Unlock the Ultimate Guide: 22 FREE/CHEAP, FUN Things to Do in London with Kids This January

Check out this in-depth guide showcasing over 22 FREE/CHEAP, fun activities for kids in London and nearby this January. Nothing in this post will cost more than £10pp. Remember to share this valuable resource with your friends, family, school communities, and on Facebook groups.

If you receive specific benefits such as Universal Credit, you may want to explore our blog post. It provides information on accessing significantly discounted tickets for various attractions, including London Zoo and the London Transport Museum.

1. £10 Colchester Zoo tickets

Beat the January Blues with a Special Offer! Pre-book tickets to Colchester Zoo from just £10 per person for visits between 6th January and 14th February 2025. Located not too far from London, Colchester Zoo is the perfect winter destination to create unforgettable memories. Book tickets now and make the most of this incredible offer!

Address: Maldon Rd, Stanway, Heckfordbridge, Colchester CO3 0SL

2. Chinese New Year 2025 – Year Of The Snake

Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Chinatown,. Join the FREE vibrant festivities in Chinatown from January to February 2025 (exact dates to be confirmed). Experience traditional performances, colourful decorations, and delicious food to mark the occasion. Keep an eye here for updates.

Address: Chinatown, London

3. Canary Wharf Winter Lights

Winter Lights 2025: Back and FREE as Always! From Tuesday, 21 January, to Saturday, 1 February, enjoy the stunning Winter Lights from 5–10 pm. This year’s trail features 12 spectacular temporary installations, offering a magical journey for all to explore. Check back soon for the event map and plan your visit to this unmissable celebration of light and creativity!

Address: Throughout Canary Wharf, London, E14

4.Uniqlo Tate Play Make Studio: The Joy of Feeling

Discover how art can help express emotions with a FREE hands-on workshop every weekend and Wednesday from 9 November 2024 to 12 February 2025. Create a sensory sculpture using shapes, colours, textures, and materials inspired by Tate’s collection or your imagination. No booking is needed—just drop in and let your creativity flow! Find more info here.

Address: Tate Modern Bankside London SE1 9TG

5. Rug Rhymes

Introduce little ones to the joy of stories and poems with a playful session led by National Poetry Library staff. Perfect for under-5s, the session includes favourite nursery rhymes, new ones to learn, and time to explore the Children’s Collection before the library opens to the public at 12 noon. Tickets start from £4—book here!

Address: National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall

6. REPLAY: A Limitless Recycled Playground

REPLAY is an interactive adventure playground created by The Herd Theatre, built entirely from repurposed waste materials. With a design that sparks creativity, a recycled sound score, and a play generator, it’s a space where children and their grown-ups can play, explore, and reimagine together. Tickets from £5.63. Book here!

Address: Exhibition Space, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall

7. Visit the Apple Store

Discover FREE and entertaining activities for kids in London at Apple’s workshops, where you can create your own emoji, code your first app, or compose a theme song. While these workshops are entirely free, remember to secure your spot by booking in advance.

The diverse London locations, including Battersea Power Station, Regent Street, Brompton Road, White City, Brent Cross, Stratford City, Bromley, Regent Street, Bentalls Centre, and Covent Garden, offer convenient options. For more details and to book a session, check the provided link.

Address: multiple locations

8. Virgin Media Gamepad at The O2

Located at The O2 in London, Gamepad offers the finest in the gaming world. It’s open to everyone for FREE, but if you’re an O2/Virgin Media customer, you can secure a spot through the O2 Priority app. Additional details can be found here.

Address: Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX. The nearest station is North Greenwich.

9. Art In The Docks

Every Saturday morning, your children can join a FREE art class. It’s free to join, suitable for all ages, and all materials and equipment will be provided. Please note that there is a maximum capacity of 30 for this event, and it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The class runs from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and is ongoing. Find more information here.

Address: 25 Shackleton Way, London, E16 2XJ. Gallions Reach is the nearest station.

10. £5 Play Central tickets, CRATE Walthamstow

Enjoy a month-long special offer at Play Central, CRATE Walthamstow—just £5 per child for a 90-minute session! Use promo code PLAYJAN. Book here!

Address: CRATE Walthamstow, 45 Selborne Walk, London, E17 7JR

11. Little Swifts – RAF Museum

The RAF museum offers frequent, FREE engaging sessions tailored for preschoolers (ages 2-5), featuring arts and crafts, games, stories, and songs. Reserve your spot ahead of time here. Book here.

Address: Grahame Park Way, London NW9 5LL. The nearest station is Colindale.

12. Polka Theatre

The Polka Theatre not only presents fantastic paid shows throughout the year but also offers a café and both indoor and outdoor play areas that are open to everyone, free of charge. Find the opening times here.

Address: Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB. Wimbledon and South Wimbledon stations are both a short walk away.

13. Little Explorers- National portrait Gallery

Join the free Little Explorers session at the National Portrait Gallery, recommended for ages 2+. Explore the gallery through stories, songs, and hands-on activities with your family. Two sessions are available each month, featuring storytelling followed by an art activity, lasting around 30 minutes. All children must be accompanied by an adult, with a maximum of two adults per booking. Booking opens three weeks before each event. Book here!

Address: St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE. Charing Cross station is a short walk away.

14. FREE IKEA events

Numerous free IKEA events take place throughout the year at various IKEA stores. Explore your local store’s offerings here.

15. Sorted! The Postal Play Space

Sorted! The Postal Play Space, £4.50 per ticket for ages 8 and under (under 6 months go free). Explore an immersive mini-town with streets, buildings, trolleys, pulleys, slides, and chutes—everything to keep little ones entertained. Book here!

Address: 15-20 Phoenix Place London WC1X 0DA

16. Open the Disney Store

Unfortunately, there’s only one Disney store left in London. However, here’s something cool you can check out: did you know that every morning, the Disney store starts its day in a super magical way?

The lucky first person in line gets to use a giant key to open the store and even receives a smaller version of the key to keep! You can’t pre-book this experience. The store is open Monday to Saturday from 9 am and on Sundays from 12 pm. For more, check out my TikTok for a short but adorable glimpse of this experience.

Address: 350-352 Oxford St, London W1C 1JH

17. FREE gaming at Samsung KX

Experience the ultimate gaming immersion at one of Samsung’s four gaming stations featuring cutting-edge technology that brings you closer to reality than ever before. Don’t miss the cool gaming bus, available for everyone to use for free. Be sure to check the website for more details.

Address: 1 Stable St, London N1C 4DQ

18. The Microsoft Experience Centre

Immerse yourselves in the ultimate gaming experience at The Microsoft Experience Centre‘s Xbox Lounge. Add excitement to your Saturdays with the Minecraft Build Challenge for kids aged 8 and above, running from 1 pm to 2 pm! Your kids might even win a cool prize! While the Minecraft gaming challenge requires pre-booking on the website, feel free to walk in at any other time.

Address: 253-259 Regent St., London W1B 2ER

19. Get kids in the kitchen

Explore courses and learn to cook like a pro. Join a FREE workshop every Monday from 5-7 PM at Boxpark Croydon, where little ones can gain valuable skills and insights. It’s FREE, but be sure to book here!

Address: BOXPARK Croydon 99 George Street Croydon CR0 1LD

20. The Kids Space, Southside Shopping centre

The Kids Space, located on the first floor (opposite Nando’s), is an indoor play area for children aged 5 and under, featuring interactive play, dress-up costumes, and role-play stations like a fire station and construction site. Sessions are 90 minutes, and the Mon-Fri 9:30 AM and weekend slots fill up quickly. Prices: Under 6 months: Free; 6 months – 12 months: £2; 1-5 years: £4. One adult goes free with a paying child; additional adults: £2 each.

Address: Southside Shopping Centre Wandsworth London, SW18 4TF

21. London New Year’s Day Parade

Here’s something fun and free to do in London this January—join the London New Year’s Day Parade on Wednesday, 1st January 2025! It’s free to stand and watch, so come along and enjoy the vibrant celebrations. Find more info here!

Address: Piccadilly, Regents Street St James’s, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall.

22. Family film club Barbican

Head to the Barbican for the Family Film Club! Screenings start just after 11am with no ads, and before, during, and after the film, enjoy activity sheets, books, toys, and games in the café. Happening on Saturday mornings, tickets are £5 per person.

Address: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS