Things To Do With Kids In Canary Wharf

Not all that long ago, Canary Wharf was seen as little more than a banking and financial district which didn’t have much to offer families with children, but times and the estate have changed. The area has been transformed into a vibrant community with plenty to offer anyone and everyone. If you're searching for things to do in London with kids, Canary Wharf is worth a proper look on its own, especially if you're after free things to do, since several of the best spots here won't cost you a penny. A stay at Fraser Place Canary Wharf puts you right in the middle of it all, with family-friendly suites that give you room to spread out after a day of exploring.

Discover the best things to do with kids in Canary Wharf with our guide below.

The best Canary Wharf family activities

All sorts of things to see and do await you on the estate. Here are our favourite Canary Wharf family activities.

1. Follow The Children's Art Trail

With more than 100 outdoor sculptures, installations, and architectural pieces, Canary Wharf is home to one of London’s largest collections of public art. The estate’s artistic curators selected 12 of those pieces for their appeal to children and created the Children’s Art Trail. Download the map for free and follow the trail with your children to find these amazing artworks dotted around Canary Wharf.

2. Explore Crossrail Place Roof Garden

One of London’s largest roof gardens, the Crossrail Place Roof Garden invites exploration! Your children will love following the paths through this 300-metre enclosed garden located almost exactly on the Prime Meridian and filled with plants from the eastern and western hemispheres. Many types of plants in this garden would’ve been brought to the UK by the West India Company ships two centuries ago. Entry to the garden is free. You’ll find the garden on the roof of Crossrail Place, Canary Wharf.

3. Wander around the Museum of London Docklands

The Museum of London Docklands is one of the top Canary Wharf family activities. The family-friendly museum located in one of the old dock warehouses offers fascinating interactive insights into the history of the West India Docks. Children under 8 will love Mudlarks, the interactive space that offers fun ways to engage with the stories told within the museum. Free entry. No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL.

4. See the Cutty Sark

A mere 12 minutes from Canary Wharf, the Cutty Sark was one of the last and fastest British tea clippers to be built. Now a museum ship located in a dry dock, the Cutty Sark is a wonderful attraction for families with little ones and teenagers. You’ll find various displays, games, and other family-friendly activities aboard the ship.Ticket prices vary by age and are sometimes discounted seasonally, so it's worth checking current prices on the Royal Museums Greenwich website before you go. Book timed entry tickets online. Cutty Sark, King William Walk, London SE10 9HT.

5. Take a ride on the Docklands Light Railway

One activity that kids are sure to enjoy is exploring the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). This fun and unique mode of transportation offers a bird's eye view of Canary Wharf and the surrounding area, which is sure to delight children and adults alike.

6. Visit Mudchute Park and Farm

Visiting Mudchute Park and Farm is one of the top things to do with kids in Canary Wharf. At 32 acres, Mudchute Farm is one of the largest inner-city farms in Europe. The farm is home to more than 100 animals, a working farm, stables, a working charity, and a variety of educational activities. You’ll need to pre-book tours of the farm and animals as well as animal encounter sessions. Free entry. Mudchute Park and Farm, Pier Street, Isle of Dogs, London E14 3HP.

7. Visit Jubilee Park

Another great option for kids is Jubilee Park. This small park is located in the heart of Canary Wharf and features a playground and plenty of space for children to run around and play. It's a great place to let the kids burn off some energy and enjoy the fresh air.

8. Book tickets to the cinema

If you're looking for some indoor entertainment, why not take the kids to the cinema? Canary Wharf has a cinema that shows the latest movies, which is a great way to spend an afternoon with the kids. With comfortable seating and plenty of snacks on offer, it's sure to be a hit with the whole family.

9. Shop for toys and more

Finally, if you're in the mood for some shopping, Canary Wharf has a variety of shops and stores to explore. There are plenty of options that are kid-friendly, so you can spend the day browsing the shops and treating the kids to some new toys or clothes. Whatever you choose to do, there's no shortage of family-friendly activities in Canary Wharf.

10. Relax in Canada Square Park

Canada Square Park sits right at the heart of the estate, framed by some of the tallest buildings in the UK, and it's worth a visit for more than just the view. The park's fountains and green space make it a natural spot to let kids run around, and through the summer months it hosts a run of free family events, including an outdoor Film Club on select Saturdays showing family-friendly films. Free entry. Canada Square Park, 25 Canada Square, London E14 5AH.

Grab a meal in a family-friendly restaurant

You and your family are bound to work up an appetite with all these great activities, so why not enjoy a bite to eat in one of Canary Wharf’s family restaurants? Here are a few to check out.

1. Farmer J

Tuck into Farmer J’s delicious seasonal signature Fieldtrays at any time of day. You can order one of the Fieldtrays on the menu or create your own by choosing from a variety of bases, mains, and sides. A budget-friendly option, with prices worth checking on the day. Farmer J, Mall Level -1, Jubilee Place, Canary Wharf.

2. Big Easy

Head to Big Easy for authentic American-style BBQ, fresh seafood, steaks, burgers, speciality sandwiches, mac ‘n cheese, and a plethora of classic side dishes in a relaxed atmosphere inspired by 19th century rib shacks and barbecue joints of the American Gulf Coast. A mid-to-higher-end choice, best suited to a proper sit-down meal rather than a quick bite. Big Easy, Crossrail Place, London E14 5AR.

3. Seoul Bird

Indulge in crispy, double-friend Korean-style chicken dishes at Seoul Bird. Choose from dishes such as Korean chargrilled marinated chicken cooked over charcoal, fried chicken double-fried for extra crunch, Seoul Burgers with signature soy and gochujang glaze, mixed buckets, grilled buckets, and more. An affordable, casual option, ideal for a relaxed family meal. Seoul Bird, Mall Level -1, Jubilee Place, 45 Bank St, London E14 5NY.

Unwind with a stay at Fraser Place Canary Wharf

Family breaks can be stressful at times, but you can minimise that by staying at Fraser Place Canary Wharf. Offering comfortable suites, excellent amenities, and easy access to the best things to do with kids in Canary Wharf plus the area’s reliable transport links, our hotel is the ideal base for a short break or longer holiday with your loved ones. Book your familly friendly accommodation with us and start planning an unforgettable trip to London’s city within a city.

FAQs about Doing Things with Kids in Canary Wharf

Is Canary Wharf pushchair and buggy friendly?

Yes, on the whole. The estate is built on wide, level walkways and pedestrianised squares, with lifts connecting the underground shopping levels to street level, so buggies rarely have to contend with stairs. The one thing worth knowing is that some of the older docklands paving can be a little uneven in spots, and traffic noise picks up near the main roads at the estate's edges, so sticking to the central pedestrianised squares tends to make for the smoothest ride.

Are there baby-changing facilities in Canary Wharf?

Yes, baby-changing facilities are available across the estate, including within the Canary Wharf Shopping Centre and its John Lewis & Partners store, so you're rarely far from one regardless of which part of the estate you're in.

Is there parking near Canary Wharf for a family day out?

Yes. Canary Wharf has several car parks with a combined few thousand spaces, and if you're visiting at a weekend or on a bank holiday, spending £10 or more at a participating shop, café, or restaurant gets you three hours of free parking, worth keeping the receipt for. Weekday parking runs on standard paid rates instead.

Is Canary Wharf busy with families at weekends?

It can be, though not in the way you might expect. Weekdays see the estate dominated by office workers, but weekends bring a different, more relaxed crowd, families, local residents, and visitors exploring at a slower pace. It's rarely as crowded as central London's major attractions, but the shopping centre and main squares do pick up through the afternoon, so an earlier start tends to make for a calmer visit. For a longer stay, our guide to living in Canary Wharf touches on this too, the area tends to feel noticeably calmer once the weekday commuter rush has passed.

Is Canary Wharf better suited to toddlers or older kids?

Both, though the experience shifts a little depending on age. Toddlers tend to do well with the open squares, water features, and roof garden, all easy to navigate with a pushchair and forgiving if a nap is needed mid-visit. Older kids get more out of the interactive side of things, the Museum of London Docklands' hands-on exhibits, the Children's Art Trail, and the novelty of riding the driverless DLR up front. Either way, it's an estate that flexes reasonably well across ages rather than favouring one over the other.