This guide is designed to cover a lot of bases. To filter your search by date, location or otherwise, visit one of our listing pages below and scroll down to ‘view more events<\/em>‘.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Theatres across London have shows designed for under-5s. For younger toddlers who might struggle to follow a story, these tend to involve sensory play and floor-seating. As the shows go up in age range, they bring in more on-stage action, singing and dancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To find an upcoming show, see our guide to the best toddler shows in London<\/a><\/strong>. We update it every month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 74% of kids wish they spent more time in nature, according to one recent study. (1<\/a>) London’s botanical gardens and wetland reserves are great places to correct this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kew Gardens<\/a><\/strong> is our biggest recommendation for toddlers of all ages. They have treetop walkways, a children’s garden for 2\u201312s and miles of buggy-friendly paths. Their Christmas and Halloween light shows are also two of the most spectacular outdoor events for families in London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other places we’d suggest are Barnes’ London Wetland Centre and Walthamstow Wetlands. The latter runs an in-term Nature Tots Forest School<\/strong><\/a> for under-5s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n London city farms are little pockets of wildlife where toddlers can meet, feed and (sometimes) cuddle animals. They’re mostly free to visit, though you’re encouraged to buy bags of feed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The farms often put on special seasonal events and activities for kids. For example, Vauxhall City Farm<\/a><\/strong> hosts an annual May Fair where visitors can see sheep shearing, enjoy music and play games. These special events usually feature their Cuddle Corner, where you pay \u00a35 to cuddle a small animal like a rabbit or chicken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few of London’s big museums quietly run storytelling or play sessions for babies and pre-walkers. The most popular that we’re aware of is Adventure Babies<\/a><\/strong> at the Natural History Museum. Designed to inspire a love of books, these storytelling sensory classes involve puppets, songs and messy play. They have separate sessions for pre-crawlers and kids aged up to 5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The nearby V&A Museum<\/a><\/strong> runs free monthly Design Baby sessions inspired by their exhibitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over in Canary Wharf’s Museum of London Docklands<\/a><\/strong>, you also have free monthly Tots at the Docks sessions and their paid Mudlarks gallery, with a dedicated baby zone alongside the soft play and water tables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n London has a few regular classical music concerts designed for small children. Bach to Baby<\/a><\/strong> is one of the more relaxed of the ones we’re recommending here. These informal afternoon concerts take place in church halls and small venues, where toddlers can dance in the aisle while a string quartet plays Mozart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wigmore Hall, Marylebone’s world-famous chamber music venue, puts on a range of events and activities for kids aged under 5. Your best bet for ages 1 and 2 is Chamber Tots<\/a><\/strong>, their themed music-making workshop. It’s hugely popular, so you’ll most likely need to book quickly when tickets are released (or let us keep an eye on things like this for you by signing up to Loopla’s newsletter<\/strong><\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n London is home to some wonderful dance schools, some of which run sessions where you can take part alongside your little one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dakoda’s Dance Academy<\/strong><\/a> in North London is a good example. In their Adult and Me Ballet class for 2\u20133-year-olds, professional ballerinas teach dance technique through songs, stories and exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We find London’s bigger animal venues are most worthwhile when toddlers become more confident walkers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They don’t come much bigger than London Zoo<\/a><\/strong> in Regent’s Park, where little ones can see gorillas and tigers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At 3 years old, kids will also be old enough to enjoy ZooTown, their indoor role-play space where they can dress up as keepers, vets and shopkeepers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over on the South Bank, there’s the SEA LIFE London Aquarium<\/strong><\/a>, which takes about 90 minutes to walk through. Toddlers tend to be drawn in by the bright tropical fish, the glowing jellyfish tanks and the underwater tunnel where sharks swim overhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the price for either option puts you off, the Horniman Museum<\/a><\/strong> in Forest Hill has a free aquarium. Battersea Children’s Zoo<\/a><\/strong> is around half the price of London Zoo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Immersive walkthrough experiences can be a thrilling way for toddlers to explore the world of their favourite story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Discover Children’s Story Centre<\/a><\/strong> in Stratford is a strong pick for this. They have two floors of Story Worlds where toddlers climb through giant books, hide in storybook houses, and dig in a Story Garden outside. It reopens on 20 June 2026 after getting a big makeover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Paddington Bear Experience<\/strong><\/a> at County Hall walks families through Mr Gruber’s antiques shop, the Browns’ kitchen and a London bus. This one’s more elaborate (and expensive), featuring live performers along the way. The venue recommends the experience for ages 4 and up, but 3-year-olds who know Paddington should manage fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n London theatres are another place where toddlers can meet their favourite characters. Live shows inspired by popular kids’ TV titles tend to tour arenas and bigger venues throughout the year. Bluey’s Big Play, Peppa Pig’s Family Show and The Gruffalo are examples we see regularly cropping up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of these shows run between 45 and 70 minutes to suit a 3-year-old’s attention span. They also tend to be more interactive than shows for older kids, with singing and parts where little ones are encouraged to move around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n London is home to some of the best free museums on the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Natural History Museum has a giant blue whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling of its Hogwarts-esque Hintze Hall. There are also lots of dinosaur fossils and exhibits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For ages 3 to 6, the Science Museum has The Garden, a sensory zone with water, light and sound. Pattern Pod is another multi-sensory area designed to help under-9s develop science skills through play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Bethnal Green you have the Young V&A, a whole museum designed for children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All of the above are free to visit. For more options, see our guide to London’s best museums for kids<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coram’s Fields is a seven-acre playground in Central London that adults can only enter if they’re with a child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inside, toddlers have a small wooden fort to climb, a sandpit to dig and lots more. They also have an under-5s play area, plus pet sheep, goats, ducks and rabbits to visit at the city farm corner. The on-site caf\u00e9 sells simple toddler-friendly food if you’ve forgotten the snacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In summer, the Coram’s Fields paddling pool opens for splashing about. They also have a big, annual Play Day festival if you’re reading this around July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coram’s Fields sits between Russell Square and King’s Cross, so it works as a stop on a wider central London day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Across its eight Royal Parks, London has 5,000 acres of green space that is completely free to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These parks put on special, free family events, too. From spring onwards, Hyde Park usually runs free Discovery Days that combine crafts with wildlife exploration. These tend to feature a sensory activity for under-5s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Across all eight parks, special Play in the Park<\/strong><\/a> drop-in sessions run from March to August, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The parks are also a great place for animal spotting. At St James’s Park you can watch pelican feeding daily at 2.30pm. Richmond Park has free-roaming deer that toddlers can watch up close (but from a safe distance).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The London Eye offers a close-up of Big Ben from arguably the world\u2019s most famous Ferris wheel. Nestled between so many major London landmarks, its location on the South Bank also helps tourists get their bearings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But even booking a timed slot doesn’t guarantee you’ll avoid having to queue. Another thing to consider is London\u2019s weather. Rain, fog, and grey clouds can spoil the view, a bitter pill to swallow after paying for tickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a free alternative, look into free panoramic viewing experiences like Sky Garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is a 360-year-old ceremony involving marching soldiers, music and (occasionally) a mascot dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But to get a spot by the palace gates, you may need to show up an hour or more before the ceremony. For families with toddlers, this is a non-starter. There are other places to enjoy it from, but knowing where to stand involves fairly in-depth planning and research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your toddler has their heart set on seeing a spectacle at Buckingham Palace, look into the King\u2019s Life Guard change. This alternative is usually less crowded and comes with the added bonus of horses. You’ll typically get a closer view, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Borough Market is widely considered the city\u2019s best food market. There are over 100 stalls under the famous railway arches, serving street food and rare ingredients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But for families with youngsters, moving through the crowds that gather between these stalls can be stressful. You may well then end up spending ages looking for somewhere to sit (or more realistically stand) and eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A less busy alternative nearby is the Maltby Street market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some open-top bus tours are worthwhile experiences. Brigit’s Afternoon Tea bus tours<\/strong><\/a>, for example, involve delicious food from her bakery in Covent Garden. For toddlers in particular, they even do Peppa Pig- and Paw Patrol-themed experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But in other cases, you may be better off simply riding the top deck of a London bus. Buses are free for under-11s, and certain routes are locally famous for serving as budget-friendly sightseeing tours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 11 goes from Liverpool Street through Whitehall to Fulham, passing Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament (including Big Ben).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elsewhere, on the 15 (Trafalgar Square to Tower Hill) you can take in St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our weekly newsletter is designed to help you spend less time researching family activities and more time enjoying them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every week, our 30,000 subscribers get:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2728 Subscribe to the Loopla newsletter here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The best age to start taking a toddler out in London depends on the child. In our experience, most toddlers start enjoying the city between 12 and 18 months. By this age, they can engage with animals, fountains and theatre shows designed especially for them. By age 2 to 3, you may find they can manage half a day roaming around a bigger venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most fun free toddler activities in London take place in the city’s museums, small farms and parks. In St James’s Park, for example, you can watch pelican feeding daily at 2.30pm. Library rhyme time is also free at most central libraries. Splash pads and water play features like the Granary Square fountains run in the warmer months. For Christmas lights sightseeing in winter, the top deck of a London bus is free for under-11s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A 2-year-old can do short, hands-on or sensory activities in London. They need something engaging as, according to experts, it’s normal for a 1- or 2-year-old to be able to focus for just a few minutes on one activity. (2<\/a>) By age 3, this can rise to 5 to 8 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visits to city farms, library rhyme time and music classes will often involve stringing short, fun activities together. Toddlers may also love splashing in fountains or playground water play areas. For this age, we recommend picking activities that last under an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The London Tube is manageable with a buggy, but only about a third of stations have step-free access. When planning your journey, we recommend checking the TfL step-free Tube map. You could also use Step-Free Mode on the TfL Go app to filter out stations without street-to-platform access. Buses are generally easier for buggies than the Tube. The top deck of a bus may be more interesting for a toddler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n London Zoo is best for toddlers from around age 3. Younger toddlers may find it a long day with lots of walking between areas. A family of four can pay over \u00a3100, whereas Battersea Children’s Zoo is smaller and cheaper. London’s free city farms, like those in Mudchute and Vauxhall, are also great options for animal-loving toddlers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Things to do in London with toddlers of all ages<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Catch an early years theatre show<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wander around one of the world’s best gardens<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/loopla.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/combined_portraits_2_landscape-1024x680.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCuddle cute animals at a London city farm<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/loopla.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/combined_portraits_compressed-1024x680.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLondon for younger toddlers (1- 2 year olds)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Stories and play time inside London’s best museums<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/loopla.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/wagtailsource-early-ye-landscape.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIntroduce them to the joys of classical music<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Learn ballet together<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/loopla.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ballet-for-toddlers.avif\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThings to do with a 3 year old in London (or older)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
See amazing creatures at<\/strong> London Zoo and the SEA LIFE Aquarium<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/loopla.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kevin-olson-YQ4fThKWmmQ-compressed-1024x684.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWalk through the world of their favourite story<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
See their favourite character on the stage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Free things to do with toddlers in London<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Explore one of the world’s best museums<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Coram’s Fields: Central London’s biggest free playground<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/loopla.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/landscape_cropped-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNature-based play sessions at London’s Royal Parks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
London for toddlers: things we\u2019d skip<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The London Eye<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Changing of the Guard<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Borough Market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/loopla.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/luke-ow-OwDAEEAzDfo-compressed-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOpen-top bus tours<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Want more time to make memories with the little one?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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FAQs: How to find the best things to do with toddlers in London<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What’s the best age to start taking a toddler out in London?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are the most fun free toddler activities in London?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What activities should a 2 year old be doing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is the London Tube manageable with a buggy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is London Zoo good for toddlers?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
References<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n