19 BEST Things To Do In Greenwich London With Kids in 2025
I’ll admit, Greenwich was not a place I prioritized visiting before having kids. Now that I have two little ones, ages 7 and 4, I have first hand knowledge on the best things too do in Greenwich London with kids.
Greenwich’s rich seafaring history makes it an exciting place for kids to play, learn and immerse into the world of sailors and explorers. Even better is that the attraction and activities within the area are suitable for different ages making Greenwich a wonderful neighborhood for a full multi-generational, family-friendly experience.
For the parents with kids who love all things boats, space and astronomy a visit to Greenwich is definitely not to be missed.
19 Best Things To Do In Greenwich London with kids
In this list of things to do in Greenwich, I’ll highlight some of our favorite family-friendly activities, shared in no particular order.
Many of these attractions are interactive and, from my 7-year-old’s perspective, connects directly with topics they’ve learned or are currently exploring in school. I love seeing her make these connections and gain confidence on the knowledge she’s been accumulating.
1. Take a boat to Greenwich
There are several ways to get to Greenwich, but I’m willing to bet the kids will love traveling there by boat the most.
Hop on the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers from Central London to Greenwich Pier for a scenic and relatively relaxed journey. Depending on where you start, the trip takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
Along the way, take in scenic views of the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and the looming skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, all from the unique vantage point of the River Thames.
🔥 HOT TIP: If you’re planning to take a boat to Greenwich and visit the Old Royal Naval College, look out for bundled ticket options—they are a great way to save on costs while enjoying both experiences.
2. Visit the Royal Observatory
The Royal Observatory is perched on a hill overlooking Greenwich Park. Aside from gorgeous views of Greenwich, this is the place for architecture and astronomy enthusiasts.
Peek into the Octagon Room, the oldest part of the Royal Observatory, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. For architecture buffs, the Octagon Room is one of the few Wren-designed interiors in London. Be sure not to miss the beautiful timepieces studded into the wall of the room.
Step inside the distinctive onion dome at the Observatory to see the
Great Equatorial Telescope and for a chance to look through it. They also host regular Stargazing events here in the evenings where kids can get their hands on a telescope to explore the night sky under the guidance of Observatory astronomers.
Check out their Earth from Space exhibit, where kids can view our planet as seen from space and see how it has transformed over the years, especially under the impact of climate change.
3. Watch a show at Peter Harrison Planetarium in the Royal Observatory
Watch a show at the Planetarium in the Observatory. I love the cute themes they have on offer such as Ted’s Space Adventure for the Under 7’s.
Older kids will love reclining in their seats in the Planetarium to take in shows like The Sky Tonight or Starstruck presented by astronomers. The experience was absolutely spellbinding to my 7 year old. It is such a great way to get kids learning and enthused about astronomy at a young age.
The Planetarium shows are 30 minutes long and is an additional cost to the Royal Observatory entry tickets. In my opinion the experience is well worth it.
🔥 HOT TIP: I highly recommend getting the annual Royal Museums Greenwich family membership at £85 for big cost savings to The Royal Observatory, The Planetarium shows, Cutty Sark and exhibitions at the wonderful National Maritime Museum. Even for one time use a family of four can save over £100 if you were to visit all these attractions and pay separately.
4.Straddle the Meridian line
The Meridian Line, located in the Meridian Courtyard of the Royal Observatory Greenwich, separates the eastern and western hemisphere. The kids will get a kick out of standing in two hemispheres at once and will have to chance to learn how time zones work.
If you don’t plan on visiting the Royal Observatory you can still enjoy the Meridian line for free. Look for the smaller gate at the right hand side of the Observatory entrance. Head through the gate and you’ll find the striped line on the wall marking the meridian.
I’ll admit this might not be a massive highlight of Greenwich for the kids but it certainly is unique.
5. Freejump at the Oxygen Activeplay in the O2
When I told the kids what we’ll be doing on our day out in Greenwich they were the most ecstatic for a visit to Oxygen Activeplay indoor trampoline park. We booked a one hour session of free jumping for the family to bounce away onto the interconnected trampolines.
The more daring amongst you will love a go on the Ninja Warrior course and the airventure high ropes. There’s also a lovely and spacious soft play area for the Under 5s.
There is also plenty of dining options here too which makes it super convenient and hassle-free.
6. iFly Indoor skydiving at the O2
The iFly Indoor Skydiving activity simulates a skydiving experience via a vertical wind tunnel. I include this on the list because it sounds like a great family bonding activity. For sure my husband would have loved to do this with the girls.
The cost of the iFly Indoor Skydiving session is £33 per person for two flights. This seems pretty steep considering the actual flight in the wind tunnel itself lasts no more than 55 seconds. But if you are looking for a unique experience in Greenwich, indoor skydiving may fit the bill.
One thing to note – I assumed the indoor skydiving is not suitable for younger kids but apparently it is appropriate for 3+.
7. Walk on the O2 with O2 Climbs
The O2 Climbs up the roof is one for the older kids, ages 8+. I do have a little adrenaline junkie in the form of our 7 year old and cannot wait to have her try the O2 Climb or something similar.
A walk on the O2 roof isn’t billed as such but for kids in particular I think it is a great confidence building activity.
8. Visit the Painted Hall at Old Royal Naval College
The Painted Hall, endearingly known as Britain’s Sistine Chapel, began its life as a dining hall for the retired seamen of the Royal Navy. Once part of the Royal Hospital, the Old Royal Naval College was a retirement home for these veterans.
Today, the Painted Hall stands as a revered cultural landmark, captivating visitors young and old with its stunning Baroque artwork. The Painted Hall also regularly hosts wonderful and stimulating art installations such as the current Mars exhibit by Luke Jerrams.
For the kids, be sure to pick up the activity booklets and sensory back pack for the kids use while at the Painted Hall.
Entry tickets to the Painted Hall are £16.50 for adults. If you do happen to visit on the first Sunday of the Month entry is just £5. Kids under 16 are admitted for free.
9. Play at Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark is hard to miss when in Greenwich with its impressive size and mast. A visit to the legendary Cutty Sark is also one of our favorite things to do in Greenwich London.
Just recently, I had the chance to chaperone my 7-year-old’s class field trip to this former tea clipper. The kids were really engaged with exploring the 150-year-old cargo ship, thanks to the fantastic mix of interactive displays and hands-on activities.
One of my pet peeves with interactive displays at kids attractions is that they are usually broken – am happy to report this is not the case at Cutty Sark!
Without a doubt, the kids’ highlights were climbing into the sailor’s snug bunk beds (a unanimous hit!) and getting to relax inside the captain’s spacious cabin.
If you happen to be visiting the Cutty Sark on a weekend, the kids are in for a treat! Watch out for lively encounters with characters from the ship’s past, like the captain or the cook.
These performances run from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, and give the kids an engaging way to learn about life on board straight from the characters themselves.
10. Hop aboard the IFS Cloud Cable Car
A ride on the IFS Cloud Cable Cars was fun bragging rights for my 7 year old as she has never been on ski lifts before. I would recommend a cable car ride in Greenwich for those who want a more relaxed activity and a different perspective of the area from up above.
A single cable car ride in Greenwich lasts about 10 minutes. This area in Greenwich is still very much a work in progress but look past the some of the construction sights and the kids might spot some adventurous folks walk on the O2 roof and a fair amount of boaters on a nice day.
11. Crazy Putt Adventure Golf
Over the years we have somehow become a family of adventure golfers. The kids love to stop and play whenever we come a cross a mini course. It actually surprises me the level of focus they can muster up trying to get a golf ball in the hole – no matter how many tries it takes.
The Crazy Putt Adventure Golf is an outdoor 18 hole course inspired by famous golf courses around the world. It is an activity that the whole family can partake in and there is a restaurant on site in case the kids work up an appetite.
12. Try a pie at Goddards at Greenwich
I insist on a lunch stop at Goddards at Greenwich for their traditional pie & mashed potatoes, with or without the eels. Cheap and cheerful is one of my favorite English terms and this pie place fits the bill.
Goddards at Greenwich also offer a kids meal with the option of a junior pie and mash or sausage roll served with peas or baked beans and a juice for less than £5. You can also tell from the sign below that they have a pretty good sense of humor.
Free things to do in Greenwich London with kids
The National Maritime Museum is one of the great treasures of Greenwich. Not only is general admission free but there are just so many wonderful displays and exhibitions to explore.
For our family, it’s a perfect multi-generational destination—particularly for the girls to soak up their grandfather’s enthusiasm for all things nautical.
13. Run wild at the Cove Playground
The Cove Playground at the National Maritime Museum is pretty next-level as far as playgrounds go. This sea-themed playground is a particularly great space for the Under 5s but I think kids of all ages would love a go at the kraken and climbing aboard the multi-level Shanty ship.
🔥 HOT TIP: The Parkside Cafe in the National Maritime Museum is conveniently located to the playground so treat yourself to a coffee or cake while the kids run amok.
14. Have a look at Sea Things Gallery in the National Maritime Museum
The Sea Things Gallery in the National Maritime Museum is for the curious and absolutely perfect for the kids who love to touch everything. It may seem like a small thing but I thoroughly enjoyed not having to tell the girls to not touch anything.
Here the kids can get up close and personal with some of the artifacts as a lot of the objects displayed are open for visitors to touch and interact with.
Most impressive was their collection of ships models from around the world, 55 in total!
15. Pop in the All Hands children’s gallery
I was not expecting to see an almost life sized model of a ship, the Seahorse, within a corner of the National Maritime Museum. You can’t quite tell from the picture below but there are a ton of activities at the All Hands Gallery meant for kids 6-12 years old.
The kids can try their hand on morse code, sinking pirate ships with the Seahorse cannon to cooking a play meal in the kitchen galley.
There is also a small soft play area for children under 5, called Small Hands, in a room next door to the gallery.
16. Do the Family Trail at the National Maritime Museum
TheNational Maritime Museum in Greenwich offers a family trail that is a self-guided path through the galleries with activities and clues for kids to discover maritime objects.
We have not had a chance to try the family trail on our last visit but I plan on doing it next time we are in Greenwich so the girls can feel like proper explorers.
17. Greenwich Park & Playground
What I enjoy most about Greenwich for a family-friendly day out is the big open green space that is Greenwich Park. The more opportunity for the kids to roam the better in my book.
The Greenwich Playground is a great spot for kids to burn off some energy from the museums. This marine-themed space features natural and textured materials, along with a sandpit for plenty of fun with sand and water play.
18. Greenwich Market
Greenwich Market is another family-friendly spot in Greenwich London. Here the market stalls range from bric-a-brac items to a few artisan offerings that are great for souvenirs and gifts.
The shops surrounding the market area are worth looking into too. I particularly loved the Rare Books and Curios antique shop and the eco-friendly Art of Zero Living refill shop and can part with some serious cash there.
Greenwich market has a wonderful bustling atmosphere and has a variety of food stalls which makes for a great lunch option. You can also take advantage of the benched seating areas in the market.
19. Mr Humbug
I have somewhat saved the best for last. Treat the kids to the sweet looking Mr Humbug old-fashioned sweet shop at Greenwich Market, surely this will be the kids’ favorite stop.
I like to pick up some sweets for the road, particularly the milk duds. Aside from classic American candy you’ll find homemade fudge as well as a variety of sweets from England, Scotland and Scandinavian countries.
How to Get to Greenwich in London
While Greenwich is not centrally located in London, it is very well connected and there are numerous ways to get to Greenwich with ease.
Note that you can use your Oyster Card on all the transport options listed below – except for the cruise tours.
✔️ By Boat
The option that will be most fun for the kids is to take an Uber Boat to Greenwich Pier. Depending on where your journey starts the boat trip can take anywhere between 20 to 40 minutes. There is also a café bar on the Uber Boat and facilities for convenience.
Alternatively, you can book a City Cruises or Thames River Sightseeing tour that provide commentary on the history and sights as you pass through on the way to Greenwich.
✔️ By Underground Tube
The Jubilee line will take you to North Greenwich station where you can easily access The O2 or the IFS Cloud Cable Car. Or get off at Canary Wharf Station on the Jubilee line and connect to the DLR to arrive at Cutty Sark station – the best stop for all the attractions I mentioned above.
✔️ By DLR (Docklands Light Railway)
The DLR is the most accessible train option and best for those with strollers or wheelchairs due to the Cutty Sark and Greenwich station’s level access and working elevators.
✔️ By Train
If coming from London Bridge area the Southeastern or Thameslink train to Greenwich station is probably the most direct route
Of course, Google Maps or Citymapper are your best resources for planning your route especially if time is of the essence.
FAQs
Perhaps one of the most asked questions about visiting Greenwich is whether it is worth the trip. I hope I’ve given you enough reasons to visit Greenwich with the kids when in London in this blog post! We are already looking forward to our next family outing there.
Is Greenwich worth visiting in London?
Before starting a family, I hardly spent any time in Greenwich. Staying in Central London felt more convenient, especially with all the great dining options available. Looking back, I realize I completely underestimated all that Greenwich has to offer.
Greenwich is truly a fantastic destination, especially for families. Its sprawling green spaces and thoughtfully curated attractions cater really well to visitors of all ages, making it a place everyone can enjoy.
What attractions can be found in Greenwich?
A lot of the kid-friendly, cultural attractions found in Greenwich point to its maritime past such as Cutty Sark, England’s historic tea clipper and the National Maritime Museum.
The Royal Observatory and The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College are also not to be missed from a family-friendly point of view, it is something that my kids and I both enjoyed.
How long is the boat ride to Greenwich?
The boat ride to Greenwich can take between 30 to 45 minutes depending on where your journey starts.
Things to do in Greenwich London with kids: final thoughts & advice
In this blog post, I’ve given you 19 things to do in Greenwich London with kids – enough to keep the family busy for 3 days!
If you only have one day or an afternoon to spend in Greenwich I would recommend prioritizing a visit to the National Maritime Museum (and it’s free!), Cutty Sark and Royal Observatory for a truly cultural, unique and fun day out with the family.
While you are here check out my hassle-free 2 day itinerary in London with kids, Christmas in London with kids blog post and best hack for stress-free dining with kids tip.