[Travel] Day out in London with 6 and 2 year old

[The Optimist]

Probably not for now but worth remembering in the years to come, doing a walking tour.
T'was recommended to me when I asked a similar question back in the day.

It really is amazing the visible history that's 'just round the corner'.

I did a great walking tour in Deptford years ago (for adults or older children).

An adult only walking tour that I’d recommend is https://www.liquidhistorytours.com/

 

[dazzer6666]

Probably not for now but worth remembering in the years to come, doing a walking tour.
T'was recommended to me when I asked a similar question back in the day.

It really is amazing the visible history that's 'just round the corner'.

There are loads of ‘treasure hunt’ published trails in London where you can print off the clues. We’ve done a few……good way of learning a bit of history (and trying several new pubs)

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

If anyone involved is neurodiverse.....avoid too much standing around, queuing and repetition.

Richmond, for a walk by the river and maybe a lunch outside, pub by the Thames (two adults required for this).

Hampstead Heath, to me like a Rupert the Bear's landscape with city views and enchanting water.

(I hate museums and galleries, unless it is a Thursday morning and there is hardly anyone else around).

You know your kids so you will know what to select on the basis of what we numpties have suggested.

 

[Questions]

You’re taking a two year old to the science museum ?

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

In the centre of course like any major city, but where I live I get charged the same or more in Brighton.

And a discount if someone robs or stabs you. Winner!

 

[Giraffe]

Took our 3 and a half year old to a peppa pig tea on a bus tour thing a few weeks ago. It was mostly awful from a parent perspective but she seemed to like it and it was nice to sit down for 90 mins and eat averagely nice food whilst she was mostly entertained. Pick up and drop off by Somerset house but you have to book.

 

[Rowdey]

I think the Mail Train in Clerkenwell will be good for your kids ages.

 

[essbee1]

I think the Mail Train in Clerkenwell will be good for your kids ages.

They warn you it's quite claustrophobic tho'.

 

[GT49er]

There are loads of ‘treasure hunt’ published trails in London where you can print off the clues. We’ve done a few……good way of learning a bit of history (and trying several new pubs)

Not many good ones for two year olds though..........................................................

 

[alanfp]

Not at all - this is why I posted the thread. We’re not set on London tomorrow, have other decent options for a family day out.

Peppa Pig World, though I don't know if that's too far (though could be as quick as getting to central London depending on where you are).
I've not been there for 7 years but we've been several times (once when there was snow on the ground, once on a really hot day) and it was really good. Indoor stuff, outdoor stuff, water rides, gentle roller coasters, a splash park. Mine still remember riding on George's dinosaur. If not tomorrow, I would recommend some other time. If you can get there on a school 'inset' day that would be even better. Two year old might be free entry.

 

[Cotton Socks]

Great review

Fair though!!

 

[MattBackHome]

The idea behind Science Museum over NHM is that there would potentially be more that is interactive, which is what our son would likely be more interested in.

Science museum is great, but isn't as interactive as you may remember from your yoot. There's an extra paid bit with slides and volcanoes and stuff and a staged show which is amazing though so that's well worth booking. I did hear of someone going a couple of weeks ago and enjoying a retro computer game thing.

 

[Cotton Socks]

Considering it for tomorrow.

Anyone taken small children to London for the day in recent years?

Advice? Tips? Reasons not to do it? Reasons TO do it?

Was thinking we’d go Science Museum, maybe a bit of sightseeing - the 6 year old is very interested in going. Not got a HUUUGE budget.

Any advice gratefully welcomed.

Bridges, Buck Palace, Big Ben, things they know about (well at least the 6 year old might). Trip up the Thames (or walk up Embankment, there's usually stuff going on there) to see the bridges, Tower of London and observe the London Eye. Tubes to Buck Palace and Big Ben with a picnic in St James park. Maybe a little wander around Horse Guards Road & past Downing Street. That's probably a lot in one day, but it's mostly free and if you do go to Buck Palace the 6 yr old can say they saw the Kings house!

 

[clapham_gull]

And a discount if someone robs or stabs you. Winner!

Mugging is discretionary, but I've never asked for it to be taken off the bill. I always said if you ask for tap water you deserve a good kicking as you leave the premises.

 

[Comrade Sam]

Tate Modern has child friendly stuff for free, and the Young V&A in Bethnal Green (previously the museum of childhood) is literally made for children, then grab a bagel on Brick Lane. But be warned Sadiq Khan has the city at the mercy of his trans Mohammeden mobs and the Sharia law means you'll have to put a niqab on your 2 year old daughter and call it him.

 

[METALMICKY]

Honestly? Double decker bus, at the front, with snacks. Boat ride on the Thames. Covent Garden for street entertainment.

Museums are crazy busy and too much when they are that little IMO

That's a pretty good itinerary. He also throw in the Shrek Adventure just next to the London Eye.

I would definitely avoid the Science Museum if the OP has a 2 and 6 year old. I took our 8 year old twins there last summer and they were bored within 20 mins. I'm sure I remember it being better when I was a kid. The Natural History museum is marginally better and the dinosaur stuff is great. However, as one previous poster observed there's a lot of stuffed animals. And Easter holidays it will be rammed!

 

[Klaas]

Be interested in what you end up doing, have a 4 and 6 year old who I was thinking of taking to the science museum. Lots of good reviews, but although I keep reading 'kids will love it' when I look at stuff online I mostly see a load of old technology on show, that I would enjoy, but not sure they would.
Last summer went to the NHM and booked tickets for a special dinosaur exhibition they had on. My kids really enjoyed it.

 

[Justice]

Take the kids rub some mud on their face and go begging for the day. They get a day in London and earn some pocket money, win win

 

[tstanbur]

I live in London and have a 5 year old and a (nearly) 2 year old so well qualified for this one! I would definitely do the Science Museum but make sure you book Wonderlab (it will say it’s for older kids but mine both loved it). That’s where there’s live experiments and lots of interactive stuff. They’ll also love the ‘garden’ (which isn’t really a garden but an interactive space). Much better for that age than the Natural History Museum imo. Book somewhere else for lunch though - South Ken is a bit of a tourist trap.

My kids also love going to the theatre (although my 21 month old may be atypical in happily sitting through an hour long show). There’s lots of kid friendly theatres with morning or afternoon shows and usually you can get tickets at quite short notice. If you get one near the South Bank that’s a good area for kids - the river, a carousel, street entertainers etc.

London Zoo also good (but not close to the other two, easier to do Science Museum and South Bank together).

And once you know where you’re going, do some research and book somewhere nice for lunch. Never ceases to amaze me how many people come to London and then eat in a chain restaurant that you can get anywhere. If you’re near the South Bank, Brasserie Blanc or Sea Containers are both nice and kid friendly and, whilst not cheap, not really more expensive than a typical gastro pub. But very few places in my experience are not kid friendly these days (unless you’re going Michelin starred).

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask!

Wonderlab is great. Costs a little bit (not expensive) but well worth it. My 7 and 4 year old loved it in there but weren’t that bothered by the rest of the Science museum or the NHM.

 

[tstanbur]

Be interested in what you end up doing, have a 4 and 6 year old who I was thinking of taking to the science museum. Lots of good reviews, but although I keep reading 'kids will love it' when I look at stuff online I mostly see a load of old technology on show, that I would enjoy, but not sure they would.
Last summer went to the NHM and booked tickets for a special dinosaur exhibition they had on. My kids really enjoyed it.

Similar ages to mine. Try Wonderlab at the Science museum, just posted a video showing it