The 15 best things to do in London with teenagers

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Impressing teenagers isn’t always easy – so here are 15 fun things to do with older kids and teens if you’re spending some time in London. It can be so hard to entertain the kids with the unpredictable British weather too, so I’ve included a mix of indoor and outdoor attractions – you can have fun whatever the weather! Some of these things can be a bit pricey so look out for my money-saving tips dotted throughout and there’s a long list of ways to save money on attractions at the end of the article too. So, if you’re looking for things to do with teenagers in London, here are 15 great ideas – I’ve got you and the kids covered!

1. Prison Island or The Crystal Maze

Most teens love challenge-based attractions, so why not work together to solve puzzles, complete physical missions and race against the clock at Prison Island or The Crystal Maze? It’s a great way to spend a fun afternoon as a family – Prison Island is the more budget-friendly option of the two (typically around £25-£28 per person) and children can take part from age 7 in a group with adults if you’ve got younger siblings to entertain as well. The Crystal Maze allows children from age 9 and both of these indoor attractions offer great entertainment whatever the weather!

2. The London Dungeon

If you’re after something spooky to do with your teenagers, The London Dungeon is a thrilling way to explore the darker side of the city’s past. Located on the South Bank, this experience isn’t your average museum – it’s a full-blown theatrical performance with live actors, jump scares, special effects and there’s even a ride thrown in too. You’ll journey through plague-ridden streets, encounter Sweeney Todd and meet the infamous Jack the Ripper. It’s definitely best for braver kids aged 10+ but, while it’s slightly terrifying, it’s also great fun and surprisingly educational.

3. London F1 Drive

An epic treat for teenagers, the London F1 Drive experience might just be one of the most fun things to do in London – the kids must be at least 150cm tall and 14 years old+ to take part. Teens and adults can get behind the wheel and test their racing skills – the experience uses professional-grade simulators to recreate the thrill of Formula 1 driving. It’s definitely more of a splurge but, if you’re looking for an activity to impress the older ones, it’s definitely a winner! My son, Finn, would absolutely love this!

4. The Twist Museum

If you’re looking for something to do to pass the time on a rainy day, The Twist Museum on Oxford Street is one of the quirkiest places in London – and it’s a great place to visit with older kids and teenagers. The whole experience is really engaging and we were really surprised by how interesting it was. The museum is full of optical illusions, immersive rooms and mind-bending installations that are designed to be interactive and thought provoking. The kids will love taking photos, experimenting with perspective and figuring out how things work. Check out my Twist Museum guide for all the details.

5. Thames RIB Boat Rides

If your teenagers are bored of sightseeing and want something that feels genuinely exciting, a RIB boat ride on the Thames is hard to beat. The high-speed boats zip along the river, combining sightseeing with adrenaline, music and sharp turns that make it feel more like a ride than a tour. Your teens will love the speed, the spray and the fact it doesn’t feel remotely educational, even though they’re seeing London’s landmarks from a completely different angle.

6. Go Ape at Battersea Park

High ropes courses are always a hit with teens and older kids – so check out Go Ape in Battersea Park for a treat in the city. Expect zip wires, rope bridges and climbing challenges high up in the trees. It’s physical, slightly nerve-wracking and very satisfying once completed, which is exactly why it works so well for this age group. The site also boasts an escape room – so there’s plenty on offer to keep the kids occupied!

7. Flip Out

Flip Out is one of the best rainy day attractions for kids of all ages – the huge indoor adventure parks have something to suit tiny tots through to teens so it’s a fantastic option if you’ve got kids of mixed ages. If you need a cuppa in peace, and the kids are bursting with energy, there’s plenty to do all under one roof. The sites are packed with trampolines, inflatable zones, slides, soft play and obstacle-style challenges – the children can jump, climb and run freely whatever the weather. Head to either Flip Out Croydon or Flip Out Canary Wharf and let the fun begin!

8. The London Theatres

One of our favourite things to do in London with the kids is a theatre visit and there are some fabulous shows on offer for older kids and teenagers! It can be surprisingly affordable if you hunt out the best ticket prices – Get Your Guide, Love to Visit and Love Theatre are all great places to look with tickets starting from around £25. When it comes to what to watch – Wicked, The Lion King, The Devil Wears Prada, Stranger Things and The Play That Goes Wrong are all brilliant options for a theatre trip with older kids. We also often book the ‘restricted view’ seats now the kids are taller – they’re usually absolutely fine and loads cheaper! Look out for discounted tickets during London Theatre Kids Week as well – it can be a brilliant way to take the kids to see a show without breaking the bank.

9. WakeUp Docklands

One of the most genuinely exciting summer activities that you can do with teenagers in London – WakeUp Docklands offers cable wakeboarding for children aged 10 and up. It’s adventurous and grown up, teens will love the challenge and it’s a fabulous way to cool off on a warm day. They have different level courses for beginners (so anyone old enough can give it a go) and watching others wipe out is half the fun!

10. Indoor Crazy Golf

Indoor crazy golf is a brilliant thing to do on a rainy day – there are plenty of sites across London – and if you’re playing with teenagers it can be surprisingly competitive! 😂 Courses are bright, fun and full of silly obstacles, and everyone can join in regardless of skill level. It’s active without being tiring, weather-proof and usually pretty affordable. Check out places like Swingers West End, Puttshack and Junkyard Golf Club (to name a few) – it’s a great way to pass the time if the weather is rubbish.

11. Harry Potter Studio Tour

If you’re happy to travel a little outside of central London, and you’ve got the budget for a big treat, the Harry Potter Studio Tour is an incredible day out out for fans of the books and films. It’s almost entirely indoors so it’s a good option whatever the time of year – it lets you walk through real sets like the Great Hall and Diagon Alley, see props and costumes and discover how the films were made. It is a big-ticket attraction, but it’s somewhere you’ll likely spend at least half a day so it’s not a short activity.

12. Watch the football at Wembley

We absolutely love heading to London to watch the football with the kids – nothing beats the atmosphere of a game and it can be such an affordable thing to do if you’re looking for an activity that’ll suit your teenagers. Sitting in the family area (for those with kids 16 and under) you can watch England play at Wembley Stadium for as little as £25 for an adult ticket and £12.50 for the kids (2026 prices) – the qualifiers are often the cheapest and easiest games to source tickets for. Check out my Wembley football guide for all the details.

13. O2 Arena Rooftop Climb

If you’re after something to do in London with fearless teenagers, then the O2 Arena Rooftop Climbing Experience is definitely worth considering. Harnessed up and led by a guide, you walk up and over the iconic dome before reaching the viewing platform at the top, with sweeping views across the Thames and the London skyline. Teens will love the sense of achievement, the photos at the top and the fact it feels a bit daring without being extreme. It works in most weather conditions and feels like a proper standout activity rather than just another attraction.

14. Imperial War Museum London

For something free to do in London with teens, I’d really recommend an afternoon at London’s Imperial War Museum. We visited when my children were learning about World War 2, and it’s a big and engaging place to explore. You can get a first-hand look at wartime vehicles and planes, and we found the video screens throughout really helpful. It’s so interesting and educational for adults and kids – I learnt a lot too! Those age 14 and over can also access the Holocaust Galleries.

15. Madame Tussauds

Another one of the London Merlin attractions (they own The London Dungeon too) – the original home of waxwork wonders, Madame Tussauds, is a good rainy day hideout for older kids. Teens can spot their favourite celebs – from posing with Hollywood stars like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Beyoncé, to standing alongside historical figures like Queen Elizabeth II and Albert Einstein, the attention to detail is genuinely impressive. One of the highlights is the 4D Marvel cinema experience, as well as the ‘Spirit of London’ ride which takes you through the city’s history in a black cab-themed carriage.

A bonus teen-friendly day out not far from London…

Thorpe Park is located in Chertsey, Surrey, just 20 miles southwest of Central London, making it a convenient day trip for families based in the capital. If you’re driving, the park is easily accessible from the M25 – simply take junction 11 or 13 and follow the signs for Thorpe Park Resort. For those travelling without a car, you can catch a direct train from London Waterloo to Staines railway station. Once at Staines, there’s a dedicated Thorpe Park shuttle bus (number 950) that operates regularly and drops you right at the park entrance. We adored our day there – check out my review of Thorpe Park for more information – it’s a fantastic theme park for older kids and teenagers with huge rollercoasters and great water rides!

How can I get discounts on the big London attractions?

I hope that this article has helped you to think of loads of fun things to do in London with your older kids and teenagers. There’s so much to see and do in the capital but never pay full price without having a good hunt around for the best offers! Lots of reward schemes and discount providers offer brilliant savings to make your city adventures more budget-friendly. Have fun – and here are some ways to save money on the pricier activities and attractions:

Save a small fortune on the London Merlin attractions by booking a multi-attraction ticket – the price can be as little as £12 per attraction! This includes SEA LIFE London Aquarium, The London Eye, Shrek’s Adventure, Bus Tours, Madame Tussauds and the London Dungeon. You get 90 days from the date of your visit to enjoy the other attractions, so it’s worth saving up and buying in bulk if there are other things you’d like to do too – click here to find ticket options and prices for your visit date, plus combo ticket deals.

Tesco Clubcard points: Lots of London attractions are part of the Tesco reward scheme so save your points and you could visit for free!
National Rail 2-for-1 offers: If you’re travelling by train you can get 1/3 off or 2 for 1 tickets on loads of London attractions when booked through the National Rail 2 for 1 scheme.
lovetovisit.co.uk: The ‘Love to Visit’ website offers discounted tickets for family-friendly days out with the kids all over the UK – London included – so it’s worth checking their current prices before you book. The attraction tickets are often so much cheaper than those bought directly from the attractions – the savings can be huge!
Kids Pass: You can sign up to a trial for just £1 to access discounts on days out and eating out in the capital.
Supermarket promotions: Cereal brands like Kelloggs also often run promotions where you can find discounts or even free tickets (things like 2 for 1 tickets) for some of the London attractions by purchasing specially-marked boxes so look out for these in the supermarket.
Blue Peter Badges: Blue Peter Badges are awesome because the kids can get in free at over 200 UK attractions – literally halving the cost of your family days out! In London, you can use them at ZSL London Zoo, The Tower of London, the HMS Belfast, The London Bridge Experience and Tombs, Battersea Park Children’s Zoo and loads of other places – read more about it here: How can my child get a Blue Peter Badge?
For huge savings opt for a Merlin Annual Pass – you can access all of their London attractions as well as places like Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Legoland, Chessington World of Adventures, Warwick Castle, tons of SEA LIFE Centres and more! Kids under 90cm won’t need a pass as they can enjoy the attractions for free. Check out all of the pass options and what’s included here: Are Merlin Annual Passes worth it and which pass is best?