‘Girly’ things to do in London with kids
Are you after ideas for ‘girly’ things to do in London with kids? Maybe you have been to London a lot and have ticked off all of the sights, so you want more of a themed day in the big city. Maybe you have some time to kill within your trip and are looking for a way to fill a few hours. Whatever you are looking for, if it’s something ‘girly’ you are looking for, we’ve got some ideas for you that might fit the bill for enjoying with your child. While these activities might traditionally be labeled as ‘girly’, they’re things to do that any child can enjoy, no matter their age, gender or interests.
Go shopping
If you are looking for something girly to do with your child then you probably can’t beat a bit of retail therapy (or just a bit of window shopping if budget is tight).
Shopping with teenagers and older children
If your kids have fallen for the TikTok skincare trend, then a visit to Sephora is probably high up on their list of places to visit. You’ll be pleased to know that London has two of them – one in Westfield White City, one in Westfield Stratford. These two shopping centres are located on opposite sides of the city. If you are particularly near one or the other then pick whichever is most convenient. If neither is handier than the other, Westfield White City is the bigger shopping centre of the two, with a wider range of shops.
For make-up, try Covent Garden, which has a flagship Glossier store, a Space NK, Charlotte Tilbury and MAC.
For clothes, Oxford Street plays home to a range of high street shops, including Nike Town, Zara and H&M. Carnaby Street and the Seven Dials area are also home to brands your kids might not find at home, like Brandy Melville and Urban Outfitters. For all your shopping needs under one roof, head to Westfield White City shopping centre.
For vintage clothes, try Brick Lane on a weekend for pop-up stalls.
If you want to browse all of the high end brands, try Harrods and Selfridges or window shop on New Bond Street.
Whatever your child is into when it comes to shopping, you’re likely to find what you’re after in London.
Shopping with younger children
For younger children, there is a whole range of shops that you can visit in London that kids are sure to love. In Leicester Square you will find the Lego store and M&M shop basically opposite each other. These are more than just shops, they are experiences, with plenty of large scale installations and selfie opportunities in store.
For a wide variety of toys, your kids are sure to find something in Hamleys on Regent Street that they are interested in, whether it is Jellycat toys or board games. On nearby Oxford Street there is a Disney store for your pint-sized princess to enjoy. If your child is more wizard than princess, then there’s an official Harry Potter shop located in King’s Cross Station where you can pick out wands and other magical paraphernalia. And don’t miss Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop in Covent Garden, a charming traditional toy shop with vintage-style puppets and toy theatres!
Whatever your child is into when it comes to shopping, you’re likely to find what you’re after in London.
Eat pretty desserts
Is there anything that screams girly more than a mid-afternoon break for a drink and a pretty dessert? Probably not, there’s something unbelievable decadent about taking a little break from sightseeing and treating yourself.
Luckily London is full of dessert shops and cafes where you can indulge yourselves and a sweet tooth.
Soho has a wide variety of pretty desserts on offer. For cute animal shaped mousse desserts and bubble tea, try No 79 Cafe, for cake try Cutter & Squidge and for a wide variety of cakes try L’ETO Caffe. For super pink instagrammable vibes, try Peggy Porschen in Belgravia for cupcakes and cake.
If it’s ice cream that you’re after, try Milk Train Cafe in Covent Garden and Hans & Gretel (Camden Market and in Hamleys) both serve up soft-serve ice cream wrapped in a cloud of cotton candy. Or try Chin Chin Labs in Soho for unique flavours and designer desserts.
See a show
Seeing a show always feels special and there are a whole variety of shows that would be perfect for a girly thing to do. For younger kids there are shows like Matilda and Mrs Doubtfire, whereas teenagers may prefer something like Mean Girls or Six.
Make your time seeing a show feel special by having pre-show dinner and going out for dessert after the show.
If your budget doesn’t stretch to a West End show, why not try a show at a smaller theatre. There are plenty of theatres that cater perfectly for younger kids, for ideas, see our post The best theatres in London for children’s shows.
Whatever you pick, it is bound to create long-lasting memories with your family.
Partake in afternoon tea
There probably isn’t anything more quintessentially girly to do in London than to partake in afternoon tea. There’s something so elegant and refined about the ritual of afternoon tea. The delicacy of the finger sandwiches followed by scones and pretty patisserie all served on a cake stand with bone china tea cups, all served in a fancy dining room, it’s the epitome of girly.
Planning in afternoon tea into your trip is bound to be a delicious girly experience for kids.
Have your own photoshoot
If you want to create long-lasting memories, why not book a professional photographer for a few hours to take some photos of you and your family in London?
London provides a fantastic backdrop to a family photoshoot and what’s better for a girly day in London than putting on something fabulous and posing up a storm? Well, possibly looking through all of the photos when you’re back at home from your London adventure.
Professional photographers who specialise in family sessions will know all the secret spots and how to capture natural smiles – even from camera-shy kids – making the experience feel more like a fun adventure than a formal photoshoot.
And if that’s out of budget, get silly with the props in a Life Four Cuts photo booth!
Visit the Royal Palaces
London’s royals are a huge part of the city’s past and present. Whilst some of the history may be rather gory, there’s also a lot of palaces, gilded carriages, sparkling jewels and pageantry that can be enjoyed in London through the various palaces and castles in and around the city.
Within the Tower of London you can see the Coronation paraphernalia, including the Crown Jewels – an array of sparkling tiaras, crowns, sceptres and rings. At Buckingham Palace (open during summer months and at limited other times throughout the year), explore the State Rooms and try and imagine what it is like to be a modern day Royal. Hampton Court Palace has a famous maze, magnificent Tudor kitchens, and stunning gardens where children can spot peacocks. At Kensington Palace, home to real-life princes and princesses, visitors can explore the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments while learning about famous royal residents like Queen Victoria, who was born there. Many palaces offer special children’s trails and activity sheets that transform the visit into an exciting treasure hunt through history!
Have you had a girly day in London with kids? What did you do? Let us know in the comments!