Looking for something beyond the usual London Eye and Natural History Museum routine? London is packed with original, exciting and slightly quirky experiences that kids will love – whether you’re after hands-on fun, hidden gems, or thrilling outdoor adventures. Here are 17 unique things to do with kids in London that’ll make your family day out unforgettable.

1. Ride the Mail Rail at The Postal Museum

All aboard! Kids can hop on a miniature train through the hidden tunnels of London’s old postal railway – a true underground adventure in Farringdon.

2. Watch a Puppet Show on a Floating Barge

The Puppet Theatre Barge, moored in Little Venice (and Richmond in summer), offers magical marionette shows in an intimate setting aboard a canal boat.

3. Create & Play at Young V&A

Located in Bethnal Green, this reimagined museum is built for hands-on fun. With interactive galleries, giant puzzles and dress-up zones, it’s perfect for younger explorers.

4. Take a Thames Clipper Ride

Turn the Thames into your own water highway with a trip on a Thames Clipper (Uber Boat) – a fast, fun way to see the city’s landmarks without crowds or queues.

5. Soar Over London on the IFS Cloud Cable Car

Float above the Thames between Greenwich and Royal Docks on a short (but unforgettable) cable car journey offering fantastic views – and a fun thrill for younger ones.

6. Explore the Grant Museum of Zoology

This cabinet of curiosities near UCL is full of skeletons, pickled creatures, and weird wonders that will fascinate older kids and teens with curious minds.

7. Sleep Among Dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum

Book the Dino Snores sleepover experience for a once-in-a-lifetime night among the exhibits, complete with torch-lit trails and snacks under the T-Rex.

8. Slide Down the ArcelorMittal Orbit

At Stratford’s Olympic Park, brave kids can ride the world’s tallest tunnel slide – a 178-metre corkscrew with a view at the top and adrenaline all the way down.

9. Run the City at KidZania

In this miniature world at Westfield London, kids take on real-life jobs – from airline pilot to vet – and earn currency they can spend. It’s serious make-believe.

10. Discover Crystal Palace Dinosaurs

Take a dino walk around the lake at Crystal Palace Park and meet 19th-century sculptures of prehistoric beasts – some a bit scientifically dodgy, but all totally charming.

11. Climb Aboard the Golden Hinde

This full-size replica of Sir Francis Drake’s galleon is moored at London Bridge. Families can visit during the day or book a living-history sleepover on the ship.

12. Play at Coram’s Fields

A brilliant (and safe) seven-acre playground in Bloomsbury, where adults can only enter with children – packed with swings, animals, and green space for a runaround.

13. Visit the Horniman Museum & Butterfly House

In Forest Hill, this museum mixes natural history, music, aquariums, and live butterflies – all in a family-friendly setting with a view over the London skyline.

14. Step Into History at Churchill War Rooms

Descend into the secret underground bunkers where Churchill ran WWII. Interactive exhibits and audio guides make it absorbing for older children and teens.

15. Take a Family-Friendly RIB Speedboat Tour

For a high-energy take on sightseeing, book a Thames RIB Experience – a high-speed boat ride past landmarks like Big Ben and Tower Bridge with music blasting.

16. Explore the Transport Museum Depot in Acton

Open on selected weekends, this depot is a treasure trove of vintage buses, trains and signs – with plenty of space for kids to explore away from central crowds.

17. Get Lost in the Maze at Hampton Court Palace

Step back into Tudor times at Hampton Court – then let the kids lead the way through the famous hedge maze, one of the oldest surviving mazes in the world.

Final Tips

• Many of these attractions offer discounted family tickets or free admission for under-11s.
• Book ahead for sleepovers, cable cars, slides and speedboats – they sell out fast.
• Pack a picnic and combine your visit with one of London’s many child-friendly parks.

Looking for a ready-made itinerary or suggestions based on your child’s age or interests? Let me know and I’ll build you a custom day plan!