London with kids?
There’s no bad time to visit London. Each season offers something special. See the colorful leaves in the parks in the fall, the cheer of the holidays in winter, spring festivals, and the chance of summer sun. Families keen to stick to a budget may want to avoid Christmas (though the city is endlessly magical with twinkling lights and festive markets) and February half-term, when crowds are larger, and prices tend to rise.
Which part of London is best for families?
If you want to stay by the parks, Mayfair, Belgravia, and Kensington are great areas to stay. Each offers a spate of high-end hotels that cater to kids. These neighborhoods are also very desirable, so accommodations typically fetch higher rates, though you can still find some wallet-friendly mid-tier stays. Just across the river, South London’s Lambeth and Southwark attract many families with playgrounds and the aquarium, plus prices tend to be a bit more reasonable.
Lindsay Cohn, Contributing Writer
Lindsay Cohn is a freelance writer, avid traveler, and mom of two mini jetsetters. Her work has appeared on The Everymom, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Vogue, National Geographic, InsideHook, Hotels Above Par, Observer, and more. When she’s not writing or traveling—usually with her kids in tow—you can find her doing yoga, playground-hopping with her sons, and planning trips to the many destinations on her ever-growing must-visit list.
