Rainy day favourites in London - museums, soft play, indoor climbing and weatherproof family days out for when the forecast lets you down.
Battersea Power Station · London
The newly opened Battersea Power Station has free interactive installations, riverside walks, and child-friendly dining all in one striking riverside location.
Haringey Council · London
This free museum in a Tudor manor house tells local Tottenham history through interactive exhibits. The surrounding park offers playgrounds, a café, and lovely grounds for picnics. Ghost stories and historical reenactments make weekends particularly engaging.
Chislehurst Caves Ltd · London
Explore miles of mysterious man-made caves and tunnels beneath Chislehurst on a lamp-lit tour. Guides share stories of druids, Romans, and wartime shelters. Children love the underground adventure and spooky atmosphere in these ancient chalk mines.
Royal Museums Greenwich · London
Climb aboard the world's last surviving tea clipper and explore beneath its gleaming hull suspended in glass. Children discover what life was like for Victorian sailors, handle cargo, and stand where the ship's wheel once turned. The setting in Greenwich is perfect for a full day out.
Discover Children's Story Centre · London
East London's award-winning arts centre brings stories to life through imaginative play zones, storytelling sessions, and creative workshops. Children step into different story worlds, from enchanted forests to outer space. Every corner encourages reading, creativity, and dramatic play.
Florence Nightingale Museum Trust · London
Next to St Thomas' Hospital, this museum tells the story of the Lady with the Lamp through interactive exhibits and her personal belongings. Children try on Victorian costumes, discover real nursing history, and learn about this remarkable woman's life and legacy.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London · London
Behind-the-scenes tour of the Warner Bros. Studio with original sets, costumes and props.
Horniman Museum and Gardens · London
While the main Horniman is in your directory, the aquarium deserves special mention as a separate paid experience. Explore British coastal waters, Amazon rainforest, and coral reef tanks. The new underwater-themed design immerses visitors in different aquatic habitats.
Horniman Museum · London
A quirky free museum in Forest Hill with a famous overstuffed walrus, live aquarium, and lovely gardens. One of London's best kept family secrets.
English Heritage · London
This elegant Georgian mansion on Hampstead Heath's edge houses Old Master paintings in stunning rooms. Children enjoy the sweeping grounds, woodland walks, and large playground. Summer concerts on the lawn are magical family evenings.
KidZania · London
A miniature city where children role-play adult jobs from firefighter to surgeon. Hugely popular with primary-age children who love imaginative and independent play.
Little Angel Theatre · London
A beloved puppet theatre in Islington staging professional shows for babies through to older children throughout the year. An intimate and magical experience.
London Transport Museum · London
In Covent Garden's historic market building, this museum lets children clamber aboard vintage buses, trains, and trams. Interactive exhibits explore how London moves, with simulators, play zones, and costumed staff. The gift shop is every Thomas-loving toddler's dream.
ZSL London Zoo · London
Home to over 700 species from gorillas to penguins, London Zoo is a full-day adventure for animal-loving families. The new Land of the Lions is a highlight.
Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising · London
This Notting Hill museum displays 12,000 items of consumer culture from Victorian times to today. Parents delight in nostalgic brands from their childhood while children discover how toys, food, and fashion have changed. The time-tunnel layout makes history feel tangible and fun.
Museum of London · London
Trace the story of London from prehistoric times to the present day through vivid interactive galleries. Free entry and well-suited to primary-age school trips and family visits alike.
Natural History Museum · London
Marvel at dinosaur skeletons and interactive nature exhibits across one of London's most iconic free museums. Brilliant for curious kids of all ages.
Pollock's Toy Museum Trust · London
This quirky Georgian townhouse museum displays historic toys, dolls, and toy theatres across creaky rooms connected by narrow staircases. It feels like exploring a Victorian collector's magical attic. The tiny museum shop sells traditional toys and paper theatres.
The Postal Museum · London
Ride the miniature underground railway that once transported mail beneath London's streets for 75 years. Above ground, the museum explores 500 years of postal history through interactive exhibits. Children love the tiny train ride through secret tunnels.
Royal Air Force Museum · London
Over 100 aircraft fill vast hangars in Colindale, from WWI biplanes to modern jets. Children climb into cockpits, try flight simulators, and discover aviation history. The interactive galleries make it engaging for all ages, not just plane enthusiasts.
Science Museum · London
Hands-on galleries covering space, technology, and the human body make this a must for inquisitive minds. Younger children love the dedicated Wonder Lab.
Merlin Entertainments · London
Walk through shark tunnels and discover thousands of marine creatures at the South Bank aquarium. The penguin feeding sessions are especially popular with young children.
Land Securities · London
London's highest public garden offers 360-degree views from the top of the Walkie Talkie building. The indoor landscaped garden with Mediterranean plants creates an unusual combination of nature and skyline. Free to visit but booking essential.
Southbank Centre · London
This riverside arts complex runs year-round family festivals, concerts, and workshops alongside free outdoor spaces for skateboarding and games. The Wonderground festival garden and weekend markets add to the buzz. Even just wandering the riverside terraces feels special.
Tate Modern · London
The vast Turbine Hall hosts changing large-scale art installations that spark conversation and imagination. Free entry and always something unexpected to discover.
Historic Royal Palaces · London
Explore 1,000 years of history, see the Crown Jewels, and meet the famous Beefeaters. Older children are gripped by the stories of executions and royalty.
Victoria and Albert Museum · London
This Bethnal Green treasure houses one of the world's largest collections of childhood objects, from Victorian dolls to modern video games. Interactive galleries let children explore play across the centuries. The museum recently reopened after a major refurbishment with brand-new family-friendly spaces.
Wellcome Trust · London
This free museum near King's Cross explores medicine, life, and health through fascinating and sometimes unusual objects. The Medicine Man gallery displays everything from Napoleon's toothbrush to Peruvian mummies. Older children find it wonderfully weird and thought-provoking.
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust · London
This award-winning 105-acre wetland reserve in Barnes brings incredible wildlife to the city. Children explore boardwalk trails, watch otters play, and get close to rare birds in different world wetland habitats. The adventure playground and discovery centre make it educational and fun.
Victoria and Albert Museum · London
This completely reimagined museum in Bethnal Green celebrates design and creativity for young people. Three galleries explore play, imagination, and design skills through stunning objects and hands-on activities. Everything is touchable, climbable, or interactive.