London for geeky teens - but free or cheap?

[notwhatineednow]

We're in London for the holidays and I have some days planned that are going to be pretty pricey!

Can anyone help me plan a cheap or free day to balance it out?

I'll have 4 DC with me that day, two 13 year olds and two 9 year olds.

Can anyone suggest anything for the 13 year olds to do?

They like tech, warhammer and other table top games, art, computer games, anime, science, history, music and they're good in museums.

(The 9 year olds are easier to entertain, but any tips for them would be great also!)

Ok @SE13Mummy , but you didn't say that in your pp, you said mudkarking, so it was just a friendly warning in case you weren't aware that you could be fined.

@Dinoasaurme the 'eyes only' variety of mudlarking is the only type I've ever done. It was a suggestion that I imagined OP would look into if it was of interest, hence not going into detail.

@shade of green @theshadeofgreen

Unfortunately Namco Funscape closed last year (the County Hall one)

@valbyruta WHATTTTTT?!!!!!

I'm
So glad you told me this before we planned a return trip!!!

You could easily leave the 13 year olds for a couple of hours at the Geek Retreat in Holloway or Bad Moon Cafe by Elephant and Castle depending on whether you wanted to do something north or south with the younger ones. Comics, board games, table gaming etc - geek heaven.

The Warhammer store on TCR offers free individual lessons if there is a specific part of the game they'd be interested in knowing more about. There's a Five Guys right next to it, which is not cheap but v nice!

Treasure Trails are great fun, we've done loads of those. Or the free Harry Potter tour (Strawberry Fields possibly?) is a lot of fun, and the start/end is right by the magic/GoT and the anime stores on CCR.

The Elizabeth Park is a good place to wander, you can go swimming in the Olympic swimming pool, or hire bikes, go on a boat on the canal, or just mooch about if you want to save money!

If you go to the Museum of London take a five minute walk to Postman’s Park, I think your geeky teens might be fascinated by the plaques commemorating brave Londoners who have given their lives for others, often in rather bizarre circumstances.

Thanks so much to whoever recommended the Automation Innovation museum - took my teens today and we loved it! So funny