The Ultimate Guide To The Best Baby Activities In London
This post is part of our archived content. While we’ve shifted focus, it still may be useful.
As a new Mum, it’s natural to feel cautious about visiting London with a baby.
But worry you need not – our guide to the best baby activities in London will show you some fabulous places to go and things to do when you have a baby in tow.
London is a wonderful place for families with children of all ages to explore, and that includes your bouncing bundle of joy.
City-bound parents have a multitude of toddler and baby-friendly activities available a mere tube stop or two away.
A handy fact to remember is that children under five years old travel completely free on London public transport services.
If you have a very young baby, it’s worth ditching the oversized pram and opting for a baby sling or carrier or switching to a light, foldable stroller for getting on and off tubes and buses.
If you want fun London days out with babies, keep reading!
Download a step-free London Underground Map to help you navigate the underground.
Baby activities in London include baby sensory play classes, baby-centric theatre, music and movement sessions, and parent-and-baby yoga classes.
Our favourite things to do in London with a baby include visiting world-class establishments like the Natural History Museum and taking leisurely walks in Hyde Park.
Our guide to the best things to do with babies in London:
London Activities for Babies
Keeping your little ones happy is usually top of the priority list when out and about.
London is bursting with exciting activities and equally useful child-friendly facilities such as baby friendly cafes, parent rooms and baby change facilities.
These can be found in most London department stores, shopping centres and in all of the museums and galleries across London.
The Discover Children’s Story Centre in Stratford offers the chance for your little ones (and grown-ups!) imagination to run wild.
The centre has two floors of creative play spaces inspired by children’s books, a café, a bookshop and a Story Garden.
Children can make their own adventures through giant trees, on a steamship or climb a crow’s nest into the clouds.
Outside in the Story Garden, slide down a monster’s tongue, get on a spacecraft or play with giant musical instruments.
There are plenty of things to do with a baby here.
A day pass gives you access to Story World and Story Garden, but you can also book entry into storytelling sessions and interactive family exhibition events.
Free for under 1’s and plentiful buggy parking on the ground floor.
Tate Modern and Tate Britain are great baby friendly days out when visiting London.
Not only are they free, but you don’t have to be an art expert to enjoy the visit.
With regular daily and weekend workshops and special events for families, you can pick up free activities at the Information desks, or from the Hello Families cube.
There is loads of space for toddlers to let off some steam on the ground floor and its large airy spaces mean there’s enough room to push the buggy around with you.
Tate Modern actively encourages you to talk while you’re there, so it’s okay to make some noise!
If you’re out and about in Central London, The Sea-Life Centre is a delight for babies and younger kids.
Aside from the visual delights of colourful marine life, you can immerse yourself in a Rainforest adventure full of creepy crawlies, head over to see the jellyfish in Ocean Invaders or meet the friendly local Rays in Ray Lagoon.
Meet Artie the Polar Bear, an augmented reality attraction that kids love or check out the regular talks and feeding times on the day of your visit, which are always great fun.
Under 3’s are free and buggies are very welcome.
Featuring numerous venues across London is the critically acclaimed Bach to Baby concert series aimed at families with children under 5.
If you are looking for something different, then a relaxed classical music class with your baby might be just what you need.
A classical musician plays themed pieces with their chosen instrument and then they round off the session with singalong nursery rhymes.
There are no behavioural restrictions on the children, so no need to worry if your toddler crawls off or dances raucously, everyone’s input is gladly welcomed.
Often a breath of fresh air after a difficult night with a baby, the classes are stress-free and welcoming.
The concerts are held in inspiring locations so check out the website for one nearest to you.
Bring Your Baby Guided London Walks
Bring Your Baby walks are sensitively devised to suit parents and carers of even the tiniest babies to enjoy London’s history.
This is a great way to get out of the house and meet new mums with their babies on maternity leave. It may not solely be for babies but it is very baby friendly.
Rated by participants and one of the best things you can do during postnatal days, Bring Your Baby walks are a way of stimulating your baby’s brain.
There are short stops during the walk for you to refresh, feed and freshen up your baby. You can also stop to take a rest whenever you feel like not going any further.
It is a great bonding activity beyond the normal mum and baby stuff.
Museums in London for Babies
Whether you’re in east London or south London, you’re never very far away from a museum.
Believe it or not, museums can be very baby friendly.
The National Army Museum in Chelsea has Play Base, an indoor soft play assault course designed for children under 8 years old.
They can climb aboard a truck or prepare to scoff in the cookhouse.
Why not visit the Tiny Troopers programme for under 5-year-olds?
Each month takes a different theme but all are fun, sensory sessions where the little ones can sing, play and create.
The Science Museum in South Kensington is well worth a visit if you’re in central London.
Featuring the Pattern Pod, a huge multi-sensory area for children under 8 years old which will delight even the tiniest little minds (adults included!).
There’s also a flight simulator aimed at kids up to 5 years old.
There’s also The Garden, the children’s play area, although designed for slightly older children, the giant foam blocks and baby height mirrors are guaranteed to please.
The Maritime Museum in Greenwich gives little ones a chance to become pirates for the day at the AHOY gallery.
The interactive boatyard play area has enough to amuse babies and children alike.
Take your baby to experience life on a pirate ship, buying and selling at the dish market, stoking a steamship boiler or making friends with ‘sailors and Crews’ in the dockyard.
There is a beach and a ship’s deck playground where the maritime theme is brought to life.
Entry is free on weekdays during term time and £3 on weekends and holidays.
You are advised to book in advance to guarantee your entry. There are toilet facilities and a baby changing area.
You can also go to the Great Map Cafe on the first floor for coffee and cakes.
This may seem like a lot for a baby but London Zoo is tailored to suit all ages. It is a perfect place to have fun and watch your baby giggle with excitement as the animals prance around in their enclosures.
There are sensory story sessions, especially for babies who are 0-8 months old. They can go under the sea to meet colourful creatures and experience underwater life.
The sensory story sessions cost £10 per child and are free for the accompanying adult.
There are toilet facilities, a baby changing area and a feeding area to attend to your baby’s needs. There is also a restaurant for your refreshment breaks.
Have you ever been to the Young V&A in Bethnal Green?
The clue is in the name. What’s not to love about this place?
Whilst grown-ups can enjoy some happy nostalgic moments about their own childhood playthings, you can also pick up a special Montessori family pack to help your visit with under 5’s.
There are four different packs to choose from, catering for babies from 6 months upwards.
The pack contains a map, activity suggestions, playmats and toys to touch.
The London Transport Museum, handily situated in Covent Garden, is also a great choice for babies and toddlers.
It may seem like too much history and an all-adult affair till you enter the All Aboard Play Zone. It is simply amazing.
This play zone allows your child to explore the world of transportation in the adult world. There are minibuses, boats, trains and aeroplanes and the children can dress up and be mini drivers, mechanics, cleaners and boat captains.
There is also a baby DLR with an interactive walk and building blocks for the infants. They can safely climb around the mini vehicles and soft play zones. The museum also hosts a singing and story session weekly.
Entry into the play zone is free and is only granted when you purchase the entry ticket to the museum.
There are toilet facilities, a baby changing area and a feeding room to breastfeed in privacy all on the ground floor. There is also a Lower Deck Cafe Bar on the ground floor and a canteen above the shop.
Music is one sure way of getting a baby’s attention and DJ Monski Mouse and her amazing crew have proven that disco can get a baby nodding and bopping to the sounds with joy.
Mixing disco and nursery rhymes, the Mum of two surely knows how to get these little ones on their feet or knees.
Polka Theatre is one of the leading theatres in London exclusively meant for babies and children up to 13.
There are performances hosted for children of all ages but it is more than a theatre. There is a play area indoors with a tree house your child can play in and a sensory room with sensory toys.
There is a cafe for you when you need to refuel, toilet facilities and a baby changing area.
Entry into the playground is free and family tickets are available for shows in the theatre.
Vauxhall City Farm Parent and Baby Pub Style Quiz
Whether you are on mat leave, having a day off work or got the grandparents visiting, grab your baby or toddler (or both!) and head to The Farm to kick those brain cells into gear and potentially win a prize
You can book as an individual and they will create you a new team, or you can book as a ready made team (maximum five adults).
The quiz happens every Tuesday from 11 am – 12 pm in the family friendly Vauxhall City Farm café and bar.
Tickets are £5 per adult, babies and toddlers are free.
Parks in London for Babies
Despite being a wondrous city, London has a treasure trove of appealing parks just waiting to be explored.
Parks and playgrounds are a godsend for city mums.
Children inevitably need open space to expend their energy whilst Mum craves some green space to clear her sleep-deprived head, just for a short while at least.
If you’re feeling a bit stir-crazy then you’re sure to find a park to visit from this selection:
Hyde Park. Undoubtedly one of the most famous parks in central London and the largest of the four Royal Parks.
There are plenty of activities for all ages to make the perfect day out.
Relaxing walks along the Serpentine, the Rose Garden and plentiful cafes make this the ideal place to visit when travelling with the family in London.
Hype Park also has a playground for the children to burn off that excess energy before an ice cream stop at the café.
This was one of our favourite places to go with babies under 1.
The Diana Memorial Fountain can also be found here which is delightful for dipping tiny fingers and toes into on a sunny day.
Kensington Gardens is the home of the Diana Memorial playground which is a firm kid’s favourite.
Inspired by J.M Barrie’s Peter Pan, there is a huge wooden pirate ship, sensory trail and giant sea monster ready to be discovered.
There are also swings, tepees, slides and ladders plus a treehouse and storyteller chair, aimed at children 12 and under.
Entry is completely free for all.
There are toilet facilities built low enough for the little ones and a baby changing area for you to privately attend to your baby’s needs.
Coram’s Fields in Kings Cross features a massive sandpit, climbing frames and nest-style swings, which are a toddler’s paradise.
There is another adventure park adjacent to this aimed at older children with a zip wire and climbing equipment, so this is a good choice if you have kids of mixed age groups.
There’s also a city farm (animals currently rehouse at other farms) in the park with goats, chickens, rabbits and birds to see to help you can make a day of it.
Regent’s Park is home to ZSL London Zoo and, along with the animals, also has several playgrounds throughout the park.
One of the nicest is at Hanover Gate – it has a timber treehouse and very large sandpit.
There’s also the traditional swings and slides and copious ice-cream vendors across the park, which makes a pleasant afternoon whiz by.
Battersea Park has a great toddler’s playground and adventure park.
The toddler area has a fun train, pirate ship and swings plus the park itself is huge so you can bring bikes, scooters and a picnic.
There’s also a zoo, crazy golf and boating lake here too.
Hampstead Heath is one of London’s finest gems, a wild park of woodland and meadows with some of the most amazing views of the city, yet only 4 miles from the centre of London.
This park really gives you the feeling that you’re away from it all and is ideal for a family day out.
Fly a kite at Parliament Hill and then pop into the playground to let off some steam before ambling over the heath and taking in the wildlife.
There’s an open-air lido which is open all year round – not for the faint-hearted in winter, but perfect if you’re looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle.
Mile End Children’s Play Pavillion & Park at Tower Hamlets stretches around Regent’s Canal so it’s a nice choice for those who like a walk, or better still get the baby off for a nap.
There are lots of boats to look at, bridges and water fountains and the playground is sand-filled so perfect for soft landings.
There’s a small café that sells reasonable snacks and all-important refreshments.
Holland Park in Kensington is 55-acre park featuring the stunning Kyoto Garden; a Japanese garden with a koi pond, waterfalls and bridges plus a playground with a toddler area.
You will also see the coolest attraction of this park, the friendly peacocks who roam around freely, who are just as beautiful as the scenery.
Finsbury Park has a striking backdrop of a boating lake; this is a good park for duck spotting and feeding and it’s one of our favourite places to go with babies under 1.
There’s also a playground with slides, swings, climbing frames and a skate park for older children and teenagers.
Adult Events Where Babies Are Welcome
If you’re looking for something a little more grown-up, more for you but the baby is also welcome, try one of these:
Grab five mates and their babies (babies don’t have to come) for a pub quiz at venues all over London.
Each round has more breaks than a standard pub quiz and questions are repeated in case little one distracts you.
Every venue has baby change facilities, high chairs and a play area with soft flooring and sanitised toys and books for babies.
Big Fish Little Fish Family Raves
Family-friendly rather than baby-centric but we went to one of these in NW London and saw age ranges from babes in arms to teenagers.
Lots of adults in fancy dress, glitter, babies wearing ear-defends, sticky floors and loud music.
If you don’t want to hang up your raving heels just yet, the Big Fish team are here to help.
A comedy club for adults where babies up to 15 months old are welcome.
The comedy is for adults (some swearing) so the age limit is to prevent little Jonny from repeating any colourful language!
On-site facilities include bottle warmers, a buggy park, and changing rooms, and whipping the boob out for a feed is welcomed.