27 Free Activities for Kids in London (2026 Parent's Guide)

London can feel eye-wateringly expensive when you're planning a family day out — but it doesn't have to be. The capital is packed with world-class museums, royal parks, free city farms and hidden playgrounds where kids can spend whole days without you spending a penny.

We've pulled together 27 of the best free activities for kids in London, organised by area and age group, so you can plan a brilliant day out whether you live in zone 1 or you're visiting for the weekend.

Free museums in London for kids

All of London's national museums are free to enter — and most of them are surprisingly child-friendly, with hands-on galleries, free trails and family backpacks.

1. Natural History Museum (South Kensington) — dinosaurs, the giant blue whale and a free Investigate lab for ages 7+.
2. Science Museum (South Kensington) — the Wonderlab is paid, but the rest of the museum is free and brilliant for curious kids.
3. V&A Museum of Childhood / Young V&A (Bethnal Green) — reopened and free, designed entirely around children.
4. British Museum (Holborn) — pick up a free family trail at the front desk.
5. Horniman Museum (Forest Hill) — free aquarium, gardens and an animal walk.
6. Museum of London Docklands — free, hands-on history for older kids.
7. National Maritime Museum (Greenwich) — ships, uniforms and the free AHOY! gallery for under-7s.

Free parks and outdoor spaces

London has more green space than any other major capital city. The royal parks alone are worth a week of weekends, and most have free playgrounds, paddling pools or wildlife to spot.

• Diana Memorial Playground, Kensington Gardens — pirate-ship-themed and free.
• Coram's Fields (Bloomsbury) — adults only allowed if accompanied by a child!
• Hampstead Heath — kite-flying on Parliament Hill and a free paddling pool in summer.
• Greenwich Park — free deer, the Royal Observatory views and a great playground.
• Richmond Park — wild deer and miles of cycle paths.
• Battersea Park — adventure playground, lake and free zoo viewing windows.

Free city farms and animal experiences

London has more than a dozen free city farms — perfect for toddlers and primary-aged kids who want to meet pigs, goats and chickens without paying zoo prices.

• Mudchute Farm (Isle of Dogs) — the largest city farm in Europe, free entry.
• Vauxhall City Farm — donkeys, alpacas and a small ecology garden.
• Hackney City Farm — free, with a fantastic café for parents.
• Spitalfields City Farm — tiny but central and totally free.
• Kentish Town City Farm — riverside walks and a free play barn.

Free events and festivals

Throughout the year, London hosts dozens of free family festivals — from the Lord Mayor's Show in November to the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival every summer. The Southbank Centre runs free family weekends almost every month, and most boroughs put on free fireworks for Bonfire Night.

Insider tips for keeping costs down

• Children under 11 travel free on the Tube, DLR, Overground and most buses when accompanied by an adult.
• Pack a picnic — even free attractions can become expensive once you hit the café.
• Sign up to museum newsletters for first dibs on free family workshops.
• Use our Activities directory to filter by 'Free' across every London borough.

Plan your free London day out

Pair a museum morning with a park picnic and a city farm in the afternoon and you've got a full day of memories without spending more than your travel card. For more curated ideas, browse our full directory of free and low-cost family activities across London and the UK.