Things to do with your toddler in London

The London Aquarium is located on the South Bank next to the River Thames which is also right next to the Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament as well as the London Eye. So, you could give your little one a break from the sightseeing by going to the Aquarium. We took our little boy when he was about 17 months and he loved it. We were able to take him out of his pushchair so he could toddle around and he could see right into the fish tanks. At this age kids love fish so it was great.

The downside is the Aquarium is quite pricey although under 3 year olds are free. Additionally, If you book online at least 24 hours before you go you can get a 10% discount so its worth planning ahead to cut the costs. The other advantage of booking online is that you don't have to queue to get in and pay which is good when you have an impatient toddler in tow.
Go to the London Aquarium website to book online.

The Garden in the basement at the Science museum has a specific area aimed at the 0-5 age group. There is water play which my 23 month old son loved. The children are given waterproof jackets to protect their clothing and they can experiment with boats, floats and pushing levers to make the water go around. There are also textured play items, a play area with soft bricks where you can build huge towers and wheelbarrows to push the bricks around in. There's also musical instruments and a puppet theatre to put on your own show. Its fantastic for somewhere to go if the weather isn't that great.

The launchpad on the 3rd floor, also has activities aimed at older children but the younger ones may find interesting things there too such as big bubble blowers. Also there are loads of buttons to press on exhibits throughout the whole museum which can keep small children occupied while you're looking round. Another plus point is entry is free

For more information visit the 0 to 5 section of The Science Museum Website.

Also read a London's mom's review of the science museum for the under 5s.

This is another free playground and park which is very suitable for young children in Central London (situated very close to the British Museum). There are large green spaces for just running around or having a picnic, a paddling pool, a pets corner with ducks, sheeps, goats and hens, a sandpit and slides. Worth a visit especially in the Summer.

Corams Fields website

Photo by Matt from London on Flickr

This is a free playground which your toddler is guarenteed to love. Opened in 2000 as a memorial to the late Princess Diana it is open to children up to 12 years and accompanying adults.

It really is great especially on a sunny day although it can get quite busy. There is a huge pirate ship at the centre of the park which is surrounded by sand (so this is one big sandpit for the toddlers). Further on into the playground there are teepees, and wooden houses to explore as well as the traditional swings and slide. There is a sensory trail with huge paving stones and when you jump on them they make different sounds. It definitely is a good thing to do during a trip to London with the children in the Summer.

For adults there's plenty of seating and a cafe too. For more information go the the Diana Memorial Playground website

Photo by Alecea

A great thing about London is the number of free museums. The Museum of Childhood is free and a great way to keep your toddler amused. It includes a sandpit, dressing up area, other play areas and a place to read for smaller children. There are free activities for children throughout the day which include art sessions, storytelling and games.

The museum itself exhibit toys dating back to as early as the 16th century. The exhibits include dolls collections, teddy bears, dolls houses, childcare items, games and dream toys.

For more information visit the Museum of Childhood website

The National Army Museum has a kids zone suitable for all ages under 10. It is an interactive learning area and play space equipped with tunnels to crawl through and slides as well as opportunties to dress up, play board games and do art activities. There is a soft play area specifically for babies.

Go to the National Army Museum website for more details.

The London Transport Museum is great for any toddlers that are fascinated by buses and tubes. There are double decker buses that you can climb aboard and old tube trains too. There are lots of examples of the transport available in London in the past. There is a play areas suitable for toddlers with a model area with push along trains to play with, as well as a pretend bus to ride, life size models of tubes and taxis and dress up.

They sometimes have story telling sessions for the under 5s. Check the website events section to see what's on for families.

It is quite expensive. Under 16s are free but it's about £10 for an adult ticket. Great if you have transport mad toddlers and for a rainy day.

London Transport Museum
Photo by Photo by Annie Mole/Flicker

The Museum of London is very friendly and normally has organised activities suitable for under 5s including toddler groups, storytime and organised activities during the busy times. Check out their website for more details.
Museum of London for Under 5s

Throughout the museum there are galleries with hands on exhibits. There are other organised acitivites such as bingo sheets which any child over 2 can play.
There's a 1950s living room where children can play with 1950s toys. There is a also a family interactive area designed to engage young children.

Photo by Mark Hillary / Flickr

Mudlarks is an interactive soft play area at the Museum of London in Docklands which specifically caters for toddlers. It's furnished with giant props including large bananas, a London bus and they can pretend to drive a DLR train. It will cost £5 to register as a member but it's then free for a whole year. There is also a lot for older children to do including interactive displays and activities such as building a replica of towers in Canary Wharf.

It is worth phoning ahead to make sure that the soft play area is open for the public as sometimes they have groups of children visiting or its closed for activities. Check the website for more details

Museum in Docklands

You can also check out photos and a review of my visit to Mudlarks at my London toddler website

This zoo is really great for small children. There are lots of different animals that will fascinate your toddler. Monkeys, donkeys, owls, meerkats, pigs, goats, giant rabbits, mice and ponies to name but a few. There's farmyard animals and your little one can pet some of them. There's pony rides and there's a tunnel which you can crawl through to arrive in a glass room in the Meerkat enclosure. There is also a playground. There aren't any big animals and it costs £6.95 for adults and £4.95 for children between 2 and 14 but it is free for under 2s.

Battersea Park and Zoo

If you are on a budget you could consider visiting a city farm (see below). These are normally free although they do appreciate donations. However, you would miss out on looking at the more unusual animals and crawling through a tunnel to see the Meerkats!

There are lots of city farms in and around London which are normally free (although they do appreciate donations) and give children the chance to get up close to farm animals.

Here is a website with web links to all the city farms in and around London.
London City Farms

Mudchute farm is a particulary good city farm based in the Isle of Dogs, East London. It's a short ride from Canary Wharf on the DLR. If you're interested in going read my review of Mudchute Farm

A great attractions for toddlers on a rainy day is Discover in Stratford, East London. Its for children aged 0 to 11 and their families. Enjoy a story trail, fun with your imagination, dressing up, secret caves, books, puppet shows and the Space Garden with a monster slide and space ship!.

Check out this detailed review of Discover for more information.

Children under 2 years old are free!

The Horniman Museum is a based in Forest Hill, south east London and is a short train ride out of the city centre. It's a great place to go with toddlers if you live or are located in the area (although may not be worth the trip if you're only in London for a short while). There are animals to see, an small aquarium to visit (with a small charge for adults and children over 3). There's a music room where toddlers can try out some musical instruments.

Entrance to the museum is free although you do have to pay to see the aquarium.

There are also storytelling sessions for young children every Friday as well as lots of other family events which are normally free.

I could write pages about what there is to do in London with toddlers and I will be updating the page with more information. But in the meantime here is a summary of a couple more things you could do.

London Parks - the good thing about London is the number of parks where your children can run around. Regents Park, St James Park, Holland Park and Hyde Park are all in Central London and can be a good stop when kids need to burn off some energy. St James's Park has a lovely sandpit and playground for toddlers as well as lots of birds to look at including Pelicans. Check out a review and pictures of my visit to St James's Park with my toddler.

More museums - the Natural History Museum right next to the Science Museum also has exhibits that appeal to young children. If your little ones like dinosaurs the moving dinosaur exhibit is definitely a must. Again its free and there's also a wildlife garden where you can look out for different plants and animals.
Natural History Museum

London Zoo. London Zoo is based in Regents Park. Again it can be quite pricey but no doubt small children will love looking at the animals. London Zoo

Take a ride on a London bus. Go on a red double decker on the top deck. Choose an empty bus and sit at the front. What toddler wouldn't love that.

The Tate Modern now has a playzone for the under 5s.
The Under 5s Zone invites children on a creative, physical and sensory exploration of themes inspired by Cubist artworks!

The Victoria and Albert museum is toddler friendly with lots of baby changing. They have a free trail for the under 5s where you have to spot find 6 animals hiding in the Japan, China and South Asia Galleries, which you can pick up from reception. There is a pool in the courtyard where toddlers, older children and adults paddle when it's warm. They also have craft activities in the holidays and on weekends. Check the website for more details. Probably better for older toddlers and preschoolers.

Kew Gardens is another great place to take a toddler. Walk around the gardens, explore the glass greenhouses, go on the playground, look at the lakes and the pagoda. I took my son when he was a nine month old baby and it was great even then to go for a walk with him in his pushchair and sit him in the gardens where he watched the birds and as I recall tried to crawl after them!! It's free for children under 17 although adults cost £13.90. See the Kew Gardens website for more information.