Things to do in London with DS 11

[Dandynot]

I’m taking my son up to London in a couple of weeks for a treat. We’ll be arriving Sunday lunchtimish, staying Sunday night and then we’ll have most ofMonday. Staying near the South Bank.

I used to live in London so know the main sights fairly well, although there’s lots my son hasn’t seen. We’ve done the Natural History, Docklands and Science Museum.

Can anyone suggest any ideas? We should be able to miss most of the half term queues, especially on the Monday (school inset day!)

What sort of things does he like?

Boat to Greenwich?
There's a little Roman temple ruin in the city that's a nice way to spend half an hour. Could combine with seeing the Tower/monument/looking the boats at Saint Katherine Docks/Sky Garden maybe.

My DC enjoyed the cable car

Is Harry Potter studio too far? That's a great day out.

Museum of London and Hunterian Museum are ones lots of people miss but both great.

Or you could do something cool like junkyard golf in Shoreditch or Bounce for ping-pong.

Or at 11 my brother liked the big arcade on the southbank haha

I'm looking for inspiration for next time too! London Zoo was a surprise hit with us last time. It took all day, although it was very hot and sunny so they spent ages playing in the water garden. I'd take sandwiches next time and a big snack. The food is terrible.

DS's favourites are the London Dungeons and the London Eye.
He also likes wandering around near the river and spotting sites.
Generally whatever is in the Turbine Room in the Tate Modern appeals to kids, but I don't know what is there at the moment.
I don't recommend the open top tour buses - we both thought it was a bit shit.

Thanks everyone. I thought about the London Eye as it’s close to where we’re staying.

Cable cars sound good Comedycook whereabouts are they?

Might weave in Museum of London trip - they learned about the Rosetta Stone at school so he might like to see that on display.

Did wonder about the London Dungeon but thought he might be a bit young. I remember going when I was about 14 and thought it was pretty horrific - I’m a bit of a wuss with gory/horror stuff tho.

Is Madame Tussaud’s any good or a bit hammy? I think you can buy a combo ticket with the Eye.

Agree about the Zoo. We had a great time one summer. And yes, food was dire

@Dandynot. Greenwich or Royal Victoria docks...I get it from Greenwich... nearest tube station is North Greenwich..it's right next to it. It goes over the river and you could get off at the other end but we do a return trip and stay on and go back to Greenwich.

Brilliant @ Comedycook thank you!

I haven't been, but friends say the electric gambox on the Southbank is great.

gamebox* that should say

Most 11 year olds I know get very excited about going to Lego Store in Leicester Square and Forbidden Planet store on Shaftsbury Avenue.

The Rosetta Stone is British Museum not museum of London.

My DS13 and DD10 loved the tower but we went in the first summer of covid so there were about 30 people there which may have skewed their perception! They both loved the British Museum too.

My sons always enjoyed the Imperial War Museum

Madam Tussauds amazing. What about an open topped bus tour?
The M&M shop in Leicester Square. I'd also highly recommend Harry Potter studios

My daughter loved Madame Tussauds. The Marvel 4D thing is good there. There's also the slide at olympic park that looks good fun. Never done that though.

Near the Southbank, for that age I'd recommend Thames Rockets RIB ride, the London Eye and the Leake Street graffiti tunnel. We ate and played in the game board cafe there (Draughts) which is a bit different as an activity and my teen really enjoyed their fish and chips.

We played a game aimed at younger kids at Game Box and really enjoyed it! Here's our Reel www.instagram.com/reel/CWLw60dIY5l/?utm_medium=copy_link, my sons about to be 10 and wants his birthday party there. You can get a bus or walk along the Southbank. It's near Tate Modern if you wanted to combine it with some modern art, although the Turbine Hall installation is closed now.

Be prepared that a lot of museums now close on Monday outside term time since the pandemic, including Museum of London. The British Museum is open though.

I share lots more ideas for London days out with kids over on instagram.com/museum mum. One I'll pop up tomorrow is Green Planet AR experience which is free, more tickets released 17 Feb. Open Mondays. My son really enjoyed it.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any more questions!

That Green Planet experience looks fab. Thanks for that.

Sky Garden is free and fab and you get all the views that you can get from the Shard plus you can buy drinks etc. You have to book a slot though. Boat trip to The thames Barrier is interesting and agree you could spend a day in Greenwich, the Maritime Museum is fascinating with lots of activities , ours enjoyed the room where you can see Nelsons uniform he was wearing when he died with bullet holes etc.

We took Ds (11) last week and he loved the Wembley stadium tour. He's a huge football fan though.