Things to Do in London with Kids (Indoor & Interactive Ideas)
London offers hundreds of activities for families, but the best ones share a quality: they engage children and adults equally, with no waiting, no passive watching, and no explaining why one person is bored.
Best Interactive Family Activities in London
Immersive Experiences
Immersia XR at Waterloo Station is a story-led immersive experience where families walk through digital worlds together using lightweight VR headsets. Six stories are available including Alice in Wonderland, Moon Landing, and Tales of Aladdin. Each experience lasts approximately 30 minutes and is designed for ages 5 and above. Tickets start from £7.
The Paddington Bear Experience near Waterloo offers a walk-through theatrical show based on the Paddington stories. Suitable for all ages, lasting around 70 minutes.
Shrek’s Adventure on the South Bank combines live actors with interactive set pieces in a walk-through experience lasting approximately 75 minutes.
Indoor Activities for Rainy Days
London weather is unpredictable, making indoor activities essential for family planning.
The Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and V&A Museum of Childhood are free and offer hands-on exhibits for children. During school holidays, they run additional family programmes.
Immersive Gamebox at South Bank offers family-friendly VR gaming sessions in 30, 60, or 90-minute slots.
Near Waterloo Station
Families arriving at Waterloo have several options within walking distance:
- Immersia XR — 4-minute walk, story-led immersive experience
- SEA LIFE London Aquarium — 8-minute walk
- London Eye — 10-minute walk
- Southbank Centre — 8-minute walk (free family activities during holidays)
What Makes a Great Family Activity
The best family activities share three qualities: they are easy to understand without lengthy instructions, they engage different age groups simultaneously, and they create shared memories rather than individual screen time.
Immersia XR is designed around this principle. Families walk through the same story together. A 5-year-old and a grandparent experience the same world at the same time, reacting to the same moments.
Reassurance for Parents
At Immersia XR:
- The venue is fully accessible and on the ground floor at Waterloo Station
- All experiences are guided and family-friendly
- Children can remove the headset at any time if they feel uncomfortable
- Staff are present throughout the experience
- No booking surprises — each experience is approximately 30 minutes
- Tickets start from £7, with family group options available
FAQ
Is Immersia XR suitable for young children? Yes. Experiences are designed for ages 5 and above with parental guidance. The pacing is gentle and children can pause at any time.
What if my child feels nervous about VR? Many children feel unsure at first but quickly become comfortable. You can remove the headset at any time, and staff are available to help.
Is it an indoor activity? Yes. The venue is fully indoors at Waterloo Station, making it ideal for rainy days or cold weather.
How long should we plan for? Allow approximately 45-60 minutes including arrival, check-in, headset fitting, the experience itself (30 minutes), and time to discuss it afterwards.
Book a Family Experience
Ready to try something different with the kids? Book your Immersia XR family experience at Waterloo Station. Use code XREASTER20 for 20% off.
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