Traveling to London With 3 Kids: A Family-Friendly Itinerary That Works
Why London Is One of the Best Cities to Visit With Kids
Traveling internationally with three kids can feel daunting — jet lag, crowds, logistics, and the challenge of keeping everyone engaged. London, however, turned out to be one of the easiest and most family-friendly cities we’ve ever visited.
From iconic landmarks and free museums to parks, playgrounds, and walkable neighborhoods, London strikes the perfect balance between sightseeing and downtime — especially when traveling with kids.
Below is exactly how we traveled to London with three children, including where we stayed, how we got around, and a realistic itinerary that didn’t leave us exhausted.
At the London Tower taking a selfie with a Beefeater
Arrival in London: How We Made Day One Work With Kids
We flew overnight from the U.S. and landed in London at 7:25 AM.
Instead of navigating public transportation with luggage and tired kids, we booked a private airport transfer, which made a huge difference on arrival day.
🔗 Heathrow Airport Information:
https://www.heathrow.com
After arriving at our hotel, we dropped our bags and headed straight out to explore.
Borough Market
Where We Stayed: Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
📍 Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
🔗 https://www.parkplaza.com/london-hotel-gb-se1-7ut/gbwestm
This hotel was an excellent choice for traveling to London with kids.
Why it worked well for families:
Spacious rooms by London standards
Walking distance to Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye
Easy access to public transportation
Comfortable for kids and parents alike
Its central location made it easy to return to the hotel for breaks when needed.
Posing with an ancient artifact = the telephone booth
Getting Around London With Kids: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
For sightseeing, we relied heavily on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, which worked extremely well with kids.
🔗 Big Bus London:
https://www.bigbustours.com/en/london
Why this is great with children:
Kids can sit and rest while sightseeing
Easy on/off access near major attractions
A built-in city overview without constant walking
Flexible pacing throughout the day
Day 1: Buckingham Palace, Borough Market & Central London
Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard
We arrived around 10:30 AM to secure a good viewing spot for the Changing of the Guard, which begins at 11:00 AM on select days.
🔗 Official information:
https://www.householddivision.org.uk/changing-the-guard
The ceremony was engaging even for younger kids thanks to the music and uniforms.
Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard
Lunch at Borough Market
After Buckingham Palace, we headed to Borough Market, which opens around 10:00 AM.
🔗 https://boroughmarket.org.uk
Why it works well with kids:
Tons of food options
Casual atmosphere
Easy to accommodate picky eaters
Afternoon Walk: Trafalgar Square → Piccadilly Circus → Covent Garden
This afternoon was intentionally unstructured.
Trafalgar Square offers open space to roam
Piccadilly Circus keeps kids entertained with lights and energy
Covent Garden has street performers and shops
Letting kids walk, explore, and snack helped everyone reset after travel.
London Chinatown
Dinner in Chinatown
London’s Chinatown is a reliable option for families:
Quick service
Familiar flavors
Casual setting
London Eye at sunset
Day 2: London Eye & West End Theater
London Eye With Kids
🕙 10:15 AM ride
The London Eye was a highlight for all three kids.
Why it works for families:
Slow-moving capsules
No fear factor
Incredible views without rushing
Wicked the Musical (West End)
🕝 2:30 PM show
Seeing Wicked in London was unforgettable. If your kids can sit through a Broadway-style production, it’s well worth it.
🔗 https://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk
Day 3: Tower of London, Tower Bridge & Afternoon Tea
Tower of London
🕥 10:30 AM entry
🔗 https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london
This attraction is surprisingly kid-friendly:
Castles and medieval history
The Crown Jewels
Entertaining Yeoman Warders
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
🕜 1:30 PM visit
🔗 https://www.towerbridge.org.uk
Walking across Tower Bridge and seeing the glass floor was a fun break between attractions.
Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at The Shard
🕞 3:30 PM
🔗 https://www.the-shard.com/restaurants/peter-pan-afternoon-tea/
This experience felt special without being overwhelming:
Themed desserts
Incredible views
Fun for both kids and adults
The Queen’s Walk with a view of the Tower Bridge
Day 4: Hyde Park, Museums & Italian Dinner
Hyde Park & Princess Diana Memorial Playground
🔗 https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington-gardens
This playground is a must when visiting London with kids:
Pirate ship theme
Fully enclosed
Great place for kids to burn energy
Natural History Museum
🕒 3:00 PM
Dinosaurs, animals, and hands-on exhibits — and it’s free.
Dinner at Da Mario (Kensington)
A classic, family-friendly Italian restaurant that works well after a full day.
Natural History Museum
Tips for Visiting London With Multiple Kids
Start Early
London attractions are calmer in the morning.
Limit Big Activities
One or two major activities per day is the sweet spot.
Build in Parks and Playgrounds
Kids need breaks — London has excellent green spaces.
Be Flexible
Not every moment needs to be scheduled.
View of Big Ben
Final Thoughts: Is London Worth Visiting With 3 Kids?
Absolutely.
London is:
Easy to navigate
Packed with kid-friendly attractions
Educational without being boring
Enjoyable for both parents and children
If you’re planning a family trip to London, this itinerary proves that traveling with three kids can be both manageable and memorable.
