What would you do with a 2 year old in Liverpool?

[TwllBach]

I am taking 2 yo DS to Liverpool this week for an over night stay. The hotel is near the Albert Docks and we are also picking my DM up as well. What would you do with a toddler there? The Mattel (I think) is closed when we are there so I didn't think it through brilliantly, but I would love some recommendations!

Crosby Beach! Crosby Beach! Crosby Beach!

Two year old will love the Another Place statues. Wrap up warm though.

I take it you are recommending Crosby beach??

Disclaimer I have no idea what two year olds like but here are some suggestions for fun things I think maybe they would. Crosby beach is lovely but you’d need a car or to figure out the public transport route, other things that are also most likely accessible by public transport are the parks, Sefton park is lovely to walk around and feed the ducks visit the palm house etc. Croxteth park isn’t as big and grand but has a bit more to do with a petting farm, play area and horses and cows etc to look at in the fields.

If you’re looking for things to do within walking distance then there is the new museum on the dock (although I prefer the old one which can also be walked to just a bit further) both of these have all sorts in them and usually have activities scattered around. The maritime museum is also very near by and usually has a few interactive exhibitions, if your DC likes boats he’d love it. There is also ferry rides on the Mersey which I loved as a child and generally the Albert dock is just a nice place for a walk around and to eat. There is a play area that I loved as a child called underwater street a quick google has shown me it’s still open so that could also be a good place to spend a rainy afternoon within walking distance.

Sorry I looked into underwater street more (planning to steal a relatives child and relive my youth ) and it seems although they still operate they’re no longer based literally “under” water street and have moved a bit further out, would also be public transport accessible though

World museum L3 8EN

All the museum's are excellent. Mattel is ok but small and expensive. Imagine that is really good
I don't race on Crosby beach personally

rave even!

What's your reason for going? (You don't need one - it's a great place, but just to help with suggestions.)

I'd say all the most fun things to do will hold more interest for you and your mother (and the two year old once they're about 6 or 7.) Albert Docks will be fun for your DC to wander around - and both the Maritime Museum and the Tate will have something of interest to the very little.

Hope Street is another focus of activity. (Hope Street Hotel is heavenly.) Two magnificent Cathedrals and the brilliant Everyman theatre. Plus fun places to eat. (Host and The Quarter in particular.)

Nearer Lime Street station the Walker Gallery, the newish Central Library and the new museum whose name I've forgotten (this one very small child friendly) are all pretty much next door to one another.

Oh - as regards Crosby Beach, get a cab to the dunes for the best approach, or take the train from the town centre. Can't remember - maybe 20 mins. Not complicated at all.)

And yes, Sefton Park Palm House - just glorious.

Side track but is the museum by the walker now considered the new one? I have always thought of it as the old one as it was around when I was little before the dock one was built but maybe I’ve been instructing people wrong all these years

Thank you for all the suggestions!

I have a car and am willing to drive maybe 20-30 minutes or so, although I am coming from North Wales and don't want to do much more driving!

We are going for a few reasons - firstly because I fancied a quick getaway with DS and I stayed in the same palce when he was roughly 5 months old and it was lovely. We wandered around the museums and had something to eat and went to the shopping centre (Liverpool1?) and I have such fab memories that I wanted to recreate it... and then realised after I had booked that he's a toddler now and probably won't be interested in the museums??

DM is coming because she lives Down South and doesn't get to see DS too often, so I suggested on a whim that she get the train up as well and spend the afternoon/next morning with us... didn't factor in the fact that she doesn't walk brilliantly

I wasn't counting 'the dock one' as I've never visited it!

I took a 10/11 yr old around the one next to the Central Library a while ago and they found it a little too young for them.

Ah I see, maybe I should start using their actual names instead of new and old seen as they’ve both been around a while . If your DM struggles with walking then the beach and parks aren’t the best idea. The furthest museum which previous poster has said is best for little ones is called the world museum (just looked it up) and is maybe a 15/20 minute walk away from the Albert dock, you could pass through Liverpool one on the way to it.

Walker art gallery has a lovely kids area where they can do craft and dress up and stuff which is all free

Liverpool museum by the docks has a fab free activity room! It's on for half an hour every couple of hours, some free play and fab interactive activities followed by a single song, my two loved it! Then a wonder around the museum ( lots of interactive kids things throughout but interesting for the adults too), and lunch in the cafe!

How do you think he'd be on the Ferry?

Short walk from your hotel, ferry across the Mersey, carry on to New Brighton.

There's a soft play, restaurants etc. There's a small slot machine arcade, if he likes the 2p machines.

There's Chester zoo and farms about.

As well as the Museums there's a soft play, called the Yellow Submarine, just a short taxi ride, or train to brunswicj Station from St James Street, depending on how far your Mum can walk.

Brunswick station, that should be.

The Liverpool museum is brilliant, huge, not too busy and lots to see. Loads of trains including one you can sit in that toddlers love! There is also a kind of play/craft bit you can take 1-4 year olds to.

The little liverpool part of the new museum is great for little ones, but you have to book a timed ticket (it's free). The world museum has an aquarium and is good for kids. The story barn on paradise street is also really nice for little ones.

Rain hill coffee barn has llamas you can see.

Your dc will love it here.

www.mattelplayliverpool.com/pages/themed-zones

World museum has lots of interactive things for kids. Walker art gallery beside it has a kids base (Little Artist I think) where they can do arty activities and both are free. Tate gallery in Albert Dock runs different activities but might be more for older kids. Nice relaxed cafe though. There's a a big wheel on the Albert Dock (London eye type) which is fun but pricey iirc. Museum of Liverpool life also worth a look (free also).

World museum my ds loves the aquarium and dinosaur floors

The World Museum
The Art Gallery.
Sefton Park
The ferry boat
Crosby or New Brighton beach. Mind you I'm not too sure about a beach in this weather
Croxteth park.
Rice lane farm. (Not that much there, in the way of animals, really, but There's also a little play ground and it is free to get in.
Underwater Street

There is also an insect part in the World Museum.
Where they have amongst other things 2 tarantulas. Kids are fascinated by spiders, arent they.