If there’s one thing that you can’t plan for when organising a trip to London it’s the weather.
You can book your family-friendly hotel months in advance, buy tickets to the city’s most famous attractions and even make reservations at some of London’s best family-friendly restaurants. But the one thing that is impossible to plan for is London’s unpredictable weather.
Fortunately, London is a great place to be whether the sun is shining or its pouring with rain. Yes, there are some attractions that are best enjoyed under a haze of blue sky but the good news is that there are lots of things to do on rainy days in London.
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Things to do on rainy days in London
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If you are visiting London and get caught in the rain, or if you live here and are trying to entertain children on a rainy weekend, then this list of the best rainy day activities is for you. Just don’t forget your umbrella.
Things to do in London on a rainy day – Museums
London is packed full of museums and many of them are in central London and free to visit. With excellent permanent exhibitions and a regular roster of visiting exhibitions, London’s museums are a great place to hide when it’s pouring outside.
There are 170 museums in London meaning that wherever you are in the city, you’ll most likely find a museum nearby. There are national museums, free museums, world-famous museums, weird museums, and museums where you enjoy a sleepover!
Getting around all 170 museums will take some time, however, so we’ve just listed a few of our favourites here.
The British Museum
The oldest and largest museum in London is the British Museum. It first opened its doors in 1759 and covers 18.5 acres with a mind-boggling eight million objects in its collection including the real Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Sculptures and the Bust of Ramesses the Great. The collection is so big, in fact, that only 1% of it can be displayed at any one time. The British Museum is also one of the most visited museums in London.
If you’re visiting with kids make sure to pick up one of the Explorer Trails, which are a wonderful way to discover some of the museum’s collections. The British Museum is free to visit.
Natural History Museum
Hanging out with the dinosaurs in the Natural History Museum in South Kensington is a great way to spend a rainy day in London. As well as meeting the giant T.Rex, make sure to try the earthquake simulator, accessed via an escalator and giant metal globe.
Regular special exhibitions take place at the museum including the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
The museum is also the setting for one of the best scenes in the original Paddington movie and home to the excellent Dinosnores museum sleepover.
If you do spend the day here then there is a dedicated picnic area within the museum itself as well as a handful of cafes. Otherwise, there are lots of places to eat near the Natural History Museum.
Science Museum
Next door to the Natural History Museum is the Science Museum where you can easily spend several hours exploring. We love a lot of things about the Science Museum but one of the best things is the Wonderlab, a. hands-on, interactive gallery where you can see lightning strike before your eyes, play with forces on giant slides or travel through space under a canopy of stars.
Victoria &Albert Museum
Across the road from the Science Museum is the V&A Museum another one of London’s free museums.
If visiting with younger children, make sure to head to the Learning Centre first and pick up a backpack. These packs are filled with fun activity sheets designed for children aged 5-12 to explore the V&A. There are Agent Animal bags for under 5s.
Madame Tussauds
Founded in 1835 by French wax sculptor Marie Tussaud, Madame Tussauds is a wax museum located on London’s Marylebone Road, a short walk from Bakerloo Underground station.
The museum is hugely popular with families and gives visitors of all ages the chance to get up close and personal to famous icons and celebrities from around the world. Meet Marvel Superheroes, have your photos snapped with the Royal Family, say hello to Dua Lipa and much more.
Other Museums
There are lots of other London museums that are well worth a visit on a rainy (or sunny) day. These include the following:
- The TATE Modern located on the River Thames is London’s most famous modern and contemporary art museum. They have regular drop-in arts sessions for kids. Once you’ve finished here, hop on a boat and travel over to Tate Britain, home to 500 years of British art.
- The Horniman Museum is a fun and quirky destination for families. Dedicated to anthropology, natural history and musical instruments the museum is most famous for its over-stuffed walrus in the main Natural History Gallery. It’s also home to the Butterfly House, which is sure to bring joy on a rainy, grey day.
- The Cartoon Museum is filled with comic strips and animation from history. It’s more suited to teens than younger children but they do host regular temporary exhibitions that work well for all ages as well as dedicated activities for kids during school holidays.
- The Sherlock Holmes Museum, dedicated to the fictional London detective, is always popular (and always has a long line outside!).
- The Old Operating Theatre is a brilliant step back in time and one of the oldest surviving operating theatres.
- The Charles Dickens Museum is housed in the author’s old London house and an intriguing look at life in Victorian London.
- The Churchill War Rooms is an excellent London museum for kids and a fascinating insight into what was the nerve centre for the British Government during World War Two. If the kids enjoy it, then take them over to the Imperial War Museum afterwards.
- The Tower of London, while not entirely undercover, is still a good option for a drizzly day. If it’s raining hard then you will get wet waiting to see the Crown Jewels.
- Introduce the kids to some art while you keep dry in The National Gallery. Located in Trafalgar Square, this central London museum often has family-friendly activities on during school holidays.
- The London Dungeons is a great option for older kids, teens and parents who don’t mind being spooked!
- The Postal Museum is one of our favourites with kids. If visiting with younger children then make sure to visit Sorted! the museum’s themed play area where kids can pretend to sort letters, deliver post and work in a post office.
- Westminster Abbey is a great place to shelter from the elements. Even better it hosts regular family-friendly activities during the school holidays.
- The British Library, home to the original edition of the Magna Carta from 1215 is well worth a visit. It usually has an interesting exhibition on and is home to the King’s Library and some of the most rare and important texts in the world.
- Finally, there’s no better way to learn about the city than with a visit to the Museum of London – although you will have to wait until 2026 as the museum is moving!
Things to do in London on a rainy day – Activities
From swimming and bowling to ice skating and taking a spin on the London Eye, there are plenty of indoor activities to keep active kids busy on a rainy day.
The London Aquatics Centre in East London
Sometimes you just need to keep the kids active. London has lots of options for burning off energy on a rainy afternoon. The London Aquatics Centre has family sessions but what you really want to book tickets for is Aqua Splash. This inflatable assault course runs regularly at the weekend and during school holidays.
Ice skating
London always has lots of ice skating rinks that pop up in time for Christmas but there are rinks where you can skate year-round. You can go ice skating at Alexandra Palace, at Queens Ice and Bowl in Queensway (where you can also go bowling) and at the Sobell Leisure Centre in Islington.
Indoor climbing
The Castle is a brilliant indoor climbing centre housed within, yes, a castle! They hold family taster sessions and kids taster sessions. All visits must be booked in advance. Clip n’ Climb in Chelsea is another great place to try indoor climbing.
The Crystal Maze
The Crystal Maze Live Experience is based on the hugely popular 1990s TV show. Teams have to complete a number of challenges in a set time limit. If you successfully complete the challenge you win a crystal, which gives you 5 seconds of time in The Crystal Dome. It’s open to anyone aged 13 and over.
Trampolining
At the O2 in Greenwich you’ll find an Oxygen Freejumping trampoline park with over 150 trampolines. There are performance trampolines, a ninja warrior course, a foam pit and more. Make sure to book in advance.
Bowling
In addition to Queens Ice and Bowl there are a number of other places you can go bowling in London. All Star Lanes has venues in White City, Brick Lane, Holborn and Stratford and offer family packages.
There’s also Bloomsbury Bowling, although they don’t offer anything in particular for families. Hollywood Bowl, however, is a really good option for families. This bowling alley has a handful of venues across London. Tenpin is another bowling option with family deals.
Skateboarding
Baysixty6 Skate Park offers beginner sessions and lessons. You’ll find it in North Kensington, under the Westway.
Crazy Golf
Plonk and Puttshack have a handful of crazy golf venues in London and several of them are indoors, perfect for rainy days.
The Draughts Board Game Café
Located in Leake Street Tunnel in Waterloo, the Draughts Board Game Café is an excellent way to spend a rainy afternoon. The cafe is packed full with hundreds of board games from The Game of Thrones board game to Monopoly and much, much more.
Kids under 12 are free while children aged 13 – 17 can play for half the price of an adult ticket (note that gaming sessions are limited to up to 3 hours). Under 18s are not allowed in after 9pm.
A second Draughts Cafe can be found in Hackney.
Things to do in London on a rainy day – Cinemas & Theatres
The cinema is always a good idea on a rainy day and London is home to both big chain cinemas and independent movie theatres. There are also dedicated children’s theatres, which are the perfect place to escape to when there’s bad weather outside.
London cinemas
We love the Everyman cinemas for their cosy sofas, waiter service and pizzas. They also show excellent films. There are venues throughout the city. The Picturehouse is another lovely cinema chain with a handful of venues in London.
The Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley is one of London’s oldest cinemas (which explains the lack of leg room). The Art Deco interiors make up for it though. The Electric Cinema in Portobello is just lovely.
London theatres
Many of London’s theatres stage family-friendly shows, particularly around Christmas when the city goes Pantomime crazy. Keep an eye out for Kids Week; during the month of August children aged 16 and under can got to any participating West End show for free if accompanied by a full paying adult.
In addition to the big name theatres in London’s West End, there are a handful of theatres dedicated to shows for children. These include the Unicorn Theatre and the Little Angel Theatre in Islington. The Puppet Barge Theatre is another good option. Take a look here for discount theatre deals and last-minute tickets.
Some of the best West End Shows to bookmark include the Lion King, Matilda, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child for Harry Potter fans.
Other rainy day activities in London
Still looking for fun activities to do on a wet day? Here are some other options!
London Bookstores for kids
We’re always happy to retreat to a kid-friendly bookstore when the weather isn’t playing ball. Take a look at some of our favourite bookstores for children here.
Escape Rooms
An escape room is a fun way to spend a wet afternoon. Some of them, however, can have rather creepy or more adult themes so make sure to check that the one you choose is kid-friendly. ClueQuest is a good option with most missions suitable for children over the age of 9.
Si5 Spy Missions offers tailored quests for children as young as six.
Afternoon tea
Personally, when the weather is miserable I find that cake helps. London has plenty of themed afternoon tea experiences designed for kids. Take a look at best kids’ afternoon teas here.
London Markets
Another fun foodie option is to visit Borough Market near London Bridge. The market is under cover and filled with lots of yummy street food on offer.
Old Spitalfields Market and Leadenhall Market are two more markets to bookmark for a wet weather escape. Both markets are covered and promise food and drink options plus the chance to do a little retail therapy.
Covent Garden Market is another indoor market filled with shops and restaurants. The area surrounding the market is open to the elements and if it’s raining hard then it’s unlikely that traditional street performers will be out but this is still a fun place to be. The London Transport Museum is nearby, which is another great place to be when the weather is bad.
Discover Children’s Story Centre
This lovely literary getaway is a great rainy day activity for toddlers and younger children. Located in Stratford, children up to the age of 11 can follow an indoor story trails guided by fantastic creatures. The Discover Children’s Story Centre also hosts exhibitions themed around popular children’s authors and illustrators.
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
Younger children will love a trip to the SEA LIFE London Aquarium. It’s not the cheapest outing and it’s not huge but it’s a good place to escape to in rainy weather.
The Sky Garden
Watch the rain fall from inside London’s tallest public garden. Located on the 35th floor of a towering skyscraper in the City of London, this is one of the best places to see panoramic views of the London skyline… even when it is raining. Better yet, entry to the Sky Garden is completely free (but you will need to book your tickets in advance if visiting during popular times.)
