Top Christmas Activities For Kids in London 2022

London during the festive season is a magical experience and there are plenty of Christmas activities for kids to enjoy. From pop-up Christmas markets and ice skating rinks to London’s famous Winter Wonderland and its array of theatre shows. There’s no shortage of Christmassy things to do in London and a visit to London with kids is always worth it. Here are some of my top Christmas things to do in London with kids in 2021.

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Ice Skating in London

At Christmas time, how about ice skating in the shadow of some of London’s historical buildings as they install ice rinks for the winter months.

In central London, venues include The Tower of London, Somerset House and Queen’s House in Greenwich.

Somerset house ice skating rink London at Christmas

To ensure your place ice skating at one of London sights, book tickets online in advance. Where available, Penguin guides are on a first come, first served basis. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Hampton Court Palace – The open air ice rink in the grounds of Henry VIII’s home has daytime and nighttime sessions. Combine it with a visit around the Tudor palace. There is also the famous Hampton Court Magic Garden for younger visitors.

Winter Wonderland also has an ice rink. Or, if you prefer somewhere a little warmer to skate, Westfield shopping centres in Shepherds Bush and Stratford install an indoor ice rink during the winter months.

Westfield Shepherds Bush ice skating indoors, Christmas activities in London

See the Christmas Lights in London

At night, the UK’s capital city comes alive with sparkling London Christmas lights making it a magical family-friendly experience.

Oxford Street lights in London

The Oxford Street Christmas lights is a highlight with over 1700 illuminations.

Carnaby Street, close to Oxford Street, has wonderful light displays all year around. At Christmas time you can get festive while shopping in one of London’s coolest areas to shop.

Regent Street always has incredible displays hanging from it’s white, gleaming architecture.

If you are with older children, you may like to experience London’s lights with an open top bus tour or go on a group Christmas walking tour.

Christmas lights on Oxford Street, London

If you want to escape the busy shopping crowds of central London, there are options for family-friendly Christmas light displays in South West London.

Christmas at Kew Gardens

The popular Christmas at Kew is a light extravaganza for the whole family. It has over one million lights on its trail around the world famous botanical gardens in South West London. Kew Gardens is worth visiting all year around but this is a magical Christmas activity with kids in London. Read about our visit to Christmas at Kew in 2021.

Running until 8th January 2023, book in advance for Christmas at Kew Gardens. Hurry, as tickets sell out quickly. The closest tube station is Kew Gardens on the district line or Kew Bridge overland railway from Waterloo.

Enchanted Woodland, Syon Park

There is also Syon Park’s Enchanted Woodland in Isleworth, South West London. Its illuminated mile-long trail also has strobe lights and lasers and opens at 5pm so suitable for visiting with younger children. MummyTravels has the lowdown on some of the best Christmas light displays in London with kids.

Illuminature at London’s Wetland Centre

The ‘Illuminature’ light trail at the wetland centre in Barnes, West London, is a nature-inspired light display. Enjoy the lights as you explore nature after dark. It runs 4.30pm – 9pm until 8 January 20223. Book tickets to see the lights at Barnes Wetland centre.

Hogwarts In The Snow

For Harry Potter fans, this is the chance to see the Hogwarts in a winter setting at the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Herfordshire. Iconic sets from the Harry Potter films are transformed for the festive season to make them even more magical. It runs until 15th January 2023. Book your trip to Hogwarts with bus transfers from central London.

Go Curling at the Curling Club

The ultimate winter sport (in Scotland anyway) has come to London with two Curling Clubs, one in Twickenham and the other along London’s South Bank. While the evenings can get a little raucous with divine cocktails and live music, during the day it’s a great winter activity to do as a family. It has smaller stones for children to use and there is food and drinks available – but no sweeping brushes! Although I have yet to take the children curling, check out my instagram see how much fun I had when I visited with friends. Book online to reserve your game until 3rd January 2023.

London Christmas Markets

At Christmas, London and its suburbs sees alpine huts pop-up selling mulled wine, food and gifts. It’s now a common sight to see Christmas Markets in the UK as cities embrace what was once a continental tradition. There are plenty of London Christmas markets to visit during a family trip.

Greenwich – The suburb in east London is best known for its Naval collage, observatory and the Cutty Sark. A trip to Greenwich is recommended at any time of the year. At Christmas, its wonderful market comes alive with festivity. The Greenwich Christmas market has over 150 shops and stalls, beautiful Christmas lights as well as Santa’s grotto.

Trafalgar Square – One of London’s most famous landmarks, Trafalgar Square’s Christmas Market sits in the shadow of the towering Nelson’s column. Enjoy a spot of shopping or simply take a seat in world renowned square and observe the bustling square with a hot drink.

Trafalgar Square at Christmas: London Christmas Market by the National Gallery and St Martin in the Fields church

Southbank – The Southbank Christmas market is one of my favourites. Located underneath the London Eye, wooden huts line the River Thames. Grab a hot drink and wander along the River Thames as you view some of London’s landmarks. There are plenty of activities for children at the Southbank Christmas market with a carousel and other fun fair rides. Over at the Southbank centre, there are festive shows and family activities.

Southbank winter market: Things to do in London at Christmas

Kingston – For somewhere out of central London, the Kingston Christmas market is worth a visit. The marketplace is turned into a festive scene to welcome Kingston Christmas market. It has an alpine village, brimming with gifts and drinks. There are also Christmas activities for kids there including a carousel and fun fair rides which they can enjoy while you sip on your mulled wine.

 

Visit Santa in his London grotto

Father Christmas comes to London each festive season and can be found in an array of different locations at this time of year.

Harrods – One of the most popular and iconic places to see Father Christmas in London is at the world-famous department store, Harrods, in Knightsbridge. You have be organised as tickets sell out quickly – and of course – be willing to splash out!

Royal Albert Hall – Santa also resides at the Royal Albert Hall. An amazing place to see Santa in London. Father Christmas and his elf Crumpet will guide you around his secret headquarters while enjoying a Christmas story time session. Each child will get a gift. Santa will be at the Royal Albert Hall until 20th December.

In Regent Street, you can visit Santa at the famous toy store, Hamleys, where children take part in a seasonal activities with him. Santa will be at Hamleys in London until 24th December.

Museum of London – For a Santa visit with some history, The Museum of London and Museum of London Docklands, take you back to Victorian times. As you make your way to Santa’s Grotto, you wander through Victorian streets with carols playing in the background. Santa will be at the Museum of London until 23rd December.

Santa is also a fixture at London’s Winter Wonderland (see below). There are also grottos at London Zoo, Battersea Park Zoo, Leicester Square and at the Westfield shopping centres in Shepherds Bush and Stratford.

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

At Christmas, London’s Hyde Park is turned into a Winter Wonderland. It is one of the top Christmas things to do with kids in London. Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is a popular family day in London during winter with a a Magical Ice Kingdom, circus, ice skating as well as a real ice slide! Winter Wonderful also a big wheel, a Christmas market, food stalls and bars where you can refuel. The range of things to do at Winter Wonderland makes it one of the best kids activities in London.

Entrance to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, an activity at Christmas in London with kids

Enjoy a London Theatre Show

We love a good show and going to the theatre at Christmas is a festive treat we aim to do every year.

For theatre with toddlers in London, the Julia Donaldson adaptations always go down well. In previous years we’ve seen Stick Man Live – a fun, festive theatre show at the Leicester Square theatre for younger children and the Gruffalo. Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman is also a favourite, showing at the Peacock Theatre while Briggs’ Father Christmas is showing at the Lyric Hammersmith theatre.

Stick Man Live being performed at the Leicester Square theatre
Stick Man Live: Credit Steve Ullathorne

Pantomime – London’s West End has a pantomime every year at the London Palladium. Regional theatres on the outskirts of London also see plenty of famous faces taking to the stage during panto season.

Check out SeatPlan for tickets to see festive favourite The Nutcracker and other Christmas shows.

Although not entirely festive, Matilda the Musical is back and the Christmas holidays are a good opportunity to see the brilliant musical of Roald Dahl’s famous children’s book. Book your ticket to Matilda the Musical showing at London’s Cambridge Theatre.


Kidzania London Christmas Wonderland

Kidzania London at Westfield White City has a special Christmas event on this festive season. The immersive experience challenges children to try activities and think about what career they may like to pursue in the future. This winter, in addition to the usual roles, there will also be new Christmas activities taking place.

Children hold presents and enjoy Christmas activities at Kidzania London

These include enrolling at Elf school to design the perfect Christmas toy and joining in with Christmas tunes singing and playing percussion instruments. Help decorate the city with glitter and snow and stamp your own designs on cards and baubles. There will also be an exclusive, pre-recorded pantomime performance of Cinderella and hot drinks and sweet treats to enjoy.

For children over the age of eight, parents can drop them off independently and let them explore the activities while you go Christmas shopping in Westfield. What a bonus!

Book tickets to enjoy the Kidzania London Christmas activity.

Visit London Wetland Centre

For Christmas activities galore, head to London’s Wetland Centre in Barnes. It’s not in central London but if you fancy a short trip, it’s only 25 minutes from Waterloo.

Not only do you get to see wildlife such as otters, geese and robins up-close, there’s face painting and Christmas crafts to take part in. After dark and new for 2021, is the Barnes Wetland light display (see above).

You can also meet the ultimate winter dog, huskies. They are brought to the centre during the winter by a company which fosters the dogs and rehouses them. Children aged 3-8 can go on sleigh pulled by these beautiful creatures.

Husky dogs at London Wetland centre Barnes at Christmas

The centre also has an amazing Santa’s Grotto. Tickets sell out very fast for a visit to see Father Christmas. Even if you don’t get to see Santa, there’s plenty of festive activities to enjoy.

London at Christmas with kids

There are plenty of christmassy things to do in London for the whole family. These are just a few Christmas activities in London for kids. Make the most of your time by booking accommodation in London so you take part in a range of Christmas family activities.

 

Things to do in London with kids at Christmas: #londonwithkids #christmaslondonwithkids #familytravelThings to do in London with kids at Christmas



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Wander Mum

I've always loved to travel so when my two daughters came along, I didn't stop. Travelling as a family can have its ups and downs but I love showing my children the world and helping others navigate travelling with children in tow.

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