Free Things to Do in London with Kids

I love going to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace with my daughter. We take a picnic and get there early so we can get a good spot. We've watched from many locations - right outside Buckingham Palace, waited at one of the gates, stood outside Green Park, from the Victoria Memorial in the middle of the roundabout in front of the palace - but I think I like watching on The Mall best as you see the Guards marching for much longer.

• Changing of the Guard Photos
• When is the Changing of the Guard?
• Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace DVD Review
• Guards Museum - dress up as a Guard!

This large, safe, outdoor play area is truly outstanding. The Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens, next to Kensington Palace, the former home of Diana Princess of Wales, is a fabulous children's playground for kids up to 12 years. It's dominated by a large pirate ship which children can climb all over then come down and play in the sand. There's also a sensory trail, areas for climbing and exploring as well as swings and slides. Staff are on site at all times and no adults can enter without children (just as at Coram's Fields). There's a cafe and clean toilets meaning many stay all day so on busy days there is a limit and you may have to wait to enter. But outside of the height of summer you'll be in and playing immediately.

In the area you'll also find the Peter Pan Statue, the Diana Memorial Fountain and 23-24 Leinster Gardens Dummy House Facade.

This museum gives you a reason to visit the London Docklands and see the contrast between the old and new architecture. The museum is housed in a 200 year old warehouse and tells the story of the London's history as a port. There are free activity packs from Reception and the a href="http://golondon.about.com/od/londonmuseums/ss/museumdocklands_4.htm">Mudlarks play area for under 12s is free and fantastic. Everything is themed around life in the London docks so the big kids can weigh cargo or load a tea clipper while the small kids get to crawl around with large foam bananas and a London bus, plus they can pretend to drive a DLR train.

Talking of trains, to get to the Museum of London Docklands you need to take the DLR (Docklands Light Railway). Get a seat at the front as these trains don't have a driver and you, or your little one, can pretend to drive the train!

• Museum of London Docklands Visitor Guide

Coram's Fields is a unique seven acre playground and park for children in central London. It is free to use and provides a safe and stimulating environment where children can play freely. Adults are only permitted with a child and there is always staff available to ensure all is well.

The nearby Foundling Museum is always free for children and free for adults accompanying children during all Family Fun activities. Family Fun takes place in the Foundling Museum Education Center on the first Saturday of every month and is suitable for children aged 3-12, unless otherwise stated.

If you're looking for a healthy lunch nearby, Alara is a fine healthfood shop and you should look out for the metal objects embedded in the pavement of Marchmont Street too.

The best news is children under 17 go free to Kew Gardens and you can easily spend a day there so this is a great outdoors, cost-effective destination. Kids love to run around outdoors and there are great expanses here, as well as the Treetop High Walkway which offers wonderful views as do the high walkways inside the enormous greenhouses.

Climbers and Creepers is Kew's indoor interactive play area for 3-9 year olds and Treehouse Towers is for 3-11 year olds. Both are positioned next to a cafe and family shop. Explore the Gardens first as once the kids get here they won't want to leave!

For exploring, try the Kew's Big Tree book which is aimed at children but is an excellent introduction to the trees at Kew Gardens and trees in general.

• Kew Gardens Visitor Guide
• Kew Gardens Highlights
• Kew Gardens Visitor Tips
• Kew Gardens Photos

This bronze statue of Peter Pan is in Kensington Gardens, next to Hyde Park. The exact location was chosen by Peter Pan's author, J.M. Barrie. Barrie lived close to Kensington Gardens and published his first Peter Pan story in 1902, using the park for inspiration. In his Peter Pan tale, The Little White Bird, Peter flies out of his nursery and lands beside the Long Water lake, on the spot where the statue now stands.

The lower section of the statue has Peter Pan standing on a tree trunk covered with climbing squirrels, rabbits, and mice which can be fun to admire with shorter friends. A visit to Kensington Gardens has many other treats for young visitors such as the Diana Memorial Playground, the Diana Memorial Fountain and Kensington Palace.

• How To Find The Peter Pan Statue

The Horniman Museum is a real find. Tucked away in the depths of south London, it has exhibitions of the natural and cultural worlds. And it even has an aquarium (small fee). Really, this place is worth the trip - it's actually only 13 minutes by train from London Bridge train station. You could go to The London Dungeon in the morning (as it's under London Bridge station) then jump on a train to Forest Hill and have more fun at the Horniman Museum. Now just how much fun can you handle in one day?

• Horniman Museum Guide
• Horniman Museum Review
• Horniman Museum Photo Gallery

Mediatheque within BFI Southbank is an area for all ages to watch films and shows from the BFI's extensive collection. It's a single room within BFI Southbank (follow the signs inside) and each TV screen can have two sets of headphones. Go to the desk and they'll give you free access for a set amount of time (only limited in case there are others waiting) then choose your show on the screen and enjoy! There are plenty of family viewing options but do keep children seated and quiet as other users are watching their chosen films too.

The South Bank in general is a great area for kids to run free but children do get tired and this can be a good choice to have some quiet time together.

London has many city farms; most are free to visit, but welcome donations.

• Hackney City Farm has an award-winning cafe, as well as pigs, goats, sheep, and more.
• Mudchute Park and Farm is the largest urban farm in the London area with 34 acres of open parkland. It also has horse riding, a tea shop, educational facilities, farm animals, and a shop.
• Kentish Town City Farm has a wide range of livestock, poultry, and horses, and offers pony rides.
• Vauxhall City Farm has donkey rides, pony-care classes, and milking demonstrations, all available on request, as well as a range of talks on the farm and lots of hands-on-work with the animals.
• Stepney City Farm is an East End is a working farm, rural crafts centre and community hub.

See a full list of London City Farms with a map.