Things to do in London

[NeverTalksToStrangers]

Going to London with DH and DS 8 & 10 for a week.

What touristy things would you recommend? And which are dull/not the best for kids? Considering madame Tussauds (although my kids don't have a LOT of celebrity awareness (beyond footballers and some actors), shrek, dungeons etc.

We are already booked for HP tour and Cursed Child. Will probably go to lion king too. We might go to Chessington also - lego land doesn't look high-octane enough for my 2 thrill-seekers. They love a rollercoaster.

London eye - best during the day or night? It will be summer so might not get much darker until late.

Logistics wise, are there attractions close by each other? We will be based in Waterloo area.

Yes, 2-for-1 London is a good tip if you're travelling by train - just google it. You can get discounted tickets for the London Eye and also the Thames Clipper, which is great for going up and down the Thames all day if you like (you can get day passes and you can get to the Emirates cable car that way - also a fun thing to do on a fine day - amazing views of London).

Try Today Tix for reduced-price theatre tickets. Not dirt cheap but certainly less than full-price.

Oh that 2 for 1 thing looks great as Tesco points don't cover tower of London.

So many suggestions to look into, thanks everyone.

Tavannach- myself and dh have already seen wicked and I wasn't completely blown away tbh. It was good, just not sure i wanna go again. I love musicals but I'm very fussy. I hated the greatest showman too.

Giraffe is family friendly. Do you have tastecard? Oyster cards for travel?

Thames rib ride is great.

The Ghost Bus tour is fun

Don't bother with Tussauds. It's really not that fun. It's expensive. Queues in central London at big attractions are year round, doesn't really matter whether it's school holidays or not.

Chessington doesn't have big rides and the zoo isn't great. It's for little kids or scaredy cat older kids (we like it!).

Lion King is ok, but far inferior to Matilda and Wicked imo. Try School or Rock, that's great and perfect for your kids ages.

London Eye is expensive and overrated, but might be worth doing it once as it's a key tourist thing. Visit South Bank Centre while you're there, always something going on.

I second treasure trails. Really great family activity because you have to work together as a team to solve the murder/crack the code.

Sandman's New Europe walking tour is good and free (you pay what you think it was worth at the end). It's starts by the Transport Museum which is nice (but not one of the free ones) and ends by the houses of Parliament so you could combine with the wheel and South Bank. It takes in Buckingham Palace and lots of key bits.

Kidzania is brilliant fun and quite unique

I would try and get outside a bit as well. Hyde Park is lovely. Kensington Gardens with the Diana Playground is great. Regent's Park. Holland Park. Hampstead Heath. Battersea Park (they have a small zoo and a Go Ape). Richmond Park if you want to come that far out (Richmond is lovely to walk around and get some lunch/dinner too).

The big slide at the Olympic park could be a winner. It's the biggest in Europe or possibly the world so your thrill seekers might like the kudos of having done it, although it's an expensive 12 seconds. The park nearby is also really good.

Churchill's war rooms and Cutty Sark are both interesting days out.

Definitely eat in China town one night! My DC adore it.
Huge wonkei fast service really cheap options on menu to more swanky options. Without doubt factor China town in for one meal.

I had read up about the slide ages ago. My kids are keen but I'm not sure i am. They love the adrenaline but I'm a bit of a scaredy cat sometimes... I'll maybe book the slidey part for the other 3.

South Bank is great - watch the skateboarders and run through the fountains, good fountains in Somerset House as well if it’s a hot day nice cafe overlooking the river. No to Madame Tussaud’s really boring. Yes to a day out at Greenwich lots to see and do the maritime museum is free and lots of interactive exhibits the kids like to see the shirt Nelson was wearing when he was shot with the bullet hole and bloodstains. Take a boat down to the Thames Barrier - really interesting to see a different part of London.