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38 things to do in London in the rain with kids
There’s one thing you can rely on with the British weather: you can never rely on it – so it’s always worth having ideas for things to do in London in the rain with kids whenever you’re visiting the city.
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Fortunately, you’re also spoiled for choice when it comes to ideas for rainy days out in London, from the famous museums and other indoor family attractions to more quirky things to do with kids in the rain.
I’ve kept the focus on relatively central locations where possible (long treks across London in the rain, or soggy tube journeys are no fun), as well as skipping anything where it’s all about the views – the London Eye might be waterproof but looking across a cloudy drizzly skyline is not the best way to experience it! – with my top 38 things to do in London with kids in the rain.
Rainy day family attractions in London
Sea Life London Aquarium
A lovely alternative to the city’s zoos for animal lovers, London’s aquarium is a great place to visit with younger kids.
One of the biggest collections in Europe, the Sea Life London Aquarium houses over 500 species, 14 themed zones and more than 2 million litres of water with some unusual creatures, as well as some favourites including penguins and clownfish.
Located near the London Eye, it can get busy on rainy days, so early slots are often better. Tickets cost from £28 for adults, £21.50 for kids, and keep an eye out for special offers and weekday deals.
Check out my review of visit to Sea Life London aquarium with kids
Shrek’s Adventure
Shrek fans will love the chance to walk through the world of Far Far Away, meeting some of the famous characters including Princess Fiona and Donkey.
There’s a challenge to collect ingredients to find Shrek and make it home safely, as well as 10 themed live shows and a 4D flying bus to complete Shrek’s Adventure. Better for primary school aged kids who’ll appreciate the fun than for toddlers and preschoolers.
With the option to reschedule for free, you can also get combined tickets to other Merlin attractions, including the nearby aquarium. Tickets with free cancellation are also available from Get Your Guide.
Madame Tussauds
From celebrities to superheroes to the royal family, you can while away hours gazing at the waxworks on display at Madame Tussauds – and posing alongside quite a few.
And there are constantly updates and new figures being added: the Marvel Hall of Heroes is always a favourite for fans of the movies, there’s a Star Wars area, as well as seeing the stars of sport, fashion and film.
Tickets cost from around £29 for adults, £26 for kids, including an option to reschedule for free as well as discounts if you book direct. You can also find tickets with free cancellation from Get Your Guide.
London Dungeons
One for older and braver kids, a trip to the London Dungeons is guaranteed to scare you into forgetting the weather, with live actors whisking you through 1,000 truly alarming years of history, plus plenty of special effects and rides to get your heart racing even faster.
One of a string of locations around the UK, like the other Dungeons, each location has areas themed to suit its own history too. The London Dungeon, for example, brings you face to face with the Great Fire and Sweeney Todd.
Better with older – or braver – kids, it’s a great option with teens in London on a rainy day.
Kensington Palace
Childhood home of Queen Victoria, Kensington Palace was a favourite of George II and his court, and has also been home to Diana, Princess of Wales and Princes William and Harry.
With changing exhibitions, including a recent one on royal fashion, you can also see displays from Queen Victoria’s early years, from her difficult relations with her mother to her first meeting with future husband Prince Albert, as well as tracing her path from a princess no-one thought would be Queen to her coronation.
Elsewhere in the palace you can still play Georgian gambling games, spot a throne, marvel at the grand staircase and imagine the balls held here – plus the seedier side of the royal court with some horrible history sure to entertain kids.
Tickets cost from £20.60 for adults, £10.30 for kids, free if you’re a Historic Royal Palaces member.
Check out my review of a day out at Kensington Palace with kids
Westminster Abbey
Unmissable if your kids are interested in British history, over 3,300 people have been buried or commemorated at Westminster Abbey, including 16 separate British monarchs (or 17, if you believe the bones thought to be the Princes in the Tower include those of Edward V) plus many of their consorts.
As you explore inside, you can see the tombs of Henry V and all the Tudors except Henry VIII, alongside early kings such as Edward the Confessor, who died a week after the abbey was consecrated.
Plantagenet kings including Henry III, who had the current abbey built in the 13th century, and Edward I also lie here, while Mary I and Elizabeth I share a tomb. The last King of England to be buried here is George II.
And every king or queen of England has been crowned here, except two – Edward V, who was deposed and presumed murdered before his coronation, and Edward VIII who abdicated before his could take place.
Tickets cost from £31 for adults, £14 for kids, and you can also buy tickets with free cancellation here.
For more ideas of royal places in London, check out my pick of the best
Warner Bros Studio Tour
Although the Warner Bros studios aren’t in London itself, it’s only a 20-minute train journey from Euston (plus the shuttle bus from Watford Junction station) to reach the site in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.
For Potter fans, it’s the ultimate destination at any time, but with almost everything indoors, it’s ideal for a rainy day too. Do make sure you book ahead as tickets get snapped up well in advance, although you can be lucky and get some last-minute tickets if you’re visiting outside peak times.
There are props galore, an array of magical creatures plus background on how the sets and animatronics were created, as well as the chance to ride broomsticks, drink butterbeer (optional!), see the Hogwarts Express, walk into The Forbidden Forest and watch a dragon rampage through Gringotts bank.
If you prefer to book tickets with a coach transfer, click here
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is easily the most famous of London’s bridges, and as well as getting a view of its famous blue and white paint (hopefully without any drizzle), you can head inside to discover its history.
There’s a chance to stand on the glass walkway and look down, head into the engine rooms, and there are regular family activities for kids too.
Check out the Tower Bridge Trail for Little Explorers and family trail app. Buy tickets to Tower Bridge via the Tiqets website and there’s a discount using my code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Check out the Tower Bridge Cat series of stories too, one of my picks for the best kids books about London
Discover Children’s Story Centre
You don’t have to be able to read to get lost in stories at Discover: Children’s Story Centre in London’s Stratford, aimed at kids aged from 0 to 11 – perfect for younger children on a rainy day in London.
This fantastic multi-sensory play space in east London is perfect for young children, complete with two floors of magical Story Worlds and a Story Garden, featuring everything from a pirate ship to a spacecraft and plenty of other fun imaginary lands for kids to explore.
There are various timed activities and you can build your own session, including any special exhibitions and storytelling, plus the play spaces across the two main floors.
Paradox Museum
The Paradox Museum is a fun interactive museum in Knightsbridge filled with cool optical illusions and immersive exhibits that play tricks on your mind and challenge your perception of reality.
It’s a great rainy day activity for families in London, with plenty of mind-boggling immersive displays and opportunities to snap some quirky family photos.
The museum is open until 8:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays if you’ve got a rainy evening to fill, and 7pm the rest of the week. Give yourself at least 90 minutes to enjoy the many exhibits.
London’s museums on a rainy day
With world-class museums, with free entry to many, London’s museums are fantastic year-round but especially when it’s cold and wet outside. It’s worth pointing out that you won’t be the only person thinking this, and it’s wise to prebook during school holidays in particular.
Check out my complete tips for visiting London’s museums with toddlers and kids
The Natural History Museum
One of London’s most popular museums, the Natural History Museum‘s collection covers zoology, paleontology, botany, entomology and mineralogy, in one of London’s most eye-catching museum buildings.
But it’s the dinosaurs which draw most of the visitors, at least on the first occasion, with a whole section on these eternally fascinating creatures – even if Dippy the diplodocus has been replaced by Hope the blue whale skeleton.
There are regular special exhibitions as well, such as the Fantastic Beasts exhibition and Titanosaur.
The Science Museum
Another of London’s most popular museums, the Science Museum is ideal if you have children who like to get hands on, with collections covering science and technology from the oldest surviving steam locomotive to the model of DNA and the forerunners of computers.
Along with the space and flight galleries, you can follow humanity’s technological advances, medical history, areas like The Garden and Pattern Pod which are great for younger kids, as well as Wonderlab (one part of the museum which does have an entry charge) which has shows and fantastic interactive exhibits.
Check out my tips for visiting the Science Museum with kids
The Victoria & Albert Museum
The world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design is not the most obviously family-friendly of the South Kensington museums, but there’s a lot more to the Victoria & Albert museum for kids than you might expect.
You can explore collections spanning 5,000 years of art, as well as cultures from around the world (not to mention temporary exhibitions which have featured Winnie the Pooh and Alice in Wonderland), there’s an endless source of inspiration.
There are various interactive displays, family activities and children’s activity packs to discover as well. The sister museum, the Young V&A (formerly the Museum of Childhood) is in Bethnal Green rather than South Kensington, but makes another great option for a rainy day in London.
Check out my full set of tips for visiting the V&A with kids here
The Young V&A (Museum of Childhood)
After being closed for years, the London Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green reopened in summer 2023 with a new look and a new name – the Young V&A.
With its displays of toys and games, it has been a family favourite for years (not least for the nostalgia value), and the much-loved highlights will also be returning alongside some new future favourites – look out for one of the oldest Paddington toys in existence.
However while the building is the same grand hall, kids have been involved in coming up with the redesigned look, now themed around three galleries: Play, Imagine and Design. There are areas to appeal to the youngest visitors, where learning is well disguised as play, plus the chance to design your own game, get inspired to be creative and more.
The emphasis is on giving kids plenty of chances to get hands on, whether that’s performing on stage, listening to storytelling, creating Minecraft towns or hitting the sandpit, as well as new items going on display, with a total of 2,000 items to enjoy.
The British Museum
One of the world’s greatest collections covering human history, art and culture, the museum has around eight million artefacts (only a tenth are ever on display) in almost 100 galleries.
I’ve been visiting the British Museum since I was a child myself, fascinated by the Egyptian galleries – and the sheer scale of items on display, the variety and the fascinating stories behind so many artefacts mean that kids are likely to be just as enthralled, whether it’s by the mummified crocodile, the Easter Island Moai or something else.
There are also some great trails, including ones aimed at preschoolers, plus an app to help you explore.
Check out my full set of tips for visiting the British Museum with kids
The London Museum Docklands
One of the city’s museums focusing on London itself, the London Museum Docklands sits in a converted warehouse on West India Quay, once the heart of London’s thriving docks industry, and it’s the perfect place to discover this side of the capital.
Galleries are set out in chronological order, so visitors travel from late Tudor times through to the modern day, when London’s financial district took over the area, with trails to help explore.
As well as interactive sections, such as walking through a recreation of Sailortown and looking inside an air raid shelter, there are displays on slavery, as well as on the Great Stink and the Great Dock Strike, so some harder-hitting topics covered here.
While some of the displays will appeal more to older kids, there’s a great play area called Mudlarks for younger ones – the main museum is free but there’s a small charge for Mudlarks, and prebooking is strongly advised.
The London Museum (formerly the Museum of London) is temporarily closed until it reopens in its new site at Smithfield in 2026, although the London Museum Docklands is still open
The London Transport Museum
The collection at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden starts with sedan chairs and carriage, as well as some of the earliest transportation used in the city.
But the highlights are firmly focused on London’s buses and tubes. As well as being able to see changing designs for London’s transport and the development of the famous tube map and signs, kids can pretend to drive a bus and get behind the controls of a tube train simulator.
There’s also a special play area for kids aged under seven, plus regular family and craft activities, and special exhibitions including the Hidden London area.
Check out my review of a visit to the London Transport Museum with kids
The Museum of the Home
Reopened in 2021 after an £18 million overhaul, the Museum of the Home is only feet away from Hoxton Overground station – and while the gardens won’t be at their best on a rainy day, the displays inside are fascinating.
As well as the period rooms, showing how homes changed over the centuries, there are displays galore covering everything from changing technology and games to clever inventions, different interiors fashions and lots of interactive fun as well.
Plus, it’s also completely free to visit if you’re looking for ideas for a rainy day in London with kids that won’t break the bank.
Check out my review of visiting the Museum of the Home with kids
The Postal Museum
The Postal Museum might not be the city’s best-known museum, but there are a couple of reasons why it’s a great one to visit in London on a rainy day with kids.
First of all, you can hop on board the Mail Rail – underneath the museum are the original tunnels and station platforms of London’s 100-year-old postal railway, which once delivered mail across the city.
It’s also home to Sorted! The Postal Play Space – a play area that designed as a mini town, with streets and buildings, plus lots to push, pull, slide down and more. Sessions last 45 minutes and must be prebooked.
Then there are often family trails and special exhibitions in the museum itself, as well as lots of interactive fun.
Imperial War Museum London
Founded during the First World War, the galleries at the Imperial War Museum focus on the experiences of people affected by war, so while you’ll also get to see some very large guns, planes hanging from the ceiling and collections of medals, there’s more emphasis on individual stories.
A new gallery covering the Second World War was added in 2021, perfect for kids studying it at school, and the museum runs regular family events during school holidays – recent ones have covered everything from spies and espionage to war in video and computer games.
There is a separate exhibition on the Holocaust as well, although this is only recommended for children aged 14+.
Tickets for IWM London are available on the door – you may have to wait at busy times so prebooking timed entry slots is recommended.
Older kids will also enjoy visiting the Churchill War Rooms, where you can get a glimpse what life would have been like in these secret corridors during the tense days and nights of the Second World War
National Gallery
As well as the fabulous art collections, there’s plenty at the National Gallery for kids, including trails to follow and family activities.
The Roden Centre is open to families at weekends and during school holidays, with activities and plenty of creative inspiration for kids.
For younger kids, there are often storytelling sessions on the ‘magic carpet’ aimed at under-fives, landing in front of a different painting each time – stopping to colour and draw is positively encouraged as you explore. Prebooking strongly advised.
Tate Modern
This contemporary art museum is very welcoming to kids, as well as having the huge turbine hall to run around in.
As well as the special exhibitions at the Tate Modern, there’s plenty to see for free, and you can follow a map taking you to some of the areas best for families, to start getting younger visitors thinking about art.
Theatre and cinema in London
See a show
The West End is rightfully famous for its theatre so if you’re visiting London with older kids, check out the deals at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square if you haven’t booked in advance as well as Todaytix.
For more things to do around Leicester Square with kids, check out my top picks
There’s plenty for younger visitors to enjoy as well, with great child-friendly shows and some amazing children’s theatres. Try puppet and marionette shows at the Little Angel Theatre in Islington, while the Unicorn Theatre near London Bridge is aimed at mini theatregoers aged six months plus.
You’ll find performances in central London as well: Matilda is always a winner with kids, or you’ll usually find Julia Donaldson adaptations and other family-friendly shows.
Watch a movie
There’s nothing quite like spending a rainy day snuggled up watching a movie. So how about heading to one of London’s most unusual cinemas – Electric Cinema Portobello – where instead of seats, the screen has comfy sofas and armchairs for you to cosy up on.
The cinema shows plenty of new releases which are appropriate for older kids and teens, while Kids Club each Saturday is more suitable for younger children. With your cinema tickets, you’ll also get 50% off the adjacent Electric Diner which serves comfort food all day long.
If you’re looking for cinemas elsewhere in London, you won’t be short of choice – head to Leicester Square, where you can see the latest releases on the screens which host A-list movie premieres, or there’s lots of choice at the multiscreen Vue at both Westfield London and Westfield Stratford.
Otherwise, look out for the Picturehouse and Everyman chains – Fulham Picturehouse and Everyman Chelsea are a bit more luxurious than your average multiplex and are easy to reach from the South Kensington museums.
Unusual things to do in London in the rain
Work together at an Escape Room
Escape the rain outside with some family bonding time inside at one of London’s many escape rooms. You’ll get to fully immerse yourselves in an imaginary world while solving clues and puzzles together in order to escape.
Cluequest in Kings Cross offers some of the most child-friendly escape rooms in London. Kids of all ages can enter Mr Q’s spy universe for Operation Black Sheep or Plan52, while teens 16+ can try their cool new VR escape rooms.
Some other family-friendly escape rooms include Si5 Spy Missions Croydon (best for younger kids) and Enigma Quests World of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Escape from Prison Island
If your kids love escape rooms, the Escape from Prison Island immersive experience will tick all their boxes, with a mix of brain-teasing puzzles, physical challenges and tasks to test all their skills.
Located near Holloway Road tube station, the new experience is home to 32 cells, each containing a different type of challenge, with 90 minutes inside to take on as many as you can and score as many points as possible.
It’s huge fun (and guaranteed to bring out everyone’s competitive streak), whether you’re desperately trying to balance, are working out clues or trying to beat the clock.
Check out my review of visiting Escape from Prison Island with kids to find out more
Head to London’s Board Game Cafe
Drag the kids away from their screens and enjoy a good old fashioned family game night at London’s first Board Game cafe Draughts.
Now with two venues in Waterloo and Stratford, the cafes have over 1,000 unique board games on their shelves, so you’re guaranteed to find something the whole family will enjoy.
There’s also a selection of food and drink you can order to your table so you can easily while away a few hours and avoid the gloomy weather outside.
Monopoly Lifesized
Turn board games into reality with Monopoly Lifesized. A cross between a real-life version of the board game and an escape room, you’ll take on challenges in order to buy properties.
Suitable for age 9+, there are four boards to choose from, including a City version for modern-day London and the Classic board.
Expect to be playing against more than just your family (unless you have a HUGE family), with up to 24 playing at once, and teams of a maximum of six. Games last around 80 minutes.
DNA VR
Transport yourself far from rainy London with a session at DNA VR and a chance to do everything from enter a magical world to fighting off a dragon.
With locations at Battersea, Camden, and Hammersmith, you’ll find different options at different venues, as well as a chance to enjoy an arcade session.
Having tried this on a hot summer’s day, it gets quite warm with the VR gear on, so a cooler rainy day visit would definitely be a good plan!
Find the newest pop-up events
However many times you’ve visited London before, you’ll find a new exhibition to check out or one of the fun temporary interactive experiences to try.
The Fever website is one of the best places to start, with immersive experiences themed around everything from Minecraft, Friends and Jurassic Park to Titanic, Pompeii and Ancient Egypt.
Another great option to transport you far far away from rainy reality.
Indoor activities for rainy days in London
Play a game of indoor crazy golf
Another of the best things to do on a rainy day in London with kids is a bit of competitive fun with a game of indoor crazy golf.
Several elaborate themed indoor crazy golf venues have popped up across London over the last few years, with everything from nostalgic seaside throwbacks to neon-clad tech-infused courses.
Many of these crazy golf venues are targeted towards adults during the evenings at least, with on-site bars, late opening hours and some with an 18+ policy.
For child-friendly indoor crazy golf in London, try Puttshack White City and Puttshack Bank (under 18s welcome daily until 6pm) or Junkyard Golf Club Shoreditch and Junkyard Camden (under 18s welcome Sunday to Wednesday before 6pm).
Get competitive at Crystal Maze Live
Whether you’ve got your own fond memories of the Crystal Maze or fancy something a bit unusual to do in London with kids, the Crystal Maze Live is a fun and family-friendly immersive experience on Shaftesbury Avenue in the heart of London’s West End.
Parents will enjoy travelling back in time into the iconic 90s TV show, while kids will love running around the maze with the highly-enthusiastic Maze Masters, completing a series of silly themed challenges, from riding a giant buckaroo-ing spaceship to decoding riddles – it’s suitable for kids 13+.
Once you’ve finished all of the challenges, you’ll even get to head inside the Maze’s centrepiece, the Crystal Dome, where you’ll jump around and collect gold tokens that add points to your final score.
For more unusual things to do in London with kids (in any weather), check out this post
Skate, Bowl and Play at Queens
Hidden away in the West London neighbourhood of Queensway, Queens calls itself London’s ‘biggest one-stop fun shop’ and any kid’s dream day out.
The huge indoor venue is home to central London’s only year-round ice rink, where you can give ice-karting a try, colourful bowling alleys, a retro gaming arcade and delicious burgers supplied by MEATliquor.
With so many fun activities in one place, you won’t need to go outside in the rain all day – or until you need to head home and Queensway tube station is right next door.
If you fancy another option, you’ll find several branches of All Star Lanes across London (including Westfield in White City), as well as Hollywood Bowl (including the O2). If you’re in Greenwich, don’t miss Vintners Lanes which manages to be cool AND family-friendly.
Discover interactive football at Toca Social
If your kids need to burn off some energy but outdoors looks unappealing, Toca Social is a great alternative.
The world’s first interactive football and dining experience, you can pick from interactive football experiences and immersive gaming (as well as getting some food). There are five games, with different levels, so if you’ve never kicked a football before (or not for a really long time), there’s still something to appeal.
With themes including a chance to battle zombies with balls, split the atom or simply hone your striking skills, you don’t have to be an avid footballer to enjoy yourself either. Set at the 02 Arena in North Greenwich, sessions are based on the number of people, lasting from around 30 minutes for two-three people, up to 90 minutes for groups of 12.
Get active at Clip’n’Climb
Another fun thing to do in London in the rain with kids who don’t like to sit still for long is a climbing session at Clip ‘n Climb Chelsea.
Clip‘n’Climb is packed with indoor activities, with 21 exciting climbing challenges, plus more rainy day activities such as the Speed Climb, the Leap of Faith and more.
The venue runs daily climbing sessions for anyone aged 4+, with fully trained supervisors guiding the way, as well as morning toddler sessions for active tots aged two to four. You can also book out the entire venue for a unique children’s party.
Go trampolining
Bounce out any leftover energy at one of London’s trampoline parks. FlipOut London (E6) is London’s biggest indoor trampoline and adventure park, located in East Ham – there are sister venues in Canary Wharf and Brent Cross too if you’d rather be more central.
Spread over two floors, the huge park is an active kid’s dream, with over 50 trampolines and stunt areas, foam pits and battle beams, a 30ft slide, 12 climbing walls, indoor caving, a laser maze and a ninja warrior course.
Children under 5 can enjoy the dedicated toddler area, while everyone else (including adults) can make the most of the rest of the adrenaline-fuelled activities, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a fun London activity for children of all ages, from toddlers to teens.
Or if you’re at the O2, you could also head to Oxygen Activeplay which has trapeze swings and mega airbags along with its trampolines.
More things to do in London in the rain
Enjoy a kid-friendly afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is a true British institution and a great way to spend a rainy day in London for kids and adults alike.
There are plenty of cool kid-friendly afternoon teas in London to choose from too, with new options added throughout the year.
One of my favourites include One Aldwych’s mouthwateringly indulgent Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea.
Hit London’s world-class toy shops
Dodge the rain by treating the kids to a day exploring London’s many fantastic toy shops.
You can easily spend a couple of hours getting lost exploring all seven floors of Hamleys on Regent Street – the world’s oldest and largest toy store – while the likes of the LEGO Store and M&M World are just around the corner in Leicester Square.
And don’t miss the magical Harry Potter store at Platform 9 ¾ in Kings Cross if your kids are fans.
For more ideas of Harry Potter locations in London, check out my pick of the best
*first published 2021, last updated 2025*
PIN FOR LATER: RAINY DAYS IN LONDON WITH KIDS
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Main image, Science Museum, afternoon tea and Platform 9 3/4 courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
