South Bank’s world-famous tourist attractions, wide-open car-free spaces and child-friendly restaurants all come together to make this one of London’s most popular destinations for a family day out.
From magical stage shows to free events, hands-on museum visits and child-friendly immersive experiences, this Easter there are plenty of fun activities to join in for all the family.
*KIDS EAT FOR FREE During English school holidays, many restaurants offer free meals for kids. Free lunch offers are usually based on one free child's meal for every accompanying adult who orders a sit-down meal. Restaurants running kids eat free offer during the Easter holidays include: BrewDog Waterloo (7–18 Apr weekdays), Mamuska! and Las Iguanas. See our family-friendly guide to eating out in South Bank for more ideas on where to get lunch during your visit.
WHEN: 16–20 Apr at Southbank Centre
Embark on an adventure with this heart-warming tale about confidence, self-esteem and a shy little mouse who sets out on a journey to find his roar. Based on the best-selling story by Rachel Bright & Jim Field, this joyous new stage adaptation featuring puppetry, music and song is directed by Sarah Punshon (The Jungle Book), with music and lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer (Brief Encounter).
WHEN: Sat 5 Apr at Southbank Centre
The Beatbox Academy leads April's edition of the free monthly family event Saturday Sessions. Learn the foundations of beatbox sounds and drive the rats away in a workshop full of singing, rapping and vibes inspired by their award-winning hip-hop musical The Pied Piper. Morning sessions (starting at 10:30am) are Relaxed Sessions (an adapted version for families who may benefit from a more chilled-out space), while the afternoon sessions start at 1pm, followed by a ballroom boogie with DJs for the kids from 2:30pm. This a free drop-in event and there is no need to book.
This brilliant interactive experience (an official collaboration with Lionsgate films) at County Hall is an exciting immersive adventure through some of the most memorable locations from the Paddington stories. After boarding the train at Paddington Station, you'll be whisked away to Windsor Gardens where there are numerous themed rooms to explore, characters to meet and adventures to embark on. Open daily.
Disappear into the world of Far Far Away as you encounter an array of characters from the iconic Shrek film franchise at this beloved walk-through immersive experience for families. Amaze the little ones with captivating storytelling, dramatic special effects, extraordinary DreamWorks animations and an amazing 3D ride, plus of course photo opportunities with everyone’s favourite ogre. Open daily.
Hop over to the dark side at the London Dungeon this Easter, where the hunt for thrills takes on a sinister spin. Take the plunge on the Drop Dead: Drop Ride and come face-to-face with spine-chilling historic characters including Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett herself… who may just have a few hot cross buns of her own to share. Open daily.
Break out of prison and avoid the hangman's noose in this exciting Guy Fawkes-themed escape room. Locked in, you and your crew have just 60 minutes to escape the cell by solving fiendish clues and puzzles, including some tricky physical elements. Taking things up another level, this is the UK’s only escape room that also has a ride! The experience is recommended for players aged 12+.
WHEN: Open Tue–Sun until 1 June at Southbank Centre
Part installation, part adventure playground, REPLAY is a space built entirely out of waste materials, repurposed for fun by The Herd Theatre. It features a design that reignites imaginations, a score composed from recycled sounds and a crowdsourced play generator. Children and their grown-ups are invited to play side-by-side in this space full of things you can move, change, combine, wear and reimagine. REPLAY is suitable for ages 6 months–11 years. Booking is essential!
WHEN: 7–18 April (Mon–Fri only)
The huge BrewDog Waterloo at The Sidings adjoining Waterloo Station is a family favourite with its ping pong tables, duckpin bowling lanes and the famous BrewDog slide. During the Easter holidays, on weekdays BrewDog presents the family-friendly Hop n Roll Bowling Bash. From 10am-11:45am kids bowl for free and from 12pm-5pm for £10 per child kids enjoy 30 minutes of bowling plus an Easter egg hunt, arts and craft activities, and face-painting (Tue-Fri 12-3pm) plus they'll also get a free ice lolly from the BrewDog ice-cream van. What's more, kids eat for free Mon-Fri afternoons (book online here with the code KIDS EAT FREE)!
London’s original board games bar Draughts, located inside the famous Leake Street graffiti tunnel, is the ideal spot to wile away a rainy afternoon in South Bank. There are more than 1,000 different board games to choose from, covering every possible interest, meaning even the fussiest kids will never be bored! Admission for families is allowed until 9pm (kids under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Open daily.
London’s favourite karaoke bar brand Lucky Voice has a branch at The Sidings next to Waterloo Station. If you have teens and tweens who are big pop music fans, then booking a karaoke room for the family can be a super fun way to pass an afternoon. During the afternoon Sunday to Friday you can book out the venue for a two-hour kid's party package with soft drinks and snacks, or you can upgrade to add in pizzas for the kids too. The Lucky Voice Kids party is generally recommended for kids aged 11+.
If the kids need to let off some steam you can find one of the best playgrounds in central London inside the pretty Jubilee Gardens directly behind the London Eye. There's plenty for kids to clamber under and over, and sensory sound, vision and touch experiences that are designed to delight children of differing abilities. There's also lots of space to sit and enjoy a packed lunch on the grass.
WHEN: Served daily 12pm–5pm until end of April at Marriott County Hall
Muggle-Wump brownies, Jam Roly-Poly sponge and Trick or Twit scones - enter into the story of The Twits with this themed Afternoon Tea at the Marriott County Hall inspired by the iconic Roald Dahl book. A celebration of The Twits story and characters and their eccentric and tricksy ways. > FIND OUT MORE & BOOK
WHEN: 5–21 April
Throughout the Easter holidays, the SEA LIFE London Aquarium presents the Great Turtle Odyssey. SEA LIFE is on a mission to help turtles continue to live safely in our oceans and all the family are invited to help take part in this mission by solving puzzles and challenges and learning all about the underwater world of these amazing creatures (all activities are included in the entrance price).
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a great day out sightseeing in South Bank.
