In short
Teenagers in London tend to enjoy days out that feel grown-up, active or social. Good options include live sport such as a London Lions basketball game at the Copper Box, the ArcelorMittal Orbit tunnel slide, BMX at Lee Valley VeloPark and the East Bank cultural quarter, all in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Letting them bring a friend usually helps.
Planning a day out that a teenager will actually enjoy is one of the harder parenting tasks. What worked at eight doesn't work at fourteen, and anything that looks like it was planned for younger children is a hard sell. The best teenage days out feel independent, a bit exciting and worth talking about with friends. This guide covers the kinds of activities teenagers tend to enjoy in London, with ideas for live sport, active days, culture and budgets.
What teenagers want from a day out
- Something to share. A day out that looks good on their phone and gives them a story for their friends.
- A bit of independence. Choosing part of the plan, bringing a friend or having time to themselves.
- Real experiences. Professional sport, big attractions and things they can't do at home.
- Activity. Many teenagers would rather do something than watch something.
- Food. Rarely optional.
Let them help plan
Give teenagers a choice between two or three options and let them pick. A plan they've chosen is far more likely to land well than one presented as a done deal.
Live sport
Basketball games
Many teenagers follow basketball through the NBA online, and the NBA has played regular-season games at The O2 in London since 2011. A London Lions game brings professional basketball to their own city, close up and with a loud home crowd. Basketball is also one of the most played sports among young people in England, so many teenagers will play it at school.
London Lions men play home games at the Copper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, although some domestic games are played at NCC Hackney, so check the venue on the fixture list and your ticket before you travel. Most games are in the evening, which suits teenagers, and the whole experience lasts around two hours. Our guide to your first London Lions game explains what happens on the night, and you can book seats through the London Lions tickets page.
Bringing friends
Teenagers often enjoy a game most with friends. Book seats together in the lower tier (the 100s), close to the action. Every guest aged three or over needs their own ticket.
Making the most of the game
- Arrive when doors open, 60 minutes before tip-off, to watch the warm-up.
- Look up the starting five beforehand, so the player introductions mean something.
- Stay for the final buzzer. Close games often go down to the last few possessions.
Active days out
Cycling, climbing and swimming
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has some of London's best active options, all built for the 2012 Olympic Games:
- Lee Valley VeloPark: track cycling, BMX and mountain biking, with sessions for different abilities
- London Aquatics Centre: swimming in the 2012 Olympic pool
- ArcelorMittal Orbit: viewing platforms over east London and a tunnel slide for ages eight and up
Check each venue's own booking pages for age limits and session times before you go.
Playing basketball
Teenagers who want to play can join London Lions community sessions across north, east, south and west London, with no experience needed, or holiday camps through the school holidays. Many outdoor courts across London are free to use.
Creative and cultural ideas
East Bank and museums
The East Bank cultural quarter on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park includes V&A East and Sadler's Wells East, with exhibitions, dance and events. Many London museums are free, which helps teenagers explore without a big bill.
Street art and neighbourhoods
Hackney Wick, across the park from Stratford, is known for street art, canals and converted warehouses. A walk through the area, followed by food, appeals to teenagers who like photography or design.
Ideas on a budget
| Budget | Idea |
|---|---|
| Free | Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, outdoor basketball courts, canal walks, free museums |
| Low cost | A swim at the London Aquatics Centre, upper-tier seats at a Lions game |
| Treat | Lower-tier seats with friends, the Orbit slide and food out |
Saving on travel
Children aged 11 to 15 pay reduced fares on London transport with the right photocard, and under-11s travel free on many services. Check Transport for London's current rules for your family before you travel.
A sample teenage day out
- Afternoon: the ArcelorMittal Orbit slide or a BMX session at Lee Valley VeloPark
- Early evening: food at Westfield Stratford City or Hackney Bridge
- Evening: a London Lions game at the Copper Box
For more family ideas, including younger children, see Family Game Day. During the school holidays, our guide to half-term in London has more ideas for every age.
Practical tips
- Bags must be roughly A4 size or smaller at the Copper Box, and there's no bag storage.
- The arena is cashless, so make sure teenagers have a card or phone payment set up if they're buying their own food.
- Agree a meeting point in case you get separated, such as the arena entrance or Stratford station.
A tip for parents
For older teenagers, consider letting them go to a game with friends while you have dinner nearby. It gives them independence while you stay close.
For more ideas, see the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park visitor guide.
Why live sport works for teenagers
Teenagers spend a lot of time watching sport on screens. Seeing it live is different: the noise, the speed and the size of the players make a stronger impression than any highlight clip. A live game also gives teenagers something to share with friends, and many come away wanting to play.
Ideas by age
| Age | What tends to work |
|---|---|
| 13–14 | A family day out with a friend invited, an activity in the park and a game |
| 15–16 | More independence: meeting friends at the arena, choosing their own food |
| 17–18 | Treating it as a night out with friends, with parents nearby or at home |
Making it a regular thing
For teenagers who catch the basketball bug, a few games across the season, or a season ticket, gives them something to look forward to. Following a team through a season, learning the players and tracking results builds a lasting interest.
From watching to playing
Many teenagers come away from a game wanting to play. Outdoor courts, school teams, local clubs and London Lions community sessions all offer a way in, whatever their level.
Keeping teenagers safe and in touch
Give teenagers a little independence while staying connected. Agree a meeting point and a time, make sure phones are charged, and set up a way to pay for food, because the Copper Box is cashless. At busy times, Stratford station can be crowded after a game, so agree how they'll travel home and when to check in. Many families let older teenagers sit with friends while parents sit nearby or have dinner close to the arena.
Rainy-day options
If the weather turns, the Copper Box, the London Aquatics Centre, the East Bank and Westfield Stratford City are all indoors and close together, so the day doesn't need to change.
Planning checklist for parents
- Let your teenager choose between two or three options.
- Book game tickets and any activity in advance.
- Agree meeting points, timings and how they'll get home.
- Set up a payment method for food, because the arena is cashless.
Above all, keep it flexible. Teenagers enjoy a day out most when they feel trusted and involved, and a plan with a little room for their own choices usually goes further than a packed itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
What can teenagers do in London?
Teenagers often enjoy live sport, active days and places to explore with friends. In east London, options include a London Lions basketball game, the ArcelorMittal Orbit slide, BMX at Lee Valley VeloPark, swimming at the London Aquatics Centre and the East Bank cultural quarter.
Is a basketball game a good day out for teenagers?
Yes. Many teenagers follow basketball through the NBA and play at school. A London Lions game offers professional basketball close up, with a loud crowd, music and around two hours of action. Booking seats with friends usually makes it even better.
Can teenagers go to a London Lions game without an adult?
Check the club's policy on young people attending without an adult before you book, as venues set their own age rules. Every guest aged three or over needs their own ticket, and the person who bought the tickets is the only one who can collect them from the box office.
What are cheap things to do with teenagers in London?
Free options include parks such as Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, outdoor basketball courts, canal walks and free museums. Low-cost options include public swimming and upper-tier seats at a London Lions game.
What is there to do at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for teenagers?
Teenagers can ride the ArcelorMittal Orbit tunnel slide, try track cycling or BMX at Lee Valley VeloPark, swim at the London Aquatics Centre, explore the East Bank and watch a London Lions game at the Copper Box.
For anything else, see the London Lions FAQs.
Sources and references
- London Lions — Tickets (including group bookings)
- London Lions — Frequently asked questions
- NBA — NBA London Game: everything to know
- Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park — Plan your visit
- Transport for London — Travelling with children
- London Lions — Holiday camps
This article was checked against the sources above. Fixtures, prices and venue arrangements can change, so always check the latest details on the London Lions website before you travel.