Top 22 Easter Activities for Kids in London: Egg Hunts to Immersive Fun
As spring blossoms and the Easter weekend approaches, children across the capital are eager for exciting adventures. London stands out as one of the premier destinations in the UK for family entertainment, brimming with new and engaging experiences tailored for all ages. Whether you are visiting for a day trip or are a local seeking a memorable afternoon, the city offers a diverse array of activities, from Easter egg hunts at iconic landmarks to immersive theatre productions, ensuring fun for toddlers to teenagers alike.
London's attractions frequently host special events, workshops, and activities designed to captivate young minds and fill holiday hours with joy. Families can explore world-class museums, zoos, and play areas, but selecting the right option can be overwhelming. To simplify your planning, we have curated a list of the most unique and inspiring experiences in London, guaranteeing entertainment and inspiration for both parents and children, regardless of budget constraints.
1. Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt at Hampton Court Palace
This Easter, families can embark on a thrilling hunt for twelve hidden Lindt Gold Bunny statues scattered throughout Hampton Court Palace. Each statue represents a significant figure from the palace's rich 500-year history. Upon completing the trail, participants receive a 10g Lindt chocolate treat. Along the way, costumed performers portraying historical characters from Hampton Court's past add to the immersive experience. Additionally, the palace is hosting a Tulip Festival this spring, featuring over 100,000 hand-planted tulip bulbs, creating the UK's largest display of its kind.
The Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt runs from 21 March to 12 April, while the Tulip Festival is open from 3 to 26 April. Both events are included in palace admission, with tickets priced from £29 for adults, £14.50 for children, and free entry for under-fives.
2. Zoo-normous Egg Hunt at London Zoo
From 28 March to 12 April, London Zoo presents the "Zoo-normous Egg Hunt," included free with every ticket. Young visitors can decipher clues in the Easter Garden before searching for six giant, animal-themed eggs across the park. Each egg reveals a secret letter, and solving the puzzle earns a chocolate prize. Animals remain in their habitats for greetings. Don't miss ZooTown, an interactive world launched last year, where children can simulate animal care tasks like cleaning zebra "poo" or examining stuffed animals at a clinic, fostering learning through play.
General admission costs £30.50 for adults and £21.35 for children, with under-threes free. ZooTown tickets are £1 for most visitors, bookable online up to three days in advance, and free for ZSL Gold members, Fellows, and Patrons.
3. Baby Shark's Easter Splash
Ideal for young children, arts company Outernet hosts the UK's first interactive, immersive Baby Shark experience this Easter. Based on the YouTube sensation with over 16 billion views, the event features an Easter egg hunt with characters from the Baby Shark universe in a 20-minute looping video. No booking is required for this free event at Outernet's Now Trending building, allowing families to stay as long as desired.
4. Gabby's Dollhouse Live!
One of Netflix's most popular kids' shows, Gabby's Dollhouse, comes to life on stage with a UK tour, including stops at London's Eventim Apollo on 31 March and 1 April. Join Gabby, Pandy Paws, and friends on a quest through favourite Dollhouse locations, featuring beloved songs like "Sprinkle Party" and "You Can't Spell Meow Without Me" for a full theatre sing-along. Ticket prices vary.
5. Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends at Young V&A
Celebrating Aardman Animations' 50th anniversary, the Young V&A presents the Wallace & Gromit and Friends exhibition. This display offers a behind-the-scenes look at stop-motion animation, showcasing how clay brings characters to life. Interactive features allow children to engage with the animation process. With over 150 items, including set pieces and sketches from Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, and The Pirates!, the exhibition runs until 15 November, and ticket holders can revisit multiple times.
Tickets start from £12.50.
6. Space Gallery at Science Museum
After nearly four decades, the Science Museum has replaced its original space exhibition with a new, free-to-visit Space gallery. Highlights include the "rolly-polly" Moon rover, a three-billion-year-old Moon fragment, Tim Peake's spacecraft, and Helen Sharman's conserved space suit. Aspiring astronauts will find this a fulfilling day out. Free tickets should be booked in advance online.
7. Easter at the Horniman Museum
The Horniman Museum in Forest Hill hosts a family-friendly Spring Fair on Saturday, 11 April, celebrating the season. Activities include music, dancing, games, and discos in the bandstand, along with "Smallympics" events like egg and spoon races. A family craft corner offers Easter bonnet decorating, while the Sunken Garden provides insights into plants and pollinators. A bouncy castle is available for energetic fun.
All tickets cost £6.
8. Ride the World's Longest and Tallest Slide
Experience the thrill of the world's tallest (76 metres) and longest (178 metres) slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Designed for the London 2012 Olympics, this slide features twelve twists and turns, including a tight corkscrew, culminating in a 50-metre straight run. Reach speeds up to 24km/h in a 40-second descent. Visitors can access the viewing platform via lift or 455 steps, with a glass floor for added excitement.
Tickets start from £17, with a minimum height requirement of 1.3 metres and supervision required for under-18s.
9. Visit a City Farm
London's twelve city farms offer educational and fun green spaces with a variety of animals. Mudchute Park and Farm on the Isle of Dogs spans 32 acres, housing over 100 animals, including llamas. Vauxhall City Farm, London's oldest, features alpacas, ferrets, and goats, with animal experiences like "farmer for the day" available. Other farms are located in Hackney, Spitalfields, Kentish Town, Stepney, and Crystal Palace. Most are free, with donations encouraged.
10. Watch a Film on the UK's Biggest Cinema Screen
The BFI Imax cinema in Waterloo boasts the UK's largest screen at 20 by 26 metres, paired with a 12,000-watt digital surround system for an immersive film experience. This venue is sure to captivate young audiences with its sheer scale.
Tickets start from £14.
11. Take a Dip
London offers numerous swimming options, from lidos to leisure centres. Finchley Lido Leisure Centre in Barnet features a leisure pool with a wave machine and water cannons, while Leyton Leisure Centre has a fast water flume and aqua play area. For confidence-building, the London Aquatics Centre in Stratford, used in the 2012 Olympics, offers swimming lessons in its large training pool.
Prices vary: Leyton from £6.55 for adults and £3.10 for kids; Finchley from £8.45 for adults and £5.30 for kids; London Aquatics Centre from £7.90 for adults and £5.70 for concessions.
12. Discover London's World-Class Museums
London's museums provide engaging activities for children, especially during school holidays. Highlights include an earthquake simulator at the Natural History Museum and a computer games exhibit at the Science Museum. The Tate Modern offers vast spaces for exploration. Many museums are free, but advance booking for audio tours or skip-the-line passes is recommended.
13. Octonauts Above & Beyond at Kew Gardens
From 28 March to 12 April, children aged three to six can join the Octonauts on an outdoor mission to rescue honeybees at Kew Gardens. This Easter-themed activity requires no separate booking, allowing families to also enjoy the Treetop Walkway and Children's Garden with trampolines and interactive features.
Adult tickets start from £24, with free entry for under-fours and tickets from £6 for ages 4-15.
14. Jump on the Harry Potter Bandwagon
Harry Potter enthusiasts can visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter to see sets, props, and costumes from the films, including Dumbledore's office and Diagon Alley. Alternatively, Platform 9¾ at King's Cross station offers a free photo opportunity.
Studio tour tickets start from £58.50, with free entry for under-fours.
15. Get Lost in the UK's Oldest Surviving Hedge Maze
The Hampton Court Maze, commissioned around 1700, covers a third of an acre with confusing twists and turns. On average, it takes 20 minutes to reach the centre, providing a stimulating challenge for kids.
Tickets start from £29 for adults and £14.50 for children, including palace and maze access.
16. Take a Street Art Tour
Teenagers will enjoy tours of London's street art, featuring works by artists like Roa and Stik. Options include workshops for creating personal artwork. For a budget-friendly alternative, Leake Street Arches under Waterloo station offer free public graffiti displays.
Tours start from £14.
17. Go to a Soft Play Area
Soft play areas provide a great outlet for toddlers' energy. Inflata Nation in Colindale features inflatable structures, while Bertie and Boo in Balham offers sensory adventures. Sandscape in Finsbury Park combines sand pits with café seating.
Inflata Nation costs £14.95 for adults and children, £9.50 for under-fours.
18. Discover Dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park
Crystal Palace Park is home to 19th-century dinosaur sculptures and a new dinosaur playground with Jurassic-themed slides and sandpits. The playground includes wheelchair-accessible features. While parts of the park are under refurbishment, the playground is open for Easter.
Free entry.
19. Take a Ride Above the City
The IFS Cable Car over the Thames offers stunning views of landmarks like St Paul's Cathedral and the Gherkin, especially at sunset. As part of Transport for London's network, it accepts contactless payment. Pair it with a front seat on the Docklands Light Railway for a train-like experience.
One-way tickets cost £7.
20. Hit the West End
London's West End features family-friendly productions like Matilda: The Musical, The Lion King, and Wicked, known for their dazzling sets and performances.
21. Find Your Favourite Animal at the Zoo
London Zoo offers close encounters with thousands of animals through walkthrough habitats and keeper talks. For a quieter alternative, Battersea Park Children's Zoo houses over 100 animals, including lemurs and emus.
London Zoo tickets start from £30.50 for adults and £21.35 for kids; Battersea from £17.50 for adults and £13.95 for kids.
22. Gozzle Adventure at the London Wetland Centre
From 20 March to 31 May, the London Wetland Centre in Barnes hosts an interactive trail based on Julia Donaldson's book Gozzle, where children spot mini Gozzles. The centre also features adventure play areas with zip lines and splash pads.
Tickets start from £10.58 for kids and £16.29 for adults.
