School Holiday Activities in London
There’s nothing like an adventure by train for kids to enjoy when they’re off school for the holidays. So if you’re looking for affordable ways to keep the kids entertained and out of the house over this school holiday, then look no further. Here’s our guide to the top school holiday activities in London, all accessible by train.
Make your money go further – try our Family Travelcard
Kids travel for just £2 (on weekdays and weekends) and adults get 25% off too. Plus also get a Zones 1-6 travelcard included for hopping on and off at all TfL stations. Try our family travelcard here.
Travelling from South Essex into London? Get there from £9.15 return with our Online Advance fare, bought 3+ days in advance. You can now buy super off-peak tickets on c2c Smartcard, making your journey quicker and easier. Find out more about Smartcard.
Make a free visit to Spitalfields City Farm
Spitalfields City Farm is a great way for visitors of all ages to connect with nature within the city, with all sorts of farm animals and green spaces. There are several fun activities coming up including a seed sowing session, animal encounters, a farm 2 fork cooking club.
When? The farmyard and gardens are open from 10am to 4pm (last entry 3:30pm), Tuesday to Sunday, while the farm shop and tea hut are open from 10am to 4pm.
How much? A visit to the farm is free but you can donate as you wish through their website.
How to get there? Take the train to West Ham, and take the District line to Whitechapel station which is a quick walk to the Spitalfields City Farm.
Coram’s Fields – Parks and Playgrounds
Located in the heart of London, this is the best place for any adventure seekers looking for a super day out. There are two wide lawns for play, a large adventure play area (including a zip-wire for the brave hearted) and one of the biggest slides in town. Warmer months are also a great time to visit as there’s also two large sandpits and a paddling pool too. The park also includes a wheelchair-friendly play area so everyone can have fun.
How much does it cost? FREE
How do I get there? Take the c2c train to Fenchurch Street, then it’s either an enjoyable 2 mile walk through the London landmarks, or change for the Central Line at Liverpool Street to Holborn for a shorter walk to Coram’s Fields.
Sea Life London Aquarium
Sea Life London aquarium is home to all kinds of sea creatures, including sharks, penguins, turtles, and octopuses. There’s a whole range of other fun stuff too – explore the coral reefs at Coral Kingdom, or enter the world of jellyfish at Ocean Invaders.
At the Rainforest Adventure, discover a dark and scary world of creepy crawlies, crocs and critters – you might even see a piranha feeding frenzy – that is, if you’re brave enough!
When? We’d recommend going online and booking a timeslot to avoid disappointment, check out opening hours here!
How much? Adult tickets from £30, 3-15 years tickets from £27. Under 3s go free
How to get there? Take the c2c train to West Ham and change for Jubilee Line to Waterloo. Then just a very short walk round towards the London Eye.
The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – Tumbling Bay playground
The Queen Elizabeth Olympic park is just outside of the city based in Stratford, home to the London Stadium, the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the London Aquatics Centre, the Copper Box Arena, Lee Valley VeloPark and Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre – as well as parklands, waterways, playgrounds and cafes.
Tumbling Bay playground in this park is a kid’s paradise – you can find it in the north of the park where you’ll discover rock pools, sand pits, tree houses and wobbly bridges. Plus, during warmer months, you can enjoy splashing around in a fountain with 195 computer controlled jets of water.
How much does it cost? FREE
How do I get there? Take the c2c train to Stratford, or travel to West Ham and change for the Jubilee Line to Stratford.
Ride the Slide at ArcelorMittal Orbit
Take in the breathtaking views from atop the London Orbit, 80m above the ground, before zooming down on the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide. There are also other things to enjoy here like descending down the 455 specially designed soundscape stairs to hear London echo around you. You can also abseil down the side of entire Orbit, if you can stomach hanging up that high that is.
When? Monday to Thursday: closed. Friday: 11am – 3pm. Weekends: 11am – 5pm
How much? Adult tickets from £16.75, child tickets (8-16) from £10.75. There is also a Family of 4 ticket (2 adults and 2 children, aged between 8-16), from £53.00
How do I get there? Take the c2c train to Stratford, or travel to West Ham and change for the Jubilee Line to Stratford.
Watch the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play
Discover the magical world of Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the award-winning play where we rejoin Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they’re back on a thrilling adventure joined by a new generation of wizards. Enjoy the magic with the whole family. Recommended for children above the age of 10.
When? Plays are running until October 23rd, 2022. Performance times are Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays: Part One – 2pm, Part Two – 7pm. Sundays: Part One – 1pm, Part Two – 6pm
How much? This is a two-part play, so ticket prices start from £15 bought separately or £30 for both parts together
How to get there? Take the c2c train to Fenchurch Street, and walk 10 minutes to Bank station. From there, you can take the Central line to Tottenham Court Road station which is a quick walk to the Palace Theatre.
Visit the Museum of London
Learn about London through tours, exhibitions, interactive workshops and more for all ages. There’s always something new to learn at the museum. Discover the latestexperiences and events available here.
When? Opening times are 10am-5pm. Specific experiences can be booked on different dates; learn more about what’s on at the Museum of London here
How much? General admission is free, and you can pre-book for free or get tickets at the door on the day
How to get there? Take the c2c train to Fenchurch Street, and walk 2 minutes to Tower Hill station. From there, you can take the District line to Mansion House station which is a 10 minute walk to the Museum of London.
Ride the Routemaster
If you and the kids are keen to see the amazing sights London has to offer, but maybe want the express version, then the Routemaster is the perfect way to do it. Enjoy the vantage point from the top deck of a ‘proper British double-decker’ and see the likes of Nelson’s Column, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral and more, in just over an hour.
How much does it cost? £1.65 for adults and children aged under 11 travel free.
How do I get there? Routes are available from the Liverpool Street to Fulham Town Hall areas and vice versa.
Natural History Museum
There’s a reason this museum is known the world over. There are lots of amazing events and activities for the family and kids – find out what’s on here. Even if you don’t manage to attend any events, there’s still so much to look at and learn you could still be there all day!
How much does it cost? FREE
How do I get there? Take the c2c train to West Ham and change for the District Line to South Kensington.
Enjoy Sunday Lunches
Sometimes it can feel like there’s too much choice when trying to find that perfect place to pitch up for a Sunday roast in London. But better to have too many options than too few. So we’ve asked around and whittled down our top recommendations for both amazing food and family friendly environments. Places to check out are: Culpeper (Whitechapel), The Marksman (Bethnal Green), Hixter (Southwark – kids under 10 eat for free) and for something a little more different, try Barge East (Stratford).
When? Most establishments open daily, check availability for Sunday bookings.
How much does it cost? Prices vary for each restaurant, check menus for details.
How to get there? Some restaurants easily walkable from Fenchurch Street Station, however we recommend planning your route before visiting.
Find the best ticket value for you
Top 2FOR1 deals on London attractions
Browse our amazing selection of 2FOR1 vouchers available at over 150 London attractions, galleries, bike tours, boat tours, restaurants and more. Getting your voucher is easy. Simply click the get voucher button on the page and you’ll be directed to the days out guide website where you can download it directly. Then all you need to do is show it and your valid train ticket to the attraction when you arrive. Here are some of our favourites.
