Free Things to Do in London with Kids

The rising costs of entry to Europe’s major attractions puts a real strain on the budgets of traveling families. It costs $42 each to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, almost as much to tour Versailles and $37 to visit Windsor Castle. Watching Spanish Riding School practice in Vienna costs $30. Even with discounts for students and children, seeing highlights can add up quickly.

London offers a welcome respite from these admission fees. In fact, the United Kingdom offers Europe’s largest number of free world-famous attractions, with seven in London alone. And don’t keep museums off your itinerary because they don’t appeal to children. You may be surprised at London’s …

At British Museum, one of London’s premier attractions and entirely free, kids quickly gravitate to the mummies and their elaborate cases from the ancient Egypt exhibits. Free backpacks filled with activities help them find other exhibits and give them games and treasure hunts to sharpen their observation and encourage further exploration. Along with mummies, Samuri and seventh-century Saxon armors are kid favorites.

Another free museum that emerged from the era of dry exhibit cases is Natural History Museum, where dynamic exhibits with simulators let kids experience natural phenomenon, such as an earthquake, and meet animated prehistoric creatures.

Art-loving parents can find plenty to keep kids engaged at free Tate Modern, where they can finger draw on a furry wall, make shadow puppets with their hands, uncover their own artistic talents by drawing, design their own moving artwork, and imitate poses of subjects in paintings or sculptures.

At immense Victoria and Albert Museum, the learning center is filled with themed activities for kids ages 5–12. During special events kids can borrow backpacks with games, puzzles and activities to bring exhibits to life. Digital trails seek out exhibits of special interest to young visitors.

Two other top experiences in London are free: Sky Garden and Horizon 22, and the greatest show of all is Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace, free and happening daily. You can see two different ceremonies by beginning at St James’s Palace; after the guard changes there, follow the band along the Mall to Buckingham Palace for the even-grander guard change.