23 Best Kids Activities In North London You Won't Want To Miss
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Whether you're local, just visiting or fancy an adventure, North London has everything you need for family-friendly fun. For anyone searching for things to do with the kids, from a local leisure centre to art galleries and play areas, there's something to keep all ages, interests and budgets happy.
We've had a great time compiling this list of some of our favourites, so that you can have a great time visiting them!
ZSL London Zoo
Of course we had to kick things off with a good old-fashioned family day at the zoo. During some school half terms, children aged 4-12 even have a great opportunity to experience life as a zoo vet!
So if your kids have a passion for wildlife, there's no better place than London Zoo to start discovering all 20,000+ creatures great and small.
Nearest Tube Station: Camden Town
London Bridge Text Quest
Got your phone? Got your teens?
Then you're pretty much ready to go on a family scavenger hunt! London has so many hidden gems, which makes it the best place to have your very own day of clues, sightseeing and discovery.
Starting at Cleopatra's Needle and ending at St Paul's Cathedral, you'll soak up the sights whilst being texted clues along the way on the London Bridge Text Quest.
Nearest Tube Station: Embankment
The Castle Climbing Centre
This is one to keep the kids active, engaged and brimming with newfound confidence. This North London climbing centre offers superb family and kids taster sessions for ages 5+ in both climbing and bouldering. If they really take to their new hobby then enroll them in the many fun and varied weekly climbing clubs.
Nearest Tube station: Finsbury Park
The Golden Hinde
Take the family on a swashbuckling adventure right in the heart of London. This astounding, interactive replica of Sir Francis Drake's galleon will really bring history to life.
Children can take turns in raising the anchor, searching for hidden treasure, and be transported back in time with period actors. Free for ages three and under, and only £5 for everybody else, it's a great way to get stuck into learning.
Nearest Tube Station: London Bridge
London Fields Lido
Open whatever the weather, this 50m heated outdoor pool can be found in London Fields Park. With lane swims, one-to-one lessons and family facilities, everyone is invited to have a good splash about at London Fields Lido.
It's a great place to get the whole family swimming in the open air, even if that means you watching from the sun terrace!
Nearest tube station: Hackney Central
Borough Market
Not forgetting about any foodies in the family, why not take a free trip around London's oldest and most delicious market. Get your kids' tastebuds tingling with the freshest produce samples, live cooking demonstrations and come back with a million ideas for dinner.
Nearest Tube Station: London Bridge
Finsbury Park
Finsbury Park is a classic green space that the whole family of all ages can enjoy. Any budding skateboarder in your midst will love the famous renovated skate park. Little ones will have a great time in the adventure playground, and you can get some reps in on the outdoor gym equipment (or just admire the lake).
Nearest Tube Station: Finsbury Park
Kentish Town City Farm
Camden's own City Farm is a great way to educate and inspire the kids with animal and plant life. Open every day and free of charge, the farm is home to sheep, pigs, geese, horses and plenty of relaxing nature. Plus if you visit on a weekend or school holidays, little ones can enjoy a pony or donkey ride!
Nearest Tube Station: Kentish Town
Chin Chin Ice Cream Lab
You'll all scream for this delicious family favourite, where you can choose from ice creams, shakes, cakes and cookies. Not only is Chin Chin Lab's ice cream an all round organic treat, the kids will love the ever changing fancy flavours and theatrical liquid nitrogen display. Definitely worth a visit in Camden come rain or shine.
Nearest Tube Station: Camden Town
Clowntown
If you've got a toddler in tow, then you can't go wrong with Clowntown. North London's largest and arguably most fun soft play centre, Clowntown boasts a 5D cinema, excellent party facilities and regular arts and crafts events. This is truly a toddler play haven, complete with a much needed cafe to occupy the adults all day!
Nearest Tube station: Finchley Central
V&A Childhood Museum
This charming museum will really capture the kids' imaginations. Children of all ages can learn and interact with toys from bygone eras and join in with fun-filled daily activities.
This is a great one for reminiscing over your old Tamagotchi or space hopper! Pick up a free family backpack on your way round to really get the most out of your visit.
Nearest Tube station: Bethnal Green
Coram's Fields
No school holiday is complete without a trip to Coram's Fields. A fun, bustling park and playground with a strict children-only policy. Every child is guaranteed a great playtime, with its very own zip wire, sensory and music area, sandpit and paddling pool.
Nearest Tube Station: Russell Square
Alexandra Palace
This iconic Victorian landmark is a hub of adventure for all ages - boasting a skate park, boating lake and a crammed calendar of family activities. Fearless children will revel in swinging from the tree tops at Go Ape, whilst toddlers will love visiting the soft play centre Little Dinosaurs, complete with outdoor space and mini bouncy castle.
Nearest Tube Station:Alexandra Palace
Beatorbit
Only in Camden could you find the ultimate fast paced and addictive drumming workshop that Beatorbit offers. Think guitar hero meets percussion workout for the entire family! With teams of up to six, Kidadler Shona highly recommends it for older children ages 12+. Who knows, you might release your own inner rock star...
Nearest Tube Station: Kentish Town
Monkey Music - Huggle Swiss Cottage
From three months to four years old, Monkey Music hosts interactive, fun music classes for babies to pre-schoolers. Not only is this a wonderful way for your little ones to make new friends and learn songs, it's brilliant for their future developmental skills. With classes all over London, time with your little monkey has never sounded so sweet!
Nearest Tube Station: Swiss Cottage
Little Hands Design
If you're looking for a half term creative outlet for your little fashionista, Little Hands Design is perfect. Children ages 8-18 learn how to shop sustainably, design and create truly unique fashion pieces, and be taught by industry experts. Just think, they might end up making you a whole new wardrobe one day!
Nearest Tube Station: Belsize Park
Mission Breakout
Escape rooms have been a family favourite since they burst onto the scene, and Camden's Mission Breakout is no exception. Kids aged 9+ and adults alike will love solving the clues to try and beat the clock in one of two mind-boggling escape rooms.
Nearest Tube station: Camden Town
Whiskers & Cream
Cat + Cafe = the two sweetest words in the English language. Whiskers & Cream is home to nine adorable moggies who love a cuddle.
This is a great day out for older children aged 11+ who love all things feline, and a perfect excuse for you to indulge in a gorgeous afternoon tea. Kids aged 10 and below are still welcome, as long as you make a booking online or phone up beforehand.
Nearest Tube Station: Archway
Arsenal Stadium
Without stating the obvious, this is clearly one for the budding Beckhams and all round footie fans. Arsenal stadium offers brilliant child-friendly tours of its world class grounds. Perfect for children ages 5+ who are dying to walk in the footsteps of their favourite team players.
Nearest Tube Station: Arsenal
Clay Time Pottery Place
If you and the kids fancy something messy, fun and creative then swap play time for clay time! Get stuck in with wet clay building, potter's wheels and painting your very own masterpiece. This pottery workshop is brilliant for all ages, and you'll have the perfect homemade souvenir at the end of it.
Nearest Tube Station: Arsenal
Sobell Leisure Centre
Islington is home to one of North London's biggest and best leisure centres with Sobell. Here you'll find a smorgasbord of family fun, offering so much for all ages. Its soft play safari is three floors of toddler fun, and the older kids will be fully entertained at the trampoline park, ice rink, climbing wall and more.
Nearest Tube station: Arsenal
RAF Museum
How lucky are we to have so many amazing museums right here in London? The RAF is a great day out for the whole family. Complete with lifesize aircrafts, 3D flight simulators and a themed outdoor playground, this museum will transport you through one hundred years of RAF history.
Nearest Tube Station: Colindale
Henry's Walk Adventure Playground
Another brilliant North London playground designed with families in mind. Its bold and imaginative play area includes a campfire, maze and zip wire. Visitors here are encouraged to create, play and use their imaginations whilst making new friends. Free supervised activities indoor and outdoor for ages six to sixteen upon registering.
Nearest Tube Station: Canonbury
So there you have it - just a small but varied selection of all the great things North London has to offer. No more searching for "things to do with the kids near me", the only thing to worry about now is how to drag them away from these amazing places!
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in English and English Literature
Clare WellhamBachelor of Arts specializing in English and English Literature
Born and raised in Yorkshire, Clare is an avid traveler and storyteller who is determined to explore as much of the world as possible. With a passion for encouraging others to step out of their comfort zones and discover new places, she loves sharing her adventures with others. Recently becoming an aunt for the first time, she's excited to discover all the fun and exciting kid-friendly activities out there. She has a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature from Leeds Trinity University.
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2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.