The Best Family-Friendly Activities for a Digital Detox in London

London’s rhythm is fast. Between school runs, Zoom calls, and the endless glow of tablets and smartphones, it’s easy to forget what it feels like to just be together. But if you’re looking to reset as a family-no screens, no notifications, just real connection-London has more than enough quiet corners, green spaces, and old-school fun to make it happen. Forget the usual tourist traps. Here’s how to truly unplug in London.

Start with the Big Green: London’s Parks Are Your Best Ally

London has over 3,000 parks. That’s not a number you hear every day, but it’s true. And for families doing a digital detox, they’re the perfect starting point. Hyde Park isn’t just for joggers and horse riders-it’s a playground for the senses. Bring a blanket, skip the snacks in plastic wrap, and pack homemade sandwiches from a local bakery like Bread Ahead in Borough Market. Let the kids chase ducks along the Serpentine, hunt for chestnuts under the trees in autumn, or skip stones at the Diana Memorial Fountain. No apps needed. Just feet on grass, wind in hair, and the sound of laughter instead of notifications.

For a quieter vibe, head to Richmond Park. It’s the largest of London’s royal parks, and it’s home to 630 free-roaming deer. Walk the perimeter trail with your kids, point out the oak trees older than the UK’s oldest pub, and let them count how many deer they see. No GPS required. You’ll know you’re there when you hear the crunch of gravel underfoot and smell the damp earth after rain. It’s nature without Wi-Fi-and it’s only 30 minutes from central London.

Rediscover the Simple Joy of Board Games and Puzzles

Remember when family nights meant a pile of board games and a bowl of crisps? London’s independent toy shops are bringing that back. Visit Mr. B’s in Covent Garden, a store that’s been helping families unplug since 1999. The shelves are lined with wooden puzzles, card games, and strategy games like Catan and Kingdom Death: Monster (yes, even teens will get hooked). Skip the digital versions. Buy the physical box. Set it up on the kitchen table. Turn off the lights, light a candle, and let the game unfold. No one wins. Everyone talks.

For a more nostalgic twist, try a classic London tradition: the jigsaw puzzle. Pick up a 1,000-piece puzzle of the London skyline from The Puzzle Company in Notting Hill. Work on it over three evenings. Let each family member find one piece. Talk about where you’ve been in the city-maybe that’s the Tube station you got lost in, or the bridge where you watched the fireworks on New Year’s Eve. The puzzle isn’t just a game. It’s a memory map.

Get Hands-On at One of London’s Free Museums

London’s museums don’t charge entry. That’s not just a perk-it’s a gift. And they’re some of the best places to unplug without feeling bored. The Natural History Museum is a sensory wonderland. Kids can touch a real meteorite, stand under a blue whale’s skeleton, and peer into the Earth’s core through a giant glass globe. No QR codes. No app prompts. Just wonder.

At the Science Museum, let the kids press buttons on the interactive exhibits. Watch them laugh as they make a human circuit or spin a giant gyroscope. The Victoria and Albert Museum has a dedicated family trail with drawing prompts and tactile objects. No need to scan anything. Just grab a pencil and paper from your bag and sketch a Victorian teapot or a 17th-century lace collar. The quiet halls, the soft lighting, the absence of sound-these are the things that make museums feel like a sanctuary.

Walk the Thames Path-No Phone, No Headphones

The River Thames isn’t just a tourist attraction. It’s London’s quiet heartbeat. Start at Greenwich Pier and walk west along the Thames Path toward Tower Bridge. The path is flat, safe, and lined with trees, benches, and street performers. Bring a thermos of tea and some biscuits from Fortnum & Mason (yes, the ones with the gold foil). Let the kids spot the river boats, the swans, the rowers in their caps. Talk about what you see-not what you posted.

At low tide, let them skip stones at the mudflats near Rotherhithe. At dusk, watch the lights come on over the Houses of Parliament. No filter. No selfie. Just the cold air, the sound of water lapping, and the occasional honk of a Thames barge. This walk takes two hours. That’s two hours without a single screen. And yes, you’ll come back calmer.

Try a London Tradition: Tea and a Tale

Tea isn’t just a drink in London. It’s a ritual. And it’s the perfect way to end a screen-free afternoon. Head to The Orangery at Kensington Palace for a children’s afternoon tea. They serve scones with clotted cream, cucumber sandwiches, and fruit tarts. No Wi-Fi. No charging ports. Just quiet conversation. Ask your kids: What’s the funniest thing you saw today? What’s something you didn’t notice before?

Or try Fortnum & Mason’s tea room. Bring a book of short stories-maybe London Labour and the London Poor by Henry Mayhew-and read aloud. Let the kids draw what they imagine. You’ll be surprised how much they remember.

Plan a Weekly Unplugged Hour

You don’t need a whole weekend. Start small. Pick one evening a week-say, Wednesday-and make it screen-free. Turn off the TV. Put phones in a box by the door. Light candles. Play music from a record player if you have one. Cook dinner together. Let the kids stir the sauce. Set the table. Talk about your day. No one talks about work. No one mentions deadlines. Just what happened at school, what the dog did, or what cloud looked like a dragon.

After a few weeks, you’ll notice things. The silence doesn’t feel empty. It feels full. Full of breathing. Full of listening. Full of being together.

What Happens When You Stop Scrolling?

It’s not magic. It’s biology. When families stop staring at screens, their heart rates slow. Their eyes relax. Their conversations deepen. In London, where the pace is relentless and the pressure to keep up is constant, this kind of quiet is revolutionary.

One mother from Hackney told me last month: "We did a 48-hour detox last winter. No phones. No TV. Just walks, puzzles, and tea. My 10-year-old said, ‘Mum, I didn’t know I could be this happy without TikTok.’"

You don’t need to go to the countryside. You don’t need to book a retreat. You just need to walk out the door-with no device in hand-and let London do the rest.