Can anyone suggest things to do with a toddler in London?

[CheesyFeet]

DH & I are planning to visit London tomorrow with dd aged nearly 2. Can any of you suggest somewhere we could go that a 2-year old would enjoy? We're only going for the day.

TIA

[chickenwings]

I took my two to the aquarium when they were little and they loved it.

[FrannyandZooey]

Basement at the Science Museum - absolutely fabulous - and free

Or, Discover , not central London, but well worth the trip. My 3 year old has not stopped asking when we can go back there.

[CheesyFeet]

Just googled it chickenwings and it looks fab Easy to get to by tube as well.

Any more?

[Posey]

Mine both love (and did at that age too) Regent's Park. 3 playgrounds, boating lake, lots of ducks, open space, pretty inner circle with waterfall, another pond (well fenced) with little bridges over and cute little paths. Also can walk along the path which backs onto the zoo therefore seeing some of the animals for free!

[CheesyFeet]

Thansk F&Z - free is good!

We were considering the zoo but it's a bit pricey when you consider train & tube fares etc etc

Keep 'em coming

[NotQuiteCockney]

I'd wander along the south bank. Tate Modern can be fun, if hard work. Also, just west of that big testicle building (the London Mayoral office or something) there is a lovely weird flat fountainy thing where you can go stand on the jets. I know, my description sucks, but it's just west of the testicle, on the south side, right near the water. Lots of little jets of water coming out of the pavement. Kept my two very happy for ages.

[Posey]

Go to the zoo next year when all the improvements will be finished. It'll be fab then but a bit of a building site in places just now (we have membership as we're really close but to pay to get in now is a bit much I think)

[NotQuiteCockney]

Oooh, it's the Greenwich and Docklands Festival this weekend. Look:

Dancing City
Sat 24 June
1pm - 5pm
Canary Wharf, E14
Contemporary outdoor dance amid the architecture, squares and stairways of Canary Wharf. Featuring bungee choreography, contemporary dance, urban moves and elegant aerial performance on 4 metre high swaying poles. This years programme includes the World Premiere of GDIF commission ?Miniatora? from CandoCo Dance Company, incorporating a huge piece of inflatable architecture by Christophe Egret.

I only have about five other things I should be doing tomorrow afternoon (I lie, two, there's a new parents luncheon at DS1's new school, and a local summer fete, which is very lovely and very local), otherwise I'd go. I might go to the strange-looking wheels going by our house thing tomorrow night.

[IlanaK]

I would agree that a trip to the zoo is not the best idea. Building site aside, there is just too much to see in one day with a 2 year old. And as it is so expensive, you feel like you have to make the most of it. (We too have passes and live close so go for very short trips regularly).

I would agree about Regent's Park, but be aware that at the moment, the largest playground (near Gt Portland Street station) has the major play structure roped off as it broke).

I would suggest Hyde Park as it has the large Pirate's Playground among other things. Harrods is great fun too - their toy department is huge!

One of my favourite days out to sugest to friend's when they visit with children is to go to the science museum basement first thing in the morning when they open (10am) and then skip the rest of the museum and head down the road to Harrods for the toys. Then buy some lunch at the food hall in HArrods and take it across to Hyde Park for a picnic (just a short 5 minutes walk away). All free except the lunch!

[CheesyFeet]

Thanks everyone

[Posey]

So where did you go in the end?