When the Rain Hits
London and rain go together like kids and mess. But a wet day does not mean a wasted day. London has some of the best indoor activities for children anywhere in the world -- and many of them are completely free.
Pro tip: Rainy days are when everyone else has the same idea. Arrive before 10am at popular spots like the Science Museum and Natural History Museum to avoid the worst crowds. Weekday rain is your friend -- weekend rain is everyone's enemy.
Free Indoor Activities
Natural History Museum
South Kensington · The Garden gallery (basement) is best for under-5s. Skip the dinosaur queue.
FreeIndoor
Science Museum
South Kensington · Go straight to the Garden (basement) for under-6s. Water play -- bring a spare top.
FreeIndoor
Young V&A (Museum of Childhood)
Bethnal Green · Three galleries: Play, Imagine, Design. Hands-on everything.
FreeIndoor
London Museum Docklands
Canary Wharf · Mudlarks gallery is free soft play for under-8s. Go early.
FreeIndoor
British Museum
Holborn · Pick ONE section. The Egyptian mummies are the biggest kid hit.
FreeIndoor
RAF Museum London
Colindale · Real aircraft, flight simulators, and free parking. Totally free.
FreeIndoor
Tate Modern
Southwark · Pick up the free family trail at the entrance. Turbine Hall is spectacular.
FreeIndoor
Imperial War Museum
Lambeth North · Better for ages 5+. Main hall with planes is impressive.
FreeIndoor
Museum of the Home
Hoxton · Borrow the free explorer backpack from the front desk.
FreeIndoor
Soft Play & Indoor Adventure
Gambado Chelsea
Imperial Wharf · From £12 · Huge multi-level frame with separate toddler area.
££Indoor
Clown Town
Cricklewood · From £8 · Baby area well separated from bigger kids.
£Indoor
Flip Out London
Multiple locations · From £12 · Trampolines. Toddler sessions are calmer.
££Indoor
Kidspace Romford / Croydon
From £14 · Trampolines, climbing walls, role-play village.
££Indoor
Swimming
Indoor pools are perfect rainy day activities. Kids burn energy, get tired, and you get a relatively calm afternoon.
London Aquatics Centre
Stratford · From £6 · Olympic pool. Training pool is warmer for babies.
£Indoor
Wavelengths Leisure Centre
Deptford · From £6 · Wave pool and soft play in one venue.
£Indoor
Rainy Day Tips
- Arrive before 10am at popular museums -- crowds build fast on rainy weekends
- Pack snacks and water. Museum cafes are expensive and queue times double on wet days
- Bring a bag for wet coats so you are not carrying them all day
- Soft play centres are quieter on weekday mornings -- the sweet spot is 10am Tuesday
- Combine two activities in one area rather than travelling across London in the rain
- The South Kensington museum triangle (NHM, Science, V&A) means you can do three museums with one Tube journey