London Trip for Tweens
Getting one on one time with your kids is so special and important. It’s not always easy for me to carve out the time, but I knew I wanted to take my daughter on a special trip for her 10th birthday. We loved having a one on one girls’ trip doing the things that she really wanted to do. I based her birthday trip to London around her interests and she helped plan the itinerary. Below you’ll find all the details about our London trip, the best things to do in London with kids and tweens, and London tips.
Why Did We Choose London?
London is a major transportation hub, so it is easy to get inexpensive flights in and out of there from many places in Europe. We have been to London before (when she was a baby) so I was a little familiar with how the city works, but she hadn’t been recently so it was basically a new destination for her.
More reasons London is a great choice:
Public transportation is robust and easy. There was no need for us to rent a car.
Abundance of activities and restaurants. I’m convinced London has something for everyone. The beauty of such a big and cosmopolitan city is that it has so many different things to offer.
Harry Potter. My daughter recently finished all of the Harry Potter books and she was a big fan. This is the perfect destination for Potter Heads.
No language barrier. This is definitely a perk for English speakers. Since I was going to be on my own with her, it was enticing to have one less thing to worry about.
London with Kids Map
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Planning a Trip to London with Kids/Tweens
I had a rough idea of the activities we would want to do, but I involved my daughter in narrowing things down and making the final choices. I really wanted her to feel like this was her trip and she could make the decisions.
In order to select a West End show, I picked out a few shows that I heard/thought would be good for kids and let her watch the trailers online. After watching the trailers she chose which one she wanted to see.
I did something similar for afternoon tea. After researching kid-friendly teas I let her look at pictures and she decided which one sounded the most fun to her.
I also gifted her this book a few months before our trip so she could start to read it and familiarize herself with some things throughout the city. See more London books for kids.
Taking the Tube in London
Using the tube was easy and convenient for us to get around. We used it to get from Heathrow into the city and used it to get all around. The apps I used to help me navigate were Google Maps, City Mapper, TfL Go. I could put in my starting point and ending point and these apps helped me figure out the best route to take. TfL Go was good for providing me live info on if tube stations were closed or trains were disrupted.
You can buy an Oyster card for 5 GBP and load it with money to use when you ride the bus or the underground. Or you can use your phone if you have cards already loaded onto it or contactless credit card.
Since my daughter was young enough to be free, she just passed through the turnstiles with me. I always made sure to go to one meant for strollers so we wouldn’t get smashed going through. That happened once and I learned my lesson!
If your child is 11 or older, they will need their own Oyster card. They travel at a discounted rate. You can buy an oyster card and load money on it in every underground station and train station.
When you use your phone or Oyster card to tap in and out of the transport, it will keep track of what you’ve done in the day and will cap your charges at a certain amount so you don’t pay over the daily cap.
Where to Stay in London
We stayed in a hotel near Marble Arch and liked the location. I would choose a hotel that is a quick walk to a tube station. The city is huge and well-connected, so I don’t think there’s one “must stay” neighborhood. Choose something that aligns with your family size and budget and do a quick check on Google maps to see how close it is to an underground station.
Here are a few affordable options to get your search started:
You can also use this map to help you search:
Want some help from London Residents? Check out this Expat post where you can find locals in London!
Day 1 in London-Arrival Day
We flew in and out of Heathrow Airport. We then used the Elizabeth Line to get into the city and transferred to the underground and then walked the rest of the way to the hotel.
After checking in and getting settled we walked over to Dishoom for dinner. This was the number 1 most recommended restaurant when I asked for input on Instagram. When we got there, there was a line, and I was a little worried. We were told it was an hour wait. We decided to just do it. This is something I wouldn’t have attempted if my younger kids were also there. But my daughter was old enough to handle it and said she was OK waiting.
They brought us hot tea while we waited in line and actually the wait wasn’t too bad. Eventually we made it inside and were seated at the table. I ordered several dishes to try and I have to say I could see why so many people recommended it! The food was delicious! I’m told their brunch is also fantastic. I would come back to this restaurant for sure. They have several locations in the city so check out the website to see if it would work with your plans. If you can, make a reservation! It was too late by the time I tried.
Day 2 in London-Harry Potter Day
Our second day in London was dedicated to Harry Potter!
We pre-booked our Warner Brothers Studio Tour months in advance. I would recommend booking this as soon as you know your dates to make sure you get tickets. Buy directly from the website. There are some companies also selling tour tickets with a bus from central London. These tickets are upcharged quite a bit, and personally I don’t think the bus ride is necessary. It was very easy to get here using public transportation.
Before we got on the train to take us to the studio, we stopped by King’s Cross Station to see the platform 9 ¾ . We had time to kill so it seemed like a natural and easy stop, but it was redundant because they also have the platform photo op in the studio tour. However the one in the studio tour did not have a professional photographer or someone to throw your scarf like the one in Kings Cross had. So, maybe it was worthwhile after all.
Get to Kings Cross early! The line builds through the day. We only waited 15 minutes or so, but by the time we left the line had grown considerably.
There’s also a gift shop by the photo wall selling all kinds of Harry Potter gear and toys.
Harry Potter Studio Tour
How to Get to the Harry Potter Studio Tour from London
To get from central London to the studio itself takes just under an hour, depending on where you’re starting from. Take the direct train from Euston Station to Watford Junction (20 minutes), then get on the Studio’s free double decker bus to the studios (15 minutes). You can use your phone or Oyster card to tap in and out on this train. No separate ticket needed.
What is the Harry Potter Studio Tour?
The Warner Brothers Studio Tour should be thought of more like an interactive museum experience rather than a theme park. Don’t confuse this with the Harry Potter worlds at Universal Studios in the states.
My daughter was plenty entertained but I could see how younger kids may not like it as much. There is a lot there and we spent almost 5 hours at the studio. If you plan to come here with kids, be prepared for a lot of signs and plaques to read, sometimes the exhibits could be scary, and there’s not a lot of quick exits. Once you’re in the tour, you’re kind of in and I don’t think you’d be able to leave and come back because the entries are timed. See more of our visit on this reel.
I suggest skipping the audio guide. I bought it and we barely used it. There’s just so much to see and read already without it. I felt it was unnecessary.
I also think this tour will be the most interesting for kids who have read all the books and seen the movies. If you have only read the first one, there will be a lot that your child won’t understand and definitely spoilers!
Celebrate Your Birthday at the Harry Potter Studios
If you come to the tour on your birthday, make sure to stop by the info desk to let them know. You’ll be given a free birthday button. Also listen up when you reach the Great Hall, they will ask if it is anyone’s birthday, then allow that person to come up and be the one to open the doors to the Great Hall.
What to Expect at the Harry Potter Studio Tour
The tour is a delight for anyone who is a fan of the movies. There are so many props and behind the scenes photos that really show what an undertaking this series really was. You can walk through whole sets used in the movies, see costumes, props, and photos of the filming process.
Some of the interactive things you can do inside:
Learn wand combat
Ride a broom
Sit on the Hogwart’s Express
Push the luggage cart into Platform 9 3/4
Plenty of Photo Ops!
Food and Drinks at the Harry Potter Studio Tour
Halfway through the tour there is a cafeteria with food. I definitely recommend stopping here for a break and this is your chance to sample butterbeer! Very tasty and you get to keep the cup. This is your only opportunity for food while on the tour itself.
Before and after the tour you can also visit the Chocolate Frog Cafe, kind of like a coffee shop with sweets. There is also a Food Hall with burgers, pizza, salad and some British dishes.
Gifts and Souvenirs at the Harry Potter Studio
Make sure to factor in time in the gift shop as well. I think my daughter would’ve happily stayed there all day and it was hard to narrow down the purchases. We ended up getting her a personalized Tri-Wizard Tournament shirt, some chocolate frogs, Bertie Bott’s jelly beans, and some small gifts for siblings and friends.
You can buy robes and wands here but they are pricey! If your child wants to dress up for the tour, I would order Harry Potter costumes online first instead of buying at the studio. It will be much less expensive.
To keep the Harry Potter fun going, try this guided walking tour.
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London Day 3-Harrod’s, Tea, and the West End
We started with a walk through Hyde Park over to Harrod’s. Taking a walk through one of London’s amazing gardens is well worth it. They really are expansive and have a uniquely British feel.
Harrod’s
Harrod’s is one of London’s most notable department stores. It has a fascinating history as well with its connection to the Fayed family. It was also the first store to introduce an escalator. If you want to shop here, better come ready to open up your wallet as it is a luxury store. We walked through the toy area, which was great because they had several demonstration stations where you could play with things and the book area.
The book selection was gorgeous. It was hard not to buy everything. They had a healthy collection of books about London or set in London for kids (great gifts) as well as beautiful hardbound classics.
Afternoon Tea in London
My daughter chose to do Brigit’s Bakery Double Decker Bus Tea. Brigit’s has several tea offerings with different themes. We chose their classic afternoon tea. This tea is a great choice for anyone that would like to do a “less stuffy” style of tea. It combines tea, with a double decker bus ride, and sight seeing all in one.
The atmosphere is fun and almost party-like. Everyone there was there to have a good time and not take things so seriously. We reserved a table on the upper deck, because does it even count if you don’t ride upstairs?
You’re given a choice of teas and it is served to you in a plastic to-go cup with lid that you can take home with you. There is also a selection of sandwiches and sweets set out for you. It was plenty of food. We weren’t able to finish everything on the bus, but the staff happily packed it up for us to take with us after the tour.
See more of our tea experience on this reel.
It was a little hard to hear the commentary on the speaker explaining the sights we were passing. I would’ve like to hear more but my daughter was unbothered and just had fun going for the ride and looking around out the windows.
Some other Kid-Friendly Teas in London are:
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West End Show-Frozen
I was kind of surprised when my daughter chose Frozen as the show she wanted to see. She’s been out of her Disney princess era for a while so I wasn’t sure if this was the best choice but we both absolutely loved it.
The show was amazing. There’s nothing quite like watching a live performance. The effects and the costumes were incredible as was the talent of the actors. It was a good mix of the story and songs you already know and love combined with new elements to keep it fresh and entertaining.
I loved that we could order drinks and snacks delivered to our seats. We placed an order before the show started and during the intermission the goods were delivered!
Even at 10, my daughter needed the booster to see well. Grab a booster from the sides of the theater before you get to your seat.
If you want a chance to see the actors from the show, head over to the stage door after the performance. The actors and staff will exit here and we were able to snap a picture and get an autograph from the actor who played Kristoff. That was an added bonus we hadn’t planned for!
Many restaurants in the West End offer a theater menu/seating. Make a reservation and have dinner before your show.
Check the age requirements for the show online! Some theaters/shows will not admit children under a certain age.
If you’re not set on a certain show, you can use this website to snag last minute tickets at a big discount.
Other West End Shows good for kids:
Day 4 London-Natural History Museum, Kensington, & Departure
London has so many great museums available to visit and many of them are FREE. It’s hard to choose! My daughter ended up choosing the Natural History Museum which is a good fit for animal and science lovers. Even though this museum is free, you still need to reserve a ticket.
We did not, and had to wait in line. Do yourself a favor and make sure to reserve yours in advance. I tried to do it the night before and it was too late.
We spent a couple hours here wandering the exhibits and marveling at the architecture. If we didn’t have a flight to catch, I think we would’ve been here all day.
Other Great Museums in London for Kids:
For lunch we strolled through the nearby South Kensington neighborhood and got Bubble Tea and sat down for lunch at Comptoir Libanese which had delicious Lebanese food!
To get back out to Heathrow we once again used the Elizabeth line, and it was super easy.
More to Do with Kids in London
London Eye-full disclosure, I personally didn’t love this when we did it years ago. I found it a bit overpriced and underwhelming. But it is a popular attraction that many kids would probably like, so I’m including it here. Your best bet is to pre-book Fast Track tickets so you aren’t spending a lot of time waiting in line.
Tower of London-excellent free tours by the Beefeaters and highly recommend seeing the Crown Jewels and armory. Very impressive!
Borough Market-a foodie paradise! This market is full of gourmet stalls selling all kinds of culinary treats. Or try this guided food tour for even more foodie fun.
Buckingham Palace-watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony here every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 10:45 AM. From the months of July-September you can also book tickets to view the inside of the palace.
SeaLife Aquarium-popular aquarium right next to the London Eye.
Princess Diana Memorial Playground-free playground in Kensington Gardens with a Peter Pan inspired pirate ship.
Hamley’s Toy Store, but beware you are setting yourself up to buy things!
London Zoo-located in Regent’s Park
More London Tips
Pack light. If you plan to use the tube especially, you don’t want to be hauling huge bags with you on the tube and through the streets to get to your hotel.
Pack small umbrellas. It rains in London a lot. You should have an umbrella and/or rainjacket with you. Chances are, you’ll need it.
Turn your oyster card back in at the end of your trip to get your 5 GBP deposit back.
Bring plug adapters and check any hair appliances you want to bring to make sure they are dual voltage.
Buy tickets in advance for all your tours, shows, and entry into popular sites like the London Eye, Tower of London etc. It will save you so much time from waiting in line!