Ideas for Family Days Out in London with Children

Are you looking for ideas for great family days out in London? If you're planning on visiting London with kids in the near future, we have a few options for you for some fantastic days out. Ready to get stuck into this amazing list?

Afternoon Tea Bus Tour (Christmas tour also available during the festive period)

First thing first (of course), you've got to check out all things Brigit's Bakery. We have a range of unique afternoon tea Bus Tours that will appeal not only to your little ones but to older kids too.

Our Classic Afternoon Tea Bus Tour runs daily from either Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square. Tours last approximately 90 minutes, depending on Central London traffic. Our drivers take you through the iconic streets and landmarks of London on a beautiful Routemaster double-decker bus. So if you want a comfortable way to see the sights without doing too much walking, you've just found it! We'll drive you past Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, Marble Arch, and more!

But of course, that's not all. While you kick back and relax onboard our buses, our friendly staff take care of you! You'll be served our scrumptious afternoon tea with delicious finger sandwiches and unique cakes. And if you want all the details about what will be beautifully presented on your tables, then check out our Traditional menu here. On all our tours, we also offer alternative menus including Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, and Gluten-free.

For more information on dates and availability and to book in advance, head over to this page.

Christmas Lights Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

If you're reading this at the time of publication, our Classic Afternoon Tea Bus tour turns festive towards the end of the year. However, dates change yearly, so always check our website for more information.

So what's so special about this tour? Firstly, the fact we get into the Christmas spirit with an all-festive menu! But also, our 5 pm tour takes a unique route along Regent Street to let you admire the beautiful Christmas lights while you enjoy your delicious afternoon tea. For more details about our dates, our Christmas menu (and alternative menus) and to book your place, check out this page.

Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour (Christmas tour also available during the festive period)

If you want something extra special for your kids in London, then we also have themed Afternoon Tea Bus Tours that are perfect for the whole family but are designed with the younger ones in mind. The tour runs two to three times a day (Thursdays to Sundays) departing from Somerset House and taking you through the streets of London while your little ones indulge in a fun Peppa Pig-themed menu.

And to make this a truly immersive experience for your children, each table comes with a special built-in table that provides our guests with a Peppa Pig guided animation of the tour. You can also expect sing-along songs that will get stuck in your head in all the best ways. Just watch the excitement on your little ones' faces!

You'll also get to take home a copy of our Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour Activity Book, a themed travel mug, and a little takeaway bag where you can pack any food items from your table that you'd like to take home with you after the tour.

To see the full menu (or check out our alternative menus) and book your space, head over to this page. And if you're reading this at the time of publication, check out the very special Christmas version of this fantastic tour!

Please note that our tours do not offer a hop-on-hop-off bus service. As we have no toilet facilities on board, we think our tours are best suited for children who are older than 5.

Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour - NEW (Christmas tour also available during the festive period)

Another fantastic tour that's aimed at children (or any fans of the Nation's favourite messy bear) is 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. You and your children will not only get to experience the beauty of London but also share our beloved bear's view of the world and practise your 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.

Paddington Christmas Lights Bus Tour

And once again, if you're reading this at the time of publication, we also have a Christmas version of this tour - the Paddington Christmas Lights Afternoon Tea Bus tour. During the festive period, you'll be able to enjoy jolly 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 (only on our 5:30 pm tour).

Visit our Brigit's Bakery in Covent Garden

If you've been walking with your kids in London all day, you might need to give your feet a little rest! If you're in the area, why not come and see us for some delicious cakes in Covent Garden? We like to call our Brigit's Bakery a 'relaxing sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle'. Because sightseeing can be tiring work! So you might just want to make the time to sit and wind down. And what best way to do it than with a yummy cupcake and a steaming cup of something delicious? Or maybe something a little fancier for the grown-ups?

We have private rooms and seating ideal for your family downstairs, and we don't just offer afternoon tea! We also have a full menu with salads, quiches, all-day brunch, and much more!

Visit Madame Tussauds or hop on the London Eye (and more!)

When it comes to London attractions, you can't pick a more iconic location than Madame Tussauds. A definite tourist hot spot, it makes for a fantastic family day out in London. With more than 150 lifelike figures of celebrities, including Hollywood, music, and sports heroes, your kids are bound to be entertained and fascinated by the experience.

And if you want to make some extra memories, you can also buy combination tickets to include other attractions. For example, The London Eye, The London Dungeon, SEA LIFE London, and Shrek's Adventure, which are all in the area. Plus, you'll save a little cash too!

If you're taking a day trip to London then you might want to head to the famous London Eye. It's the world's largest observation wheel, and the view from the top is truly impressive. Did you know you can admire the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Elizabeth Clock Tower (Big Ben), Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, The Tate Museum, Tower Bridge, The Shard, and much more?

Visit one of the museums

When in London, you're also spoilt for choice with a range of fantastic museums you can enjoy with your family. Here are some of our top picks:

• London Transport Museum. Fun and interactive, the London Transport Museum gives your children the opportunity to learn about London's transport system. But they'll also be able to take a peak into how future technologies might impact the City.
• The Natural History Museum is an all-time favourite for children with child-friendly cafes and play areas and fantastic exhibitions and displays.
• Right next door you'll find the Science Museum. This is also a hit with the little ones. It has lots of interactive and interesting events, activities, exhibitions, and galleries - a truly educational and enriching day out.
• The Horniman Museum and Gardens is another great choice. It's a fun place where your little ones will get to learn about global cultures as well as natural wonders.
• Or you could head to the V&A Museum in South Kensington, known as "the family of art, design and performance museums, where everyone is invited to enjoy the power of creativity."

Harry Potter Studio Tour

If you're a Harry Potter fan, then you don't want to miss out on the iconic Warner Bros Studio tour. You'll be able to visit the breathtaking sets and also see original costumes and authentic props. Sounds like fun, right?

So what family days out in London will you pick for your children?