Things to do with kids on your weekend break in Paddington

If you’re looking for where to stay with kids in London, then Paddington is a wonderful part of London for families to retreat to. The neighbourhood is quiet and safe, and hotels such as the The Chilworth Hotel London Paddington welcome families. There is a lot of family-friendly things to see and do in Paddington and its surrounding areas.

Paddington is well-served by public transport. There is a National Rail railway station connecting London to nationwide cities. The station is the final destination for the Heathrow Express, which connects the airport and the city in 15 minutes’ flat. You can take the London Underground into other parts of the city or make use of excellent bus connections.

And now, find out the best things to do with kids on your weekend break in Paddington.

1) Follow the Pawprint Trail

Paddington station was where lost Paddington Bear was rescued by the kind Brown family. To commemorate the beloved book series by Michael Bond, there is a trail of over 50 Paddington sculptures in the city. You can pick up a map from Paddington Station and begin the trail from there. It’s up to you if you complete the whole circuit. Or, check into a spa near Paddington whilst the kids cosy up with the books or the film in your hotel room!

Closest tube: Paddington

2) Collect selfies at Madame Tussauds London

One of the best things to do with kids in Paddington is visit the famous London waxworks museum. These celebrity and fictional figures do look uncannily like their subjects. The entire British royal family is represented and you can step into an immersive Star Wars galleries. They even have a 360°, 4D cinema dedicated to the Marvel team – awesome for budding young superheroes! Book ahead for the best family price and to guarantee your time slot.

Closest tube: Baker Street

3) Run wild at ZSL London Zoo

If your little ones are potty about penguins, mad about monkeys, barmy about bugs or crazy about (big) cats, then take them to ZSL London Zoo for the day. The zoo is committed to conservation and protecting wildlife, and children have the chance to learn as well as see exotic creatures up close. You can watch feeding and scheduled talks with your ticket, and there are number of other add-on opportunities available. You can treat them to the opportunity to meet their favourite animal. If you have found money-saving special offers on London hotels, you can even give them the opportunity to be a junior zookeeper for the day.

Closest tube: Camden

4) Boating in Regent’s Park

The Regent’s Park is easily one of the most beautiful parks in the city, and is the perfect setting for a family walk and picnic during the warmer months. You will find a rose garden and Japanese garden to explore. There is a large boating lake populated by ducks and geese, where you can hire a pedalo or a rowing boat. No trip to Regent’s Park is complete without a clamber atop Primrose Hill, where you can take in a sweeping view across the London skyline.

Closest tube: Baker Street

5) Tour Kensington Palace

This modest palace in Kensington Gardens is the birthplace of Queen Victoria and official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It’s a place where history and the modern-day collide in the most incredible way! Your tour of the castle includes the re-imagined childhood rooms of Queen Victoria, which have equal interest for children. The palace have a number of family trails (for ages 5-11) to help keep mini minds engaged. They can also stretch their legs and play in the Sunken Garden and have a run around the Round Pond in the grounds of the Kensington Gardens.

Closest tube: High Street Kensington

6) Meet dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum

If your young family have reached their dinosaurs phase, then the Natural History Museum is only a short tube ride from The Chilworth Hotel Paddington and provides hours of fun – all for free! Children will be in awe at the animatronic dinosaurs in the Jurassic galleries, but be mindful that the giant t-rex is a little scary for some children! The museum also delves into creepy crawlies, British wildlife and Planet Earth – all with interactive, hands-on exhibits. There is a simulation of an earthquake which all children enjoy. The museum has a wonderful gift shop, cafè and you can check the calendar to see what special events and exhibitions are taking place during your visit.

Closest tube: South Kensington

7) Visit the famous Beefeaters

One place that every child who visits London wants to see is the home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The general public are welcome to peer through the gates and take photos of the facade and the Queen’s Guards. The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place most mornings at 11am (do check the schedule online first), and is an exciting experience for the whole family to share. Get there early to ensure a good view, and find London offers on afternoon tea for afterwards where you can scroll through your photos over cakes! The palace opens a number of the State Apartments during summer (25 Jul 2020 – 4 Oct 2020) and tickets must be booked in advance.

Closest tube: Green Park

8) Blow your mind at the Science Museum

One of the most interesting museums in London for kids, the Science Museum is dedicated to scientific achievements from the past few centuries. You can discover the technological objects that have paved the way to the modern world and find out exactly what astronauts eat whilst they are on space missions. The Science Museum features lots of interactive opportunities as well as VR, flight simulators and a hands-on gallery to test your own engineering capabilities. As with most London museums, entry to the permanent galleries is free.

Closest tube: South Kensington