London is a fun city to visit with kids. Prepare the family for the trip with equally fun books set in London. Enjoy these picks for the best children’s books for a trip to London.
Please note: My “Best Children’s Books for a Trip to ‘City’ series” focuses on specific cities and the books that really highlight visiting those cities as a tourist. For a more general list of books set in London, England, and more you can visit our Global Bookshelf. Also, the links below may be affiliate links.
A board book for a trip to London
I love the idea of keeping it simple with books intended for children. I also love the idea of using destination-specific icons to teach kids about early concepts. So the Hello, World London book is the perfect fit for families visiting London with little ones. This book uses those iconic London sites to discuss opposites. Carry on that idea of opposites while on vacation with your little traveler.
Picture books for a trip to London
Rabs and Ted and Big Ben: Our Adventure in London is a colorful introduction to London. Kids will enjoy the antics that Rabs and Ted get into. I especially enjoy the humor as it helps make the book memorable for future family trips.
The Molly and the Magic Suitcase series is a great series for families visiting new cities. In this book, Molly Goes to London, the siblings tour London with a local guide, Nigel. Nigel takes to popular sites and shows them experiences specific to the local London culture.
A children’s loved book for London
There are many reasons I think this is a good book for someone visiting London. In short, it acts as a guidebook (the characters are walking around the city), it’s very informative (they talk about interesting aspects of the places they see), and it’s relatable (it’s a mom and a daughter). I wrote a review about A Walk in London here.
A children’s history book for London
London’s history is fascinating and multifaceted. I would suggest introducing kids to the history of the city before the trip to help find a fun angle to see the city. This book, The Story of London, works. It covers the period from Roman times to today and all the popular tourist attractions along the way.
A guidebook for London
The popular brand making guidebooks for adults also makes guidebooks for kids. The Lonely Planet Kids series “City Trails” gears itself towards interesting aspects of visiting a city for the 8+ crowd. Between you and me? I think parents will enjoy a lot of these insights, too. You can buy it on Amazon.
A fun children’s book for London
I love pop-up books and flip-up books for cities. They’re interactive and fun. For London, this Usborne Flip Bookletss kids not only “See Inside” the spaces and places around London, but also the history of the city. Each two-page spread covers a moment in London’s history. It starts in Ancient Times, and sees the cities through both the good and bad times. You can get more details here.
A classic children’s book for London
The recent movies have reintroduced this bear to today’s youth. But, the classic is a classic and worth a read before your trip. Even as an adult I enjoyed seeing Paddington Underground station and the iconic bear around the city. Kids? They’ll go crazy! Get the book on Amazon.
A chapter book for London
This is the second book in the Shakespeare Mysteries Series, however, this is one set in London. Kids will enjoy the mystery story and parents will enjoy that they’re learning history along the way. You can get the book on Amazon.
A children’s book about the Tower of London
Kid’s love the Where is, What is, Who is series – so this is the perfect book to purchase to learn more about the Tower of London for a trip to London.
Visiting London with Kids
Now that you have books to get your planning started, here are some links to places the book-lovers in your life might appreciate while visiting London.
- Go on a Charles Dickens walking tour.
- Enjoy the Warner Brothers Studio Tour for Harry Potter. Yes, this is geared for the movie and not the book, but I bet the family will still enjoy it.
- Check out some Peter Pan-related sites at Kensington Gardens.
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