The Best Things To Do Near Waterloo For Families In 2023
If you’re visiting London with kids and are looking for a great place to start, you can’t go wrong with Waterloo.
In fact, there are so many things to do near Waterloo for families that you could spend the weekend there and not need to leave the area.
Some of the most visited family attractions in London are found in Waterloo – as well as some of London’s hidden gems.
Waterloo is also really quite centrally located and it is easy to get to other parts of London from there – even on foot. From Southbank, you can walk over Waterloo Bridge and straight into Covent Garden.
Waterloo is one of our favourite destinations in London for families so read on to find out about the many fun things to do in Waterloo, London with kids.
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OFFER:
Shrek’s Adventure – Get an extra £12 off. Book tickets from £20.00. Offer runs on select dates for the rest of 2023. See here for tickets. Promo code: SALAFF2023.
London Dungeon – Get adult tickets for £25 and up to £10 off per person on selected dates. See here for tickets. Promo code: LDAFF2023.
Before you read about things to do near Waterloo with kids, let me just tell you that we have a huge section on our blog for families visiting London.
Or, our most helpful posts are:
- where to have afternoon tea in London with kids
- best family-friendly restaurants in London
- best London museums to visit with kids
- free things to do with kids in London
- family day trips from London
One of our money saving tips for visiting London is to combine some free attractions with some of the paid ones. Also, take a look at the big savings you can make with a GoCity Explorer Pass. It includes family attractions such as the Tower of London and the O2.
These are the best things to do near Waterloo for families
Merlin attractions near Waterloo
There are four Merlin attractions near Waterloo that are perfect for families and they are all pretty much next door to each other.
If you like Merlin attractions, we also have guides to what is on at Merlin attractions at Halloween and what is on at Merlin attractions at Christmas.
The London Eye
The London Eye is one of the most popular London attractions near Waterloo for families. This enormous 135m Ferris wheel commands stunning views over the City of London and beyond (on a clear day).
There are no age restrictions for this ride making it one of the best Waterloo attractions for families with children of all ages.
It does come at a cost though. See our thoughts here on whether the London Eye is worth it.
You can get your London Eye tickets on the London Eye website here. They start from £30.50 for an adult and £27.50 for a child if you book in advance.
There are ways to save money though. If you are planning on visiting the other Merlin attractions, you can get combi tickets which will work out cheaper.
The London Dungeon
The London Dungeon has been scaring visitors since 1974.
Learn all about London’s gruesome past, spanning 1000 years. Be warned though. It’s not ideal for younger kids. Find out what age is suitable for the London Dungeon by reading our review.
You can get your London Dungeon tickets on the London Dungeon website here. They start from £26.50 for an adult and £21.00 for a child if you book in advance.
There are ways to save money though. If you are planning on visiting the other Merlin attractions, you can get combi tickets which will work out cheaper.
Shrek’s Adventure
Shrek’s Adventure if one of those kind of places that is hard to explain. We didn’t know what to expect before we went but we can say that it is a lot of fun.
It is an immersive adventure to find Shrek with lots of challenges along the way. It takes about 90 minutes and is suitable for children aged 3+ mainly because you can’t take strollers in and there is quite a bit of walking.
You can read our review of Shrek’s Adventure to get a better idea of what it’s all about.
You can get your Shrek’s Adventure tickets on their website here. They start from £30.00 for an adult and £24.00 for a child if you book in advance.
Remember, if you are planning on visiting the other Merlin attractions, you can get combi tickets which will work out cheaper.
SeaLife Centre London Aquarium
The SeaLife Centre is a great place for kids to come and learn about the ocean and all of its magical creatures. It is one of the most educational things to do near waterloo with kids.
Walk through an aquarium tunnel bursting with deep sea life and encounter sharks, octopus, penguin, stingrays, and a variety of rainforest animals.
There are three main areas in the London Aquarium:
- Ocean Invaders – the UK’s largest jellyfish experience.
- Coral Kingdom – the UK’s largest living coral reef.
- Rainforest Adventure – immersive rainforest experience complete with creepy crawlies.
You can get your SeaLife tickets on their website here. They start from £26.50 for an adult and £24.00 for a child if you book in advance.
Remember, if you are planning on visiting the other Merlin attractions, you can get combi tickets which will work out cheaper.
Jubilee Park & Play Area
Jubilee Park is a small urban park located right under the London Eye and is a great place for a run around before or after visiting one or more of the Merlin attractions.
Our kids love the adventure play area which is suitable for kids up to 12 years old.
It is a great option if you’re looking for free things to do near Waterloo with kids.
Leake Street Arches (aka Graffiti Tunnel)
Leake Street is a tunnel that runs underneath the Waterloo train station where graffiti artists are allowed to tag. It is ever changing for almost as soon as one artist has finished, another will come along and create something else.
It is fascinating watching these artists at work as you walk through the tunnel.
Be warned, however, that there is a very strong smell of paint fumes in the tunnel, especially when the artists are working. There was also a large amount of broken glass around.
This is a great place for teenagers to visit, but kids of all ages can explore with the family. It is certainly one of the more unusual things to do near Waterloo station with kids.
Southbank Skate Space
If your kids love skateboarding, take them along to the Southbank Skate Space under the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
It is another graffiti covered space where kids and grown ups come to skate (or scoot) and can provide lots of entertainment.
The Old Vic Theatre
If you are looking for some cultural entertainment, take a look at what’s on at The Old Vic theatre.
The Old Vic has been entertaining Londoners and visitors to London for over 200 years.
If you are visiting London at Christmas with kids, they usually have a production of the Christmas Carol which is perfect for families.
If there’s nothing on for families, try also the Young Vic which is almost next door.
Address: The Old Vic, The Cut, London, SE1 8NB.
The Southbank Centre
Just a short stroll further along the river from the London Eye will bring you to the Southbank Centre where you will find a whole complex dedicated to the performing arts.
In the Southbank Centre you will find the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall (don’t miss the roof garden in the summer) and the Hayward Gallery.
The National Theatre is also very close by so you are bound to find something going on for the family to enjoy. See here for family fun at the Southbank Centre.
There are lots of street food vendors at the Southbank and a great selection of family-friendly restaurants.
In the winter, look out for Jimmy’s igloo, one of the best igloo restaurants in London. There’s also a London Christmas market on at Southbank or you can pop across Waterloo Bridge to the ice skating rink at Somerset House.
If you’re visiting in the summer, there’s a play fountain at the Royal Festival Hall. Just make sure to pack a towel and swimsuits for the kids!
See here for our list of the best splash parks in London for kids.
Other things to do with kids near Waterloo
Need a few more ideas for family-friendly attractions near Waterloo?
Go to the beach
This may sound like a bizarre thing to do with kids near Waterloo but you can actually go to the beach (at certain times of the day)!
When the tide is out (only for a couple of hours a day), you’ll find sets of steps leading down from Southbank to the waters’ edge.
It’s not really somewhere you’d want to sit and sunbathe, but you might like to spend a little time beachcombing. Imagine how many incredibly historic items are just waiting to be discovered.
It’s one of the great free things to do near Waterloo.
If this beach doesn’t quite do it for you, check out these lovely beaches near London.
BFI Imax
How about catching a movie at the UK’s biggest screen? The BFI Imax is located right next to London Waterloo station and shows blockbusters as well as educational films.
Golden Carousel
How about take a ride on the Golden Carousel, a traditional fairground carousel with views of the London Eye? It’s located right next to the Jubliee Gardens. It’s one of the best things to do near Waterloo with young kids.
Places to eat near Waterloo for families
Once you are done exploring the London Attractions near Waterloo with kids, take a break and enjoy one of the many great restaurants in the area.
Here is a list of our favourite restaurants near Waterloo.
Well-known chain restaurants near Waterloo
- Wagamamas Southbank
- Honest Burger
- Giraffe
- Wahaca
For a treat, the Oxo Tower Brasserie is great for family lunches with a view.
If you have foodie kids, one of our absolute favourite restaurants in London is the Anchor & Hope. There is no kids menu though so they will need to be a little bit adventurous if they are going to enjoy it.
There are also lots of street food vendors in the area and other food options in the colourful Gabriel’s Wharf.
Places to stay near Waterloo for families
Waterloo is a great place to base yourself and there are some good family hotels near Waterloo. Here are our recommendations:
Premier Inn County Hall & Premier Inn Waterloo (see other Premier Inn hotels in London for families)
Or see our guide for family-friendly London hotels.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our recommendations for family-friendly london attractions near Waterloo. Do you have any more things to do near Waterloo for families to add? Let us know!