What to Do in March in London with Kids & Teens – 2026 Family Guide
March is that in-between month where London suddenly feels possible again. Lighter evenings. Fewer Easter crowds. Enough happening to keep every age group interested – without the full holiday chaos. If you’re searching for the best things to do in London in March with kids, this guide covers exhibitions, theatre, immersive experiences and free events for babies, tweens and teens.
Jump to: Free events | Under-6s | Tweens | Teens | Theatre Picks
UNDER-6s & FAMILY-FRIENDLY
Fairy Tales – British Library
Why it’s great:
This isn’t a sit-and-read exhibition. It’s interactive, tactile and gently immersive. Children can sit at the Three Bears’ table, explore costumes and puppets, and step into the imaginative worlds behind familiar stories. It’s thoughtfully designed – immersive without being overwhelming.
Works best for: Ages 4–10, especially primary school kids.
Parent note: It’s ideal for a slower day when you want culture without the pushy pace. There’s space to wander, pause and reset. Allow around 60–90 minutes to explore comfortably. Fully indoors and buggy-friendly, with cloakroom facilities available.
Top tip: Book early time slots at weekends and combine with Regent’s Park or a café stop nearby.
When: 27 March – 23 August 2026
Where: British Library, NW1
Prices from: £11.50 child / £13.50 adult
Mome London – Creative Play & Café
Why it’s great:
A bright, creative indoor play space designed specifically for babies and toddlers (0–4). Expect soft play zones, sensory areas, storytelling corners and a parent-friendly café so you can actually sit down while they explore. It’s calm, thoughtfully designed and much more curated than generic soft play.
Works best for: 0–4s.
Parent note: Fully indoors and buggy-friendly – excellent for unpredictable March weather.
Top tip: Book ahead for weekend sessions – popular with local parents.
When: Open year-round
Where: Angel, N1
Prices from: £14 per child (adults free)
A Squash and a Squeeze – Little Angel Theatre
Why it’s great:
Short, warm, beautifully made puppet theatre – perfect as an introduction to live performance. It’s funny enough for grown-ups but paced for little ones.
Works best for: Ages 3–8.
Parent note: Little Angel rarely disappoints. Seats are close to the stage, so it feels intimate rather than overwhelming. Running time approximately 55 minutes with no interval – ideal for shorter attention spans.
Top tip: Plan a nearby brunch to make it feel like a “proper outing” without over-stretching the day.
When: Until 21 March 2026
Where: Little Angel Theatre, Islington
Prices from: £13.50 child / £15.50 adult
Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt – Hampton Court Palace
Why it’s great:
An Easter trail that actually motivates kids to walk. You’ll explore the palace grounds looking for gold bunny statues, finishing with a chocolate treat.
Works best for: Under-10s who need movement.
Parent note: This is an outdoor energy-burner. Dress for wind. Bring snacks. Let them run.
Top tip: Go early in the day – the grounds are calmer before lunch.
When: 21 March – 12 April 2026
Where: Hampton Court Palace
Prices from: Included with palace admission (under-5s free)
Outdoor Spring Highlight
Kew Gardens – Sounds of Blossom
Why it’s great:
Early spring at Kew is genuinely beautiful. Magnolias and cherry blossom line the pathways, and this year’s Sounds of Blossom pairs peak bloom moments with gentle musical compositions across the gardens. It feels seasonal without being gimmicky.
There’s space to roam, run and reset – and if the weather turns, the glasshouses offer indoor refuge.
Works best for: All ages, especially mixed-age families.
Parent note: Mostly outdoor walking – allow 2–3 hours if you’re doing it properly.
Top tip: Head for Cherry Walk and Magnolia Walk, then finish near The Orangery café.
When: 14 March – 6 April 2026
Where: Kew Gardens, TW9
Prices from: ~£15 adult (children cheaper / under-4s free)
Tweens (7-12)
David Hockney – Serpentine North
Why it’s great:
Free and unexpectedly family-friendly.
This exhibition focuses on David Hockney’s later work, much of it created on his iPad – which instantly makes it feel more accessible to younger audiences.
The standout piece is A Year in Normandie – a 90-metre frieze inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry that wraps you in colour, movement and seasonal change.
You don’t need art knowledge, patience or a long attention span to enjoy this. Wandering works perfectly, and kids are naturally drawn to the scale and vibrancy.
Works best for: Ages 7+, but genuinely cross-generational.
Top tip: Allow 45–60 minutes inside the gallery, and factor in a park walk if you’re making a half-day of it.
When: 12 March – 23 August 2026
Where: Serpentine North, Kensington Gardens
Prices from: FREE
London Museum of Water & Steam – Steam Up Days
Why it’s great:
On Steam Up days, the museum’s enormous historic pumping engines are fired up and running. It’s loud, impressive and surprisingly gripping, especially for kids who love moving parts, noise and scale.
It feels hands-on and mechanical in a way that screens can’t replicate.
Works best for: 6–12, but teens enjoy it too.
Parent note: Indoors but industrial — expect sound and steam.
Top tip: Combine with a Kew visit for a full west-London day.
When: 28-29 March
Where: Brentford, TW8
Prices from: ~£12 adult / £6 child
Vikings: The Immersive Experience – Dock X
Why it’s great:
This transports you back to 793AD with large-scale projections, cinematic storytelling and immersive visuals. It focuses on the personal stories behind Viking history, not just battle scenes.
Works best for: History-curious tweens and teens who like spectacle.
Parent note: Expect strong visuals, darker lighting and drama. It’s not a gentle museum stroll. Experience lasts around 75–90 minutes.
Top tip: Book earlier weekday sessions for a calmer experience.
When: From 12 March 2026
Where: Dock X, Canada Water
Prices from: Ticketed (check site for live pricing)
London Gaming Market – Royal National Hotel
Why it’s great:
Retro games, board games, collectors and proper nostalgia. Tweens love seeing the “ancient tech” parents used. Parents secretly love it more.
Works best for: Gaming-obsessed kids, especially 8+.
Top tip: It’s busiest mid-morning. Early entry tickets are worth it.
When: 22 March 2026
Where: Bloomsbury
Prices from: £6–£9
Teens (13+)
Romeo & Juliet – Harold Pinter Theatre
Why it’s great:
This is Shakespeare without the dusty-school-textbook energy. The story already speaks directly to teenagers – big feelings, impulsive decisions, love, rebellion, consequences – and this production lowers the barrier further with casting that younger audiences recognise. It feels immediate rather than worthy.
Works best for: GCSE-age teens (14+) and first-time theatre-goers.
Parent note: It’s emotionally intense rather than visually flashy. If your teen likes character-driven drama or studies Shakespeare, this lands well. Running time approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including interval.
Top tip: Look for midweek matinees or day seats for better value.
When: 16 March – 6 June 2026
Where: Harold Pinter Theatre, WC2
Prices from: £20
Tracey Emin: A Second Life – Tate Modern
Why it’s great:
This isn’t “family art” – and that’s exactly why it works for teens. Emin’s work explores identity, relationships, vulnerability and resilience across painting, neon, textile and installation. It doesn’t talk down or over-explain, it invites reaction.
It can spark conversations you won’t get from a theme park day.
Works best for: 14+ and teens comfortable with contemporary art themes.
Parent note: Some works deal with adult themes. It’s better approached slowly and openly rather than trying to pre-frame everything.
Top tip: Give them space to wander independently for 10–15 minutes before regrouping.
When: 27 February – 31 August 2026
Where: Tate Modern
Prices from: £20 (members free)
Swingers – Crazy Golf & Street Food (Family Hours)
Why it’s great:
Indoor crazy golf with proper energy – neon lighting, competitive vibes and good street-food options. It works brilliantly for tweens and teens who want something social but not “babyish”.
Now open for families during daytime hours, making it an easy culture-plus-fun combo.
Works best for: 8+ and competitive teens.
Parent note: Indoors and weather-proof.
Top tip: Book late afternoon slots and follow with dinner nearby if you don’t have time to eat there.
When: Open daily; family entry until 6pm (except Sundays)
Where: West End (1 min from Oxford Circus or Bond St.)
Prices from: ~£13 per person
Skuna Boats – Floating Hot Tub & BBQ Boats
Why it’s great:
Something a bit different. Slow cruises around the docklands in heated hot-tub boats (12+ with adults), BBQ boats or cosy igloo dining pods. It feels like an “occasion” rather than a standard day out.
A strong teen birthday-energy option or celebratory family outing.
Works best for: 12+ (check age guidance per experience).
Parent note: Outdoor but heated for hot-tub boats.
Top tip: Sunset slots feel special without being too late.
When: Open year-round
Where: Canary Wharf
Prices from: ~£45 per person (varies by experience)
Wes Anderson: The Archives – Design Museum
Why it’s great:
For visually minded teens, this is a gift. Original props, models, costumes and notebooks reveal how Anderson builds his highly stylised worlds. It’s creative, detailed and genuinely fascinating if your teen likes film, photography, art, set design, or just beautifully constructed spaces.
Works best for: Creative teens and film fans.
Parent note: It’s not interactive in a hands-on way, but it’s visually rich enough to hold attention. Expect to spend 60–90 minutes inside; fully indoors and accessible
Top tip: Combine with a Kensington High Street wander or Hyde Park loop to stretch the day.
When: Until 26 July 2026
Where: Design Museum, Kensington
Prices from: £19.69
March Theatre Picks
Alice in Wonderland – Riverside Studios
Why it’s great:
This visually rich stage adaptation brings Lewis Carroll’s chaotic classic to life with enchanting puppetry, bold costumes and kaleidoscopic sets. It’s playful without being babyish, imaginative without being confusing, and fast-moving enough to keep younger audiences engaged.
Alice shrinks and grows, the White Rabbit panics, the Cheshire Cat causes mischief and the Queen of Hearts storms about exactly as she should. It feels like proper theatre, not a school assembly version.
Works best for: 5–12, but enjoyable for mixed-age families.
Parent note: Running time approximately 60–70 minutes, making it manageable for younger children.
Top tip: Book earlier performances in the Easter run if you want quieter audiences.
When: 27 March – 12 April 2026
Where: Riverside Studios, Hammersmith
Prices from: £25
Back to the Future: The Musical – Adelphi Theatre (last chance)
Why it’s great:
This is full-scale West End spectacle. Strong pacing, big staging and a genuinely impressive DeLorean moment that still surprises audiences. It works for teens because it’s energetic and cinematic – no one feels like they’re being dragged to “culture”.
Works best for: Mixed-age families with teens who prefer action over introspection.
Parent note: It’s a long-ish run time (approximately 2 hours 40 minutes including interval), but the energy rarely dips.
Top tip: If you’re travelling in, matinees make transport easier and cheaper.
When: Until 12 April 2026
Where: Adelphi Theatre, WC2
Prices from: £19.55
Free Things to Do in London in March
St. Patrick’s Festival
Parade, live music and colour in the centre of town. Busy, lively and best to leave the buggy at home if you can.
Parent note: The parade usually runs late morning into early afternoon (finishing around Trafalgar Square by midday). Arrive early if you want space to watch comfortably.
Top tip: While there are food stalls and pop-ups in the square, it’s best to grab something outside the parade area where it’s less busy.
When: 15 March 2026
Where: Central London / Trafalgar Square
Price: FREE
Head of the River Race
Up to 400 crews rowing along the Thames. It’s relaxed, sociable and surprisingly absorbing. The race usually runs mid-afternoon (around 1.30–4pm), with some of the best viewing spots near Putney Bridge and along the Embankment.
Top tip: There are cafés and pubs nearby, but bringing snacks makes it much easier with kids.
When: 28 March 2026
Where: Mortlake to Putney
Price: FREE
March is one of London’s most underrated months for families. Fewer crowds, stronger exhibitions, and just enough spring light to make getting out feel possible.
Save this page – and come back when the weather changes.
And look out for our April/Easter Holiday page … coming soon!
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