Best Things to Do in London with Tweens and Teens
If youโre wondering what some of the best things to do in London with tweens and teens are, just ask my daughters. Because thanks to their love for all things Harry Potter, it didnโt take much to convince my 10- and 12-year-old daughters that a trip to London was a great idea.
In fact, once we arrived in that British capital, we discovered that London has so much for Muggles like us to see and do. Read on for our tween-friendly itinerary in London.
Best things to do in London with tweens and teens
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Iโll be honest: most of our trip revolved around finding things connected to the seven Harry Potter books. In fact, part of what made the trip engaging for them was letting them tell us what they wanted to see.
Most of that was in London proper. However, at least one place they wanted to visit required a day trip outside of London. It was super easy to organize with our hotel concierge.
Tween things to do in London: Harry Potter places
Here were some of their Harry Potter must-sees:
- Platform 9 3/4
- Order of the Phoenix headquarters
- Reptile house at London zoo
Of course, we did many more things during our five days in London.
Interestingly, our trip coincided with the Independence Day holiday back in the States aka July 4th. It was weird to be in a bustling city on a day weโre used to everything being shut down for the holiday or at a family barbecue.
Anyway, we decided to commemorate that quintessential American holiday by visiting Ben Franklinโs house in London, close to Trafalgar Square. Iโm not sure that was much fun for my daughters. However, my history buff husband loved it.
Platform 9 3/4
It was at the Kings Cross Railway station in the Islington neighborhood where filmmakers capture Harry and other Hogwarts students catching the Hogwarts Express. It a popular attraction in north London.
You know that Hogwartsโ students disappear through a brick wall to access Platform 9 3/4 to catch the Hogwarts Express train. Of course, the disappearing into the wall part isnโt real.
However, the folks at Kings Cross Railway station have recreated Platform 9 3/4โor at least part of itโbetween the entrances to Platforms 9 and 10. There youโll find half of a luggage cart embedded in the wall under a sign reading โPlatform 9 3/4.โ
This is a great photo-op to start or end your day. In fact, itโs so popular that we had to wait in a line of other Harry Potter fans. Once the crowd cleared out, I was able to capture the image below of my daughters.

Disappearing Order of the Phoenix HQ
Near to the Kings Cross Stations and Platform 9 3/4โand just one Underground stop away on the Piccadilly lineโis Russell Square. Itโs in the Northeast of London.
We walked the block to see if we could figure out which one of the townhouses there may or may not have inspired the disappearing Number 12 Grimmauld Place.
In case you didnโt know, that address is the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. However, we later learned that the townhouse they used in the film version is really back in the Islington neighborhood where Kings Cross is located. Either way, itโs a pretty walk and you can let your kidsโ imaginations run wild.
Other recognizable Harry Potter sites
Clearly, much of the Harry Potter films were shot on a soundstage. I mean, how else could you film a Quidditch match on flying broomsticks.
And, of course, there is Wizarding World at Universal Studios Orlando in Florida. There you can enjoy Butterbear and buy your own wand, among other delights.
However, back across the pond, the filmmakers did use a lot of real-life London and other parts of England as a backdrop. Itโs the same with locations outside of London as well.
London Zoo
The Reptile House at the London Zoo. This is where Harry learned he could speak to a boa constrictor in โHarry Potter and the Sorcererโs Stone.โ FYI, in England, they call it the โPhilosopherโs Stone.โ
London Zoo, formally Zoological Gardens, is in the northern part of Regentโs Park, in the City of Westminster, London. In London, different neighborhoods may also be actually different cities or boroughs within London, such as Westminster.
Leadenhall Market
Youโll find Leadenhall Market in the Londonโs financial district. Thatโs where Hogwartsโ students access Diagon Alley to secure their school โsupplies.โ Look for Whittington Avenue.
Oxford University
For example, 90 minutes outside London is Oxford University. It is a must-visit for Harry Potter fans.
Upon entering the dining hall at Christ Church College at the University, youโll immediately notice its uncanny resemblance to the dining hall at Hogwarts. That is, minus the floating chandeliers and fluttering-about ghost spirits.
In fact, our daughters werenโt thrilled with the long bus ride to Oxford. However, as soon as we got inside that Christ Church, Oxford building, they recognized the wood-paneled staircases and the long tables. Then, we couldnโt get them to leave.

Outdoor places for kids
There are plenty of outdoor places for kids in London. My daughtersโ favorite place was the Princess Diana Memorial Playground.
This playground is in Kensington Gardens. This is a large city park thatโs Northwest of Buckingham Palace.
My girls enjoyed blowing off steam among the playgroundโs Peter Pan replica structures. This included Hookโs boat and a collection of teepees.
We learned that Peter Panโs creator, JM Barrie, lived nearby. Thus, all of the Peter Pan references.
Other outdoor places for kids:
- The aforementioned London Zoo
- The Tower of London
Tower of London
Voldemort hasnโt got anything on the likes of King Henry the VIII, who used the Tower of London for executing his wives and others. My daughters were confused when we said we were going to the Tower of London. Maybe your kids will be, too.
Mine actually thought we were going to Big Ben because, you know, itโs a tower.
Nope. The Tower of London is really a walled castle on the banks of the River Thames. Itโs very close to the Tower Bridge over the Thames. You can see that bridge in the background in the photo below.

Yeoman tour guides
However, despite it being a place of death, the amusing antics of the Yeoman Warders, who act as your free tour guide, provide some humor in all of this gore.
The Yeoman, who met us at the Towerโs front gates, proceeded to tell us about all of the people whoโd lost their heads (literally) on the Tower Green. Once further inside the castle walls, he pointed out Beauchamp (pronounced Beech-um) Tower. That was death row to the likes of Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey.
Well, this kind of freaked out my daughters. Not because of the beheading and whatnot. No, itโs because my kidsโ names are Anne and Jane.
Anyway, the Yeoman delighted in telling us, in excruciating detail, how many swings of the axe it took to behead some of the โstubbornโ prisoners. This made my tweens wince and giggle simultaneously. I think they found this a fun experience.
He also suggested we check out the graffiti these prisoners had carved into the walls during their time there. Nothing like seeing graffiti tags from death row inmates from 500 years ago.
London crown jewels on display
On the softer side, the Tower is home to Englandโs crown jewelsโthe real shiny stuff, not someoneโs anatomy. This includes the finery that Queen Elizabeth II wore at her 1953 coronation. Wonder if Charles borrowed any of that for his coronation.
Give yourself plenty of time to explore the Tower of London with kids, especially if they tend to dawdle. We arrived late in the day.
Two hours later, we had to leave, because the Tower was closing. However, there was still lots more we wanted to see. So, definitely donโt leave this for your last trip of the day like we did.
Other kid-friendly tourist attractions
While it was fun to take in the Harry Potter spots and a bit of history at the Tower of London, the next two options were my daughters favorites. I think because they appeared to be about โfun things to doโ rather than โwhat can I learnโ in London.
Great views of London from the Eye
The British Airwaysโ London Eye is really a giant Ferris wheel. It sits on the South banks of the Thames.
Because of this vantage point, youโll get a birdsโ eye view of London, including Big Ben and Parliament. It also made for a great backdrop for our family photo.

Unlike a ferris wheel at a carnival, youโll spend a decent amount of time inside the closed capsule on the London Eye. In fact, one revolution takes about 30 minutes.
Certain members of my family are afraid of heights and would never get on a ferris wheel at the carnival. However, they had a ton of fun on the London Eye. I guess being inside the capsule made them feel safe and allowed them to enjoy the ride.
Finally, get there early in the day or youโll wait in line longer than it will take you for your flight (as they call a ride). Two hours for a 30-minute ride? I donโt think so.
Kids love the Big Bus Tour
Big Bus Tour is a hop-on, hop-off bus throughout London. Itโs an excellent way to spend your first day getting your bearings in London. So make sure you add it to your itinerary.
Also, you can use the dayโs ticket as your makeshift transportation around the city. This worked so well for us in London that when we visited Barcelona, Spain, a few years later (where we enjoyed a European vacation rental), we used the same approach.
Opt for the top-level seating of this double-decker bus, even if itโs raining. The bus provides free rain ponchos.
And itโs just so much more fun to be out in the fresh air, even if itโs chilly in July. Yes, you may need a jacket in July in London. Nonetheless, my daughters had a great time riding this busโI know, that sounds like a misnomer, fun on a bus.
On the other hand, if youโre looking for the perfect thing to do in London on a sunny day, take a Big Bus Tour would be on top of my list.
However, by staying on the top level, they spend much of the ride with their arms in the air, like you might when riding a rollercoaster. Hey, however they could have fun, Iโm all for it.
This link can help you save up to 20% off on London Big Bus Tour tickets.
Factory tours in England
One of our favorite trips back home was taking factory tours. Over the years, weโd visited Hersheyโs Chocolate World in Pennsylvania and the Ben and Jerryโs Ice Cream Factory in Vermont.
So I was thrilled to learn that you can take a factory tour in England, albeit in Birmingham, not London. However, Birmingham is an easy day trip from London.
Anyway, this tour is of Cadbury World. Thatโs where Cadbury makes its world-famous chocolate.
Iโve noticed that chocolate made in Europe tastes different than chocolate made in the United States. Dare I say it is more delicious.
So, if youโve been to Hersheyโs Chocolate World, definitely book a trip to Cadbury World. Then, you can taste test for yourself how British chocolate compares to American chocolate.
Best things to do in London with teens
If youโre a Peloton family, hereโs an option for your London trip. You can try and take a class at Peloton Studios London during your trip.
Hereโs what you need to know about kids riding in the studio. I say riding since cycling is the only option for taking live classes.
One, your kids have to be at least 13 years old. Two, they must be at least four feet, 11 inches tall.
If you need to rent shoes while at Peloton, here is help in converting Euro or UK shoe sizes to US shoe sizes.

Here are hotels in Covent Gardens near the Peloton London Studios.
Afternoon tea
When we visited London, my daughters were solidly tweens, at age 10 and 12. That made them old enough to enjoy the very girly thing of dressing up for afternoon tea.
Plus, they could sit still during a four-course tea meal. However, since they were still young enough to enjoy spending time with mom, there was no eye rolling or snarky comments.
We enjoyed at the Athenaeum Hotel in Mayfair. The Athenaeum is also a London hotel with Peloton bikes.
My daughters are normally of the milk-and-cookies persuasion. However, they rose to the occasion and ordered hot tea, and even asked for seconds of the cucumber finger sandwiches. In addition, they loved the scones and teacakes that the Athenaeum Hotel served.
Iโve included the Athenaeum in this roundup of the best luxury boutique hotels in London.
Day Trip to Paris
Believe it or not, you take a train from London to Paris, and get there in under three hours. So, if you want to couple a trip to London with a jaunt to Paris, you can definitely do that.
Also, if you decide to stay more than just a day, here are ideas on where to stay in Paris with kids. Our family rented an โapart-hotelโ when we visited Paris.
To prep them (and you) for a stay in France, I recommend these books about Paris with kids.
I hope that if you get to Paris, you donโt get sick like I did when I visited a few years ago. Thankfully, France has something similar to 1-800-MEDECIN or 1 800 doctor that you can call. And we did. However, in todayโs day, you may also want to plan for how you might get Paxlovid for foreign travel.
Finally, if you are flying and happen to have youngsters going with you, youโll want to keep them occupied during your flight to Paris or London or, frankly, anywhere. Here are ideas on the best travel toys for babies and toddlers. We definitely packed some of these activity kits when our daughters were younger.
Where to stay in London with kids, tweens or teens
Speaking of hotels, here are hotels in London that are located relatively close to the places Iโve recommended in this article. Plus, theyโre family friendly so are great places to stay in London with kidsโboth young and old.
ย The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
Club Quarters Hotel Covent Garden Holborn, London