Day out in London for toddlers with ASD?

[StinkGhoul]

Will be visiting family in London in a couple of weeks and we all need to be out of the house for most of Saturday with our 3 yo twins who are both autistic plus other things. Will take the double buggy so they can rest while we are out / hopefully have a nap while we walk. They’ll be fine if we spend some of the time getting something to eat, in a cafe etc.

They’re not interested in much, which makes things tricky and the weather is likely to be crap so we need something to “do”. They’d prefer to walk around but won’t manage a whole day of walking hence the buggy.

Something sensory would be ideal - lights, sounds, things they can interact with. I’m wondering if maybe the science museum might have this sort of thing or if there’s somewhere better for little ones?

Thanks for any tips :)

The science museum has a kids bit with a sensory area ('rooms' you can walk through with things to touch, look at etc) and water channels to play with (take a change of clothes!).

The transport musuem in covent garden. Was a big hit with my children at that age. (One asd) We found science museum a bit busy. Also had a good time at the maritime museum.

Mudlarks Gallery at the Museum of London Docklands www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london-docklands/permanent-galleries/mudlarks-childrens-gallery
As PP said, The Garden at the Science Museum
Coram’s Fields has a sensory playground www.coramsfields.org/park-playground/

Science Museum - great kids space in basement - and if kids fall asleep you can hotfoot it over to V&A and have a nice coffee in the lovely dining room. Actually V&A is pretty kiddy friendly and a little less hectic than the Science Museum. Quieter galleries in science museum such as the model ships always worth an explore!

Discovery Children's Story Centre - A little out of the way in Stratford - but a lovely and child centric place all about storytelling and books

Southbank Centre - just nice child friendly space to hang out in, usually something going on.

British Museum - again just the atrium bit is nice and bright and covered and you can always find a quiet gallery if you avoid greeks/romans/egyptians! Also close by is Coram Fields - nice if you get a break in the weather. Petting animals etc

Tate Modern has lots of child friendly options. Turbine Hall is just a nice space to hang out, as is the basement. Can also walk over bridge to St Paul's. Also depending on how your twins are (I haven't don't it with my Asd child yet..) the Olafur Ellieson exhibition is all about colour and light.

Another option would be to take a boat up the Thames. The Thames Clipper is an option. (local boat service, but goes past sights)

My then 4 year old (with ASD) enjoyed the Thames Clipper and (to my surprise) really enjoyed the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London! He still talks about them 12 years later.

On later trips, he liked the British Myseum, was overwhelmed by the Science Museum, was bored by HMS Belfast (so was I, to be fair) and enjoyed watching the posh chauffeur driven cars leave the back of Harrods!

I’d forgotten the Millennium Bridge. We played Pooh Boat on it for ages. (Pooh sticks but with barges).

Thanks so much for the suggestions, will look at all of these! It’s very difficult as they’re at a stage where they’re not interested in much, although I think DT1 would enjoy the science museum stuff. But then he’d be happy watching a busy road, to be fair. DT2 is trickier. They do like water though, so that sounds good. Will pack the is waterproof onesies 😂

We mistakenly took them to the London aquarium before they were diagnosed and it was an utter disaster so have learnt from that - nothing too expensive given they’ll probably pay no attention anyway!