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11 Exciting Things To Do At The O2

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The O2 is well known as the home of great music and events but what other things can you do there?

We’ve put together a guide of 11 things to do at The O2, especially if you’re with kids.

We were invited to spend the day at the venue and create a list of O2 activities to suit even the most discerning (we mean fussiest) child.

If you’re looking for a guide on O2 things to do, keep reading.

Things to do in The O2 with kids (or without them!):

1. Travel by MBNA Clipper

Make the journey part of the adventure and travel by the Thames Clipper even if the weather is terrible (and it was a little cloudy when we went) the fact you’re on a boat as opposed to a train or car gets the day off to a great start.

Kids go free with a Family River Roamer ticket leaving you free to explore all London has to offer with this all-day hop-on, hop-off ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children.

MBNA Clipper to the O2

The services run to and from most of London’s major piers including Westminster, London Eye, Bankside, Tower, Greenwich and North Greenwich – a five-minute walk to The O2. Tickets from £32.60 when you book online.

Timetabled services run to North Greenwich Pier (a five-minute walk from The O2) every 20 minutes, seven days a week from major central London piers such as Embankment, Westminster and Tower.

Did you know the boats offer an onboard licenced bar?

2. Up at The O2

Kids have to be aged nice or over, at least 1.2m tall and accompanied by an adult (at a 1:1 ratio) and it’s not overly challenging so the kids shouldn’t find it too hard.

Wear comfy clothes and thick socks and after a safety briefing, they’ll provide you with a climb suit, boots and harness for what we like to call urban mountaineering.

Looking for things to do at The O2 - why not climb it?

You climb to the top of The O2 via a walkway 52m above ground level and on a clear day, you can see up to 15 miles away.

Up at The O2 also hosts seasonal wellbeing sessions including rooftop yoga and HIIT sessions.

3. Immotion Virtual Reality

Replacing Nissan Innovation Station is a 12-station Immotion VR entertainment zone.

With Thrill Coaster and Undersea Explorer immersive cinema pods, multi-directional motion, 360 HD sound and incredible visual special effects kids can become virtual deep space explorers, deep-sea adventures – pretty much whatever they want to (virtually) be.

Immotion Virtual Reality

There’s also, as well as a new multiplayer VR gaming arena featuring Raw Data – a thrilling first-person sci-fi action game.

4. Cineworld at The O2

The O2 is home to London’s largest cinema with19 screens including a 4DX screen with innovative cinematic technology which uses special effects to create wind, snow, fog, lightning, bubbles, water and scents.

5. Oxygen Freejumping

Oxygen Freejumping has 50 linked trampolines, a giant airbag, a dodgeball court, a high rope Airventure course and ‘Little O Toddler’ sessions for younger jumpers.

Oxygen Freejumping

Check out our guide to the best trampoline parks for kids in London.

6. Hollywood Bowl

Hollywood Bowl has 12 state-of-the-art bowling lanes (pre-book, this place gets busy), including three VIP lanes.

Hollywood Bowl

You can eat in at the Hollywood Diner or have a post-bowling game of pool. You can also hire lanes for kids’ bowling birthday parties.

7. ICON Outlet at The O2

Shop a selection of fashion and lifestyle brands (like Adidas, Nike, Ted Baker, Cath Kidston, Hackett, Scotch and Soda, Levi’s, Clarks, ASICS, Jack Wills and Gap) for up to 70% off high street prices.

ICON Outlet at The O2

Throughout the school holidays, there are a host of free visitor benefits including further discounts, personal styling, hair braiding, kids crafts, mindfulness sessions and chill out zones.

8. Eat In One Of The Many, Many On-Site Restaurants

Kids menu at Cabana restaurant at The O2

All this activity makes you hungry and one of our favourite places to eat at The O2 is Cabana Brasil for some good old fashioned Brazilian BBQ.

The food is flavourful, generously portioned and the staff aren’t freaked out by boisterous children.

A colourful kid’s menu with a word search, colouring in and quizzes keeps them occupied while you enjoy a well-deserved drink from the bar for being such an awesome parent and taking them out for the day!

Check the Cabana website for ‘Kids Eat Free’ (and 2 for 1 on cocktails) and other money saving deals.

Low price kids menu at Cabana restaurant

Price wise you’re looking at around £20 a head including drinks for the adults.

9. Eat Outside

If indoor dining isn’t your thing, try a new take on al fresco eating at London In The Sky.

London in the Sky restaurant

10. Take the Emirates Airline Cable Car

Admittedly, it’s more of a touristy thing to do (unless you live near Royal Victoria Docks or Greenwich Peninsula) but the 20-minute ride will give you great views of Canary Wharf, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard, The O2, the Thames Barrier, Maritime Greenwich and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Emirates Airline Cable Car

11. Boom Battle Bar

Games on offer include crazier golf, shuffleboard, and digital darts.

boom battle bar

Adults can play beer pong, and enjoy yummy street food, exquisite cocktails and craft beers.

Hotels Near The O2 Arena

If you’re at The O2 for an event, there are lots of hotels near The O2, our favourite of which is the InterContinental London.

The breakfast was delicious, the views amazing and the staff super kind (and patient with kids).

If you’re looking for Things to do near the O2, check out our guide on 20 things to do in East and South-East London.

The Olympic Park is close by and also worth a visit.