A plan for you and the fam for the new year in London...
Whilst the annual family monopoly showdown may have had tensions rising, the new year in London welcomes plenty of activities that will have you all in harmony again. Don't be fooled by the quiet atmosphere, there are tonnes of family friendly activities to get stuck into. Whether you have a teen in tow or you're looking for child friendly restaurants, read on to explore our list of things to do in London in the new year...
Harry Potter World
Leavesden, London WD25 7LR
Continue the festive cheer and enter the magical world of witchcraft and wizardry at Harry Potter World. Fun for all the family, see first hand the authentic sets, peer into the world of animatronics, special effects and costumes and discover the magic that made one of the most popular film series of our time. Whether it's exploring the iconic great hall, Diagon Alley or the Forbidden Forest; board the Hogwarts express at platform 9 3/4 or capture an image of yourself playing quidditch. Even the grumpiest of teens will be entertained.
Located at the studios where all eight films were produced, the studio dives deep into all the ingredients that brought this much love book series to life. This new year, Hogwarts in the Snow continues through to mid January where the set is sprinkled with festive cheer and speckles of snow. The Great Hall is transformed into it's annual Yule Ball and you can witness how sets and scenes were turned into Christmas magic. Tickets start from £49.45 per person and can be purchased here.
You can explore more of what Harry Potter World has to offer here.
Crystal Maze
22 - 32 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7EU
We all have to admit that we've watched Crystal Maze and wanted to be part of the action. Why not truly challenge yourself and your family? Based on the hit TV show that was originally hosted by Richard O'Brien and then successed by Richard Ayoade, The Crystal Maze has been turned into and interactive activity that you can take part in- a little friendly competition is a great way to enter the new year right?
Dive into 75 minutes of frantic and silly fun available to everyone aged 9 and over. Dress in bright neon bomber jackets whilst you challenge yourselves to get as much time as you can in The Crystal Dome and score as many points as you can! You have four different zones to explore: Industrial, Futuristic, Medieval and Aztec. Each zone will test your skills through mental and physical challenges against the clock. We could reveal more but that would just spoil all the fun.
For adventurers of the new year they currently have a convenient January offer saving up to £30 per person on certain dates. Find out more here.
General admission ticket prices start from £75 per person. Make sure you book in advance.
Shrek's Adventure
Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB
Perfect for young ones. Brilliant, bonkers and based on everyones beloved, allbeit quirky fairytale where the whole family can explore Far Far Away on a fantastic adventure. Jump into 10 fairytale themed live shows where you can interact with famed characters Fiona, Donkey and Shrek. Embark on a magical 4D flying bus experience and team up with the gang to help Shrek make it back home safely.
With each show funnier and more immersive than the next, the young ones will be completely entertained and you'll catch a couple of laughs while you're at it. All in all, Shrek's Adventure is a great way to keep the festivities and magic alive and carried through to the new year.
Ticket prices start from £24 per person and can be purchased here.
Immersive Game Box
SOUTHBANK: Arch 3, 83 Scoresby St, London SE1 0XN
WANDSWORTH: GRAVITY Wandsworth Southside, Wandsworth High St, London SW18 4TF
Take family fun gaming to a new level with Immersive Game Box. Whilst certain games may be restricted to two players at home, why not involve the whole family and embark on a gaming adventure. With projected mapping, touch screens, motion tracking and surround sound, you will all be entertained and challenged. Games are for 2-6 people and you get your private gamebox to enjoy the fun in. The list of game options is endless (almost) from the infamous Squid Games (palatably remade into mental and mobility challenges) to angry birds, get stuck into something the whole family can be a part of. Just remember you're graded as you go! No cheating here. Maybe the best family member win.
Suitable from age 5+ onwards.
Ticket prices start at £16 per person amd can be purchased here.
London Eye
Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB
This may seem like an obvious choice but it ticks all the boxes. It's fun, touristic, a great way to see the city, accessible by the whole family and a perfect interim between exploring London. The London Eye stands at 135m tall and is the world's largest cantilevered observation wheel. Designed by Marks Barfield Architects and launched in 2000, it's a frequented favourite that seems simple, but is truly breathtaking- there's a reason it's won over 85 awawrds for national and international tourism.
There's plenty of experiences to enjoy in conjunction with this attraction, and since they've been in partnership with lastminute.com, The London Eye are offering fantastic deals on experiences when you purchase a ticket to ride the wheel. Whether it's taking a boat cruise straight after or getting a pod all to yourself and your family. There are several ways to enjoy before hitting the streets of London again.
A standard ticket starts at £32.50 per person whilst a family ticket brings costs down to £26 per person.
For prices and more information, click here.