BEST LONDON ATTRACTIONS FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS

The Capital's Top Under 5s Attractions as Nominated by YOU in the Time Well Spent Awards 2025

best London babies and toddlers things to do

London's under fives don't know they're born - possibly literally - but also because they've been fired out into some of the best kid's experiences in the world.

It's a tough call to select the cream of the crop, but you rose to the challenge with the following nominations of London's best attractions for babies and toddlers, for the Time Well Spent Awards 2025.

The ultimate winner will be crowned in August.

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Discover Children's Story Centre

If you’ve ever wondered how it feels to climb inside a child’s imagination, Discover Children’s Story Centre is it.

Creep through caves, find fairy worlds within magical trees, explore hidden ships, perform in a puppet castle, leap over alligators and man your own spaceships and rockets across two floors and its Story Garden, or check out its immersive, book-inspired theatre production downstairs.

Discover Children's Story Centre, 383-387 High St, London E15 4QZ

Horniman Museum and Gardens

There aren’t many places for a family to enjoy a butterfly house, aquarium, 16 acres of stunning gardens, alpacas, a merman, gorillas and a giant, overstuffed walrus for less than a chippy tea. So it's no surprise that so many of you nominated Horniman Museum and Gardens.

The brilliant, South-East London attraction is one of the capital’s hidden and most eclectic gems and is a huge hit with kids of all ages, as well as grown-ups.

Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ

Greenwich Maritime Museum

Little sailors have endless opportunities for nautical adventure here - and most is free.

Babies and toddlers love its free, sea-themed Cove Playground, as well as its fabulous AHOY! Children's Gallery, an imagination sparking, interactive space for 0-7 year olds to climb aboard a replica ship, play with water, try on costumes and become a pirate for the day. It also offers a gaggle of fantastic, free and paid for workshops and experiences for all ages, throughout the year..

Greenwich Maritime Museum, Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF

The Science Museum

The Science Museum is brimming with sensory and imaginative play for babies and toddlers.

This includes The Garden, a free interactive space in the basement for hands-on explorations of construction, water, light and sound.

The Pattern Pod was also a big hit with our readers. Here, little ones can explore water ripples without getting their feet wet, create symmetrical images on touch screens, and follow robot trails with fun, interactive exhibits.

The Science Museum, Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Inspired by the stories of Peter Pan, this free playground features a wooden pirate ship, a sensory trail, teepees, a beach and various play sculptures; all set against a lush backdrop of trees and plants. There's seating for parents around it and more than 1 million visitors enjoy it each year.

Princess Diana Memorial Playground, Kensington Gardens, Broad Walk, London W2 4RU

Coram's Fields

It has an under 5's drop-in, staffed by an Early Years practitioner - with any size donations - plus three playgrounds - sensory, children's or adventure - paddling pool, sandpits, wildlife garden, lawns and serene terrace.

It's the perfect, safe and serene oasis for babies and toddlers in the heart of London.

Coram's Fields, London WC1N 1DN

Hackney City Farm

This city farm is the perfect way to introduce city babies and toddlers to a range of farmyard animals, from cattle and sheep, to pigs and chickens. They can interact with the animals, plant vegetables and learn farm skills tailored to their age group in a warm and inviting farm, which is free to visit, and accepts donations.

Hackney City Farm, 1a Goldsmiths Row, London E2 8QA

The Magic Garden - Hampton Court Palace

Come face to face with mysterious mythical beasts, storm the battlements, besiege the towers and explore the secret grotto in this magical children's playground.

It features a 25-foot dragon, secret caves, and playful adventure zones inspired by age-old legends and folklore, as well as climbing frames, water features, and sand pits.

Wilderness Cottage, Magic Garden, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

Under 2s go free and parents nominating particularly enjoyed allowing (gentle) little hands to interact with some of the creatures in the touch pools. Babies and toddlers will be mesmerised by more than 10,000 colourful sea creatures, plus their impossibly cute colony of penguins.

SEA LIFE London, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB

Bubble Planet

This is the ultimate multi-sensory experience for under 5s.

Babies and toddlers can explore 11 rooms, brimming with giant bubbles, infinity rooms and bubble bath pits to fantastical landscapes, cloud rooms and hot air balloon flight simulators.

Bubble Planet, 22 Fulton Rd, Wembley HA9 0TF