Things to Do in Islington with Kids: A Family-Friendly Guide
Looking for the best things to do in Islington with kids? This lively North London neighbourhood is packed with family-friendly parks, cultural attractions, play cafés and outdoor spaces.
Whether you’re a local family or visiting for the day, there’s no shortage of activities to keep little ones entertained.
At City House, we love being part of a community that offers so many opportunities for children to explore, learn and play. From nature walks to creative activities, there are countless ways to support your child’s development beyond the nursery setting.
Looking for childcare in the area? Take a look at our welcoming setting here: View our Islington nursery
To help you make the most of the area, here’s our guide to the best things to do in Islington with kids…
Des Blenkinsopp / The Angel, Islington / CC BY-SA 2.0
14 Best Things to Do in Islington with Kids
1. Freightliners City Farm
Freightliners City Farm is one of the most loved attractions for families in Islington. This working urban farm allows children to see animals up close, including goats, pigs, chickens and rabbits.
It’s a wonderful place to introduce children to nature and farming life in the middle of the city.
There are also gardening areas and educational workshops that help children learn about food, animals and the environment.
If your child enjoys exploring nature, you might also enjoy trying some of these outdoor activity ideas for kids at home or in your local park.
Address: 1 Sheringham Road, London N7 8PF
Price: FREE
2. Little Angel Theatre
Little Angel Theatre is a magical puppet theatre that specialises in performances for children.
From classic story adaptations to creative puppet productions, the theatre offers a wonderful introduction to live performance for young audiences.
Creative experiences like this help children build imagination and storytelling skills - something we also support through activities like literacy activities for early years and learning through play.
Address: 14 Dagmar Passage, London N1 2DN
Price: ££
3. Highbury Fields Playground
Highbury Fields is the largest park in Islington and a favourite among local families.
The playground includes climbing equipment, slides, swings and a sandpit, while the large green space is perfect for running around, ball games or picnics.
Spending time outdoors is incredibly beneficial for young children. In fact, research shows that outdoor play supports physical development, creativity and confidence.
You can read more about the importance of outdoor play for children on our blog.
Address: Highbury Place, London N5 1QP
Price: FREE
4. Gillespie Park and Ecology Centre
If your children love wildlife, Gillespie Park is a hidden gem in Islington.
This small nature reserve features woodland paths, ponds and wildflower meadows where children can spot birds, frogs and butterflies.
Nature walks like these are fantastic opportunities for sensory exploration and discovery. Sensory play for toddlers is such an important part of early childhood development.
Address: 191 Drayton Park, London N5 1PH
Price: FREE
5. Islington Museum
Islington Museum offers an engaging introduction to the borough’s rich history.
Located inside Finsbury Library, the museum regularly hosts family workshops, storytelling sessions and exhibitions suitable for young visitors.
Interactive learning opportunities like this support children’s curiosity and confidence - values that also sit at the heart of early years education and holistic child development.
Address: 245 St John Street, London EC1V 4NB
Price: FREE
6. Regent’s Canal Walk
A walk along Regent’s Canal is a simple but lovely way to spend time together as a family.
Children love spotting ducks, swans and colourful narrowboats along the water, while parents can enjoy the peaceful surroundings away from the busy streets of London. The towpath is mostly flat, making it suitable for pushchairs and little legs that might tire easily.
You can start your walk in Islington and head towards King’s Cross, where there are plenty of places to stop for a drink or snack along the way.
Many families also enjoy bringing scooters or balance bikes so children can glide along the towpath.
Address: Regent’s Canal Towpath, Islington
Price: FREE
7. Barnard Park Adventure Playground
Barnard Park features one of the best playgrounds in the area.
The adventure playground includes climbing structures, two treehouses, a zipwire, border swings and a bird’s nest climbing frame, giving kids plenty of opportunities to explore and burn off energy.
There’s also a forest play area, football pitch and even a hidden dragon, which younger children love discovering. Inside, children can get creative in the arts and crafts room, experiment with loose parts play or even cook vegetables they’ve grown in the children’s kitchen.
Active play is a key part of early childhood development, helping children build strength, coordination and confidence.
Address: Copenhagen Street, London N1
Price: FREE
8. Sobell Leisure Centre
Sobell Leisure Centre is ideal for families looking for indoor activities.
Located close to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, it’s one of the borough’s main leisure facilities with something for all ages.
The centre offers a wide range of activities including gymnastics, football, fitness classes and indoor sports, as well as a large sports hall where families can play games like badminton.
Younger visitors will love the Active Play area and Active Multi-Zone, which provide fun ways to stay active and burn off energy.
There are also dedicated junior gym sessions, a gymnastics hall and outdoor sports courts, making it a popular spot for local clubs and children’s activities throughout the week.
Address: Hornsey Road, London N7 7NY
Price: £
9. Chapel Market
Chapel Market is a long-standing part of Islington life and has been serving the local community for more than 150 years. The bustling street market runs most days and features stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables, clothing, household goods and street food.
It’s a lively place to wander with children, and older kids often enjoy browsing the colourful stalls and trying different snacks along the way.
Address: Chapel Market, London N1
Price: FREE to visit
10. Granary Square Fountains
Just a short walk from Islington, Granary Square is a fantastic destination for families.
The square is famous for its large interactive fountains, which children love running through on warm days.
With wide open space, steps for sitting and plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby, it’s a great place for families to relax while kids play.
Address: Granary Square, King’s Cross, London N1C
Price: FREE
11. Little Highness Play Café
Little Highness Play Café is a welcoming spot for families with younger children. The café combines a small indoor soft play area with a relaxed café space where parents can enjoy coffee, lunch or cake.
It’s a popular place for meet-ups with other parents, and they also host children’s birthday parties and family events throughout the year.
Address: 21 Highbury Park, London N5 1QJ
Price: £
12. Everyman Cinema – Screen on the Green
Screen on the Green is one of Islington’s most iconic cinemas, located on Upper Street. Part of the Everyman Cinema group, it offers a cosy viewing experience with comfortable seating and a relaxed atmosphere.
The cinema regularly hosts parent and baby screenings, making it easier for families with young children to enjoy a film without worrying about disturbing others.
Address: 83 Upper Street, London N1 0NP
Price: ££
13. Thornhill Square Gardens
Thornhill Square Gardens is a beautiful Victorian garden square tucked away in the Barnsbury area of Islington. It offers a peaceful green space with mature trees, flower beds and a small playground.
It’s a lovely place for younger children to play while parents enjoy a quieter break away from the busier parks nearby.
Address: Thornhill Square, London N1
Price: FREE
14. Little Angel Puppet Workshops
In addition to their theatre shows, Little Angel Theatre also hosts puppet-making workshops where children can create their own characters.
Creative activities like this help children develop imagination and storytelling skills.
At My Ohana, we encourage this type of creativity through activities such as role play and music-based learning, which you can read more about in our articles on the importance of role play in early years and music and child development.
Address: 14 Dagmar Passage, London N1 2DN
Price: ££
Stephen McKay / Highbury Fields / CC BY-SA 2.0
Free Things to Do in Islington with Kids
Families don’t need to spend a lot to enjoy the area. Some of the best free activities in Islington include:
Exploring Highbury Fields playground
Visiting Freightliners City Farm
Walking along Regent’s Canal
Visiting Gillespie Park nature reserve
Playing in Barnard Park
Visiting Granary Square fountains
Outdoor adventures like these are incredibly beneficial for young children. They support physical development, creativity and social skills, which are all key aspects of early childhood development.
Come and Visit City House – Our Welcoming Nursery in Islington
If you're exploring Islington with your little one – or starting to think about their nursery journey – we’d love to welcome you to City House, our My Ohana nursery in the heart of the borough.
Our warm, nurturing environment is designed to help children feel safe, happy and confident as they learn and grow. With an experienced early years team and a play-based approach to learning, we support every child’s development through creativity, exploration and curiosity.
If you’re a local family looking for high-quality childcare in Islington, City House offers a supportive community where children can thrive.
Book a tour of City House today and come and see how your child could flourish with us.
Rainy Day Activities in Islington for Children
London weather isn’t always predictable, but there are still plenty of indoor activities for families.
Some great rainy day ideas include:
Watching a show at Little Angel Theatre
Visiting Islington Museum
Swimming or playing at Sobell Leisure Centre
Watching a film at Screen on the Green
Visiting a local play café such as the Little Highness Play Café
If you’re looking for inspiration for indoor play at home, you might enjoy our guides to nursery activity ideas, literacy activities for toddlers, or learning through play activities.
Map of Things to Do in Islington
Family Guide to Visiting Islington
Planning a family day out in Islington? Whether you’re meeting friends for brunch, heading to the park with your toddler or exploring the neighbourhood’s museums and markets, this guide will help you enjoy a relaxed, child-friendly visit with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Getting Here
Islington is well connected and easy to reach by public transport. The area is served by several London Underground stations, including Angel Station, Highbury & Islington Station and Farringdon Station, making it convenient for families travelling from across London.
There are also plenty of bus routes running through the area, particularly along Upper Street, which connect Islington with neighbouring areas such as King’s Cross, Camden and the City.
For families travelling by train, Highbury & Islington provides connections on the London Overground, making it easy to reach from other parts of North and East London.
Parking
Like much of central London, parking in Islington is mostly pay-and-display or residents-only, so travelling by public transport is often the easiest option for families.
There are several public car parks nearby, including options around Angel and Upper Street. If you’re visiting at weekends or during school holidays, arriving earlier in the day can make it easier to find a space.
Many of the main attractions in the area are also within walking distance of each other, which makes it manageable to explore with a pushchair once you’ve arrived.
Where to Eat
Islington has a fantastic selection of family-friendly cafés and restaurants, particularly along Upper Street, Camden Passage and the surrounding neighbourhood streets. Many venues are welcoming to parents with buggies and offer relaxed spaces where children can feel comfortable.
Some popular local options include:
Zia Lucia – A spacious and relaxed pizzeria known for its excellent pizzas and unique choice of four different dough bases. It’s a great casual option for families looking for something tasty and fuss-free.
Sweet Thursday – A much-loved neighbourhood pizza spot with friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere. Families appreciate the welcoming vibe, and children will love the fun bunny-shaped pizzas.
The Canonbury Tavern – A large gastropub with plenty of indoor space and a beautiful garden. It’s a great place to enjoy a relaxed lunch while children have room to move around.
Little Highness Play Café – A great option if you’re visiting with younger children. The café combines a soft play area with good coffee and simple food, making it a popular place for parents to meet while toddlers play nearby.
With so many cafés, bakeries and restaurants in the area, it’s easy to find somewhere to refuel during a busy family day out in Islington.
Baby and Toddler Facilities
Islington is generally pushchair-friendly, with wide pavements along the main streets and plenty of green spaces nearby.
Family attractions, parks and cultural venues in the area typically offer baby-changing facilities, while many cafés and restaurants provide high chairs and space for buggies.
Parks such as Highbury Fields and Barnard Park are great places to take a break with younger children, with playgrounds and open space for running around.
Events and Activities
Islington hosts a variety of community events and cultural activities throughout the year, from theatre performances and exhibitions to seasonal markets and festivals.
Nearby cultural venues such as Sadler's Wells Theatre and Little Angel Theatre regularly offer family-friendly performances and workshops.
Outdoor spaces such as Granary Square are particularly popular in the summer months, when children can enjoy the famous fountains and open public space.
With its mix of parks, cultural attractions, cafés and community spaces, Islington is a vibrant and welcoming area for families to explore.
Islington is a wonderful place to explore with children, with plenty of parks, playgrounds, family-friendly cafés and creative activities to enjoy together.
If you're a local family starting to think about your child’s early years journey, we’d love to welcome you to City House - our trusted nursery in Islington. Book a tour today and come and see how your child could thrive with us.
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