The best things to do on London’s South Bank with kids

One of my favourite parts of the city to explore, there’s so much to tempt you to London’s South Bank with kids – family attractions galore, the chance to stroll along the Thames, a string of Instagrammable London sights.

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So if you’re planning your London itinerary, or looking for ideas of things to do near the London Eye, I’ve picked out some of the best options for families.

There are tips for indoor attractions for rainy days in London and free days out on the South Bank with kids, suggestions for toddlers and teens, and even some of the best places to stay on the South Bank in London.

Where is London’s South Bank?

Running along the south side of the Thames, officially London’s South Bank area stretches from Lambeth Bridge to Blackfriars Bridge.

For the sake of this piece, I’m also including a few highlights as far east as Southwark Bridge – around 30 minutes walk from the London Eye and Sea Life Aquarium, it’s an easy stroll away, plus you can pass through if you’re heading to the area around Tower Bridge with kids too.

But if you only have time for a flying visit to the South Bank with kids, the key family attractions are set in the area between Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Bridge, which is also where most temporary activities take place.

The London Eye

One of the iconic sights of the city, the London Eye is also a great place to get a bird’s eye view of the capital.

Turning high above the South Bank and looking out across the Thames, it’s best for good weather – unsurprisingly – but cold sunny winter days can give some gorgeously clear views.

Or time your ‘flight’ for sunset and watch the lights twinkling on across London.

Prebooking is strongly advised, with discounts if you buy your tickets online in advance. There are also fast-track tickets available to skip the queues, which is ideal with kids, especially in peak season.

You can also buy combination tickets with the London Dungeon and nearby London aquarium.

For more ideas of the best views in London with kids, check out these alternatives

Sea Life London Aquarium

A lovely alternative to the city’s zoos for animal lovers, the Sea Life London Aquarium is a great place to visit – one of the biggest collections in Europe.

London’s aquarium houses over 500 species, 14 themed zones and more than 2 million litres of water with some unusual creatures to discover, as well as some favourites including penguins and clownfish.

There are also regularly special events during school holidays, and you can join behind-the-scenes tours.

It can get busy at peak times and on rainy days, so it’s well worth pre-booking and there are usually discounts if you buy online in advance.

For more ideas on how to save money on days out in London with kids, check out my top tips

Shrek’s Adventure

Shrek fans will love the chance to walk through the world of Far Far Away, meeting some of the famous characters including Princess Fiona and Donkey, as well as Shrek himself.

There’s a challenge to collect ingredients in order to find Shrek and make it home safely, with 10 themed live shows and a 4D flying bus to complete Shrek’s Adventure. Better for primary school aged kids who’ll appreciate the fun than for toddlers and preschoolers.

Keep an eye out too for special events year round, including special guests like Puss in Boots and a Shrek Santa at Christmas.

You can also get combined tickets to other Merlin attractions, including the nearby aquarium or London Eye. Tickets with free cancellation are also available from Get Your Guide.

The London Dungeon

One for older and braver kids, a trip to the London Dungeon is a scarily good day out, with live actors whisking you through 1,000 truly alarming years of history, plus plenty of special effects and rides to get your heart racing even faster.

One of a string of locations around the UK, like the other Dungeons, each location has areas themed to suit its own history too. The London Dungeon, for example, brings you face to face with the Great Fire and Sweeney Todd.

Prebooking is strongly advised, with online discounts if you buy your tickets in advance: best for teens and braver tweens. You can also buy combination tickets to other Merlin attractions.

Tate Modern

Set in a converted power station on London’s Bankside, Tate Modern is definitely not your average art gallery – kids are encouraged to talk (and there’s plenty of space to run around in the turbine hall) plus you’ll find lots of easy ways even for younger ones to enjoy what they see including suggested games.

The Tate Modern also has suggested routes for families to follow through the collections, which include big names from the 20^th century, such as Matisse, along with works from the past decade.

It’s free to visit and you don’t currently need to prebook, unless you’re visiting one of the special exhibitions (which are also paid entry).

The Florence Nightingale Museum

On the other side of Westminster Bridge Road from the London Eye, the Florence Nightingale Museum is a fascinating and less visited stop to consider along the South Bank with kids.

The museum tells the story of the lady with the lamp, including her work as a nurse in the Crimean War and her influence as a pioneer of modern nursing.

There are interactive exhibits, and you can meet the redoubtable Miss Nightingale herself, as well as learning more quirky facts – including how she got her name, and the fact she had a pet owl called Athena. The museum also has family trails and regular activities for kids.

The Globe theatre

Step back to Tudor England with a visit to the Globe Theatre, a reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where Shakespeare worked, and where his plays are performed today.

And as well as buying a ticket for a performance – definitely one of the most memorable ways to see Shakespeare, especially for teens studying the plays – you can also take a tour behind the scenes.

The 50-minute tours include stories of the original 16th century playhouse and London in Shakespeare’s Day, how it survived plague and political oppression, along with how the Globe was recreated, plus time to check out the exhibition space.

Southbank Centre

The Southbank Centre is at the heart of a lot of the events and activities which take place on the South Bank, right down to the street art painted on the outside.

But venture inside and there are some fantastic art exhibitions to discover if you’re visiting London with teens, including interactive installations and art at the Hayward Gallery.

If you’re visiting the Southbank Centre with younger kids, you can find family-friendly performances taking place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, as well as the annual Imagine Festival for families every February.

Royal Festival Hall

South Bank London is also home to the world class concert venue of the Royal Festival Hall, part of the Southbank Centre complex and its largest performance space.

And while the emphasis is on concerts by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Philharmonia Orchestra (among resident orchestras), there are also family concerts to introduce kids to classical music.

There’s anything from Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes set to music, to The Making of The Orchestra and other family-friendly performances.

Walk the South Bank

The River Thames is the heart of the city, so a walk along the river is always one of the best things to do in London with kids – don’t just rush from A to B, save some time to discover the quirky details, soak up the river views and enjoy the street performers.

Walk from Westminster Bridge to Southwark Bridge, and there are views of landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and St Paul’s, as well as walking past the London Eye, the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe theatre.

If you do deep going a little further and you can see the Golden Hinde, a replica of the ship in which Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe, plus the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

There are often changing temporary art installations, even an urban beach in summer, plus festivals and events throughout the year – check out this walk along the South Bank for more inspiration, as well as these highlights to spot.

Spot the quirky lampposts

Take a closer look at the lampposts as you head along The Queen’s Walk and the riverside – known as dolphin lamp standards, the fishy creatures twined around the base have never looked much like dolphins to me!

Based on statues of dolphins or fish with intertwined tails at the Fontana del Nettuno in the Piazza del Popolo in Rome, they’re sometimes described as stylised sturgeons – once so valuable they were called a royal fish.

Originally powered by electricity, they were converted to gas lamps before switching back to electric light again in 1900 and many are Grade II listed.

Find the viewpoints

Save some time to head up onto the bridges for some extra views along the Thames, including from Golden Jubilee Bridge.

You could even start your South Bank walk from the northern Embankment and use the bridge linking Embankment tube and the Southbank Centre to get across – there’s usually a soundtrack of steel drums

Keep walking towards the Oxo Tower (whose windows cleverly got around the prohibition on advertising) to Gabriel’s Wharf where the bank widens and you get a great view towards Blackfriars Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Further along the river, there are more great views from the Millennium Bridge leading to St Pauls – you can see the cathedral peeking between the modern buildings as you cross.

Take a boat trip

If you’re looking to take to the river, there are plenty of choices of boat trip from the South Bank with kids, whether you want to speed down the Thames, hop on for a quick ride or enjoy a sightseeing tour.

For more ideas of London boat trips with kids, check out this post

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

If you’re not looking for a long cruise, aren’t fussed about commentary on board or want a more spontaneous option, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is unbeatable.

While you can choose the same route as most sightseeing boat tours in London, this operates almost the same way as a water bus, so it’s a fun way to get around London.

The boats leave from 23 different piers along the Thames, including London Eye Waterloo pier, with regular boats through central London, plus less frequent routes to take you west to Putney and east beyond Greenwich, as far as Woolwich (Royal Arsenal).

You can use contactless to pay (as well as your Oyster card), or book via their app, so there’s no need to plan your tickets way in advance. Or you can pick up a one-day unlimited River Roamer travel pass: if there are two adults in your group, the family pass means that kids go free.

City Cruises hop-on hop-off boats

There’s a whole range of different sightseeing boat tours from City Cruises, including ones with afternoon tea but also a 24-hour hop-on hop-off ticket, so you can get on and off the sightseeing boats at four different piers, if you want multiple cruises.

There’s commentary on board as they sail along the Thames, past landmarks including the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, so it’s a fun, hassle-free way to spot a few highlights with kids – if the weather’s good, you can sit outside on the top deck.

You can also pick up combined tickets, including for riverside attractions such as the London Eye plus a boat tour, or the Tower of London plus cruise.

The boats run regularly from London Eye Waterloo Pier, as well as between Westminster Pier, Tower Pier and Greenwich.

Get 20% off all City Cruises sightseeing tours using code CC20 until the end of 2024 – click here to get the discount

Spot street art

London’s street art scene is constantly changing, so it’s possible to return again and again to see something new – but it’s easy to see some of the capital’s eye-catching works as you wander past other attractions.

Stroll along the South Bank and you can see street art by Stik at Hungerford Bridge, not far from the London Eye, for example.

The graffiti at the Southbank Skate Park is constantly getting a new look too, while the Southbank Centre regularly sees new pieces added to its concrete walls and stairs – often specially commissioned, the list has included Belgian artist ROA and East London’s Bread Collective.

Keep going a bit further and there’s a technicolour Shakespeare near the Clink Street tunnel beyond the Globe too.

Or head a little way in from the riverside to discover the Graffiti tunnel – scroll down for more.

Visit the Graffiti tunnel

This 300m Leake Street tunnel beneath Waterloo station is London’s longest legal graffiti wall – the images change constantly but you’re guaranteed to discover something eye-catching here.

Popularised after Banksy’s 2008 Cans Festival, there are sometimes sessions for wannabe street artists but anyone can just bring their own paint and get creative.

And despite the fact that it’s only around a five-minute walk from the London Eye, it’s often overlooked by the hordes of people visiting the South Bank.

Head down Chicheley Street and across York Road to find it, or you can see the Graffiti tunnel location on Google Maps. Keep an eye out for any events taking place at the Leake Street Arches, which are also home to various places to eat, including Draughts Board Game Cafe and Mamuska for Polish food.

Splash in a fountain

When London basks in one of its occasional heatwaves, there’s nowhere better to be than splashing in one of the fountains which have started popping up all around the city – come prepared with spare clothes!

The Appearing Rooms interactive sculpture at the Southbank Centre is one of the fun options, with jets of water creating ‘rooms’ before they vanish just as quickly.

It’s worth knowing that kids need tops on to splash here: a T-shirt over their swimming costume, a rash vest or a swimming costume with sleeves are all fine.

It usually appears on the Riverside Terrace, at level two, for several months during the summer, from around the start of June to late August (although it’s switched off on Mondays).

Head to Jubilee Park playground

Jubilee Park & Garden near the London Eye has its own playground if you’re taking a walk along the South Bank.

Set within Jubilee Gardens, there’s a fab adventure playground aimed at children up to 11 years, with cleverly designed wooden structures and spidery rope webs to entertain any budding young climbers – refurbished in May 2022, there’s also new equipment for younger kids and sensory options to make it more inclusive.

Moments from both the London Eye, and Sea Life Aquarium, it’s easy to combine with the big family attractions, plus Jubilee Gardens are a pretty place for parents to take a few minutes to chill out.

For added family fun, there’s a carousel near Golden Jubilee Bridge, just to the side of Jubilee Gardens and the playground

Check out the skate park

Whether you want to watch the bikers and skateboarders test out their tricks or you’re looking to hone your own skills, this is one spot on the South Bank which is never quiet.

Set in the undercroft of the Southbank Centre, there’s been a skate park here for decades, and it’s been called the birthplace of British skateboarding.

With a series of ledges, banks and a set of stairs for skateboarders to use, there’s also a railing separating those watching from those skating if you want to take a look without getting too close.

Family activities on the South Bank

Along with the permanent attractions on the South Bank with kids, there are regular events and festivals taking place during the year.

The Imagine Children’s Festival takes place in February, aimed at kids aged up to 11, with a series of free events to enjoy as well as paid activities.

In the run-up to Christmas, the South Bank also holds its own winter market with stalls and street food.

And there are regular activities during school holidays too, including creative sessions, family trails and more. Check out the full details of what’s on for families on the Southbank for the latest information.

Where to eat on the South Bank with kids

The South Bank is home to a string of chain restaurants which are great for families, including Wagamama, Honest Burger, Nando’s and pizza galore (including Pizza Express and Strada).

But you’ll also find a few more options to tempt with kids of all ages, whether you’ve got mini gourmets or fancy a twist on a few classics.

Southbank Centre Food Market

Head to the South Bank on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays to find the Food Market transforming the piazza on Belvedere Road behind the Southbank Centre.

If you want to grab a coffee, juice, crepe or cookie, you’ll find easy snacks to fuel your exploring, but there’s also an impressive array of food from around the world too, including Ethiopian and Venezuelan dishes as well as Caribbean and Punjabi curries.

There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options too, as well as craft beer for the grown-ups. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables or stroll back to the riverfront to eat.

Giraffe

Giraffe’s restaurants are famous for aiming to keep all members of the family happy – there are child-friendly classics but also parent-friendly dishes and cocktails.

The South Bank branch is the largest in the capital too, so while you can expect queues at this popular spot, they do normally move fairly fast.

There are brunch dishes including pancakes on the kids menu, as well as hidden veggie pasta, while the main menu has anything from soft shell crab burger to Thai duck stir fry.

Wahaca

Grab a burrito to go from the Mexican Street Kitchen food truck by the riverside or head indoor for award-winning Mexican street food at Wahaca, set inside recycled shipping containers.

The menu has everything from quesadillas and enchiladas to vegan and veggie dishes, while there’s also a build-your-own-tacos option on the kid’s menu.

You can reserve tables during certain hours but if you haven’t, the restaurants holds some tables which can’t be prebooked, so it’s a good option if you’re being spontaneous too.

Brewdog Waterloo

A restaurant with a slide in is always going to be a winner, and with tables set over two floors, there’s usually space to grab a bite at Brewdog Waterloo – you can prebook, including asking for tables near the slide too.

There’s even an ice cream van, plenty of child-friendly choices on the menu and craft beers from the on-site BrewDog microbrewery (although sadly you can’t go into the speakeasy bar – entrance through the red phone box – with kids).

Brewdog can get very busy, so be prepared for a wait if you visit, and can also get crowded in the evenings as people head in for a drink after work.

Gabriel’s Wharf

You’re spoiled for choice at Gabriel’s Wharf, which is also home to a string of quirky boutiques and homewares if you’re looking for a unique souvenir of a visit to London.

For food, the Gourmet Pizza Co is a winner if you’re visiting the South Bank with kids (while still tempting parents), or Hot Mess Toasties gives grilled cheese its own twist – think a macaroni cheese version, or duck bacon.

And Paradiso isn’t your average burger joint – there are vegan burgers along with buttermilk chicken options, plus sides like Bang Bang cauliflower.

There’s also great Mexican food at Hola Guacamole and Trinidadian food at Limin’ Beach Club, along with artisan chocolate.

Hotels on the South Bank with kids

It’s easy to get to the South Bank from most places in central London, as well as via train from Waterloo, but if you’re looking for a family hotel on the South Bank, there are options for all budgets.

Park Plaza County Hall/Westminster Bridge

The Park Plaza hotel chain has several central London hotels which offer their Family Experience package including the Park Plaza County Hall on the South Bank, which is just a short walk from the area’s family attractions, and Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.

Park Plaza’s Family Package includes children’s goodie bags, seasonal kid-friendly activities, plus free breakfast, lunch and dinner for kids under 12 when dining with parents. 

Keep an eye out for family deals as well, such as 2-for-1 offers on Merlin attractions.

Premier Inn London Waterloo/London County Hall

If you’re looking for budget hotels near the South Bank with kids, there are several Premier Inn hotels nearby.

The closest two are the Waterloo and County Hall hotels, although you can also stay a little further east with three more options in Southwark, including one not far from the Tate Modern and another at Southwark Bankside.

You can find spacious family rooms with a double bed plus a sofa bed and pull-out bed, as well as travel cots for babies at no extra cost. Kids also eat breakfast for free when dining with parents.

Marriot Hotel County Hall

If you’re looking for a bit of luxury for your stay on the South Bank with kids, the Marriott in London’s former County Hall building definitely qualifies.

There are family rooms and suites, along with double double rooms – a bedroom with two double beds is a rare find in London.

Add in fantastic views out across the Thames, plus it’s only 100 yards from family attractions like the London Sealife Aquarium in the Riverside Building County Hall.

Nox Hotel, Waterloo

Located in Waterloo, just a short walk from London’s South Bank and its many attractions, Nox Hotel is a lovely family-friendly aparthotel. 

Nox’s super sleek family studios have a double bed plus two singles for children, as well as a fully equipped kitchenette with a fridge, microwave and toaster. 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission

County Hall/lamposts/street art/Leake Street tunnel/skate park/what’s on sign copyright MummyTravels, City Cruises boat courtesy City Experiences, all other images courtesy of Depositphotos

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