20+ fun things to do with teenagers in London

Are you looking for fun things to do with teenagers in London?  Or thinking of exciting places to visit?

Quite honestly, the list of things to do in London for teens is endless.  Whether you’re looking for royal attractions, museums, galleries, historic sites, sporting venues, or immersive experiences there is so much to choose from.

In this post, we share our selection of the most fun things to do with teens in London.  We include cool immersive events, amazing adrenaline experiences, unique museums and fantastic shows.

So, come with us to discover our selection of the top attractions in London for teenagers.  Plus, the best thing is, adults will love them too.  If you want something more seasonal, check out this post on the best things to do at Halloween in London with kids.

*contains affiliate links (at no additional cost to you)

If your teen has a head for heights, take on an exhilarating climb over the iconic O2 arena, one of the most unique and exciting things to do in London with teenagers.

Located in southeast London, the 02 arena is one of the UK’s top entertainment venues, hosting a whole world-class music and sporting events.  But for an unforgettable experience, treat your teen to the Up at the O2 climb for views over London.  Choose from daytime, sunset and twilight climbs for an unforgettable adventure.

• Where:  Peninsular Square, London, SE10 0DX
• Nearest tube:  North Greenwich
• Click:  for tickets and information on Up at the O2

The London Eye has been one of London’s top attractions for over a decade and remains a must-do experience for families visiting London with teens.  Also known as the Millennium Wheel, it’s Europe’s tallest observation wheel and offers some of the best panoramic views over London.

• Where:  London Eye Millennium Pier, London SE1 7PB
• Nearest station:  Waterloo
• Click:  for tickets and information about The London Eye
• Info:  The London Eye will be closed from 8th Jan – 4th Feb 2024.

Puttshack is a high-tech, indoor mini-golf experience in London that takes crazy golf to the next level.  Each ball is digitally registered to a player,  automatically tracking scores throughout the game (so, there’s no room for cheating!)

With its bright venue, upbeat music and on-site bar and restaurant, Puttshack London is one of the most fun things to do in London with teenagers.  Try your luck at Beer Pong hole or spin the Wheel of Fortune for a chance to win prizes.  Teenagers will love it!

Each game lasts about 30 minutes.

• Where:  Several London locations:  Bank (central London), Lakeside, Watford, White City
• Nearest tube:  Bank or Mansion House
• Click:  for tickets and information on Puttshack
• Information:  Children cannot be in the venue after 7pm

Adrenaline junkies will love this thrilling speed boat sightseeing experience on the River Thames.  It’s a high-speed experience, which lets you see London’s most famous landmarks from a whole new perspective.

The Thames Rockets ride departs from the London Eye and races along the river to Tower Bridge, where they ramp up the speed.  Combining sightseeing with speed, it’s an unforgettable experience and one of the most fun activities in London for teens and adults alike!

• Where:  Boarding Gate One, London Eye Millennium Pier, London SE1 7PB
• Nearest station:  Waterloo
• Click:  for tickets and information on the Thames Rockets

One of the most unique shows in London is Witness for the Prosecution, a brilliant stage adaption of Agatha Christie’s classic courtroom drama.  What sets this production apart from other London theatre shows is its incredible setting – the historic courtroom inside London County Hall .  Yes, that right – the audience becomes part of the action.  At times, we were so close we could have touched the actors.

This gripping who-dunnit kept us guessing until the end, making it one of the best shows in London for teenagers and budding detectives alike!

• Where:  London County Hall, Southbank, SE1
• Nearest station:  Waterloo
• Click:  for tickets and information on Witness for the Prosecution

If you are looking for free things to do with teenagers in London, the Sky Garden is an absolute must-visit.  As the UK’s highest public garden, it offers incredible views over the London skyline.  Best of all, entry is completely free (though tickets should be booked in advance).

The Sky Garden is a fantastic place to relax and take in the city from above.  There are also two bars,  restaurants, and a café, wo you can enjoy a drink whilst enjoying the views.

• Where:  1 Sky Garden Walk, London, EC3M 8AF
• Nearest tube:  Monument
• Click:  for tickets and information about the Sky Garden
• Info:  The entrance is on Philpot Lane.  From here take the lift to Level 35.

If you are looking for exhilarating things to do with teenagers in London, you have to try Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds:  the Immersive Experience.

This thrilling,  multi-sensory experience transports you back to 1898, right into the middle of a Martian invasion in London.   With live actors, stunning sets, pyrotechnics and cutting-edge virtual reality technology, this classic story is brought spectacularly to life.  Featuring 24 interactive scenes set to Jeff Wayne’s award-winning music, it’s one of the most exciting immersive experiences in London and our teens absolutely loved it.

• Where:  56 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3a 2BJ
• Nearest station:  Fenchurch Street (3 mins’ walk)
• Click:  for tickets and information on the War of the Worlds Experience

Although it may not be the most adrenaline-fueled activity for teenagers in London, the Imperial War Museum is absolutely worth a visit.  As one of the world’s leading war museums, it houses an extensive collections of military equipment and artefacts.

Spread across 5 floors, the London IWM features a variety of exhibitions, covering different wars.  For families on a budget, it’s one of the best free museums to visit with teens in London.

• Where:  Lambeth Road, London, SE1 6HZ
• Nearest station:  Lambeth North (but it is only a short walk from Waterloo)
• Click:  for tickets and information about the Imperial War Museum
• Read our review:  A day out at the Imperial War Museum, London

The Dare Skywalk is on the top tier of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London.  After getting the safety gear on, head 154 feet (47 metres) above street level to the glass walkway.  From here you can get panoramic views of the London skyline.

If you’re feeling particularly brave, you can add on The Edge to your experience and descend 42 metres to the south podium below.

• Where:  Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London N17 0BX
• Nearest station:  White Hart Lane
• Click:  for tickets and information on The Dare Sky Walk
• Information:  The experience is for children age 10+ and lasts 1h30.

Around 50,000 people cross the iconic Tower Bridge each day, but did you know you walk inside the towers?  Yes, teens will love climbing the 206 steps of the gothic North Tower, discovering fascinating facts and figures on the way.  However, the highlight is the glass floor, offering a thrilling view of the traffic and river below.  Are you brave enough to step on it?  This makes Tower Bridge one of the most exciting and unique things to do in London with teenagers.

• Where:  Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP
• Nearest station:  Tower Hill (5 mins’ walk)
• Click:  for tickets and information on Tower Bridge
• Read more:  A visit inside the Magnificent Tower Bridge

Any Harry Potter fan will love this tour of all the original filming locations in London.  Teens can explore the streets where Harry and friends were filmed, discover fun facts about Harry Potter series and London history, and even take part in interactive Harry Potter trivia quizzes.  It’s perfect for Potterheads of all ages and one of the most exciting things to do in London with teenagers.

• Start:  Southwark View Point, London, SE1 9DF
• Nearest station:  London Bridge
• Click:  for tickets and information about a Harry Potter tour
• Information:  The tour lasts 2 hours and ends in Shaftesbury Avenue.

Step into the spotlight at the WeJam rockstar experience, where you can live out you band dreams for 90 minutes.  And, luckily for me, with no musical experience required*!  Spend 90 minutes trying different instruments, jamming together, and recording your own performance.  With a great mix of songs to suit every taste, it’s a fantastic activity for music-loving teens and adults alike.

• Where:  23 Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8AG
• Nearest tube:  Camden Town
• Click:  for tickets and information for WeJam
• Information:  For children and adults aged 9-90

*Gifted

Although the London Aquarium isn’t the largest we’ve visited, our teenagers absolutely loved it.  So, by popular demand, it’s earned a spot our our list of the best things to do in London with teens.

At Sealife London Aquarium, you can explore a fascinating underwater world and encounter a wide variety of sea creatures from around the world.  Expect to see sharks, stingrays, penguins, jellyfish and much more.

• Where:  Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB
• Nearest station:  Waterloo or Embankment
• Click:  for Sealife tickets and information
• Information:  It’s right near the London Eye.

If you’re after gruesome and thrilling things to do in London with teenagers, the London Dungeon is a must-visit.

This spine-chilling experience brings London’s dark history to life with a team of live actors who recount the city’s most terrifying tales from the past 1000 years.  Teens will encounter some of London’s most infamous characters, including the Demon Barber and Jack the Ripper, as they explore the 14 immersive rooms.

It’s one of the best activities in London for kids who enjoy history and a good fright!

• Where:  County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB
• Nearest stations:  Waterloo, Embankment, Westminster
• Click:  for tickets and information on The London Dungeons
• Information:  It is right next to the London Eye.

For any football-obsessed teens, a trip behind the scenes of their favourite football team could be a dream come true!  There’s plenty of stadium tours in London to choose from – just name the team.

Some of the most popular London football clubs with stadium tours are Chelsea FC (at Stamford Bridge), Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or Arsenal Stadium.

• Where:  Various (click on links above for tickets and information)

My teenagers have been visiting the Lego® Shop at Leicester Square since they were little and for them it’s a place of hope and dreams.  And it’s no surprise, as the Lego® Store in London is the biggest in the world!

Spread over two floors, the flagship store features amazing models of many iconic London landmarks, including Big Ben, a classic London cab and a phone box.  Of course,  there are also plenty of incredible sets to buy, so don’t forget your credit card!

For even more family fun nearby,  you can also pop to the M&M’s World store, another must-visit spot spot for kids and teens in London.

• Where:  3 Swiss court, London, W1D 6AP
• Nearest tube:  Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus
• Information:  The shop is open until 10pm.

Frameless is a must-visit for teenagers and art-lovers in London.  Located in Marble Arch, it is the largest permanent multi-sensory art experience in the UK.

Explore four immersive galleries at your own pace, where modern projection technology brings some of the world’s greatest artworks to life.  See masterpieces by Dali, Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt and Klimt in a new interactive way.

Surprisingly, Frameless is also a hit with younger kids, who love the colourful lights and animated images covering the walls and floor.

• Where:  6 Marble Arch, London, W1H 7AP
• Nearest tube:  Marble Arch or Bond Street
• Click:  For tickets and information on Frameless
• Information:  It is open until 5.30 on weekdays and 6pm at weekends.

Based on the popular 90s tv show, the Crystal Maze Live Experience is a thrilling and immersive activity in London.  Teams face a series of timed challenges, competing to collect as many crystals as possible.  It’s fast-paced, silly fun, that teens absolutely love, culminating in the final challenge inside the iconic Crystal Dome.  Will you take the challenge?

While the Crystal Maze isn’t the cheapest London attraction, it’s definitely one of the most fun and memorable things to do in London for teenagers.

• Where:  22-32 Shaftesbury Avenue, West End, London, W1D 7EU
• Nearest tube:  Piccadilly Circus
• Click:  for tickets and information on The Crystal Maze
• Information:  For children age 9 and over

Teenagers will love the vibe at Camden Market, one of the most iconic places to visit in London with teens.  With over 1000 independent market stalls, you can browse vintage clothes, jewellery, unique artwork, and delicious street food.

But Camden is more than just shopping, there’s plenty to entertain teens, from a photo with the Amy Winehouse statue, to an underground theme park and cinema.

• Where:  Camden Lock Place, London, NW1 8AF
• Nearest tube:  Camden Town
• Click:  Camden Market website
• Information:  For children age 9 and over

Once the home of London’s Olympic and Paralympic Games, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is now one of the city’s top destinations for teens and families.  Whether your teen enjoys sport, art, culture or nature, there’s plenty to explore

Teens can test their skills in the London Aquatics Centre, ride the cycle paths, or follow the free public art trail, linking the park to the 02 Arena.   However, the top attraction for teenagers is the ArcelorMittal Orbit slide.  At 178 metres long, it is the world’s longest tunnel slide and an unforgettable experience for adventure-loving teens.

• Where:  Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, E20 2AD
• Nearest tube:  Stratford Station (10 mins’ walk)
• Click:  for tickets and information about the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Without doubt, going to a show in London’s West End is always a fun thing to do, regardless of age.  You can save money by booking online in advance, looking for deals, or visiting the London TKTS booth in Leicester Square.  Here’s a selection of the best shows for teens in London:-

• Back to the Future Musical – Adelphi Theatre
• Mrs Doubtfire Musical – Shaftsesbury Theatre
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Palace Theatre
• School of Rock – Drury Lane
• The Play that goes Wrong – Duchess Theatre
• The Book of Mormon (for older teens) – Prince of Wales Theatre

Click here to buy tickets from Ticketmaster

One of the best places to visit near London with teenagers is the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour.  If you’re staying in London, you could go as a day trip.  Alternatively, it’s just off junction 19 (near Watford) on the M25.

• Click here to book a trip to the Warner Bros Studio Tour

For thrill-seekers, you’ll find two of the UK’s best theme parks just outside London, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures.

• Click here for tickets to Thorpe Park.
• Click here for tickets to Chessington.

• A weekend in London with kids: a 2-day itinerary
• A day out at the Imperial War Museum, London
• A visit to the Clink Prison Museum, London
• 15 day trips from London

Have you tried any of these fun things to do in London with teenagers?  We’d love to hear your comments or questions.

Pin for later or share with a friend:  20+ fun things to do with teenagers in London

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. (Read our full Disclosure Policy)