London is slowly coming out of lockdown and we cannot wait to experience the best the capital has to offer families this march and April 2021. April 12th is a certainly a date for the diary but there’s a bunch of opening in March too. To help you navigate your way around the best family friendly options in the capital, we’ve collated our favourites to include zoos, culture hubs, outdoor art and boating activities.
Although everything is accurate at the time of publication, please do keep an eye on the emerging situation – if we’ve learnt anything from the past year is that circumstances can change at the very last minute.
ZSL London Zoo
London Zoo have been struggling for the past 12 months to care for their animals without the income from ticket sales so visiting post lockdown you can rest assured that you will be supporting their conservation work and helping feed their animals. ZSL London Zoo is always an awesome day out. Whatever your age – there are great activities for young and old alike and you can learn about animals and the environment whilst strolling 9at a distance) around the (very large) enclosure and letting little ones explore the various areas (Tiger Territory, Penguin Beach, Gorilla Kingdom and Land of the Lions)
Their new flexi tickets means you can book today and visit anytime in the next 12 months (meaning if the weather throws you April showers you can postpone for later in the year). More info and booking via their website here.
The Sculpture Park
Get lost in this oasis that combines sculpture and nature. Lose yourself for a few hours along the winding 2 mile trail through t10 acres of enchanting woodland and water gardens and see how many of the 600 large outdoor sculptures you can spot. They are open from the 8th of March for visitors within an 8 mile radius and from the 12th of April for those visiting from further afield. Tickets are £10 per adult and can be booked via their website here.
London Boating experiences
Explore London from the waterways, spot wildlife and check out some artworks during a boating experience. Grab your family and rent a Go Boat to sail past London Zoo at their Paddington location or venture down past Hampton Court Palace with their Kingston location all whilst enjoying a picnic on board. Check out our review here.
For those more adventurous families you can rent a Moo Canoe and paddle down towards Victoria park or the Queen Elizabeth Olympic park where you can take in views of the Arcelormittal Orbit from a different angle. This is what the Young Londoner made of it.
Rent out a Hot Tub or a BBQ Boat AKA SkunaBoats in Canary Wharf where you can meander around munching your barbeque or keeping toasty in the British Spring with the warm hot tub all to the backdrop of the city. Plus they are offering a 25% discount on pre booking. More info here.
Kew Gardens
To celebrate 70 years of Dennis, Beano will come to Kew Gardens and Wakehurst this Easter for a ‘Big Bonanza’ full of jokes, mischief and pranks. From Wednesday 31st of March visitors can join in the fun with a brand-new, giant, 3D comic strip created especially for the milestone occasion. Fun for kids and grown-ups alike, this birthday bash will feature a host of characters from the popular Beano comic and much-loved TV series. Young Londoners will also enjoy a visit to the Children’s garden which combines gardening design, science and nature to create a unique playscape. More info and booking via their website.
Selfie Factory at the O2
Want some new footage for your Insta? The Selfie Factory at the O2 may just be the place to go. This quirky, interactive experience provides a variety of sets and backdrops where you can fill your camera roll with plenty of insta worthy shots. Kids will love the bright colours and whilst in the area you can combine with a visit to The Line Sculpture Trail or a trip on the Emirates Skyline. More info and booking via their website here.
Adventure Farms
London has plenty of adventure parks around to get your Young Londoners eggcited for the Easter Holidays and Beyond. Here are three of our favourites.
Marsh Farm has animals and mini golf, inflatable bouncy castles, ride on tractors, seasonal activities like easter egg hunts and summer festivals, fairground rides and a massive sandpit as well as two great play spaces for children of all ages (a heads up that one at the back is the better and newer of the two). Check out our review of their summer festival. Some of the activities may look slightly different because of social distancing but you can still expect a fun day out.Tickets start at £15.99 more info and booking via their website.
Hobbledown has you covered with beautifully landscaped adventure play in Hobbledown Village or the newly opened Fern’s castle where Young Londoners can have a go at rescuing Fern the resident fairy. There are animals to feed and the raptor Centre where you can learn all about birds of play. Combine this with Zorbing and high ropes and you are bound to have a full day of fun with your kids. More info and booking via their website.
Old Macdonald’s Farm is home to over 30 different species of animals here; including meerkats, pigs, wallabies, rabbits, ponies, cows, sheep, horses, reindeer and alpacas. You can expect the usual array of fairground rides, adventure play and lots more. Visit their website for details and bookings.
Go Ape
There is no better way to enjoy spring than from London’s parks and Go Ape delivers for urban dwellers who want a little bit of a nature fix in the city. Take to the trees with your little monkeys in fun adventures at two different London locations; Alexandra Palace or Battersea Park. Go Ape is perfect for little Londoners interested in climbing and exploring. As well as wobbly bridges, zip-wires and intricate crossings you can expect high platforms, wooden stations and impressive woodland views. A great day out where you can test your balance and endurance alongside your family (pus giggle a little bit along the way! Tickets start at £28 and more info and booking via the Go Ape website.
London Art Galleries
A few London art galleries define themselves as non-essential shops and as such can re-open from April 12th. The White Cube at Mason’s Yard plans to re-open on April 14th with New Normal Pictures by Gilbert and George or check out Charles Gaines’ plexiglas gridwors at Hauser and Wirth from the 12th of April. Other galleries that are classed as non-essential shops but have yet to confirm whether they will reopen include all the Gagosian galleries, David Zwirner, Stephen Friedman and Pace. Whilst in the area you could also explore the wanderart trail and see what other local galleries have managed to open through this loophole.
London Wetland Centre
100 acres of wildlife paradise in West London that combines nature with art, adventure play and plenty of space to socially distance in. The Explore outdoor adventure playground gives young Londoners the opportunity to swoop down on zip wires, balance on beams and tackle the climbing wall. There is also an art trail and lego animals to spot around the site. More info and booking via the website.
Mini Golf
Get your golf on with a variety of adventure and mini golf sites throughout London. Our favourites include Jurassic Falls Adventure Golf or Jurassic Encounters where you can putt alongside dinosaurs or take a Putt in the Park at either their Battersea or Wandsworth locations and combine with a visit to the playground.
The Drive-In
Film fans get your cars in gear because the drive in at the Troubadour Meridian Water is re-opening on Monday 12th April with brand new releases, spectacular live events and lots more. Expect family friendly classics from the comfort of your car. More info via the website.