Family Days Out in London

London is one of the best cities anywhere for a family day out. The choice is genuinely huge, taking in world-class museums, big green parks, riverside walks, theatres, farms, and a constant stream of children's workshops, trails, and events. A lot of it costs nothing, which makes it as good for a low-budget afternoon as for a big day out, and the variety means there is always something to suit a toddler, a teenager, or everyone at once.

The free museums do a lot of the heavy lifting. The Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the British Museum, and the V&A all have free entry to their permanent galleries and run dedicated family activities, and they are matched by the city's parks and open spaces, from the royal parks to local commons with playgrounds and ponds. Add the riverside, the city farms, and the open-air spaces, and a free day out can fill itself easily.

Beyond the free staples sit the bookable highlights. London puts on children's theatre and family shows year-round, hands-on workshops in everything from science to art to cooking, seasonal trails and festivals, and behind-the-scenes activities at attractions across the city. These tend to be aimed at specific age ranges, so checking what suits your children before you go makes the difference between a hit and a restless afternoon.

A few practical notes. Many of the best family things to do are free, while shows, workshops, and the ticketed attractions vary in price and the popular ones book up, especially in school holidays and at weekends. Check the recommended age range and the running time so it fits the day, and plan around nap times, lunch, and toilets with younger children. The listings below pull together the family events on across the city now.