What do your kids like doing in London?

[clare8allthepies]

We’re planning on visiting family during half term and want to take our kids (7 and 11) on a day trip to London. Any tips on good places to take them? My eldest would love a visit to the globe but I suspect my youngest would find it boring. They have mentioned the London eye but I don’t like heights so would love to find them some alternatives! Thanks.

My son enjoyed the Aquarium - I hated it

The blue whale at the Natural History museum.

Skating at Somerset House but not sure if it's started yet this year. So expensive it'll crush you but it's lovely.

Walking across a bridge or two. Very popular and free!

Ooh Natural history museum is a good call!

Took my eldest skating a couple of years ago at Christmas and it did not go well! Don’t think she would be keen to go again.

Thames clipper to Greenwich or tower bridge
Battersea Park has go ape
Museum of London
Docklands light rail (no driver 😱😅)
Might be something suitable or Halloweeny at Royal Festival Hall
Walk down that part of the south bank towards Tate Modern, there’s a skate park we stand watch from the sidelines for ages!
The aquarium is good.
The sky garden is supposed to be good, but we’ve never been.

The Tower of London

Rib boat along the Thames if you're feeling brave!

Biggest tip is to book ahead for whatever you decide.

London Transport museum is greet for the 7 year old. Then hang around Covent Garden, maybe book a musical if that's your thing.

Agree with the Docklands Light Railway. Sit at the front. It's almost like a futuristic rollercoaster.

Used to always take family on boat trip up Thames but noticed it's more expensive than it used to be. Nor sure it's worth it now, unless there's a discount.

Science museum kids sections are brilliant.

Camden Market maybe for a mooch and lunch, then a walk or canal trip up towards London Zoo.

DS age 8 likes the Tower of London, natural history museum, boat trip down the Thames, M&M factory. He loved the Rainforest cafe for dinner although it's overpriced!

The Sky Garden is a good alternative to London Eye. It's free but you have to book in advance.

We live in London and my DC love going to the NHM, the transport museum, the aquarium and just riding around on buses - especially on the top deck, that never gets old :) Greenwich is nice, you can get there by boat which is always fun, and the maritime museum is great. If you can get there I’d also recommend the Horniman museum, such an interesting place but it’s a bit more off the beaten track.

Imperial War Museum. Quieter than the Kensington ones and incredibly wonderfully interesting.

The Emirates cable car to the millenium dome.

@Charley50

The Sky Garden is a good alternative to London Eye. It's free but you have to book in advance.

^^ Just to echo this, and it's free!! My DC (aged 6 and 13) both really enjoyed it. They also enjoyed having a mooch around the big Lego and M&Ms shops in Leicester Square, and the Emirates Air Line cable cars, which is part of TfL so relatively inexpensive.

Tower of London. If you get there early do the crown jewels first when it's quiet.

Wonderlab at the Science Museum is brilliant. My 7yo also goes mad for the kids bit in the basement at the NHM, which is set up like a lab with loads of samples and stuff to handle, weigh, draw etc. The mineral room is good too with the earthquake simulator. Dinosaurs always horribly packed and I don't actually think that great.

Have a look and see what's on at The Unicorn theatre (near London Bridge, it's a specialist kids' theatre).

Thames clipper. Walk along the south bank and look at all the street entertainers (good park near the London eye, and there's lots of room to run about on the SB as well). Franco Manca for pizza.

Tate modern has some good family trails and there is usually a free family art activity at the weekend. The viewing platform is cool too, and turbine Hall massive. Also free.

We're londoners and stay away from the big tourist things (Shrek?!). Expensive and usually awful. Museumum on Instagram has great listings for that age group.

Honestly at those ages I don't think you need to spend much. M&Ms World, Lego shop, Emirates cable car. Sky garden is nice (although mine declared it boooring) but its probably booked up by now.

Oh wow, there’s some brilliant ideas here. Thank you!

Lego shop and Hamleys, museum of London, Museum of childhood (though I think that's closed for a refurb at the moment). The "wobbly bridge" across the Thames. A walk along the south bank to watch the skateboarders.

I agree that you don't have to spend loads. The beauty of being in London is walking around an amazing city. Just saw you are just going for one day, so best to know exactly what you are doing though.

The dungeons is always fun

Echoing other sky garden is absolutely beautiful. I love going at night when it's all lit up. Can have a cocktail and the view. Absolutely stunning

With the stuff on South bank (London eye, Shrek, aquarium,boat rides) there are package deals for the tickets so they can work out good value.

If you're thinking of museums/galleries then you need to book in advance. Even the free ones.

Is the dungeons good for teens? The reviews are always so polarized, and it is an expensive day out.

If you don't want to spend too much, avoid the M&M shop! My SIL got mugged by her kids for nearly 30 quids worth of chocolate beans in there!

I always loved the London dungeon as a kid

My 7yo loved the aquarium, the Covent Garden street performers, walking along the south bank, EL&N London cafe, M&M store, Lego Store, Hamleys.
But her favourite was The British Museum (which i found incredibly boring )!!!

She’s only been to London twice and both times during covid times so next time we go we will be watching a musical as she’s desperate!!