Once December sets in, the temperature drops, mulled wine and minced pies make their way into our diets again and the twinkling Christmas lights grace the high streets, London transforms into a magical place attracting flocks of visitors in search of the Christmas spirit. (And let’s not forget the gazillion shopping opportunities.) Looking for things to do in London with kids for Christmas 2019? Let me give you five suggestions for fun Christmas family activities.
Top 5 things to do in London with children this Christmas
#1 Visit Winter Wonderland London
Winter Wonderland is without a doubt the top London Christmas attraction! Like every December, Hyde Park is magically transformed into a festive playground for young and old.
Stroll through the festive Christmas markets, show off (or improve) your skating skills on the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink and visit Santa’s Grotto. Or view London’s skyline from the 70m-tall observation wheel, enjoy a circus show or belt your heart out at Christmas karaoke. It’s all possible at Winter Wonderland London!
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland London is open daily between 10am and 10pm until 5 January 2020 (with the exception of Christmas Day). The park is free to enter, but you may need to pay for individual attractions. It’s advised to book those tickets ahead of time. Go to their website to find all information about Winter Wonderland London.
#2 Go ice skating in London
Winter Wonderland isn’t the only place in London for ice skating this winter! While it may be London’s magical winter kingdom, you could go ice skating right next to a real palace! Pretend you’re royalty of yesteryear and go ice skating at the Tower of London Ice Rink. For an extra splash of magic, go after dark when the ambient lights highlight the impressive fortress.
The Tower of London Ice Rink is open daily until 5 January 2020 (with the exception of Christmas Day). Book your tickets on their official website: Tower of London Ice Rink.
Another great place to go ice skating in London with kids is the Natural History Museum Ice Rink. Make a fun day out of it and visit the kids-friendly Science Museum and Natural History Museum followed by an active and fun ice skating session.
The Natural History Museum Ice Rink is open daily (not on 25 December) until 12 January 2020. Go to their website to book your tickets: Natural History Museum Ice Rink.
#3 Visit Hogwarts in the snow during the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour
I’ve used the word ‘magical’ in this blog post a few times now. It’s hard not to when you’re talking about fun Christmas activities for families! But there’s of course only one ultimate magical experience when you’re looking for things to do in London with kids and that would be the Harry Potter Movie Studio Tour!
Find all information about this special kid’s day out in London on the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour website.
#4 Join a gingerbread house making workshop with the Museum of Architecture
Besides spending time with your loved ones, Christmas time is all about tasty treats, right? So why not combine the two and join a gingerbread house making workshop!
The Museum of Architecture’s annual pop-up exhibition Gingerbread City returns to Somerset House once again. Bringing together the work of over 100 architects, engineers and designers this promises to be quite something! Marvel at this elaborate city, made entirely out of gingerbread, during a visit and find inspiration to create your own gingerbread house! The exhibition Gingerbread City is on until 5 January 2020. Until its closing date, there are daily gingerbread house making workshops for families but also adults-only sessions.
And while you’re at Somerset House, you might want to burn off those tasty ‘homemade’ (get it?) treats by going ice skating in their 18th-century courtyard! Here you can find all the information you need: Somerset House Ice Rink.
#5 Roll up roll up for the circus at the Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre is a great destination for family outings this year. Their seasonal Winter programme offers some fun family shows including theatre, art and cabaret, but if I were to choose one show in particular I’d opt for their spectacular circus show 1903. Relive the sensational Christmas film hit The Greatest Showman on Earth in real life and witness jaw-dropping acts performed by daring acrobats, contortionists and more. However, the biggest act (literally) would be the troupe of life-size elephants brought to life by the puppeteers from the War Horse theatre show.
For the complete Christmas experience, combine your visit to the theatre with a stroll along the Southbank Christmas Market. Here you’ll find dozens of cute wooden Christmas stalls selling anything from mulled wine to homemade Christmas gifts. Located right along the Thames with the Palace of Westminster as its impressive backdrop, the Southbank Christmas Market with its festive lights and cheerful spirit is definitely one of my favourite Christmas Markets in London.
Want more London tips? These quirky and unique London homes also make for a great family outing:
3 Extravagant Historical London Homes You Must Visit
Wishing you all a wonderful festive month!
And if you have some other great tips for things to do in London with Christmas, do share them in a comment below!
Thanks, Zarina xx
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