You’re by no means in need of concepts to entertain your loved ones in the course of the daytime, however discovering issues to do within the night in London with children may be surprisingly restricted at instances.
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Whereas youthful children are more likely to be tucked up in mattress or quick asleep in a buggy, there’s nonetheless an enormous chunk of time to fill for older main age children, tweens and youthful teenagers who positively aren’t going to be planning an early evening however aren’t sufficiently old for some issues geared to older teenagers.
So once you’re planning what to do in London after 6pm, I’ve picked out 25 of one of the best issues to do within the night in London with children – and recommendations on the apparently child-friendly night actions which aren’t pretty much as good as you’d assume.
Head to the theatre
London’s theatre is among the many finest on the earth, and also you received’t be in need of family-friendly reveals to look at, from big-name productions like The Lion King, Matilda and Six to Depraved, Mrs Doubtfire and Again to the Future, to call a number of.
I’m an enormous fan of the TodayTix web site and app for reductions on tickets, together with rush tickets and lotteries – together with £40 seats for Harry Potter And The Cursed Little one, which doesn’t simply fill your night however your entire afternoon as properly.
For those who’re already in central London, the TKTS ticket sales space in Leicester Sq. is open day by day (Monday-Saturday from 10.30am to 6pm, Sundays 12-4.30pm) – the one Official London Theatre ticket sales space, it ought to at all times have one of the best offers of the day. When the tickets are gone, they’re gone although. There’s additionally the possibility to see all of the offers on the TKTS web site if you happen to’re not close to Leicester Sq..
Ceremony of the Keys
Head to the Tower of London after darkish and you may watch historical past in motion on the historic Ceremony of the Keys, one of the vital uncommon issues to do in London with children.
Again within the 14th century, Edward III was livid to find he may stroll into the Tower of London unchallenged – and decreed the fortress ought to be locked at sundown and unlocked at dawn from that time on. And the custom continues to today.
As a way to see it, you’ll have to prebook – tickets can be found from the beginning of the month and get snapped up very quick. The go to begins at 9.30pm and runs for round 35 minutes (latecomers will not be allowed in, so it’s value getting there a bit early as there are additionally safety checks).
Try my expertise of watching the Ceremony of the Keys with children
Trip the London Eye
One of many metropolis’s hottest points of interest, the London Eye can be a incredible night expertise with children, as you watch the town’s lights start to change on as nightfall falls.
Take a night “flight” over the capital because the solar units and you may see some incredible views of iconic landmarks like Massive Ben, the Homes of Parliament, and the River Thames, illuminated for the evening.
Occasions range all year long however In summer season and faculty holidays, the London Eye usually stays open till round 8:30pm. In case you are visiting throughout winter, sundown is way earlier, at round 4pm in December so you could have extra choices to look at the town lit up. You’ll be able to verify the sundown instances for London right here.
View from The Shard
Whereas not all of London’s viewpoints permit under-16s to go to within the night, the View From the Shard is family-friendly in any respect hours. The statement deck, which is likely one of the tallest within the metropolis, stays open till 10pm newest, relying on the season.
From the highest, you’ll be able to take pleasure in 360-degree views of the capital, together with well-known websites like Tower Bridge, The Gherkin, and the London Eye, all lit up towards the evening sky. Children will love the interactive telescopes highlighting key sights, whereas teenagers can benefit from the thrilling digital actuality expertise.
For those who’re contemplating one other of London’s viewpoints with children, keep in mind that the favored Sky Backyard doesn’t permit youngsters after 6pm, whereas Horizon 22 closes at 6pm or earlier than so is barely a great choice for seeing the town lit up throughout winter. The Backyard at 120 does keep open to 9pm throughout summer season so it’s one other free choice for issues to do after 6pm in London with children
Evening River Cruise
One other nice solution to see the town from a unique perspective is on a night boat journey alongside the Thames with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. Children will love seeing London’s prime points of interest illuminated at evening as you cruise alongside the river.
Bounce on at Greenwich and head west till you attain the London Eye (or vice versa), taking in iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral alongside the best way. Boats run recurrently till round 10:30pm and children beneath 15 get 50% off the usual fare.
Metropolis Cruises is another choice – the particular evening cruises are normally 18+ however you’ll be able to catch one of many later scheduled sightseeing cruises from Westminster pier to Tower pier, which is able to see the river lit up throughout late autumn and winter.
Evening Bus Tour
For a enjoyable and enjoyable solution to see London’s landmarks after darkish, hop on an evening bus tour. These open-top buses take you previous a few of the metropolis’s most well-known points of interest illuminated at evening, together with the Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Piccadilly Circus.
Most bus excursions embody a dwell guided commentary that can maintain friends of all ages entertained with fascinating info and enjoyable tales in regards to the metropolis, making it each an academic and thrilling night exercise. Simply bear in mind to wrap up heat if you happen to plan on sitting on the highest flooring.
There’s a alternative of bus routes as properly – Tootbus has a daily London evening bus tour, in addition to a shorter Christmas lights tour from mid-November to early January, whereas Golden Excursions additionally runs an evening bus tour.
IFS Cloud Cable Automobile
Take within the sights of East London from above with a journey on the IFS Cloud Cable Automobile (previously Emirates Air Line Cable Automobile), operating till 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 9pm the remainder of the week.
The journey takes you 90 metres above the River Thames between Greenwich and the Royal Docks. Alongside the best way, you’ll be able to absorb sights like The O2 Enviornment reflecting on the river and the intense lights of Canary Wharf.
The journey lasts about 10 minutes, or you’ll be able to guide a spherical journey for an extended expertise. End in Greenwich and luxuriate in a meal at one of many family-friendly eating places at The O2.
Go to the Outernet
Head to the Outernet subsequent to Tottenham Court docket Highway station, a tremendous free digital leisure house which options enormous wraparound digital screens. The largest of its variety in Europe, the screens present a wide range of cutting-edge immersive artwork shows and exhibitions on rotation.
Open into the night, Outernet is a good cease with children after procuring on Oxford Road or earlier than heading down into the West Finish for dinner.
It’s fully free to go to and there’s no have to guide. You’ll be able to merely simply stroll in and benefit from the unbelievable shows.
Jack the Ripper Tour
For older children excited by horrible historical past, a Jack the Ripper strolling tour is a captivating night exercise in East London, with an entire string to select from.
On an immersive tour, you’ll discover the streets of Whitechapel and comply with within the footsteps of London’s most infamous serial killer. A educated information brings historical past to life with participating tales, info, and images from the previous.
Children can examine potential suspects and piece collectively clues shared all through the tour to determine who they assume dedicated the notorious unsolved murders of 1888.
Probably the most uncommon is the Jack The Ripper tour from Insurgent Excursions, and reasonably than specializing in the thriller of the serial killer, appears to be like on the ladies who misplaced their lives. Subtitled ‘What About The Girls’, it goals to inform the victims’ tales, share the fact of life within the East Finish reasonably than serial killer sensationalism.
Ghost bus tour
Ghost excursions aren’t only for Halloween. Older youngsters and youths can take pleasure in listening to darkish tales from London’s previous on this Ghost Bus Tour, the UK’s solely comedy-horror theatre sightseeing expertise on wheels.
On the 75-minute London bus tour, you’ll go to the town’s most well-known points of interest and listen to tales of murders and hauntings that almost all different excursions miss out on. So whether or not you’re a neighborhood or simply visiting the capital, you’re assured to be taught one thing new.
You’ll be guided by a dwell ‘conductor’, and some thriller friends alongside the best way, who’re there to verify the interactive tour is a enjoyable, spooky, and memorable expertise for all of the household.
The tour departs from a bus cease on Northumberland Avenue at 19:30 and 21:00 every night – appropriate for youngsters 5+, though realistically this one’s higher with older children.
Try my evaluation of the Ghost Bus Tour of London – with children, or with out
Night procuring within the West Finish
Deal with that household to a night procuring spree in London’s West Finish, with loads of retailers open till late.
Hamleys, the town’s oldest and largest toy retailer, is open till 9pm, with seven flooring of toys, video games, and crafts to discover. With loads of interactive shows and hands-on actions, it’s enjoyable to go to even if you happen to don’t purchase something!
After Hamleys, head to Leicester Sq. to take a look at The LEGO Retailer and M&M Retailer, each open till 10pm.
The LEGO Retailer options enormous LEGO fashions of London landmarks, together with a full-sized tube carriage, whereas the M&M Retailer presents 4 flooring of chocolate-filled enjoyable.
Loads of retailers alongside Oxford Road are additionally open till 10pm on weekdays and Saturdays, if you wish to squeeze in some extra retail remedy, or hop on the tube to Westfield White Metropolis or Westfield Stratford, that are each open till 9pm day by day besides Sundays.
Babylon Park London
For a enjoyable night exercise for youths of all ages, head to Babylon Park, a hidden underground amusement park in Camden Market.
The distinctive space-themed park options a wide range of rides and video games. For youthful children, there’s a mini-roller coaster, bumper automobiles, and drop tower, whereas older children and youths can benefit from the park’s many arcade and video video games, talent video games, and VR experiences.
The park is open till 8pm on weekdays, 10pm on Saturdays, and 9pm on Sundays. It’s fully free to go to however you’ll have to buy “cash” to benefit from the rides and video games or purchase limitless accesss.
For extra issues to do in Camden with children, take a look at my prime picks
Indoor mini golf
My daughter is a large fan of mini golf, each the standard outside model (enjoyable however not nice for the night when it’s darkish!) and the high-tech indoor choices like Puttshack and Junkyard Golf.
So it’s positively value maintaining a household recreation of mini golf on the listing of what to do in London after 6pm – with a number of provisos.
As a result of most indoor programs are adults-only after 7pm, together with each Puttshack and Junkyard Golf’s numerous places throughout London – so that you might be able to guide in for a 6pm slot relying on the day, which ought to go away sufficient time to finish your recreation, however you’ll have to be out as quickly as you’ve completed.
For those who’re trying to fill an hour earlier than dinner with older children, it’s a enjoyable choice to strive, however it definitely received’t fill the entire night (and don’t anticipate to show up after consuming).
Paradox Museum
The Paradox Museum is a enjoyable interactive museum in Knightsbridge crammed with cool optical illusions and immersive reveals that play methods in your thoughts and problem your notion of actuality.
It’s a enjoyable night exercise for households in London, with loads of mind-boggling immersive shows and alternatives to snap some quirky household images.
The distinctive museum is open till 8:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7pm the remainder of the week. Give your self no less than 90 minutes to benefit from the many reveals.
Warner Bros Harry Potter tour
Though the Warner Bros studios aren’t in London itself, it’s solely a 20-minute practice journey from Euston (plus the shuttle bus from Watford Junction station) to succeed in the positioning in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, and it stays open to 10pm at weekends.
And once you’re this shut, there’s no approach it is best to threat lacking this final vacation spot for Harry Potter followers in London – it’s finest to guide forward as tickets get snapped up properly upfront, though if daytime tickets are gone, it’s nonetheless one of many enjoyable issues to do in London after 6pm with children, particularly older children.
Enable loads of time to journey broomsticks, drink butterbeer (optionally available!), uncover props, see the Hogwarts Specific, stroll into The Forbidden Forest and watch a dragon rampage by means of Gringotts financial institution.
There are shows galore, and it’s solely once you go to that you just realise the astonishing element and simply how a lot work has gone into every side, to not point out an array of magical creatures plus background on how the units and animatronics have been created.
Try hippogriff Buckbeak, whose feathers have been added by hand and saved groomed by the Creature Results crew, or work together with Dobby the Home Elf. And if you happen to’ve at all times wished to go to Hogwarts, that is the one place you’ll discover the entire fort.
There are particular occasions all year long, in winter you’ll be able to uncover Hogwarts within the Snow or a Darkish Arts theme for Halloween, in addition to different non permanent exhibitions.
For those who’re in search of accommodations close to Harry Potter Studios London, take a look at my prime picks, or if you happen to favor to guide tickets with a coach switch from London, click on right here or direct through Golden Excursions
Road performers in Covent Backyard
Covent Backyard is certainly one of London’s prime neighbourhoods to go to with children always of the day. The massive central piazza is at all times full of proficient road performers who entertain the crowds properly into the night.
From quirky human statues to musicians, acrobats, magicians, and comedians, road performers present enjoyable leisure for youths and adults of all ages. They’re free to look at, however it’s at all times good to go away a tip if you happen to loved their efficiency.
After the present, you’ll be able to discover close by retailers, seize a chunk to eat, or just benefit from the space’s vibrant power. There are sometimes pop-up occasions going down, so it’s a enjoyable space to discover year-round.
Wander the South Financial institution
The River Thames is the guts of the town, so a stroll alongside the river is at all times the most effective issues to do in London with children – don’t simply rush from A to B, save a while to find the quirky particulars, take in the river views at sundown and illuminated at evening, and benefit from the road performers.
Stroll from Westminster Bridge to Southwark Bridge, and there are views of landmarks just like the Homes of Parliament and St Paul’s, in addition to strolling previous the London Eye.
Preserve strolling in the direction of the Oxo Tower (whose home windows cleverly obtained across the prohibition on promoting) to Gabriel’s Wharf the place the financial institution widens and also you get an awesome view in the direction of Blackfriars Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral, in addition to some beautiful locations to eat, earlier than reaching the Tate Trendy and Shakespeare’s Globe theatre.
For those who do maintain going a little bit additional to Bankside, you’ll be able to see the Golden Hinde, a duplicate of the ship during which Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe, plus the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.
There are sometimes altering non permanent artwork installations, even an city seashore in summer season, plus festivals and occasions all year long – take a look at this stroll alongside the South Financial institution for extra inspiration, in addition to these highlights to identify.
Take a more in-depth have a look at the lampposts as you head alongside The Queen’s Stroll and the riverside too – often called dolphin lamp requirements, they’re primarily based on creatures on the Fontana del Nettuno within the Piazza del Popolo in Rome.
QUEENS Skate Dine Bowl
QUEENS in Bayswater is a good spot for lively households, with a enjoyable vary of actions to strive, together with ice skating, ice karting, curling, bowling, and arcade video games.
After you’ve loved the actions, you can even seize some scrumptious burgers from MEATliquor on website.
It’s value realizing that QUEENS is an adults-only venue after 8pm, with the final entry for youths at 7pm, however it’s nonetheless an awesome spot for some early night household enjoyable in West London, near Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
Monopoly Lifesized
Flip board video games into actuality with Monopoly Lifesized. A cross between a real-life model of the board recreation and an escape room, you’ll tackle challenges with a purpose to purchase properties.
Appropriate for age 9+, there are 4 boards to select from, together with a Metropolis model for modern-day London and the Traditional board.
Anticipate to be taking part in towards extra than simply your loved ones (until you could have a HUGE household), with as much as 24 taking part in without delay, and groups of a most of six. Video games final round 80 minutes and it closes at round 11pm.
Crystal Maze Reside
Whether or not you’ve obtained your personal fond recollections of the Crystal Maze or fancy one thing a bit uncommon to do in London with children, the Crystal Maze Reside is a enjoyable and family-friendly immersive expertise on Shaftesbury Avenue within the coronary heart of London’s West Finish.
Dad and mom will take pleasure in travelling again in time into the enduring 90s TV present, whereas children will love operating across the maze with the highly-enthusiastic Maze Masters, finishing a collection of foolish themed challenges, from using a large buckaroo-ing spaceship to decoding riddles – it’s appropriate for youths 9+.
You’ll battle towards the clock within the 4 zones – Industrial, Futuristic, Medieval and Aztec – as you clear up mysteries and face bodily challenges. Then you definitely’ll even get to move contained in the Maze’s centrepiece, the Crystal Dome, the place you’ll soar round and accumulate gold tokens that add factors to your closing rating. Final classes are round 8pm at weekends.
Escape from Jail Island
In case your children love escape rooms, the Escape from Jail Island immersive expertise will tick all their packing containers, with a mixture of brain-teasing puzzles, bodily challenges and duties to check all their abilities.
Situated close to Holloway Highway tube station, the brand new expertise is dwelling to 32 cells, every containing a unique kind of problem, with 90 minutes inside to tackle as many as you’ll be able to and rating as many factors as doable.
Final entry is between 6.30pm and eight.30pm, relying which day you go to, so it’s a great one to slot in earlier than a late dinner, or you’ll be able to plan it after an early meal at weekends.
Try my evaluation of visiting Escape from Jail Island with children to search out out extra
Sleep at a museum
For those who’ve obtained barely youthful children who nonetheless don’t need the enjoyable to finish after 6pm in London, take a look at the museum sleepovers which run sometimes all year long.
Dino Snores on the Pure Historical past Museum is for youths aged 7-11, the place you’ll get to search out out extra about a few of the Museum’s creatures by torchlight, take pleasure in some enjoyable actions and sleep over in one of many galleries.
Be ready for a late evening, settling all the way down to sleep at midnight, then an early breakfast earlier than a path across the galleries earlier than the museum reopens at 10am. If in case you have older children who’d additionally take pleasure in it, the Dino Snores Particular occasions are for teenagers (as much as 17-year-olds)
Or take a look at Astronights on the Science Museum for a similar age vary, with space-inspired workshops, reveals and actions, plus VIP tickets together with airbeds, and breakfast earlier than you head off the subsequent morning.
The British Museum sleepovers are an awesome choice for older children or you probably have an enormous age vary within the household. appropriate for ages 8-15.
Every sleepover has a singular historic theme, with workshops, actions and storytelling, the place you might sleep within the Egyptian, Assyrian and Greek galleries, then comply with an unique path after breakfast earlier than the museum reopens.
Evening Voyage on the Golden Hinde
Uncover the secrets and techniques of Tudor drugs (bleeding and extra bleeding), be taught the realities of life at sea and battle off the Spanish on board the Golden Hinde – the reproduction of the ship which Sir Francis Drake sailed around the globe.
Even higher than a go to on board the galleon, moored on the South Financial institution close to Southwark, is the possibility to sleep in a single day with the Golden Hinde evening voyage – the Household Evening Voyage contains (practically) genuine vegetable stew for dinner and actors bringing tales of Elizabethan pirates and privateers to life.
Learn my evaluation of a sleepover on the Golden Hinde
Sleepover on the Zoo
Simply one of the vital uncommon issues to do in London with children is to take pleasure in an in a single day keep on the London Zoo Lodges inside roaring distance of the lions.
The zoo’s 9 themed Lodges may be discovered contained in the Land of the Lions exhibit, inside roaring distance of the pleasure of Asiatic lions. The distinctive in a single day expertise contains three particular after-hour excursions, dinner and breakfast, plus entrance to the zoo each days of your keep.
The Zoo Lodges have particular household nights for youngsters aged 5-15, whereas teenagers 14+ can keep on adult-only nights too. Sadly, youngsters beneath 5 can’t keep in a single day.
Seasonal enjoyable – pop-up occasions
You’ll discover loads of particular seasonal occasions all year long as one other solution to spend the night in London with children.
Brighten up the darkish evenings throughout winter with mild trails for Halloween in addition to lots happening at Christmas.
Strive a strolling route previous the London Christmas lights, comply with a festive illuminated path or head to one of many Christmas markets – Winter Wonderland is enjoyable for all ages, however teenagers will take pleasure in hitting the rides and snacking on the meals stalls into the night.
Or in the course of the summer season months, there are outside theatre performances and outside cinema screens popping up across the capital, for an evening out with children in London that’s a bit extra enjoyable than your common multiplex.
Fever additionally has some nice pop-up exhibitions and interactive experiences to take a look at, lots of that are open till no less than 7pm.
Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Pictures: Tower of London/Ghost bus/Diagon Alley/Golden Hinde/Escape from Jail Island copyright MummyTravels, Puttshack courtesy of Puttshack, all others courtesy of Depositphotos
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