London 2 Year Old

[Nags1985]

Any ideas central london on things to do other than Hamleys Mnm world maybe sealife....

Not sure when museums reopen but the transport museum in Covent Garden is great for kids, lots to see. You’ve also got some great parks of course!

Princess Diana playground in Kensington Gardens
A short boat trip on the Thames maybe? Depends on the child!

I think Hamleys is better for adults than kids... Its rather overwhelming (and most of it aimed at older children!)
I would chose the Lego shop instead.

Boar tide down the river
Top deck of a bus (pre Covid they had old routemasters on selected routes at certain times)
Natural History museum or Science museum
Go to see the pelicans (can't remember which park)
Changing of the Guard.

Hamleys is the portal to hell.
100% agree that the transport museum is the best place. Your DC will live running around collecting the stamps and you will find it much much more relaxing as it’s quite contained. Sealife is ok but gets busy and you fight to see a lot of stuff.
From Covent Garden/embankment get a boat to Canary Wharf and visit museum of London docklands and book a free slot in mini mudlarks. Much quieter than other places and again far less stressful as an experience.
Im assuming all these things reopen in time!
Whatever you do you need to plan ahead as you don’t want to be jumping around different bits of London unless they have really direct transport links.

Transport museum in Covent Garden?

Sorry just seen already suggested!

And agree hamleys is not a magical place.

Red Bus ride, Buckingham Palace/changing the guard, feed ducks in St James Park

Hamleys is hell.

The zoo? Transport museum? Natural history?

Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green has a sandpit usually. The science museum has a soft play in the basement.
There's usually something on the south bank.
At Tate Modern there's a brilliant slope children roll down.
Coram's Fields for outside time.
More London fountains by London Bridge.

Actually science museum has that area for little ones

They have a great toddler section in the Science museum.

Also the London aquarium is suitable for that age.

Greenwich, the Maritime museum there is great, plus a large park, lovely places to walk and play outdoors.

On a warm day the Diana fountain in Hyde Park makes a toddler endlessly happy. And is free.

Definitely transport museum, it's pricey but your ticket lasts a year.

The maritime museum is great. Has a good play area inside for little ones aswell and you can get the boat up there! Would also second the Transport Museum

I came on to say the science museum, it’s brilliant. Also echoing Hamleys is utterly overwhelming.

Hi there, I blog about London for kids and share lots of outings over on my Instagram (museummum.com). Have a scroll through and you might find some ideas - mine are older now, but lots of parents with under 5s use and rate my suggestions.

When are you looking for? Currently all museums and indoor attractions are closed until at least 17 May 2021. After that there is a lot more choice.

London Transport Museum has a lovely soft play area and lots of simulators.

Museum of Childhood is closed for a number of years for refurbishment.

Science Museum has a great basement play area and also Pattern Pod, both free but need pre-booking.

Natural History Museum is great to visit recently due to limited visitor numbers. The animatronic dinosaur and earthquake simulators are always a hit. I've written a blog post on visiting museummum.com/2021/03/19/natural-history-museum-london/

The Postal Museum with a ride on Mail Rail. Their soft play area is excellent but no date announced for reopening yet.

Museum of London Docklands has just refurbished its play area, free but again need to pre-book. Canary Wharf usually has lots going on e.g. Crossorelle Roof Gardens, a little colourful installation in a gorgeous and quiet rooftop garden

Play fountains: More London and Somerset House both on at the minute. Granary Square currently off but great when they're working.

Playgrounds: Princess Diana, Holland Park, Corams Field a bit tired now but usually enough for a little one. Kew Gardens (book ahead!)

Transport: A ride on the cable car, front of the DLR (no driver!), boat along the Thames.

Anyway, here's some starter ideas - please do follow along on my Instagram for more, and feel free to message me there.

Sorry, link wrong! I'm museummum on Instagram

Second all of the post above and also add Horniman.
A hidden gem.

I was going to say Princess Diana playground too in Kensington Gardens. They have a musical sensory playground section, sand and a huge pirate ship. Also ice creams, coffee and cakes right next to it.