THINGS TO DO IN CANARY WHARF WITH KIDS

CANARY WHARF LONDON: TOP ATTRACTIONS AND HIDDEN GEMS FOR FAMILIES

Canary Wharf used to be known as a place for city workers only, it was all about bankers and businessmen. It was not a place for families. In recent years, its image has completely transformed and it has become one of our favourite places in London to explore as a family. In this post, I’ll be sharing the many things to do in Canary Wharf with kids.

Even more surprisingly, there are actually many free things to do in Canary Wharf with kids, I always love to share free activities with you, so read on!

THINGS TO DO IN CANARY WHARF WITH KIDS

THE MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS

The Museum of London Docklands is one of the best attractions in Canary Wharf for families. This free London museum is very underrated in my opinion and one of my favourite places to take my kids. If you’re on the hunt for things to do in Canary Wharf on a rainy day with kids, this is the perfect place!

There are plenty of hands-on activities for children to enjoy. It has been so well designed, that they even have special red signs written in language that is easy for children to understand.

If you’re visiting with children under 8, they will enjoy Mudlarks, the museum’s family gallery. This costs £3 per person for a 45-minute session and it’s well worth the money. There is even a small soft play which is an unusual find in central London.

This area should be booked in advance as spaces are limited and they often sell out!

THE MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS | MUDLARKS FAMILY GALLERY

CROSSRAIL PLACE ROOFTOP GARDEN

This sweet little garden is a hidden gem in Canary Wharf. It’s small but usually fairly quiet making it a great place for toddlers (as well as older kids) to explore.

Although this is a rooftop garden, it doesn’t have much of a view. This is a shame but I still think it is worth visiting, especially as it’s free!

FLIP OUT CANARY WHARF

Enjoy bumper cars, a roller rink, doughnut slides, crazy karts and more at Flip Out. You can book a 2 or 3-hour session then you have access to all the activities! This is an amazing indoor activity in Canary Wharf that kids will love!

A 2-hour session is £10.95 for children under 1.2 meters tall and £15.95 for those above 1.2 meters. Family passes start at £51.95.

See more on their website here.

MUDCHUTE FARM / PARK

Located around a 25-minute walk (or a short ride on the DLR) from Canary Wharf is Mudchute Farm and Park. This is a free city farm and a great outdoor activity in Canary Wharf.

The farm is fairly small but young children will love it. You can buy a bag of animal food for £1 and it really is worth it! My boys love to feed the goats, sheep and llamas!

There is also a great playground called Millwall Park just next to the farm. This is the best park in Canary Wharf we have discovered so far. There’s plenty there to keep kids entertained.

READ MORE: GUIDE TO LONDON’S CITY FARMS

CROSSRAIL PLACE ROOFTOP GARDEN | MUDCHUTE PARK FARM

GO BOAT

There is lots of water around Canary Wharf so how about hiring a boat? There are no age restrictions for this and lifejackets are provided.

Prices start from £65.

Find out more on the GO BOAT website.

RIDE THE DLR

The DLR (Docklands Light Railway) is part of the London Tube network, however, lots of the route runs overground, meaning you get great views. Further to this, it is a driverless train. Meaning if you get the the front seats, children can enjoy pretending that they are actually driving the train themselves!

A journey on the DLR starts at just £1.80 and children under 11 go free with a paying adult.

Within Canary Wharf there are multiple DLR stops all very close together. These include Canary Wharf, Heron Quays, West India Quay and South Quays, You could do a short ride between these stations or if you’d like to go a bit further try getting off at Cutty Sark to explore Greenwich.

ENJOY THE ART

There are lots of art and sculptures located around Canary Wharf. A special children’s trail has been designed to get kids interested in spotting them. You can download the map here and do the self-guided trail at your own leisure.

If your family is really into art, you can see the full art trail here.

FAIRGAME

This is a really cool bar with lots of games. Parents can enjoy a drink while kids are kept busy playing. My little one is also obsessed with their big yellow duck!

FAIRGAME | SCULPTURE BY GILLIE AND MARC ART

EDEN DOCK

The newly renovated Eden Dock is a perfect place to rest and relax for a while. Or even to enjoy a picnic.

WATCH THE BOATS TRAINS AND FIND THE BIG YELLOW DUCK

My kids love to watch the boats and trains go past. A highlight was seeing one of the bridges open to let a bot pass through the canal! There is also a huge inflatable duck who lives outside Fairgame (a games cafe/ cocktail bar.) You can spot it from the DLR or walk past for a closer look!

SHOPS AND RESTERAUNTS

My kids are a little young to enjoy shopping but if shopping is your vibe, Canary Wharf is home to over 120 shops! Kids will particularly love Flying Tiger and Pop Mart. John Lewis is a British department store and a great place to pick up gift items.

There are also plenty of places to eat in Canary Wharf. I’ve listed a few of our favourites that are great for families below:

Coffee: Blank Street Coffee, Cafe Nero, Grind, Paul, Pret a Manger

Sweet Treat: Buns from Home, Lola’s Cupcakes

Canary Wharf’s family-friendly resteraunts include: Dishoom (Indian), Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, Franco Manca (pizza), Nandos (chicken), Shake Shack (burgers) and Wagamama (Japanese.)

You can see the full food directory on their website here.