17 Best Things To Do With A Toddler In London For Under 10

There is a wealth of opportunity in London for you and your toddler, and the activities don’t need to break the bank. With new events cropping up daily, the possibilities of things to do in London for kids are endless. Without even breaking a tenner, we’ve sought out the best cheap and cheerful toddler activities London has to offer.Kids Table at Boxpark CroydonBoxpark Croydon have done a brilliant job of embracing things to do for kids in London. In the up and coming area of Croydon, the team at Boxpark have made sure that parents and toddlers are welcome at the Kids Table. This addition is a family friendly nod to the neighbourhood. Just set yourselves up with some lunch and take your toddlers over to the Kids Table, safe in the knowledge that they will be kept busy by professional playworkers. Be sure to find arts, crafts, games, and even face painting.Where is it? BOXPARK Croydon, 99 George St, Croydon CR0 1LDHow much to budget for: FREENearest station: East Croydon ThameslinkSquish Space at the BarbicanThe Barbican is on track to become our favourite public living room. The iconic public space, open to all, has got its very own soft play area in the form of Squish Space. Immerse your toddler in sensory soft play at Squish Space, described by its creators as “constantly engaged in the flow of interaction and exchange with children at play”. Squish Space embodies soft play with a purpose, and it gets a big thumbs up from us.Where is it? Barbican Centre, Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DSHow much to budget for: FREENearest Tube: BarbicanNatural History Museum at TringThe beautiful branch at Tring, just outside London, has a fantastic programme of events for kids, all for under £10. Bring your toddlers along to explore the nature-rich grounds and impressive collections of animals on display at the Rothschild estate. Every activity is designed to bring kids closer to nature, discovering through play and craft. Create a beautiful bird feeder in the garden, or take part in the Tring Bioblitz to discover creepy crawlies in the woods.Where is it? The Walter Rothschild Building, Akeman St, Tring HP23 6APHow much to budget for: Access FREE, up to £5 for events booked in advance.Nearest station: TringRhyme Time at West Greenwich LibraryA lovely start to your Tuesday, come and cuddle up for Rhyme Time at West Greenwich Library. No booking required, Rhyme Time offers singing and rhymes for you and your kids. Just a stone’s throw away from Greenwich station, Rhyme Time is the perfect venue for meeting other parents and toddlers in a relaxed environment. Make sure you and your little ones browse the shelves for stories to take home with you!Where is it? West Greenwich Library, 146 Greenwich High Rd, Greenwich, London SE10 8NNHow much to budget for: FREENearest Tube: GreenwichHands On Base at the Horniman MuseumAlways free and always fun, the Horniman Museum is never short of things to do with toddlers. South London’s very own culture collection is tucked away in leafy Forest Hill. From gleaming brass instruments, to buzzy bees, and even a live aquarium, you are sure to find your day full of excitement. The program for under fives includes the Hands On Base, a space for discovering the museum’s objects through texture and touch, and Busy Bees, a book-in-advance session (£2.50, adults go free!) dedicated to storytelling and rhymes. The grounds up on the hill provide a mystifying view of London on a clear day, so bringing a picnic is a must.Where is it? 100 London Rd, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQHow much to budget for: FREENearest station: Forest HillLondon Fields LidoWarm weather in East London definitely calls for a trip to London Fields Lido. Heated to thirty degrees, this fifty-metre outdoor pool is open for all to make a splash. Make sure you and your toddler pack floaties and goggles.Where is it? London Fields West Side, Hackney, London E8 3EUHow much to budget for: Adult £5.10, Junior £3, FREE for Hackney residents under 18.Nearest station: London FieldsThe Science MuseumAnother one of London’s brilliant days out, the Science Museum offers many activities for toddlers. The museum’s Wonderlab is a glorious interactive hub of discovery for kids. Families are spoilt for choice, and exploration is key at the Science Museum. Wander into the garden to experience the natural world by touch, or take a trip to outer space in the museum’s very own interactive cosmos.Where is it? Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DDHow much to budget for: Access to museum FREE. Wonderlab passes from £8.Nearest Tube: South KensingtonCrystal Palace ParkLucky enough to be home to a number of lifesize (model) jurassic creatures, South London’s Crystal Palace Park is sure to provide a packed day of family fun. Spot the dinosaurs lurking in the bushes and basking by the pond, or enjoy a picnic in the playground. If you’re up for a challenge, spend some time navigating the park’s very own maze!Where is it? Thicket Road, SE19 2GAHow much to budget for: FREENearest station: Crystal Palace or Penge WestMuseum of London DocklandsBe sure to make the Museum of London Docklands your next family trip out. Off the beaten path in St Katherine’s Dock, the museum provides an alternative history of London through exploring its waterways. Head down to the Mudlarks Gallery, an interactive space tailor-made for tiny hands, where you and your little ones can experience playtime with building blocks, cargo ships and wheelbarrows. Free when booked in advance, make sure to get a slot online to avoid disappointment.Where is it? 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, No, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4ALHow much to budget for: FREENearest Tube: West India Quay DLRRichmond ParkRichmond’s Royal Park boasts beauty all year round, with heaps of fun waiting for those willing to seek it out! Take a winter walk through the leafy greenery in search of the park’s iconic gentle deer. There’s plenty of room to burn off steam, whether it’s a run around in the sprawling woodland or setting the imagination free in one of the playgrounds on offer (there are two!). In the warmer months make a splash in the outdoor pool; there really is nothing that Richmond Park can’t offer for families.Where is it? Richmond, TW10 5HSHow much to budget for: FREE. Admission for Pools on the Park: Adult £5.50, Junior £4.20, Under 5s FREE.Nearest Tube: RichmondNatural History MuseumOne of London’s most dazzling attractions, the Natural History Museum inspires awe in kids and grown-ups alike. Filled with dozens of dinosaurs and animals from nearly every era, the home dedicated to Darwin never disappoints. You are met with the skeleton of the spectacular blue whale on entrance, the perfect start to an inspiring day. Depending on your toddler’s preference, you can take a walk through the natural world indoors, with plenty of special interactive activities, or explore butterflies, bugs, flora and fauna in the Wildlife Garden.Where is it? Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BDHow much to budget for: General admission FREE, some exhibitions require booking in advance.Nearest Tube: South KensingtonGreenwich ParkA royal park just south of the river, Greenwich Park is brimming with free things for toddlers and offers great views of London, rolling hills, and historical landmarks. Get down to the boating lake on a warm day, or conquer the playground’s pirate ship. Beautiful in all seasons, Greenwich Park is misty in the winter for welly boots and dog walks, crisp in the autumn, and full of bloom in the spring. Quietly seek out deer in the flower garden, and discover new textures in the climbing trees (for those who are brave enough). If you have time, wander downhill to the Maritime Museum, or seek to stargaze in the Observatory at the top of the park.Where is it? Greenwich Park, London SE10 8QYHow much to budget for: FREENearest Tube: Greenwich Cutty Sark DLRNational Maritime MuseumJust south of the river, the National Maritime Museum awaits tiny visitors and their parents. Look for the beautiful building at the bottom of Greenwich Park. Be ready to discover swashbuckling pirates of the past, control steam ships, and get hands on at the AHOY! Children’s Gallery, with immersive play for 0-7 year olds.Where is it? Park Row, Greenwich Peninsula, London SE10 9NFHow much to budget for: General Admission FREE. AHOY! Children’s Gallery, children 6+ months old £3.00, accompanying adult goes free.Victoria And Albert MuseumA gem situated on London’s iconic Exhibition Road, the Victoria and Albert Museum is a welcome addition to a day in South Kensington. Don’t be put off by its grand exterior, this special museum has got it right when it comes to family fun. There is something for everyone in rooms dedicated to artefacts from nearly every corner of the world, fashion rooms with dress up, art galleries, and backpack activity trails complete with magnifying glasses and crayons. Take a break in the terracotta courtyard for lunch, and maybe even dip your toes in the pond - weather permitting.Where is it? Cromwell Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RLHow much to budget for: FREENearest Tube: South KensingtonHolland ParkKensington’s unique Holland Park has endless amounts to offer, from fantastical woodland, to the Kyoto garden koi ponds and peacocks. Little ones are free to build their own adventure in the playground, with space to climb and explore. If you’re feeling active, stroll along the park’s walking routes to discover Holland Park to its edges.Where is it? Ilchester Pl, Kensington, London W8 6LUHow much to budget for: FREENearest Tube: Holland ParkThe British MuseumThe world-famous British Museum has everything you and your family need to get started on a big adventure through history. The museum is one of the biggest in the UK, but they have expertly packaged different eras into child-sized trails for families to embark on together. Head over to the Families Desk in the Great Court to pick up your themed backpack. There are trails for children of all ages, but we love the young artist pack for under 5s, which is full of crayons and paper to create your own artwork to take home.Where is it? Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DGHow much to budget for: The deposit for the backpacks is £10, which you can claim back at the end of your trail. Entrance to the museum is FREE.