Every parent knows that it can be tough trying to travel and keep your little ones entertained while you wander about a new city. Where to take them? What to see? Constant wonder and, please, a little entertainment for the parents if possible. Luckily, London is a city bustling enough to entertain any visitor – especially the kiddies.

If you’re just touching down in London, a tour is highly recommended as it gives some structure to your day and it helps orient you. This doesn’t mean that it has to be your standard dry walk-through-be-talked-at schlep; London is exotic! Take advantage. From amphibious Duck tours to rubbing elbows with the famous at Madam Tussaud’s, to racing through London in the famous black taxis and exploring the various sites from the Harry Potter adventures, London’s tours have enough mystery and mystique to satisfy even the toughest little critics.

If you’re bound to set off on your own, however, then the South Bank is a sure-fire success. It’s home to two of the world’s most child-friendly museums and one of the world’s biggest carousels, the London Eye. The Science Museum has lots of interactive exhibits about how our world works, and many displays with a wow factor. Even better is the Natural History Museum; it is like the zoo but with stuffed animals. The massive whale and dinosaur skeletons are always popular, while the hands-on creepy crawly exhibits should delight the sort of young boy that revels in pulling the legs off spiders. These kids will also enjoy the nearby and truly gruesome tales on offer at the Tower of London and London Dungeon – but be warned, this tour is not for the nightmare-prone or faint of heart.

Another option is, weather permitting, to spend a little quality time outdoors and enjoy some fine (and rare) English weather. Perhaps a day at the London Zoo or riding horses through the famous Hyde Park would be more to your liking. With so much on offer, your trip to London is sure to prove a trip well spent, for both parents and kids alike.