What amazing thing can we do in London for a 9yr old? I've messed up birthday

[SalveGrumio]

We were supposed to take ds to Harry Potter experience for his birthday. I cocked up the booking and now it's fully booked. We are still going to stay near London for the weekend, but would like to make it up to him with something amazing.

We will still go to the HP experience when we can get tickets in future.

There's the worlds biggest zip line in Waterloo until Sept 9th if you are there before then? You can ride from 8 years old.

What a shame for you all. Would he enjoy a walking tour of Harry Potter spots around London? Not the same of course, but could combine it with something else so still some Potter theme along with a replacement activity. What are his interests?

London dungeons? A good show (No idea)

What's he into? Lots of HP stuff around London if you still wanted the theme it that way - although not HP world level! Do you specifically want to be central London, or would something like Legoland (Winsor, could combine with boat trip/visit to W.Castle) be the right sort of thing?

Paddle boarding on Regents Canal www.active360.co.uk. The big slide at the Olympic park. Escape Room experience with all the family.

What kind of things does he enjoy?

London eye - get the express ticket;
aquarium;
london dungeon or the clink

One of the fancy afternoon teas with a kid's theme or the one in Sketch is pretty wacky. There is also the afternoon tea bus which looks quite fun.

Trip on a rib up the thames or the more sedate Thames Clipper goes all the way from London Bridge to Battersea Power Station and there is a go ape in Battersea Park now as well as mini golf and a pizza restaurant.

YOu can walk over the 02 but they might be too young.

Sushi at Yo Sushi?

Oh or the slide down the Orbit (Orbital? I always forget) at the Olympic Park is amazing. Combined with a session on one of their biking tracks?

These get good reviews www.tourformuggles.com/ - and un-HP related but this is great if your DS has a sweet tooth www.facebook.com/milktraincafe

Not a main thing but my 9 year old dd enjoyed spending her birthday money in the big Primark. There's a big part of the Primark that is just a Harry potter shop.

Day trip out to Oxford or whichever cathedral was used for Hogwarts (Salisbury? Winchester?)?

Something random like a cat cafe?

Look at the hp website the week before, every morning as they sell all their returns then and they have them most days! Failing that it really depends what they re in to.

Hamleys had a whole HP floor when I was there Sunday. Also had a HP lookalike on the door.

There's a Harry Potter Escape room that you could all do? and there might be some more ideas here - maybe follow the escape room with Harry Potter themed afternoon tea and a trip to the gallery with the HP themed art?

Thanks. Think he'd love the muggle tour. He's into Harry Potter, star wars, Minecraft, adventure/explorer stories and games.

Trapeze lesson, in Kensington Gardens or Regents park, google Gorilla Circus

Charlie and the chocolate factory themed tea? www.onealdwych.com/food-drink/afternoon-tea
Or perhaps an escape room? cluequest.co.uk

What about a show like School of Rock or Matilda?

The Lion King is brilliant and good for all ages!

The HP stuff gets updated all the time, I had vouchers and no time to spend them before they ran out, then a day before a slot came up... on Xmas eve!

The Lee valley white water centre is amazing for activities. Otherwise look for Cursed Child tickets, or HP themed afternoon teas.

Matilda and the Lion King, Go ape at Ali Pali?

Tour for Muggles is FANTASTIC, OP. DSis and I live in London and it was one of the best things we’ve done . Also love HP studios and agree with checking for tickets, but maybe you would rather have something booked?

HP tour starts near London Bridge, if that helps, so maybe a 20 minute walk from the London Eye if you allow for crowds along the Southbank.

I also really want to do the postal museum, but realise this might not be up his street.

Wicked the musical?

Forbidden Planet shop on Shaftsbury Avenue would be brilliant. Full of Harry Potter/Star Wars etc stuff. Ten minutes walk from the Lego Store (again more HP/SW stuff) and that's five minutes from the big Waterstones on Piccaldilly. That's my favourite shopping route in central London.

Keep trying hp studios, looking early in the day worked for us. Alternatively you could probably find an excursion from central London who will have block booked entry tickets.