In a city of huge possibilities and endless attractions sometimes it can seem overwhelming. There are numerous events for families to get involved in, but we understand it can be difficult to decide on what to do. The many sightseeing and London tour guide blogs are worth browsing for endless inspiration, but we thought we’d also put together ten of our absolute favourites for family fun and kid-friendly activities in London. 

Read on below to find out more about these unique activities and top tips:

Summer is the best time to visit the British Museum with your family, especially if there is a spot of rain and you need an indoor activity to escape the drizzle. An educational and enriching experience for the summer holidays, a trip to this famous museum in London won’t break the bank. Plus, it is right on our doorstep, so you can be there within a 2 minutes’ walk when staying at any of the Imperial London Hotels. 

The British Museum also has a series of object trails, designed to keep children curious and entertained during your museum tour. From the Rosetta stone to an abstract serpent statue, your little ones will soon become little explorers.  They even have a ‘Young Friends’ subscription for children and young people to get the most out of their British Museum experience. It’s a completely free subscription too. 

And don’t forget to enjoy a breakfast buffet beforehand to keep you energised for your museum adventures. From sausages, egg, bacon, and beans to more continental options such as croissant, cheese, hams, fruits, cereals, and yoghurt. Our friendly breakfast teams at any of our Imperial London Hotels will be on hand to keep the coffee and orange juice flowing. 

Imagine seeing your kids’ eyes light up as they see performers sing their heart out on stage or their favourite characters come to life? Capture their imaginations and see a show they will remember forever. Head to the West End, just 15 minutes’ walk from our hotels or a 5-minute tube journey away (on the Piccadilly Line) and enjoy world class theatre in London’s theatreland. 

Some family favourites are Frozen the musical at Theatre Royal on Drury Lane or Back to the Future in Covent Garden. Disney’s Lion King also tops the list for things to do in London this summer with family. 

Another way to enjoy those warm summer nights, soak up some Shakespearean scenes with your family at the Globe theatre overlooking the river Thames. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a popular theatre show for families because it is filled with timeless magic and fairies. Buy standing tickets and you can admire outstanding theatre for as little as £5 per person.

Did you know 40% of London is made up of public green space? With 3,000 parks to choose from, there is plenty of room for your youngsters to run around and for the whole family to enjoy some fresh air.

A stay in the Bloomsbury neighbourhood will plant you in the leafy green centre of the city. A neighbourhood known for its flourishing and well-maintained gardens; it is a popular choice for nature-lovers in London. Enjoy a picnic in Bloomsbury, Gordon, Cartwright, Tavistock, or Russell Garden Squares and stroll amongst the trees and statues. Look out for the Gandhi statue in Tavistock Square and impressive water fountain in Russell square, which is fun to run through on sunny afternoons.

Bringing your dog to London? Our dog-friendly hotels near Russell Square gardens mean you can bring your pooch during your family trip to London and have the added park space to take them for a walk, right on the doorstep.

The Foundling Museum, just 3 minutes from our hotels, is a creative hub within the Bloomsbury community – with children’s interests as their focus. They offer craft workshops throughout the summer, for parents to attend and a range of inspiring events such as children’s author book signings. 

And the Postal Museum is an active and energising place for youngsters, complete with a miniature train and soft play construction zone, for the whole family to get involved creating tunnels, trains, and chutes. They amplify their summer activities in July and August so it’s worth checking their website for regular updates.

London is a culinary capital of the world and has an array of restaurants at every turn. A city to enjoy all your favourite foods, you can introduce your family and children to new flavours and global cuisines without travelling too far at all. Visit Chinatown to taste delicious noodles and hotpots or Camden Market for authentic street food. 

It’s worth trying a delicious plate of fish and chips first, a London staple, eaten by locals and made even better with a refreshing pint on the side for mums and dads. Visit London Pub which serves a range of local ales and offers a generous portion of good fish and chips in central London. 

Or pop to Blooms Pizza Café for delicious stone-baked pizzas the whole family will love. The laid-back atmosphere is ideal for a chilled out and affordable evening in London. You can also dine alfresco. Guests of Royal National Hotel and City Sleeper hotel have the bonus of Blooms pizza café being just across the courtyard. You can even get a takeaway pizza and have it in your room for a pizza and movie night with your loved ones.  

6) Stroll on the Southbank and journey up the London Eye

We are a short bus journey to London Southbank, where your family can enjoy the buzz of the city this season. Take a pleasant stroll by the river Thames, there are plenty of benches to stop to take selfies and market sellers offering candyfloss and ice-cream. 

For families experiencing their first time in London, we recommend a trip up the London Eye so that you can see breath taking views across the city. A common question is how fast does the London Eye move? It moves at a steady pace so you can look out over the whole city and enjoy the process. It is not like a fairground Ferris wheel, it takes 30 minutes to complete a full rotation, at 0.9 kmph. Therefore it moves slowly and is there is a very low chance of motion sickness.

Did you know that it’s possible to take a tour of the palace, including a peek inside the state rooms? Many people do not know this and just go to the gates to take a quick photo and look for the royal guards. But inside Buckingham palace there is a vibrant world of regal furnishings and art which will capture your little princes and princesses’ imaginations.

Visit the palace on a Monday during the summer for some arts and crafts activities in the Family Pavilion. Free with standard admission, it is one of the best things to do with your family in London.

We understand that it can be hard to get tickets to Wimbledon, but miracles can happen! And even if you can’t get tickets, there are large screens across the city to get comfortable on a bean bag and watch some tennis superstars. The atmosphere in the city can be amazing when Wimbledon is on, so it’s worth getting into the spirit and eating lots of strawberries whilst you’re at it. Summer is cricket season too, and the two major cricket grounds – Oval and Lords – is a great way to spend a day with family, especially if the sun is shining.

Everyone deserves a sweet treat once in a while. And indulging in delicious cakes and sandwiches in captivating atmospheres is an activity the whole family will love. Choose to have Afternoon Tea in the cosy Library or in a secret garden at Botanica for added magic. And live your London experience to the fullest! 

Stay the night at City Sleeper after a busy day sightseeing in London. Your family will love the spaciousness of the interconnecting rooms so that you can have double the bathrooms, double the bedrooms and double the fun. Each room is equipped with a smart TV so you can browse the channels and watch your favourite films – parents can enjoy a show on one TV whilst the younger ones can watch what they prefer on the other. Up to 4 devices can connect to the Wi-Fi network, which is free, and means you browse the internet on smartphones, laptops, and tablets with ease.