London tube with kids

[Mobley52]

We are going to London today with kids aged 4-13. How do tickets for kids work on the tube?
When DH and go we just scan our contactless card at the barrier but haven't gone with children before so wondered if anyone could advise!

Thank you

They might do a junior oyster?

4to goes through with adult.
13yo needs own ticket... either a paper one, a contact less card and pay adult fare or an oyster with a young visitor discount if you are using a lot.

For 11 and under the tube is free. Just go through the bigger gates with the kids when you tap in. For older kids you can get a special oyster card and this will give you a discount - either online or at a station but it costs money to buy. However if it's a short trip it might be easier just to give them a different card to use.

Kids age 10 and under are free and walk through the wide barrier with you
Older one needs a ticket- either go to window and get an oyster with a young visitor discount or if you’re not doing many journeys it probably isn’t worth the faff so just give them one of your contactless cards to use

Your 4yo travels free - use the wide gates in stations and they go through with you or DH.

13yo needs their own method of payment - the Oyster with young visitor discount gets cheaper fares but costs £7 so is only worth it if you're travelling a lot (if it's just a day trip I wouldn't bother). If you or DH has Apple/Android pay in addition to your contactless cards, you could use a phone to pay for one of the three of you and the cards for the other two.

The older one needs a Visitor Oyster. They’re only £5. You load it up with money, and any you don’t use is refunded to you. Or you can keep it on the card for another visit. The younger child is free.

Just go through the wide gate with all the children. No one will stop you.

Didn't know about visitor kids Oyster cards but we live in London so had to get a proper kids Oyster and it was such a palaver (and cost £15! But does last until DC is 16)

Makes sense they offer a visitors version.

Or, you know, pay the fare for the 13yo because everyone else shouldn't be subsidising visitors who try to get away with fare evasion.