
International Travels
Published Mar 6, 2026
London with Seven Kids: Crazy? Maybe. Worth It? Absolutely.
Traveling to London with seven kids might sound like a logistical nightmare. And sure, there were moments. But here’s the truth: it was one of the most memorable, fun, and surprisingly smooth trips we’ve taken.
If you’re on the fence about bringing kids to a big international city — don’t be. London delivers. You just have to lean into the experience.
Here’s what we did — and what the kids actually loved most.
1. The London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
If you asked the kids, they probably would’ve voted to ride this all day.
Sitting on the top deck, wind in your hair, cruising past London landmarks? That’s a core memory. Is this the most historic or culturally significant thing in London? No. But when you’re traveling with kids, sometimes it’s the simple things that win.
Pro tip: Do this early in your trip. It helps everyone get oriented and excited about what they’re seeing.
2. Fulham F.C. at Craven Cottage
As an American “soccer” fan, this was easily one of the highlights of the trip.
Going to a football match in the UK hits differently — especially at a stadium that’s over 100 years old. The atmosphere, the chants, the energy — it’s authentic and electric. Every kid and adult loved it.
Important parenting tip: In English football stadiums, you must finish your beer before going to your seat. We did not know this. That resulted in some very fast Guinness consumption right before kickoff.
Lesson learned.
3. Hyde Park + Kensington Palace
This combo was perfect.
Hyde Park gives kids space to run, reset, and just be kids. After walking the city, having green space is a game changer.
Then we toured Kensington Palace — and yes, there’s a kid-friendly version of the tour. That balance of history for the adults and interactive elements for the kids worked really well.
Pro tip: Reserve palace tickets and time slots online in advance. Don’t wing it.
4. Harry Potter Studios
It’s almost impossible to visit London with kids and not add the Harry Potter Studios to your itinerary. And honestly? You shouldn’t skip it.
From the moment you walk in, you realize this isn’t just a “museum” — it’s a behind-the-scenes deep dive into how the magic was actually made. Seeing the real sets, the costumes, the props, and the creative detail that brought the films to life gives you a whole new appreciation for the series. The Great Hall alone is worth the trip.
This is not a quick stop. Plan for a full day.
We booked a guided tour, took a short train ride to meet up with the group, and were then transported to the studio. The logistics were smooth, and having everything organized made it easy — especially traveling with kids. By the end of the day, they were definitely exhausted… but in that happy, “that was awesome” kind of way.
One of the unexpected highlights? After visiting the studio, we spent a few evenings back at our place watching the movies again. Seeing the scenes after walking through the actual sets made it all feel different — like we had insider knowledge.
If you’re debating whether it’s worth the time, here’s the straight answer: if your kids even remotely like Harry Potter, make the time. It’s immersive, creative, and one of those experiences they’ll remember long after the trip ends.
5. The Shard
What. A. View.
The Shard feels like a classy date-night spot — and it can be — but it also works with kids. They serve ice cream. That alone makes it a win.
Parents grab a cocktail. Kids grab dessert. Everyone enjoys one of the best skyline views in the world.
That’s how you blend adult and kid travel without losing your mind
6. London Eye
Our four-year-old had one non-negotiable request: The London Eye.
It’s a short ride and easy to add after dinner. We went at night, and the city lights made it extra cool.
Not everyone in our group loves heights, so it wasn’t a universal favorite. But it was absolutely worth doing — especially if you’ve never been.
7. Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament tour was one of the most fascinating parts of the trip.
The history. The architecture. The traditions. As adults, we loved it.
The kids? They hung in there… and then they didn’t.
Still — totally worth it. Just know attention spans have limits.
The Classics You Have to See
It was also fun seeing the big postcard landmarks:
Even if you don’t tour everything, just walking the city and spotting these icons makes the trip feel official.
Final Take: Should You Do London with Kids?
Yes.
You don’t have to do everything. You don’t have to see every museum. You don’t need a perfect itinerary.
Pick a few highlights. Mix in open space. Build in treats (ice cream goes a long way). And remember — kids don’t measure trips by historical depth. They measure them by experiences.
Wind in their hair on a bus. A live football match. Ice cream at the top of a skyscraper.
That’s what they’ll remember.
And honestly? So will you.
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