Free Things to Do in London with Kids — 15 Genuinely Good Days Out

London is one of the most expensive cities on earth to visit — and also one of the best places in the world to entertain children for free. The trick is knowing which free things are genuinely brilliant and which are only free because nobody wants them. Here are 15 that are actually worth your day.

The world-class free museums

The Natural History Museum, South Kensington

Still the best free day out in Britain for kids. The animatronic dinosaurs, the blue whale skeleton hanging in Hammerton Hall, the earthquake room — it's overwhelming in the best way. Book a free timed-entry ticket online to skip the queue, and go on arrival at 10am before the crowds build.

The Science Museum (next door)

The Wonderlab gallery is paid, but everything else — the space rockets, the Making the Modern World hall — is free and enormous. Two museums in one South Kensington trip if you pace it.

The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

Free, hands-on, and paired with a walk up to the Royal Observatory and a stand-with-a-foot-in-each-hemisphere photo on the Prime Meridian line (the Observatory courtyard view is free even if the meridian itself is ticketed).

The royal parks (all free)

• Diana Memorial Playground, Kensington Gardens — a pirate-ship playground themed around Peter Pan; arrive early on weekends, it's popular for good reason.
• Richmond Park — actual wild deer roaming free, and the best cycling in London for families on the car-free paths.
• Greenwich Park — the hill by the Observatory is the best free view in London and a legendary spot for rolling down.
• St James's Park — pelicans (fed at 2:30pm daily) and the postcard view of Buckingham Palace.

Along the river (free walking days)

The South Bank

Walk from the London Eye to Tower Bridge along the river: street performers, the sand "beach" at low tide near the Oxo Tower, the Tate Modern turbine hall (free), and the changing skyline. A whole afternoon that costs the price of an ice cream.

Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace

Free, spectacular, and reliably thrilling for kids. It runs on set days (check the schedule) at 11am — get there by 10:30 for a spot by the railings.

Markets and neighbourhoods

• Borough Market — free to wander, brilliant for lunch (samples aplenty), under London Bridge.
• Covent Garden — the free street performers by the piazza are genuinely world-class buskers.
• Camden Market — best for teens; the canalside walk to Regent's Park is a bonus.

When it rains

Beyond the museums: the Barbican Conservatory (free at weekends, a tropical glasshouse hidden in a concrete estate), and hopping the top deck of a normal double-decker bus — the number 11 or 15 routes past most of the landmarks for the price of a bus fare.

Practical notes

Get an Oyster/contactless setup before you go — under-11s travel free on buses and Tube with a paying adult. The free museums stay free but some now use free timed tickets to manage crowds, so book those online the day before. And build in less than you think: two big things a day with a park in between beats a forced march past ten.