Things to do with the Kids in North London

When you have kids it’s hard to know sometimes what to do to keep them entertained where you are. So, we’ve brought together what we think are the very best things to do with the kids in North London, from family-friendly restaurants to family attractions to free hidden gems you’ll only find in this part of the city.

Not in North London? Then why not check out our Things to do with the Kids in South London blog here

Plus, Don’t Forget! With your LittleBird Family Pass you can enjoy year-round savings on family life including cinema, days out, restaurants and much more. We’ve handpicked each and every saving to save you time and money putting all your family savings in one place.

Indoor Fun

  • Kids have so much energy that sometimes just needs burning off and the best way to go that is jumping! Go Jump, Oxygen Freejumping and Zapspace offer wall to wall bouncetastic fun.
  • Get your kids following in the footsteps of their footballing heroes with the Arsenal Emirates, Chelsea FC, London Stadium and Wembley Stadium Tours
  • You can never go wrong with soft play and Gambados and Bramley’s Big Adventure promise to keep the whole family occupied
  • The classic family pastime bowling brings out the competitive side in everyone, so grab the family and challenge them to a game at All Star Lanes or Hollywood Bowl. You can even grab a bite to eat there afterwards!
  • No North London list would be complete without Kidzania! The fun-packed, indoor, role-play city built just for kids has special activities year-round meaning that no two trips are ever the same.
  • This staple of London’s skyline St Pauls is a wonder to explore, with Workbooks and ‘family trails’ and even special Family Day’s it’s a beautiful place to discover and learn.

Mighty Museums

  • With a train ride, an adventure play zone and even a lion the Postal Museum is an amazing and unique trip through history
  • Film, music, sports, politics, or history you name it Madame Tussauds can take you there! Make sure to check out the Star Wars and Marvel experiences if you’re looking for a chance to geek out with your favourite characters
  • One of the world’s largest urban history museum’s head to the Museum of London and discover the history of our great home! The Family activity bags mean that kids can really get into the stories of each artefact. Plus, there’s the Museum of London Docklands! Make sure you don’t miss the exciting Tunnels, Trains and Tools exhibition for interactive family fun
  • With digital workshops, family events and activities, family trails so much more the British Museum is really geared up to make history as interesting as possible. The 8 million strong collection doesn’t hurt.
  • It’s iconic for a reason, the Natural History Museum will whisk you away to the wildest points in history with gobsmackingly amazing exhibits. Check out the activity backpacks too and have kids exploring the world and learning as they go
  • Discover the beauty beneath the skin at Body Worlds – an exhibition of real human bodies. Don’t miss LittleBird Mum Ellen’s review of her trip there at Easter
  • Get hands-on in the interactive adventures of the Science Museum – with the IMAX cinema and the Wonderlab, kids will be blown away by the wonders that science can dream up

  • But North London isn’t just about the heavy hitters! The Grant Museum of Zoology is backed with the curious and bizarre, the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology is perfect for budding explorers looking for something a little different and the Bank of England Museum may sound dry but is actually packed with interactive exhibits, workshops and stories
  • Did you know that you could visit a Roman Temple in the middle of London? Descend through Bloomberg’s new European headquarters to below the city streets and discover London Mithraeum
  • Hail to the Bus Driver! The London Transport Museum will have kids exploring for hours where they can dress up, complete activities and even drive buses and the Baby DLR.
  • The name’s Bond. James Bond. For movie (and car) fans young and old Bond in Motion is a trip that will have kids big and small excited about their favourite action hero.
  • We are a nation of warriors or so I’ve been told so for a unique look at our history check out The Household Cavalry Museum, National Army Museum and RAF Museum  for interactive exhibits that tell the tales of our battle-hardened isles
  • A magical journey into story’s and imagination, the Discover Children’s Story Centre have different exhibits throughout the year with wonderful themed activities that will bring the kids’ favourite books and characters to life.

Animal Antics:

  • Connecting Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace you can walk London’s longest nature reserve on the Parkland Walk and look out for wildlife and a small army of lost toys.
  • London Zoo is always a pretty spectacular family day out, make sure to pick up a list of talks and feeding times as you arrive so you can discover as much as possible about the amazing animals you’re seeing.
  • North London is packed with wonderful city farms filled with animals for you and the kids to meet, Freightliners Farm, Kentish Town City Farm, Hackney City Farm, Stepney City Farm, Mudchute Farm, Newham City Farm and Brooks Farm are just a few!
  • Get your hands dirty and have a go at catching pond skaters, blackberry picking or learning how to compost with worms at Camley Street Natural Park.
  • Free to enter daily Woodberry Wetlands is home to kingfishers, reed warblers bees, dragonflies and more! While visiting here you’ll be amazed you’re still in London.
  • Walk down a trail, check out the amazing events and learn about Henry VIII in The Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge all in one trip to Epping Forest (OK it might take more than one trip, but you’ll love each one we promise)
  • Surrounded by a 700-year-old moat Valence House has archaeological finds, exotic gardens beehives a Dig for Victory plot and even a replica Anderson shelter to discover

Galleries Galore 

  • With free admission and exhibitions, the Saatchi Gallery is a great way to get kids interested in the fine arts. On Sundays, there are fun and informative Family Art Workshops too!
  • If your kids dream of being the next Quentin Blake or Nick Sharratt the House of Illustration is the place to start, after just one trip kids will be full of inspiration for their own creations.
  • Ooey, gooey and awesome the Wellcome Collection is filled with the weird and wonderful that will have kids absorbed look out for include coloured Scanning Electron Microscope images, a hollow man with light up organs and the video of a fish evolving into a man
  • With Family Walks, guided tours and kids trails plus crafty workshops and playful activities so there’s always loads to do at The National Gallery. Plus, just around the corner, there’s the National Portrait Gallery perfect for the curious mind.
  • The House of MinaLima is a graphic design haven that celebrates the graphic art of the Warner Bros. Pictures’ Harry Potter film series, including Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as well as illustrated classic fairy tale books. You can even get your own Hogwarts acceptance letter!
  • Packed with family events almost daily the V&A is a great way to spend some creative time together. Plus, the V&A Museum of Childhood offers drop-in activities, workshops and hands-on displays for all ages including storytelling, arts and crafts, tours and treasure hunts. A wonder for the whole family!
  • With free monthly family events, practical workshops and more the Royal Academy of Arts will turn your kids into little artists in no time
  • God’s Own Junkyard is the light that never goes out in the heart of Walthamstow for all the Insta-fams out there, it’s a great place for some amazingly unique family pics.
  • Build a sculpture, draw something that catches your eye or even create a collage at the special activities at Tate Britain
  • Explore the brands and packs, posters and ads, fads and fashions, toys and games at The Museum of Brands.
  • Discover the free Family Trail, take part in some activities and discover how design has changed the world at the Design Museum
  • With plenty of free family activities, from manga and poetry workshops to pottery and art outdoors William Morris Gallery is a creative day out for all

Perfect Parks

Weird and Wonderful:

  • Trying to get your kids into the magic of the Beatles or just want a fun new family photo? Make sure to pose outside Abbey Road Studiosyou can even leave a message on the front wall and mark your visit forever
  • Shopping with the kids can sometimes be a nightmare but make sure to check out these amazing specialist stores for a whole new toy shop experience, The Moomin Shop for fans of the hippo-like trolls, The Doctor Who Shop for Whovian treasures, for Potterheads there’s The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾, discover the secrets of deepest darkest Peru at The Paddington Bear Shop, go on an adventure in The Tintin Shop, see the cute critters of The Sylvanian Families Store and discover a wonderland of collectables at Alice Through The Looking Glass
  • While you’re at the Harry Potter shop why not get your photo taken at Platform 9 ¾ and then go for a splash in the fountains at Granary Square if you time your trip right you can even check out the KERB street market for a bite to eat
  • There’s nothing more weird and wonderful than Camden Market . The sights and sounds of the market and traders will bedazzle and delight kids plus during the day you can have a go at some Plonk Golf hidden away in the market and when you’re done why not relax by Camden Lock?
  • Totally free and totally stunning the Sky Garden has breath-taking views of London, make sure your ready to take some awesome selfies with the kids
  • Hamleys is such a magical place it needed its own point on our list. Honestly, it’s a trip in itself! So, go along meet the life-sized mascots and indulge in the magical atmosphere of this iconic store.
  • With a Kids Club, that’s only £3 and free activities for ages 5-10, The Phoenix Cinema is a wonderful please to see new and iconic family films while supporting an amazing independent cinema.
  • And we’re not done with cinemas! The Prince Charles Cinema has regular Sing a Long and Interactive screenings which are great fun for all ages (depending on the film)
  • Just want to see something beautiful? The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir or Neasden Temple is simply stunning Hindu Temple and open to the public to peruse (please note this is an active place of worship and there’s a strict dress code)
  • Are the kids early birds? Well why not take them to see the hustle, bustle and beauty of Columbia Road Flower Market

Don’t forget to eat!

  • Take Family Game Night on the road, Draughts London’s first board game café is a haven for all game lovers, with a library of 600 and counting!
  • If you’ve got kids who love trying something different, Inamo is a great Asian fusion option with an interactive menu on the table!
  • Immerse yourself in the heart of the Amazon…in London! Head to the Rainforest Café in Piccadilly Circus to dine in the jungle.
  • Get the rock star treatment at the world-famous Hard Rock Café and take in the sights of decades of rock history
  • Dining at Buona Sera at the Jam is next level – quite literally…Guests can either nestle into a cosy, cave-style lower booth or climb a ladder to a treehouse-like upper booth
  • Go for an insane ice cream at Chin Chin Labs where you can pick your flavour and watch in awe as the laboratorist freezes your choice instantly.
  • And don’t forget the staple family favourites like Bella Italia, Busaba, Café Rouge, Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner

Wow! That’s a lot! Let us know if there’s anything you think we’ve forgotten that you like to do as a family in North London, we’d love to know what your favourites are too!

And don’t forget with the LittleBird Family Pass you can enjoy year-round savings on family life including cinema, days out, restaurants and much more. We’ve handpicked each and every saving to save you time and money putting all your family savings in one place.

Start your trial today and enjoy all the benefits of the Family Pass for just £1 for 30 days.

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