London with Kids Travel Guide: Buckingham Palace, Harry Potter, Free Museums, & More
London is one of those cities that feels made for families—history on every corner, parks everywhere, iconic characters your kids already know, and a public transit system that actually works.
But it’s also a city where a little planning makes a huge difference, especially with kids. Here’s our quick, real-life guide to visiting London as a family—including what surprised us, what we’d do again, and what we’d change next time.
If you’re visiting London with kids, the family tour at Buckingham Palace is absolutely worth it—but you need to plan ahead.
Family and specialty tours at Buckingham Palace are limited and sell out fast. Before your trip, sign up for the palace’s email newsletter so you’re notified the moment tickets are released. When they open, book immediately.
Tip: Sign Up for the Palace Newsletter - For special guided or family tours (when offered), sign up for the Royal Collection Trust newsletter and watch the palace site for announcements before your travel dates — they don’t release tickets on a fixed public schedule like a theme park, so notifications are the best way to get in early.
Dress in Layers (Even for Kids)
London weather is famously unpredictable. We went at what we thought was the tail end of winter… and still ended up cold.
Which brings us to an unexpected win 👇
We had to buy warmer jackets for our kids—and honestly, Primark ended up being a highlight.'
Location: 499 - 517 Oxford St, London W1K 7DA, United Kingdom
What started as a “we just need coats” stop turned into:
• Affordable, warm jackets
• New shirts for all
• Fun souvenirs like Percy pig candies
Bonus: If your kids forgot shoes, pants, or a jacket at home (it happens), London has you covered.
4. Nostalgia Alert: Less than a 10 minute walk from Primark we found One of the Last Flagship Disney Store London Stores
Location: Disney Store, 350-352 Oxford St, London W1C 1JH, United Kingdom
London is home to one of the last flagship Disney Stores, and if you grew up going to Disney Stores, this one hits hard—in the best way.
Sparkly floors. Big character displays. The whole nostalgic vibe.
This is where I found my Maleficent Mickey ears—the ones people ask me about every single time I wear them. Even if you’re “just browsing,” this store is worth a stop.
5. If you want to visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, book early. Tickets sell out.
Missed the tickets like we did? You Still Have Options
We didn’t snag tickets in time, but we found availability through a third party using Viator that included transportation.
Yes—we paid more.
Yes—some people call this a scalper issue.
But here’s the honest take:
• The studio is a long drive outside London
• The bus ride from King’s Cross Station was actually really convenient
• With kids, not having to navigate transit that far was a relief
Would I prefer face-value tickets? Absolutely.
Was this still worth it? For our family—yes
We made a YouTube video about our visit!
6. What Every Kid (and Adult) Should Carry: The Crossbody Rule
London involves a LOT of walking, transit, and crowds. Our best packing decision?
Everyone wears a crossbody bag across the front.
Here are links to a few of our favorites:
Inside each bag:
• Small water bottle
• Snacks
• Phone or drawing pad
• Tickets or passes
Worn across the front—and ideally inside their coat—it’s more secure and easier to manage.
Critical Safety Tip: Add an AirTag
If your kids don’t have phones yet (ours don’t), their watches will not have service in London.
If you’re relying on GPS for peace of mind—it won’t work.
👉 Drop an AirTag into their bag or clip it to a belt loop.
This helps if:
• A child wanders
• A bag gets set down
• Something goes missing in transit
7. A Few London Details Our Kids Love (and Remember)
Some of the most magical London moments are the small ones:
• Corgis (because of course)
• Finding Paddington Bear statues
• Visiting the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens
These little discoveries break up big sightseeing days and give kids something theirs to look for.
Free Things That Make London Even Better for Families
One of the best surprises? So much of London is free. Many major museums have free admission and kids under a certain age ride public transit free when accompanied. We didn’t know kids were free until we had already bought tickets one day and then asked for help in the train station and they explained the kids were free! Saved us money the rest of the trip!
✔️ Children under 11 years old travel free on buses, trams, theTube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth Line, and some National Rail services when accompanied by a fare-paying adult — up to four kids per adult.
We loved our time in London. There is so much more I want to do in London and beyond throughout the rest of the country. We will be back for more!!
