Activities to do with grandkids in London

Are you looking for activities to do with grandkids in London? Keeping grandchildren entertained during time off school (whether it's the summer holidays, Christmas, Easter, or half term) or simply days out on the weekend can be challenging. But we have a few kid-friendly activities and ideas we think you're going to love to help you spend quality time with your grandchildren and make memories that will last a lifetime.

The Classic Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

If you're planning a day trip in London with your grandchildren, then you've got to check out our Classic Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. Available all year round, our wonderful Routemaster, double-decker buses take you through the streets of Central London while you sit comfortably at one of our lovely tables (lower-deck and upper-deck seats available) and enjoy our delicious afternoon tea. We're talking yummy finger sandwiches, savoury treats, and a mouth-watery assortment of homemade cakes. Plus, of course, scones with cream and jam!

Tours depart several times a day from Victoria Coach station or Trafalgar Square. For more information, to check our menu and book, head over to this page.

Please note that due to the length of all our tours and the fact we have no toilet facilities on board, our tours are best suited to and enjoyed by children of 5 years and over. But if you have younger children, we definitely recommend you check out one of our fantastic and unique themed tours.

The Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

If your grandchild is over the age of 5 and a Peppa Pig fan, then check out our Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tours. Available from Thursdays to Sundays only with two tours a day (with the occasional later tour on selected dates) this Peppa Pig-themed tour is an absolute delight for all Peppa fans.

You and your children will be able to enjoy a super special Peppa Pig-themed afternoon tea menu, which includes a delicious Mandy Mouse’s Cheddar Cheese finger sandwich, a Grandpa Pig’s Chicken & Tomato burger bun, and a Rebecca Rabbit’s Carrot Cupcake with a cream cheese topping just to name a few!

The highlight for your grandchildren will probably be the special built-in tablet that comes with every table that gives you a guided animation of the London tour along with sing-a-long songs. Plus, you'll receive a copy of our Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour Activity Book full of fun things to enjoy at home, and a special Peppa Pig and Brigit's Bakery travel mug.

Alternative menus including Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal, and Gluten Free are also available. To see the full menus and book our Peppa Pig bus tour, check out this page.

The Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour - NEW!

If you want to give your grandchildren an experience they won't forget in a while, check out our brand-new Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. Departing twice daily between Wednesdays and Sundays from the iconic Trafalgar Square, the experience will leave you feeling like a celebrity.

Our beautifully decorated bus attracts a lot of attention as it tours through the busy streets of Central London - whether eyes are drawn to the bus or the most adored bear in the nation, we can't say. But you can be sure our chefs have designed a fantastic finger-lickin’ Paddington-themed afternoon tea menu featuring the best marmalade sandwich ever!

Each table comes with a special built-in screen providing guests with an entertaining Paddington-guided animation of the tour of London narrated by our very own Paddington bear and Mrs. Bird. Your grandchildren will not only get to experience the beauty of London but also share our beloved bear's view of the world and practise their hard stare!

To take a look at our unique Paddington Afternoon Tea menu (scroll down for alternative menus, including Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, and Gluten-free) and book your seat, check out this page.

Christmas-themed tours

If you are reading this during the Christmas period and planning a great day out that both grandparents and grandchildren will enjoy, then we also have some very special Christmas-themed tours for you.

So check out the following:

• The Paddington Christmas Lights Afternoon Tea Bus tour will run from early November to early January (exact dates on our booking page). You'll enjoy festive treats onboard our beautifully-decorated, twinkling Classic Routemaster Bus. And it's paw-fect way to enjoy the festive sights of London, including the Regent Street Christmas lights on our 5:30 pm tour.
• For the Peppa Pig fans, we have a special Peppa Pig Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus tour. Christmas tours will be departing from Somerset House between November and January (Thursdays and Sundays only).
• During the months of December and January, we also have a very special Christmas tour - it's brand new and unique, and it's the Grinchmas Afternoon Tea Bus tour! Departing three times a day from Victoria Coach Station, you'll be able to enjoy the fabulous Regent Street Lights on the 5 pm tour. For more information, menu, and booking, head over to this page.

Interested in more activities that don't involve taking your grandchildren to the local play area or busiest soft play? Then we have a few more ideas for you.

Jump on the London Eye

Did you know that at 135m tall, the London Eye is the world's largest observation wheel? Launched in 2000, it's one of the most famous London attractions and provides a fantastic view of the whole of London. You can admire the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Elizabeth Clock Tower (Big Ben), Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's, The Tate Museum, Tower Bridge, and The Shard.

Visit a museum

London is full of fantastic museums, and most of them are free! The Science museum, Natural History Museum, and Transport museum are definite favorites of little people. With demos and exhibits, they are completely interactive and offer lots of activities.

If your grandchildren are a little older, you can also check out the Museum of London, the British Museum, or the Tate Modern.

Visit one of the many green spaces in London

If the weather is good, then why not check out one of the many green spaces in London? The City is full of world-famous parks, including Hyde Park, Green Park, Regent's Park, Kensington Gardens, St James Park, Alexandra Palace Park, Richmond Park, and many more!

To keep the little ones entertained and rest tired feet, you could also have a picnic! Did you know you can book an afternoon tea picnic lunch with us? It's a beautifully packaged picnic lunch that contains everything you need for a great time in the park - cakes, sandwiches, scones, and a freshly-squeezed orange juice. Just bring your blanket!

Available to pre-order from Brigit's Bakery in Covent Garden, all we need is 24 hours notice. We also have a variety of dietary options available. To order, simply fill in the form at the bottom of this page or call us at 020 3026 1188.

Have a Harry Potter day

Are your grandchildren Harry Potter fans? Or are you? Then there is a lot you can do in London.

• Check out the Warner Bros Studio tour, where you can visit the breathtaking sets, and see original costumes and authentic props.
• On Wellington Street, you can find the Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition - a journey through memories captured during years of film-making.
• Or you can go and watch Harry Potter and The Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre. You can even dress up for the occasion - many people do!

Have a Roald Dahl day

If you have any Roald Dahl fans on your hands, then why not have a Roald Dahl day? You can watch Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre, check out the BFG Exhibition at the House of Illustration, or head over to the 31st floor of The Shard for a fantastic Roald Dahl experience.

Visit a theme park

If you're up for a more adventurous type of fun, you can check out one of the many theme parks in or around London. A few places come to mind, including Shrek's Adventure!, The London Dungeon, and The London Bridge Experience. Or if you're happy to go a bit further out, you also have Kidzania, Chessington World of Adventures, or Legoland Windsor. You are definitely spoilt for choice here.

So which activities will you choose to do with your grandkids in London during the holidays?