A Relaxed and Memorable Day Out in London with the Kids

We recently took the plunge and spent a day out in London with our two little ones, Ozzie (6) and Pandora (3), and it ended up being such a lovely, laid-back adventure. If you’re thinking about exploring London with young children, here’s a rundown of what worked for us and some things I’d recommend keeping in mind.

We started by driving to Richmond, which helped us avoid the hustle and stress of driving into central London. Parking there cost £9.10 for the day – much more affordable than parking closer in! From there, we took the tube to Whitechapel, and this station was perfect for us because it has step-free access, which made things so much easier with Pandora’s buggy.

Tube journeys can feel long for little ones, and ours was no exception, so I’d suggest bringing something to keep them entertained. We played "I spy" to pass the time, and it really helped to keep the kids engaged. A day’s travel for me and the children was just £9.20, which gave us unlimited use of the tube – a great deal if you plan on hopping around the city.

Our main destination was the Young V&A in Bethnal Green, and it was such a perfect spot for the kids. The best part? It’s free to enter, making it a budget-friendly option for families. Ozzie loved seeing the older toys, and Pandora enjoyed the hands-on exhibits. The museum is so thoughtfully designed with little ones in mind, and we easily spent three hours exploring. There’s so much to keep their curious minds busy – I’d say it’s a must-visit if you’re on a family day out in London.

After the museum, we headed to Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square. The kids were mesmerised by the street performers in Trafalgar Square, and it gave us a moment to sit and relax while they were entertained. A simple stop like this, just to watch people and take in the energy of the city, can be a nice breather on a busy day.

Lunch was a quick and easy grab from Boots, and I’d recommend something similar for families wanting to keep things simple. We got some sandwiches and snacks, and it saved us waiting around in a busy restaurant.

To round off the day, we headed back to Richmond and had dinner at Bill’s, where kids eat free during school holidays – a huge bonus! Our meal came to under £50 for the four of us, which was brilliant considering how much we’d already done that day, they also cater really for a gluten-free diet.

We spent around five hours in London, from 11 AM to 4 PM, and didn’t feel rushed. It was a Bank Holiday Monday, but it wasn’t too busy, which was a pleasant surprise. If you’re considering a day out in London with little ones, plan around places with good access and take your time. It’s a wonderful city, full of life and new things to explore for kids of all ages.