Things to do at Canary Wharf with Kids

Are there any good things to do at Canary Wharf with kids? 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 many things to do in Canary Wharf for free with kids. I always love to share free activities with you, so read on!

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Top Things to Do at Canary Wharf with Kids

1. 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 a fun, family activity in Canary Wharf, 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 a language that is easy for children to understand. Read more about the Museum of London Docklands in our full guide. Or see our list of the best museums in London for families.

READ MORE: OUR FULL GUIDE TO THE LONDON MUSEUM DOCKLANDS

If you’re visiting the Museum of London Docklands with children under 8, they will enjoy Mudlarks, the museum’s family gallery. This costs £3.50 per person for a 45-minute session, and it’s well worth the money. (Read our full review here). 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! Book on the museum’s website here.

READ MORE: OUR FULL GUIDE TO MUDLARKS

2. 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!

3. 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 at Canary Wharf that kids will love! Mine are a little young for this, but it looks like a fun place for older children!

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.

4. Mudchute Park and Farm

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 toddlers and young children will love it. You can buy a bag of animal food for £1.50, 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 of all ages entertained.

READ MORE: GUIDE TO LONDON’S CITY FARMS

5. Go Boat

There is a lot of water around Canary Wharf, so how about hiring a boat? GoBoat is a fun boating experience. You sail the boat yourself, so kids can enjoy pretending to be the captain and choose their own route.

There are no age restrictions for this, and lifejackets are provided. Prices start from £95, for a boat that holds 8 people. So, this isn’t a budget freindly experience, but it would be a great treat! Click here to find out more and book.

6. Ride the DLR from Canary Wharf with Kids

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 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.

READ MORE: FAMILY GUIDE TO GREENWICH

7. The Children’s Art Trail

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.

8. Play at Fairgame Canary Wharf with Kids

This is a really cool bar with lots of games. Unfortunately, this one is only for big kids (18+). However, they have never had an issue with my kids enjoying the outside games at quiet times.

Toddlers will also be obsessed with their big yellow duck!

9. Explore Eden Dock

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

10. Watch the Boats and Trains

My kids love to watch the boats and trains go past. A highlight was seeing one of the bridges open to let a boat pass through the canal!

11. Find the Big Yellow Duck

There is a huge inflatable duck that lives outside Fairgame (a games cafe/ cocktail bar). You can spot it from the DLR or walk past for a closer look! My children are obsessed with it!

12. Seasonal Events & Pop-Ups at Canary Wharf for Families

Lots of seasonal events also take place in Canary Wharf, and many of them are perfect for families. Crazy golf is usually there in the summer and is such a fun family activity to do in Canary Wharf.

Every winter, there is an ice skating rink and the Winter Lights trail.

Check upcoming events to plan your visit here.

Where to Eat in Canary Wharf with Kids

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), Nando’s (chicken), Shake Shack (burgers) and Wagamama (Japanese).

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

Where to Stay in Canary Wharf with Kids

Canary Wharf is great for a day out, but if youre looking to stay a little longer, I have a couple of hotel reccomendations.

Firstly, Novotel London Canary Wharf has modern family rooms with great kids’ amenities and an indoor pool.

Scondly, Hilton London Canary Wharf is also really great for families.

Map of Carnary Wharf for Families

Below is my interactive map of Carnary Wharf, I’ve pinned all the places I’ve mentioned in this post to make planning your day in Canary Wharf super easy. Just click on the top right-hand corner to open it in Google Maps.

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Thank you for reading our guide on things to do at Canary Wharf with kids. I hope we’ve helped you plan a fun family day out in London!

Happy Exploring,