Top 10 Fun Things to Do in London with Kids and Teenagers

London is a vibrant playground for families, offering a perfect blend of historic landmarks, world-class museums, and modern thrills that appeal to both younger children and hard-to-please teenagers. To make the most of your trip, balance iconic sights like the Tower of London with trendy spots like Camden Market, and ensure every family member has their own reliable data connection to stay independent and connected.

1. Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter

For many families, this is the crown jewel of a London trip. Located just a short train ride from Euston Station to Watford Junction, this tour allows you to walk through the actual sets used in the films. You can explore the Great Hall, wander through the Forbidden Forest, and even step onto Platform 9 ¾. Teenagers love the behind-the-scenes look at the special effects and props. Because the studio is large and you will be taking hundreds of photos and videos to upload, having your own data plan is essential. You do not want to be hunting for the studio's guest Wi-Fi while trying to post a video of your Butterbeer.

2. The London Eye and South Bank

The London Eye provides a panoramic view of the city that helps everyone get their bearings. It is particularly magical at sunset. After your flight, take a stroll along the South Bank. This area is packed with street performers, pop-up food stalls, and the famous skate park under the Southbank Centre, which is a big hit with teenagers who enjoy urban culture. It is a high-traffic area where public Wi-Fi is often overloaded. When you see plans for the UK, you will notice that having a dedicated 5G connection on the EE network ensures you can use Google Maps to find the nearest Tube station without delay.

3. Camden Market and Cyberdog

If you are looking for things to do in London with teenagers, Camden Market is non-negotiable. It is edgy, colorful, and filled with unique fashion, vintage records, and incredible street food from every corner of the globe. Teens especially love Cyberdog, a neon-lit futuristic clothing store with go-go dancers and loud trance music. It is a maze-like area, and it is very easy for family members to get separated. Instead of the frantic 'Mom, is the hotspot on?' shout across a crowded market, giving each teen their own eSIM allows them to explore the stalls independently and message you when they are ready to meet for halloumi fries.

4. The Tower of London

History comes alive here in a way that actually interests kids. The Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tours are famous for their gruesome stories and witty delivery. You will see the Crown Jewels, the ravens, and the White Tower. It is a massive site with thick stone walls that often block cellular signals inside buildings, but the outdoor courtyards have excellent 5G coverage on the EE network. This is a great spot to check your itinerary or look up the history of the princes in the tower while you wait in line.

5. The British Museum

Home to the Rosetta Stone and the Egyptian mummies, this museum is a must-see. While the scale can be overwhelming, focusing on a few key galleries keeps younger kids engaged. Entry is free, but you must book a timed entry slot in advance. You will likely need to show your digital ticket at the entrance, so having active data is a must. If you are planning a multi-country trip, you might also want to look at our Ireland Road Trip: Best Family Stops and Fairy Castles guide, as many families combine London with a trip to Dublin.

6. Street Art Tour in Shoreditch

For families with older kids, the East End is a cool alternative to the more traditional West End. Shoreditch is famous for its street art, including pieces by Banksy. You can take a guided walking tour or simply wander around Brick Lane. This is prime territory for Instagram and TikTok. High-speed data is a priority here; teenagers will appreciate the 5G speeds offered by local carriers like EE to upload their finds in real-time.

7. ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide

Located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this is the world's tallest and longest tunnel slide. It is a thrill-seeker's dream. You go down a 178-meter slide that twists and turns 12 times. It is a fantastic way to burn off some energy. Since the park is a bit further out from central London, you will rely heavily on apps like Citymapper to navigate the Overground or the Elizabeth Line.

8. Thorpe Park

If your teenagers are complaining about too many museums, take a day trip to Thorpe Park. It is one of the UK’s leading theme parks, featuring some of the fastest and tallest rides in Europe, like Stealth and The Swarm. Much like planning for a trip to Florida, theme park apps are essential for checking wait times. You can read about how these apps consume data in our article on How Much Data Does the Disney Genie+ App Actually Use?.

9. Covent Garden

This area is perfect for a relaxed afternoon. The street performers in the West Piazza are world-class and will keep younger children entertained for hours. Teens will enjoy the Apple Market and the surrounding flagship stores like Glossier and the Apple Store. It is a great place to sit with a coffee and plan your evening.

10. Sky Garden

For the best free view in London, book tickets for the Sky Garden. It is a lush, landscaped garden on the 35th floor of a skyscraper known as the 'Walkie Talkie.' Tickets are free but must be booked about three weeks in advance. The view of the Shard and the Thames is unbeatable.

Connectivity: Staying Online in London

When traveling with a family, the traditional way of roaming—paying your home carrier $10 a day per device—quickly becomes a massive expense. In the UK, the two primary networks you will encounter are EE and 3. EE is widely considered the best for 5G coverage and speed in London, while 3 provides a very solid 4G experience.

FamilyRoam offers eSIMs that connect to these local networks, providing everyone in the family with their own data. Our plans are data-only, meaning they do not come with a local phone number, but they work perfectly with WhatsApp, iMessage, and FaceTime. You can see plans that range from small 1GB top-ups to large 50GB allowances for the whole month. For a typical week in London, a teenager using social media will likely need at least 5GB to 10GB.

Why Individual eSIMs Beat Hotspots

Many parents try to save money by having one person buy a SIM card and then turning on a mobile hotspot for the kids. This is usually a mistake for three reasons:

• Battery Drain: The 'host' phone will run out of battery by lunchtime.
• Range: If your teenager walks twenty feet away to look at a different shop, they lose the connection.
• Bandwidth: Sharing one connection between four people makes the internet painfully slow for everyone.

Roaming Comparison

Feature	Home Carrier Roaming	FamilyRoam eSIM
Daily Cost	$10+ per device	One-time affordable fee
Network	Random partner	EE (5G) or 3 (4G)
Data Limit	Often throttled after 500MB	High-speed up to your plan limit
Independence	Tethered to the parent	Everyone has their own data

How to Set Up Your Family's eSIMs

Setting up your connection is simple and can be done before you even leave the USA or UK. First, check if your device is compatible with eSIM technology. Most iPhones from the XS onwards and most recent Android phones are ready to go.

1. Choose your plan for the United Kingdom.
2. You will receive a QR code via email for each family member.
3. Go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) > Add eSIM.
4. Scan the QR code.
5. Label the new plan 'London' and set it as your secondary data line.

For more detailed steps, you can follow our guide on how to install an eSIM. Once you land at Heathrow or Gatwick, simply toggle the line on, and you will be connected to EE or 3 before you even reach immigration.

The bottom line

London is best explored when everyone has the freedom to be curious. By choosing a FamilyRoam eSIM for every phone and tablet, you eliminate the stress of 'Mom, is the hotspot on?' and ensure that your teenagers can navigate, share, and stay safe independently. Whether you are chasing Harry Potter or exploring the street art of Shoreditch, a reliable 5G connection makes the journey smoother for everyone.