Family-Friendly Things To Do Near Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London

Fancy a proper family adventure that’ll have the kids talking for months? 

If you’re looking for things to do near Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford offers far more than just Olympic venues.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London has blossomed from its 2012 Olympic glory into London’s most exciting family playground – we’re talking 560 acres here, that’s 300 football pitches worth of pure adventure! Since the Games wrapped up, huge numbers of visitors from around the world have discovered this free-to-explore wonderland, but here’s the thing – some are missing the absolute best bits!

Looking for brilliant things to do in Stratford, London that’ll keep everyone from toddlers to teenagers properly entertained? Olympic Park’s isn’t just about sporting venues. Sure, the London Aquatics Centre, Lee Valley VeloPark, Copper Box Arena and London Stadium pull in the crowds. Still, there’s a treasure trove of hidden family gems just waiting to be discovered. Picture thrilling slides that’ll have you screaming with delight, secret nature trails, brilliant board game cafés, and cultural hotspots that even seasoned Londoners haven’t stumbled upon yet.

Ready to explore Queen Elizabeth Park, Stratford like a true local? This insider’s guide spills exactly where to find the family-friendly adventures that guidebooks miss, the unmissable attractions locals rave about, and those perfect pit-stops for when little legs need a rest. 

Let’s turn your Olympic Park day out into memories that’ll last a lifetime!

Things To Do Near Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.

Top Olympic Park attractions for families

The legendary venues from London 2012 have become proper family gold mines right here in Stratford. Whether your little ones fancy themselves future Olympians or just love burning off energy, these world-class attractions serve up brilliant days out that’ll have everyone grinning from ear to ear.

London Stadium tour: behind-the-scenes magic

Ever wondered what it’s like to walk in the footsteps of Olympic champions? This guided tour of West Ham United‘s magnificent home ground opens doors that are normally locked tight! Your kids will look exploring the changing rooms, strutting through the players’ tunnel, and plonking themselves in the manager’s dugout.

According to the official Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park website, the park provides accessible experiences for visitors, making it a convenient choice for families. The Information Point is located in the Pavilion at Stratford Cross (9 Endeavour Square, London E20 1JN) and is open from 11am to 4pm every day, offering assistance to families and visitors of all ages. Infants aged 0 to 4 typically go free on the London Stadium tour, but do check the latest ticket information when you book. Family tickets (2 adults plus 2 children) start from £64, which beats individual tickets starting from £22 for grown-ups and £14 for kids aged 5-15.

Lee Valley VeloPark: wheels for everyone

This cycling paradise welcomes everyone from wobbly first-timers to proper speed demons. Children can join specially designed sessions, whilst their brilliant ‘Learn to Cycle’ programme offers three levels: Foundation (18 months+), Development (6+), and Academy (10+).

Fancy some variety? You’ve got four cracking cycling experiences to choose from: track cycling in that iconic velodrome, BMX action on the remodelled Olympic course, road cycling round a floodlit one-mile circuit, and mountain biking along 8km of traffic-free trails. 

London Aquatics Centre: splash like a champion

Fancy swimming beneath the same stunning wave-like roof where Tom Daley nabbed his first Olympic medal? This architectural beauty houses two 50m pools plus a separate diving pool with platforms from 1m right up to a heart-stopping 10m.

If you want more excitement than regular lane swimming, the Atlantis Inflatable sessions are absolutely crackers – think obstacles, slides and climbing walls perfect for ages 8+. Little ones (5+) get their own Inflatable Disco sessions featuring giant floats and pumping music! 

Copper Box Arena: indoor adventures galore

They call it ‘the box that rocks’ and it’s not wrong. This versatile indoor venue hosts everything from basketball and netball to proper boxing matches. School holidays get even better with engaging activity camps where kids dive into sports, games and creative sessions.

Here’s a local secret: throughout the year, the Copper Box teams up with London Pulse for netball camps where youngsters train alongside one of the UK’s top netball teams. The venue offers step-free access and is designed to be accessible, making it perfect for families with pushchairs or special requirements.

After all that running about, fancy a breather? Pop over to Draughts London Stratford – our brilliant board game café offers the perfect way to keep minds buzzing while bodies recover. With hundreds of games plus tasty grub on tap, it’s your ace in the hole when little legs need a rest or those sneaky rain showers appear!

Thrill-seeking adventures in the park

Got daredevils in your family crew? Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park serves up heart-stopping adventures that’ll have everyone from brave little ones to thrill-seeking parents absolutely buzzing! Picture sliding down the UK’s tallest sculpture or stepping off the edge for the UK’s highest freefall abseil – these experiences create those “did we really just do that?” moments your family will treasure forever.

ArcelorMittal Orbit: panoramic views and The Slide

Towering above East London at a whopping 114.5 metres, the ArcelorMittal Orbit proudly holds the crown as the UK’s tallest sculpture. This mind-bending red steel creation, masterminded by Sir Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond for London 2012, has become East London’s most recognisable landmark.

Your adventure kicks off at ground level, where that twisted scarlet masterpiece will leave you absolutely gobsmacked before panoramic lifts whisk you skyward – we’re talking 80 metres up in just 34 seconds! Once you reach the top, feast your eyes on spectacular 360-degree London views stretching 20 miles in every direction. Spot Alexandra Palace up north, Wembley Stadium out west, Crystal Palace down south, and Epping Forest to the east.

But here’s where things get properly exciting. The Helix awaits, one of the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slides, stretching an incredible 178 metres long and soaring 76 metres high. Belgian artist Carsten Höller designed this hair-raising spiral that sends you twisting through 12 turns at speeds hitting around 15 mph. Watch out for ‘the bettfeder’ – that’s German for bedspring – a tight corkscrew section that’ll have your whole family shrieking with pure joy!

The London Abseil: UK’s highest freefall

If you are still craving more adrenaline, The London Abseil delivers the UK’s ultimate freefall abseil experience! Starting 80 metres above the ground, you’ll step over the ArcelorMittal Orbit’s edge in a specially designed harness for a controlled descent back to earth.

Here’s the brilliant bit – zero experience needed! Expert Wire & Sky guides handle everything, so you can focus on the incredible London and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park views during your descent.

The London Abseil experience at the Orbit offers a thrilling urban aerial adventure at 80 metres above ground, welcoming participants who are at least 14 years old, taller than 1.2 metres, and under 19 stone, with additional waist and thigh measurement requirements to ensure a safe fit.

Boat tours on the River Lea: a relaxing ride

Fancy something a bit more chilled but equally memorable? River Lea boat tours offer a completely different Olympic Park perspective! These brilliant three-hour guided journeys reveal fascinating stories about the area’s incredible transformation from industrial heartland to Olympic host.

Your river adventure starts from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Pontoon beside the London Aquatics Centre, treating you to magnificent London Stadium and ArcelorMittal Orbit views. You’ll experience an authentic lock movement before cruising the old River Lea, passing the famous ‘Big Breakfast House’ and gliding through Lee Navigation and St Thomas Creek.

Every boat comes fully accessible with refreshments and a licensed bar aboard! Perfect for families with children of all ages, these vessels welcome up to 60 passengers with plenty of space for buggies, wheelchairs, and even well-behaved pups.

These three distinctive adventures prove Olympic Park caters to every family thrill-seeker – whether you’re daredevils ready to slide or abseil from dizzying heights, or prefer a gentler water-based adventure with stunning views!

If you’re looking for something a little calmer after all that adrenaline,Draughts London Stratford is just minutes away inside the park.

More Things To Do Near Queen Elizabeth

Nature and play areas kids will love

Beyond the sporting spectacle and adrenaline rushes, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park London reveals enchanting natural wonderlands where children can run wild and discover nature’s magic!

Tumbling Bay Playground: treehouses and sand pits

Hidden away in the park’s northern corner, Tumbling Bay Playground stands as one of London’s most brilliant play spaces. This award-winning adventure land features magnificent timber treehouses high above the ground, all connected by thrilling aerial walkways, wobbly rope bridges, and twisty slides that’ll have your kids shrieking with joy. Little explorers become fearless adventurers as they climb through these carefully crafted nest-like structures – and the brave souls who reach the top? They’re rewarded with spectacular views right across the park!

Here’s where it gets proper clever – the playground’s sand and water play areas are inspired by the River Lea’s fascinating history. Watch your children transform into mini water engineers, pumping water into shallow pools and creating their own little rivers through rock pools and sand pits. The natural landscape design means Tumbling Bay blends beautifully into the surrounding parkland, encouraging play far beyond its official boundaries.

Parkland and Wildlife Trail: explore nature together

Fancy turning your family walk into a treasure hunt? Throughout the park, families can embark on self-guided adventures using the Explorer’s Guide to Adventures, packed with ‘secret missions’ that get children properly engaged with their surroundings. 

According to the official Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park website, the Waterways Trail is a 6.5-kilometer loop that takes visitors along five of the Bow Back Rivers and through the park’s wetlands, offering families a scenic route to explore local wildlife and nature. The dedicated bat sensor boxes actually track these nocturnal residents’ activities, offering a genuine wildlife encounter right here in East London.

Fountains and gardens: splash zones and picnic spots

The Waterworks Fountains outside London Stadium create an irresistible water playground featuring 195 individually controlled jets that form computer-controlled walls of dancing water. Running seasonally (often spring to autumn) (except during major events), these fountains provide hours of free entertainment – though fair warning, expect thoroughly soaked children!

Craving quieter moments? Spread out your picnic blanket amongst the iconic Olympic Rings, swaying pampas grass and vibrant wildflowers in Alfred’s Fields. The park’s beautifully landscaped gardens offer perfect peaceful retreats between all the high-energy adventures.

After enjoying nature’s playground, fancy keeping the family fun going? Pop over to see us at Draughts London Stratford, where your crew can bond over hundreds of board games while tucking into tasty refreshments – brilliant for extending your day out or dodging those unexpected London rain showers!

Cultural and creative experiences nearby

Beyond all the thrills and natural adventures, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s cultural scene will absolutely blow your mind! Art, dance, and science come alive in ways that’ll have curious young minds buzzing with excitement.

V&A East Storehouse: museum magic for curious minds

Here’s something special that’s just opened on the park’s doorstep! V&A East Storehouse gives families incredible behind-the-scenes access to over half a million creative treasures through more than 100 brilliant mini displays. Picture wandering through the V&A’s vast collection and archives like never before – it’s museum magic at its finest!

The “Order an Object” service means you can book online ahead of your visit to see specific items from their collection. Even better? General admission won’t cost you a penny, though you may need to book free appointments to view particular objects. Visitors can look down through glass floors to watch museum staff working, and children especially enjoy exploring the interactive embroidered panels that can be pulled out for a hands-on experience. The peaceful canal-side spot, loads of space, and free lockers make this a winner for families.

Sadler’s Wells East: free dance classes and shows

The Dance Floor at Sadler’s Wells East turns their gorgeous light-filled foyer into a buzzing hub of free fun for everyone. “Family Freestyle” sessions are brilliant for little ones aged 2-4 and their grown-ups.

Throughout the week, you’ll discover lunchtime dance classes covering all sorts of styles – perfect whether you’re a complete beginner or fancy yourself as the next Strictly champion. Special events and celebrations, such as Sadler’s Wells’ own festival days, bring extra free workshops in loads of different dance styles.

Young dance fans might catch free “curtain raiser” performances before main shows – what a lovely way to experience professional dance without the hefty price tag!

UCL East exhibitions: art meets science

UCL’s East campus welcomes families with brilliant free exhibitions, events and activities. Luke Jerram’s Gaia globe artwork in the Marshgate building’s ground-floor atrium is absolutely stunning – a breathtaking, rotating model of Earth that’ll captivate the whole family.

Got little explorers aged 2-8? UCL East has previously run interactive trails like ‘Stomp and Stamp’ that turn park exploration into a treasure hunt, check current availability at the Information Point at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (open daily, 11 am-4 pm).

Here’s the brilliant bit: unlike most London attractions that’ll empty your wallet, these world-class cultural experiences are completely free – making them perfect additions to your Olympic Park adventure!

Local tips for food, games and downtime

After all that Olympic Park exploring, every family’s going to need some proper downtime! Here’s where the locals head when little legs are tired, and bellies are rumbling – these brilliant spots are right on your doorstep.

Draughts London Stratford: board games and bites

We are tucked right within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park itself, this absolute gem of a board game café houses nearly 1,000 games for every age and skill level! The spacious venue spans two floors, accommodating over 150 guests and offering stunning views of the London Stadium and the Waterworks River. Here’s the best bit – children under 12 play completely free, whilst teens (13-17) get half-price gaming!

You can book your table online in advance to guarantee your spot, especially during weekends and school holidays.

Beyond the brilliant board games, Draughts dishes up proper comfort food. Think homemade beef pot pies with creamy mash or Korean-inspired gochujang fried chicken burgers that’ll have the whole family asking for seconds. Visitors consistently rave about the friendly staff and that lovely welcoming atmosphere.

Westfield Stratford City: shopping and family dining

Just a stone’s throw from the park, this massive shopping destination packs in 250 shops! Between shopping sprees, families can catch a flick at the 17-screen Vue cinema or knock down some pins at All Star Lanes bowling.

If you’re searching for things to do near Westfield Stratford, Draughts London Stratford is just around the corner.

Got adventurous kids? Pop over to Gravity Max Stratford, an indoor entertainment centre featuring electric go-karts, crazy golf, and interactive games like “hyperfloor” – it’s basically an electronic version of “the floor is lava”!

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s got far more tricks up its sleeve than most families ever discover. Spread across those 560 acres, you’ll find everything from Olympic-standard sports venues to secret natural hideaways and cultural treasures. The perfect blend of heart-pumping adventures and peaceful retreats sits waiting around every corner.

After conquering the ArcelorMittal Orbit’s legendary slide or watching the kids go mad in the Waterworks Fountains, Draughts London Stratford delivers the ideal spot to keep the family magic going. Nearly 1,000 games to choose from, proper comfort food, and those spectacular London Stadium views – plus children under 12 play completely free, so your wallet stays happy too. Reserve your table in Stratford and round off your Olympic Park day in style.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park stands as one of London’s most rewarding family destinations, no question. Got little ones dreaming of Olympic stardom? Teenagers craving adrenaline-fueled thrills? Kids who just need space to run wild in nature? This extraordinary East London gem delivers the lot. Your family’s perfect day out awaits – and now you’ve got all the local secrets to make it happen like a true insider.

Frequently asked questions about attractions in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park