With new COVID restrictions taking effect again, we have looked at some of the best options to stay active with kids in London during lockdown.
Note: Following the latest COVID restrictions taking effect on 20 December 2020 outdoor recreation should be done locally. Museums, galleries, zoos, water parks and theme parks remain closed. While we try to update this page, always refer to government guidelines making sure you are updated on the latest COVID-guidelines in your local area.
Venues ordered to close include:
- Museums
- Galleries
- Theatres
- Soft Play facilities
- Theme parks
- Zoos
- City farms
Let’s keep the kids active during the lockdown
Statistics from Sport England’s report on ‘Children’s experience of physical activity in lockdown’ show a clear negative impact on the activity levels of children during the first lockdown:
- The percentage of children doing physical activity for an average of 60 minutes or more every day dropped from 47% to a shockingly low 19%
- As many as 43% of children were doing less than half an hour of activity per day
- A worrying 7% of children were doing no physical activity during the lockdown
To avoid the same situation during the second lockdown, the government is keeping more spaces open such as public parks and playgrounds. Take a look through our suggestions if you need inspiration for activities in London during the lockdown.
What you are allowed to do
You can exercise or visit outdoor public places including:
- parks, beaches, countryside,
- public gardens (whether or not you pay to enter them), allotments
- playgrounds
This includes running, walking, cycling, scooting, skateboarding etc. in these areas:
- Traffic-free family cycling routes in London
- Scooting routes for kids in London
Here are some of our favourite London playgrounds and parks:
Greenwich Park playground is a lot of fun for toddlers
Playgrounds open during covid
Unlike during the first lockdown, playgrounds will remain open during the second lockdown which is great news for kids across the UK. Here are some of our favourite London playgrounds:
- Children’s Garden at Kew
- Diana Memorial Playground
- Greenwich Park Playground
- Magic Garden at Hampton Court
- St James Park Playground
- Peckham Rye Adventure Play Area
- Parliament Hill Playground
- Southwark Park Playground
Playing in the sand area with dinosaur bones in Crystal Palace Playground
Parks and Woodlands you can explore during the lockdown
The Royal Parks, National Trust outdoor spaces and local parks remain open. Here are some of our favourite London parks that you can enjoy during this lockdown:
- Battersea Park
- Greenwich Park
- Hyde Park
- Kensington Gardens
- Kew Gardens
- Regents Park & Primrose Hill
- Richmond Park
- St James Park
- Bushy Park
- Hampstead Heath
- Oxleas Woods
- Rainham Marshes
- Victoria (“Vicky”) Park
Finding constructive indoor activities is not always easy with young kids. We definitely experienced an increase in screen-time during the lockdown, but we also tried to find educational apps and games to make the most out of it.
Indoor activities while stuck at home during covid
Here are some of our favourite indoor activities
- Solving London Quizzes for kids
- Listening to Audiobooks
- Watching TV-travel shows
- Exploring the world with Childen’s Atlases
- Going on Virtual Tours to London Attractions
- Playing educational online games and apps
- And if this is not enough, here are 100+ Activities for Kids Bored at Home!
Visit a local London market
According to the government guidelines, outside markets will only be open for food, hardware and gardening items. London’s farmers’ markets tweeted they would remain open:
All of our #farmersmarkets will continue to open across the capital, providing fresh produce for Londoners.
— LondonFarmersMarkets (@Londonfarmers) November 4, 2020
We are open; shop quickly, create space for others!https://t.co/2k78cH2pHH pic.twitter.com/nKYfB9X6z1
Some of our favourite local London Markets: