The 10 things I wish I knew before coming to London with kids
1. Kids ride FREE on public transportation
Navigating the Tube with children can seem overwhelming but it truly is the best and fastest way to get around a big city like London.
TIP: Put the directions on your phone or Apple Watch ahead to time so you can be hands-free as much as possible when walking with kids in crowds.
Kids under 11 ride free on the Tube (and buses) with a fare-paying adult. You DON'T have to buy an oyster card - you can just tap in using the digital wallet on your phone . The tube is also incredibly easy to navigate - if you just put your destination and starting point in Google Maps, it will give you step by step instructions on exactly which line to take, which station to get off at - even which platform to stand on and how long until the next train and how many stops you'll have before getting off.
Also, something we learned after a few rides, when getting on the underground (the train) you tap your card or phone to get IN AND OUT. You are not charged until you tap out, but you need to use the same card to tap in and out.
2. How to buy Theatre Tickets
Most theatre’s have heavily discounted tickets for Matinee Shows - which are more kid friendly anyways! Look ahead to see the ticket prices but you can usually get better deals on weekdays or early shows. We used TodayTix to get ours but be aware MANY shows will not let children under 5 in - even if they are "kid" shows (like Matilda for instance). So be sure to look up the rules before buying your tickets (my kids loved Mama Mia and the Lion King!).
3. You can get free drinks for your kids - known as “Kids Coffee”
TIP: You can join the “Club Pret” for only 5 a month and get half price barista made drinks (up to 5 a day). If you are going to be in London or any city with a Pret for even a week and get coffee or tea once or twice a day, this is really worth it!
If you stop at any Pret Coffee shop, kids can each get a free "babycino" - which is basically just steamed milk with chocolate powder on top. My kids LOVE these and ask for one almost everyday. It has become a ritual for them to get “coffee” with me.
4. Most Taxis are Bigger than in the US
Unlike NYC or other US cities, it is standard for black cabs in London to seat SIX people - the seats behind the driver flip down and there is a large space in between, making it so easy to hop in and out and also bring your stroller along.
5. When to visit Buckingham Palace
Outside Buckingham Palace
This was a Tuesday so there was no changing of the guards and you can see how much thinner the crowds are.
Changing of the guards on the mall in front of Buckingham Palace.
If you plan to visit Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guards (this happens Mon - Wed - Fri at 11am and Sundays they have a small parade ) be prepared to line up early for a good view but you don’t have to do this if you walk a little bit away from the actual royal palace. We recommend scoring a spot right next to St. James park - so as soon as the parade passes by, you can let the kids burn off steam in the park and grab a drink or snack. Also, the castle and the surrounding area is VERY busy around this time so it’s best not to go closer to the castle at this time because the crowds can be overwhelming, especially with little kids.
TIP: If you don’t care as much to see the soldiers march, go on Tuesday or Thursday and the crowds are so much smaller. We have done both and on these days we were able to get such better pictures and go all the way up to the gate which the kids LOVED. Also, you will still most likely see soldiers or horses go by if if you are in the area long enough.
6. Having Cash is truly not needed
Some taxis have asked for us to pay in cash but you don’t have to, they all accept cards!
You really don’t need cash - tap to pay is accepted EVERYWHERE, including at kiosks in the parks and all public transportation. Plus, tipping culture is NOT the same here at all. Most places do not even give you the option to tip. Some places will but those are usually the touristy places.
7. Using London Pass for visiting tourist sites
Our crew by Big Ben
PRO TIP: Don’t go on Westminster bridge to get a picture in front of Big Ben. Go to Parliament Square right past Westminster abbey and stand in front of the red phone booth. There will most likely be a small line of people waiting to do this but if you go earlier in the day you can get a great picture without heavy crowds!
When we first got here we of course wanted to see some of the biggest tourist attractions. We did not know about London Pass to book adventures or tours then. Since learning of this, it is the most cost effective to see lots of the top attractions.
How it works:
You buy the type of pass you want, then you browse and book the activities you want to use it for. Some of the top activities you can visit:
Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Kensington Palace & 90+ more.
How to use:
1.Buy the London Pass
2.Get the free Go City app on your phone
3.Sync the London Pass to the Go City app - enter your order number from your confirmation email to get the QR code of The London Pass into the app
4. Book your London must-sees - Although many activities don't require a reservation, make sure to secure your spots for the ones that require it - look out for the 'Reservations required' stamp when browsing attractions.
8. Get a tour of the major sites using a city bus instead of a hop-on hop-off bus tour
Riding the top of the infamous red double decker bus
My kids LOVE to go on the bus anytime they can! We try to use the buses as much as possible cause its so easy with a stroller to hop on and off (instead of taking the stroller down the stairs or escalators in the underground)
Riding the bus for a tour of the most iconic places for only the fee of the bus instead of paying for the hop on and off option. This is great to do with kids because instead of committing to a bus tour that you pay a lot for. You can ride the famous double decker red city bus on Route 11 (through Westminster, Big Ben, Sloane Square, etc.) and Route 9 (Piccadilly, Trafalgar Square, Kensington) to see all the major sights in those areas. Look up the London Bus Map to see where you would want to get on and off. Kids ride free with an adult under the age of 11 and there is a daily cap of about £5–7.
9. Knowing how much the local parks have to offer
Enjoying an ice cream from a cafe located right in the park next to the playground
Playing at the Holland Adventure Playground
We woke up early and came here and spent 3 hours exploring the playgrounds and park here because there is so much to see!
The parks are AMAZING and definitely worth visiting - especially with kids. We have been to a lot of big cities and I have never seen so many nice big parks throughout a city. If it is nice out, you could have a nice picnic, or even buy food at one of the cafes in the parks. There are cafes throughout and they all sell coffee, soft drinks, food (some have a full menu) or light snacks and even beer and wine! You can also bring your own beverages. On a nice day, you will see the parks PACKED with people of all ages enjoying the weather, playing soccer, etc. Another bonus for parents is you can sit at one of the playgrounds and let the kids run around while you relax.
Some of our favorite playgrounds in parks:
-Marylebone Playground in Regent’s Park (our local playground)
-Diana Memorial Playground and fountains in Hyde Park
-St James Park Playground in St James Park
-Holland Park Adventure Playground in Holland Park
10. A lot of museums are FREE
London Science Museum
We this place saved in our back pocket for a rainy day and we ended up spending the entire afternoon here and even got lunch at the cafe located inside.
There are so many museums in London - to be expected in a big city! The thing is, ALOT of them are free! Even the ones that are not, are fairly priced. A list of some of the ones we have gone to and my kids (and me) LOVED. We save these as a back up plan for a rainy day.
-British Museum : Need to book in advance, but it’s free! (You just reserve your time spot) They had a lot of the things for kids to see although it is more adult focused. My kids loved learning and seeing the mummies and the museum offers an explorer trail for kids to do throughout.
-Natural History Museum : Free (though some special exhibitions may charge). This is a great place to go with kids but we saved it for a rainy day and it was the perfect activity. We especially loved seeing the dinosaurs.
-Science Museum : Free! Also, right across from the History museum, this was a fun place for kids. They had lots of interactive exhibits and even a toddler play area (under 5) called The Garden. My 3 year old played here for almost an hour! There was another place for toddlers we didn’t make it to called Pattern Pod, and an experience called Power Up for older kids that you did have to pay to do.
EXTRA: There is also an interactive Wonderlab area that you do have to pay to access (£15) and there looked like lots to do in there so depending on your kids ages this could be a good thing to do if you want to spend more time in the museum but we were ready to leave after 3.4-4 hours inside.
-Postal Museum : NOT FREE - Was £18.50 and £11.00 for kids 2-15. Lots of interactive things for kids and very exciting cool things for them to learn about history of the British postal service.
