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.

Who buys those completely overpriced M&M model tat things they sell?

@kinzarose I liked it as a teen & young adult.

Mine love seeing the sights / Buckingham Palace and Big Ben and just walking around. We always do the Thames Clipper to Greenwich - much cheaper than a boat tour! The M&M shop is popular too but it does cost ££.

A themed afternoon tea, there are always some great options.

I’d avoid the London Eye, it’s actually pretty boring for children and you can’t escape!

Science Museum, Natural History museum, see a Musical (I find they keep kids engaged for longer).

I hate heights and I was totally OK on the London Eye (have been twice) so you might find you are all right with it. It feels very safe.

The South Bank is great for a wander (lovely book stalls, river, shops etc) and the Tate Modern is actually really good for kids. The aquarium is quite expensive but you can spend a long time and sharks etc never get old!

The Globe is honestly wonderful. I took my then 12 year old to see A Midsummer Night's Dream and she genuinely found it hilarious; it was so well done. So I would really recommend that. You can probably book something like a tour if you thought a whole play would be too much.

Chinatown is good for a cheap meal.

All the museums are worth doing. My daughter used to love the V&A as well as the NHM and Science museum. The Museum of London is really interesting.

The London Transport museum in Cov Gdn is good for younger kids.

Climbing to the top of St Paul's is great but prob not so much fun for you. It's very high.

I think if you just have a day, I'd pick a couple of things on the South Bank and have dinner in Chinatown (ten or fifteen minute walk over the river from the bit near the London Eye). Maybe do Tate Modern in the morning, walk back down the river stopping at Gabriel's Wharf for interesting shopping and a good pizza, do the aquarium and/or the London Eye and walk to Chinatown for dinner.

We did a family guided tour of the Globe a while ago and there were plenty of kids there younger than 7. It’s only an hour or so, they try to engage the kids and you get to go up on the stage.

I took ds2 for a few days in Greenwich when he was 11.
There’s loads to do there.
You could get a river boat down and see the Cutty Sark. Lunch in the market, the naval museum and planetarium are great too.

Docklands light railway weren't letting passengers sit at the front when I was in London a couple of weeks ago - something to do with Covid...

Feeding squirrels in St James' Park - not all day (!) but they are really tame, and surprisingly gentle.

We loved seeing the parakeets in St James Park!

If you don’t like heights don’t go on the cable car. We went recently and the kids were laughing at how much I was not having fun😬

A trip to the Olympic park at Stratford is good for half a day. Loads to see as you walk around, some things to play on and a visit to the velodrome is fun.
Boat trip along the Thames also good. Canal boat trip from Camden Town to Paddington (you go right through London zoo and through some great tunnels).
DS always loved a trip to the Imperial War Museum, Science Museum is quite fun too.
Might be a bit young for your 11 year old, but DS also loved the Princess Diana Memorial Park, it's got a Peter Pan ship and loads to do. There's a coffee shop to get a hot chocolate if it's chilly too.

We have a few different routes but a good one is China Town then stroll to Covent garden watch street theatre, down to Westminster, Cross the bridge, and walk along to the eye, play park behind and moreystreet theatre then walk up to tate modern, viewing gallery then over to St Paul's and the museum of London

Ooo yes the park behind the eye is brilliant!

I feel I must warn you to absolutely avoid the Shrek experience on the Southbank at all costs. I’m not sure I can find sufficient words to tell you how bad it is - I can only really liken it to being trapped in really bad and extremely long pantomime performed by drama school rejects, with all possible exits sealed. My poor boys still get a look of horror about them if you mention it

A walk along the South bank from London eye to tower bridge, can stop at Tate Modern (Free but need to pre book) or HMS Belfast

You could Cross over the footbridge At the Tate to St Pauls, the City of London museum nearby which is far less busy than the South Kensington museums, and suitable for all age groups. It doesn’t take long to get around, just outside The museum you have The postman’s memorial Park, But probably more suited to older children. You’re Also not far from The Monument and the Sky Garden. (Free but need to prebook and show ID)

Or stay on the south bank to Tower Bridge, you will pass the golden hind replica, rose theatre, and could pop into borough market for lunch or some treats (or just a mooch)

Agree with the advice to book.

We are going at half term. You need to book tickets for the natural history museum to guarantee entry and there were no mornings left at all the other day when I looked for the days we are there.

And sky gardens is booking now for half term week if there are some left