Taking a toddler to London

[lily1062]

Does anyone have any tips for taking a toddler to London? We are going tomorrow, hoping to see the sea life centre and maybe London zoo! Is there any soft play areas in zone one or two?

Thanks

National Army Museum has a soft play but you need to book in advance. There's squish space at Barbican but it isn't open every weekend.

London Zoo takes us most of the day with 2yo DS, we have annual passes so go a lot.

Sea life centre can also take a good couple of hours so you might be being a bit ambitious trying to fit both in - and soft play too.

The Sealife centre in London is surprisingly large and my toddler had fallen asleep about half way through.

The Unicorn Theatre www.unicorntheatre.com/about-your-visit is close to Tower Bridge, and is a nice place to stop for a coffee, even if you're not seeing a play, as they have a nice (small) play space, that's free. Tate Modern is good for a run around, although it does get busy at times. Remember there's the People's Vote march on saturday, and it's likely to be incredibly busy around Westminster and central London. www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-march-saturday-london-peoples-vote-map-route-time-a4262976.html

I would reduce your expectations, the sea life is probably enough ... Tate modern is usually good to let off steam

I second the National army museum. We live nearby and go nearly every week, it's great! But book online first. It's called 'playbase'

I think it's a bit ambitious trying to do the zoo and the sea life centre. Factor in the hassle of travelling (especially in the rush hour), meals etc

Which would be better the zoo or sea life centre? I have a 16 month old

The zoo is better IMO but depends if it’s going to rain since it’s all outside?

Dry in London tomorrow, I wish I had a sling big enough for her, as while she is walking very slowly, will need to rest. I'm going to try and uses buses rather than tube with the buggy.

I think both are good for that age - if the weather forecast is good then go for the zoo.

You can be in the zoo all day, so I wouldn't plan to do that and sealife centre. Personally I think the zoo is the better option, but obviously it depends a bit on the weather.

Get up and go out early (shouldn't be a problem with a toddler!!) Be there for when the places open.
Spend the day out and head back late afternoon for a rest. Go out for tea & early night... repeat next day...

I would go for the zoo if it is not raining. I've never had a problem with a stroller on the tube either.

Both on one day is a huge ask for a toddler. Personally I would avoid the Sealife Centre tomorrow as its just the south side of Westminster Bridge. Tomorrow is the Final Say Rally from Marble Arch to Parliament Square. It will get get very busy.

oh god dont do both, as an adult 1 is exhausting enough. I think the zoo- because you get more for your money, i.e. fish + more....
As for museums I think they are so wasteful on kids under 3 years old...if you want a soft play go to a softplay.

Go and enjoy a park and don't pack to much into your day. They have aquariums and zoos everywhere, so no need to do both (frankly, I wouldn't try to do one). There's nothing special about doing it in London. But toddlers can be easily fascinated by simple things - the tube, buses, watching boats on the Thames, street performers. We found a great little community playground near Covent Garden (I work in Central London, but we don't live there, so it's novel for the dc). It's also totally possible to get around by tube, but you'll need to do some planning and have someone to help you a bit with stairs when you encounter them.

There's a nice toddler play park just around the corner in the park near the London eye. Nice to spend some time depending on the weather. With fab view of the eye.

Your 16 months old isn’t likely to appreciate most of this. I would opt for one and take it slow. Aim to leave early but also come back early. You def don’t want to be anywhere near rush hour with a toddler in a buggy if you don’t need to be.

If you do sealife you can have a wander along the southbank, stop at the Tate for a run around or the playground just behind the London eye. Although it’s a lot of climbing and may not have much for your dc.

If you go to the zoo then they can run around regent park as well. I don’t think you’ll fit soft play in as well.

Just realised it’s saturday tomorrow! I’d still keep it short and sweet to avoid the crankiness that long days with toddlers can bring!

I'd forgotten about the march. I'd definitely do the zoo and avoid being near Westminster.

I took DS to the zoo aged 16m and he loved it, he obviously gets more from it now but he'd point at the animals and laugh at them. The zoo is also really easy to push a buggy around, lots of changing facilities so I find it an easy place to visit. There's a playground and a carousel too.

We ended up postponing due to the protest, is there any big protests planned tomorrow, does anyone know?