New Year’s Eve is a great time to be in London with your kids. But there are 2 thing that pop to mind every time December 31st nears:
What can I do with my kids?
Are there any museums or attractions open on New Year’s Eve?
The good news is that there are a lot of things to do on New Year’s Eve in London with kids, and the other good news is that most of these activities (museums, monuments, attractions…) are open. Of course, the opening times might be shortened, but this should not stop you from ending the new year perfectly with your family.
And for the evening, we have listed a few things that might be of interest, including great family-friendly restaurants and, of course, the famous New Year’s fireworks.
Read on to discover how to spend the best New Year’s Eve in London with kids.
Daytime activities on New Year’s Eve in London with kids
1. Child-friendly museums open on New Year’s Eve
The British Museum
The British Museum is one of London’s most famous museums. Among the many highlights of the museum, you and your children will be able to dive into the fascinating world of Ancient Egypt. Indeed, the British Museum hosts the largest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts outside Egypt. Needless to say that your children (and you) will be amazed at the sight of Egyptian mummies and the world famous Rosetta Stone. Other highlights include statues of ancient Greece as well as the Assyrian giant winged bulls.
Our Mystery at the British Museum tour will keep your children highly engaged. This private and unique 2 hour visit will cover the highlights of the museum and enable your children to learn as much as they have fun thanks to our experienced, fully licensed guide and the game booklet.
Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom
Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road (Central & Northern lines) or Holborn (Central & Piccadilly lines)
Price: Free for parents and children
Opening Hours: Open every day from 10 AM to 5:30 PM
Churchill War Rooms
If you want to learn more about the charismatic former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, head out to the Churchill War Rooms. Not only will you learn a lot about his life and achievements, but your children will also have a great time visiting this museum as there are a lot of child friendly gimmicks such as wax statues and interactive gadgets.
Address: Clive Steps, King Charles St, London SW1A 2AQ, UK
Nearest Tube station: Westminster (Circle, District and Jubilee lines)
Price: £19 for adults and £9.50 for kids between 5 and 15. £49.90 for a family (2 parents, up to 3 children)
Opening Hours: Every day from 9:30AM to 6PM
Horniman Museum
The Horniman Museum is located in the middle of a beautiful landscaped garden in Forest Hill (south of London). It is a traditional museum specialized in anthropology, natural history and musical instruments. The highlights here are the taxidermy animals, including the (over)stuffed walrus.
This makes it a very nice and fascinating museum to go visit with the kids. Although it is quite far from the city center, it is well worth going there.
Address: 100 London Rd, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ, UK
Nearest Tube station: Southern train or Overground Commuter train
Price: Free (ticket needed for special exhibitions of event)
Opening Hours: Every day from 10:30AM to 5:30PM
Pollock’s Toy Museum
Pollock’s Toy Museum is a very small museum that will amaze your children and take you back to your childhood. Started in 1965 in a small attic room near Covent Garden above Benjamin Pollock’s Toy Shop, this quirky museum of old toys is now located in a beautiful unrestored Georgian town houses. This off-the-beaten-path museum is a perfect London attraction to go visit with your children if you have already seen all of the capital’s highlights.
Address: 1 Scala St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 2HL, UK
Nearest Tube station: Goodge Street Station (Northern Line)
Price: £6 for adults and £3 for children.
Opening Hours: Mondays to Saturdays from 10AM to 5PM. Closed on Sundays and bank holidays.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is located in a magnificent building a stone’s throw away from the famous Royal Albert Hall. It is a true educational playground for children of all ages, where they will learn everything about our planet, from the dawn of time to our modern era. Highlights include dinosaurs, a blue whale and even a Wildlife Garden. The Natural History Museum is truly one of the best things to do in London with kids.
Address: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
Nearest tube station: South Kensington Station (Circle, District & Piccadilly lines)
Price: Free for parents and children
Opening Hours: Open every day from 10 AM to 5:30 PM
HMS Belfast
Have you ever wanted to board a warship? This is your chance: The HMS Belfast was a Royal Navy light cruiser, which is now permanently moored on the Thames River in London and serves as a museum ship. It is Europe’s largest preserved WW2 warship. Inside, you and your children will discover the fascinating life aboard such a ship, with wax statues giving life to all the different areas, such as the engine room, the kitchen and even the dorms.
Address: The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2JH
Nearest Tube station: London Bridge (Jubilee & Northern lines)
Price: £16 for adults, £8 for children (5-15), free for kids under 5. Family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children) £42
Opening Hours: Open every day from 10 AM to 6 PM
Science Museum
Science has always fascinated children. That is why the Science Museum is always a great option to entertain your children and still get them to learn a lot. It presents objects related to topics such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, time, light, technological and medical achievements in a family-friendly way. There is no doubt that a couple of hours in this museum is the perfect way to spend a great time with your family in London on New Year’s Eve.
Address: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD
Nearest Tube station: South Kensington Station (Circle, District and Piccadilly lines)
Price: Entry is free, but you need to buy a ticket for the IMAX Theater, flight simulators and some special exhibitions.
Opening Hours: Open every day from 10AM to 6PM
2. Zoos & aquariums
London Zoo
Located in Regent’s Park, the London Zoo (also called Regent’s Zoo) is one of the best things to do in London with kids. Historically, it is the world’s oldest scientific zoo (1828), originally intended for scientific study but later on opened to the public (1847). Today, it houses 756 species (over 17,480 animals). You and your children will be able to see fascinating animals such as lions, tigers, gorillas, komodo dragons, penguins, reptiles and many more!
Address: Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
Nearest Tube station: Camden Town (Northern Line)
Price: £21.50 for adults and £17.25 for children between 3 and 15. Online tickets are a bit cheaper.
Opening Hours: Open every day from 10AM to 4PM
Sea Life – London Aquarium
Located a stone’s throw away from the London Eye, opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the London Aquarium (Sea Life London Aquarium) opened in 1997 and is now the largest aquarium in London. You and your children will be able to enjoy walking through the glass tunnel and see different kinds of sharks, or discover the ray lagoon, the penguin point, the crocodile pool and even Nemo’s kingdom. Needless to say that this is a great activity to entertain your children in London on New Year’s Eve.
Address: County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 7PB, UK
Nearest Tube station: Westminster Station (Circle, District & Jubilee lines)
Price: £21.50 for adults and £17.25 for children between 3 and 15. Online tickets are a bit cheaper.
Opening Hours: Open every day from 9AM to 6PM
3. Monuments
Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the highlights of London, which should be on the to-do list of anyone coming to London for the first time. Officially called Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of The Tower of London, this medieval fortress attracts close to 3 million people each year, making it one of the most visited monuments in Europe.
Listed as a World Heritage protected site, the Tower of London is filled with exciting stories and things to see. From ghost stories and fascinating historical fun facts to the famous Crown Jewels, this is one visit you and your children will never forget.
Visit the Tower of London with Family Twist and be sure to make the most out of this visit by keeping your children highly engaged and entertained. Book our private Centuries of Secrets at the Tower of London tour on your next trip to London.
The Shard
The Shard (or Shard of Glass as it is also called) is London’s highest tower. Standing at 309.6 meters high (1,016ft), it is also one of the tallest structures in Europe. The open-air observation deck (The View From The Shard) is located on the 72nd floor (our of 95). On a clear day, and if you and your children are not afraid of heights, a visit to the Shard can be a great way to see London from a bird’s eye view.
Address: 32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG, UK
Nearest Tube station: London Bridge Station (Jubilee & Northern Lines)
Price: £25.95 for adults and £19.95 for children between 3 and 15.
Opening Hours: Open every day from 10AM to 6PM
Hampton court palace
Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace located close to 19km (12miles) south west of central London. There are many attractions, and the visits here are very family friendly. Of course, the palace and the gardens are a must see, but other highlights here include the maze, the historic real tennis court (real tennis is an older version of tennis, different from the present game) and the huge grape vine, the largest in the world.
There is a wide range of activities and events designed for families here, like the Great Garden Game to help explore the grounds, as well as different interactive adventures around the palace… Spending half a day at Hampton Court Palace is a perfect way to spend New Year’s Eve London with kids.
Address: Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU, UK
Nearest Tube station: Hampton Court (South West Trains)
Price: £21 for adults and £10.50 for children between 5 and 16. Family tickets for 2 adults and up to 3 children cost £51.70. Online tickets are cheaper.
Opening Hours: Open every day from 10AM to 4:30PM
Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens (officially called Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew) is a lovely botanical garden located in Richmond, west if London’s city center. Children and adults will learn a great deal about plants and flowers at Kew Gardens, from the tallest trees to the smelliest plant… During Christmas and New Year, the gardens turn into a magical place. All the buildings, trees and trails are illuminated, making it a beautiful and unforgettable experience for each member of your family. Add to that a vintage carousel, Santa’s Snowflake Grotto, huge Christmas trees and a scented garden, and your New Year’s Eve break in Kew Gardens will be a moment you and your children will cherish forever.
Address: Richmond TW9 3AB, UK
Nearest Tube station: Kew Gardens (Overground)
Price: £10 for adults and £3.50 for children between 4 and 16. Online tickets are cheaper.
Opening Hours: Open every day from 10:30AM to 5:30PM
4. Activities and attractions
London Eye
The London Eye is London’s most famous Ferris wheel. This very popular attraction is located on the banks of the River Thames, opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. The bird’s eye view of London from the top of the London Eye is really amazing, and your children will love the experience, especially with all the Holiday Season lights and decorations.
If you want to combine it with a family-friendly tour, we recommend Family Twist’s Adventure on the Thames, which is a fun and educative way to discover the Thames River, its history, curiosities and secrets.
Address: Lambeth, London SE1 7PB, UK
Nearest Tube station: Waterloo Station (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City lines)
Price: £24.95 for adults and £19.95 for kids for a 30 minute rotation. Online prices are cheaper.
Opening Hours: Open every day from 10AM to 8:30PM
London Dungeon
If you decide to take a ride in the London Eye, then take the time to visit the London Dungeon right in front. This exciting and spooky attraction welcomes thousands of visitors every day. Live actors, special effects and rides will make you re-live some of the most macabre events of London’s history… Although not for the faint hearted, the London Dungeon is a must do on New Year’s Eve if you like having cold sweat curling down your spine!
Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, City of London
Nearest Tube station: Waterloo Station (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City lines)
Price: between £29.50 and £32.00 for children (off season or peak) and £16.50 for adults
Opening Hours: Weekdays from 10 AM to 5 PM. Weekends from 10 AM to 6 PM
Winter Wonderland
The Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a place of fun and entertainment, especially for children. There are many attractions here, such as a giant Ferris wheel, Santa Claus’ house, a circus show and a pop up ice skating rink. You will also find a wide range of original restaurants such as the Ice bar, the Swiss chalet or even the Fire Pit Bar where you can roast marshmallows over a wood fire. It is also a Christmas market with over 200 wooden chalets selling all kinds of wonderful things for the Holiday Season.
When: From Friday November 18, 2016 to Monday January 2, 2017 (closed on Christmas day)
Address: Hyde Park
Tube station: Green Park (Piccadilly, Victoria, Jubilee lines)
Entrance: Free park entry, but paying attractions
FT activities
All of Family Twist’s cultural activities and hands-on workshops are open on New Year’s Eve. So if you want to participate in Chocolate workshop to make your own delicious chocolate snacks or if you want to solve a murder case with a real Scotland Yard detective, check out our family-friendly activities page.
Night time activities on New Year’s Eve in London with kids
Once the sun sets and all the museums and attractions close, that is NOT the time to go back to the hotel. It is a night of celebration, and the best part is probably still to come.
In order to make the most of your New Year’s Eve night when in London with kids, we have selected a few family friendly restaurants where you can be sure you and your children will have a great time.
And of course, the best way to celebrate the New Year is to see the traditional fireworks.
10 Restaurant suggestions for a memorable New Year’s Eve family dinner
Hix Mayfair
Hix Mayfair is the restaurant of the Brown’s Hotel. This high end restaurant focuses on serving the finest British classics using only carefully selected local ingredients. They also have a kid’s menu with lots of dishes that the children will enjoy!
Rainforest Café
Located next to Piccadilly Circus, the Rainforest Café London is a tropical paradise for children. This international restaurant chain serves kid-friendly food in a décor featuring waterfalls, animated creatures (lizards, crocodiles) and aquariums. This is one restaurants the children will never forget, especially on New Year’s Eve.
Sticky Fingers
Sticky Fingers is an American restaurant. It might not be the most local restaurant (most of the customers here are tourists), but it sure is an interesting experience if you are visiting London with kids. Rock-themed (perfect for Rolling Stones fans), their burgers, ribs or sausage will please both parents and children.
Sticky Fingers has a kids menu.
Planet Hollywood
Another international restaurant chain that is perfect for a family dinner with children is Planet Hollywood. Inspired by the movie industry, you and your children will be able to eat American food in a décor featuring the biggest names in the movie industry.
Tredwell’s from Marcus Wareing
Marcus Wareing is a famous chef and he has published as many as 6 cookbooks that have inspired many amateur cooks. His restaurant, Tredwell’s, was the winner of AA’s 2015/2016 Restaurant of the Year in London. The contemporary British cooking will delight both parents and children.
Tredwell’s has a junior menu.
Masala Zone
London is also the city where you will find some of the best Indian food in Europe. And a great kid-friendly Indian restaurant is Masala Zone. The menu presents a unique range of traditional tastes of India, such as Indian grills, the Thali, Chicken Tikka wraps and Indian desserts.
Inamo
Inamo is a chain for Asian Fusion restaurants in London. Located in strategic areas (Soho, Covent Garden and Camden), Inamo provides delicious cuisine with friendly and efficient service and a vibrant atmosphere. The kids menu features accessible Asian food for the young ones, including chicken satay, grilled salmon or vermicelli noodle soup.
Jamie’s Italian
Superstar chef Jamie Oliver has his own Italian restaurant. With carefully sourced fresh and seasonal ingredients, you and your children will be able to enjoy healthy and delicious Italian specialties, including a wide range of pasta dishes, antipasti and dessert.
Jamie’s Italian has a kids menu
All Star Lanes
Dine, Drink and Bowl. Those are the three things that you will do at All Star Lanes, which means that you will have a lot of fun. The restaurant serves home style American food including burgers, hot dogs and even lobster. For adults, All Star Lanes also has a wide range of craft beers. But the highlight of the evening will be to set in the bowling alley and challenge your family members!
Inn the Park
Located in the heart of Saint James’s Park, between the plants and the ponds, Inn the Park is a natural oasis that perfectly blends into its surroundings. This self-service restaurant serves British traditional dishes. And while you eat, your children can always go play outside in the park.
2. The New Year’s Eve Fireworks
The moment a lot of people wait for on New Year’s Eve is the traditional fireworks show near Waterloo and Westminster. Every year, thousands of people gather in those areas to watch the fabulous fireworks. It has become so popular that this year, watching the fireworks from strategic areas will be ticketed.
Tickets are sold £10 each, and these will have to be purchased to access the best fireworks viewing locations (which will be sectioned off and made only available to ticket holders). Although some people might think this is quite unfair, it’s also a great way to avoid staying in the cold for hours on end just to secure a good spot!
With those tickets, you will have a great spot for sure and you and your children will be able to start the New Year in style! Click here to buy your tickets online.