Help with planning a London holiday please

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I'm planning to take dc 6 and 4 to London for 5 days in the spring. With an eye on booking ahead to budget and maybe get good deals what would you recommend?

I'm thinking to go to the Shrek thing, plus changing of the guard, Lego store, Diana memorial Park, and taking the eldest to a show whilst DH manages the younger one.

What would be your must see / do things for children of this age please?

Transport museum and the street performers in Covent Garden. Science museum, Nat history museum, drink somewhere high to see all the tiny cars zooming around. Uber boat trip on river, hamleys, picnic on the deck chairs in green park before seeing if the queen is home ?

Big hits recently with my 5YO: Science museum esp the wonderlab. Tower of london to see the crown jewels. Breakfast at Duck and Waffle. Battersea park. Transport museum and street performers in Covent G. The chocolate room in Harrods. Hamleys.

Absolutely hated: the London Eye, Natural History Museum, Changing of the guard and doesn’t really like Diana playground either (asked to go to Battersea park instead).

Fab, thank you so much, some things I hadn't thought of there.

Another vote for Uber boat. If they like transport, ride on the DLR and the Emirates cable car. Greenwich is lovely, could go to Cutty Sark and the massive park.

yes to Wonderlab and The Garden in science museum - Garden is free, Wonderlab isn’t.

I would say take them both to the show- the Julia Donaldson shows would be great for both, unless you think your 6 yr old is past those.

I will add South Bank - pop into the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern if there’s an exhibition there, walk over the pedestrian bridge to St Pauls and for river views, there’s often buskers and various stalls to look at. At low tide there are bits of “beach” accessible. Check what’s on at the Southbank Centre as there can often be child friendly events (some free). Go watch the skateboarders under the Southbank Centre (although possibly not many there in day). Lots of food options along here too. There’s a playground next to the London Eye, Jubilee Gardens. Agree the Eye itself is dull for children (and for adults IMO).

The Shrek thing is notoriously pretty crap. Kidzania out west is better if you want something with a similar non-London child centred vibe.

The London Eye is dull.

Agree with the Science Museum and the Transport Museum.

Boat to Greenwich for the Cutty Sark is lovely as you go under Tower Bridge and can see lots of sites on the way. The Emirates Air Line combines well with that too.

Lots of people take 4 year olds to things like Shrek and Frozen if they might like a show?

Also check out Bablands on Insta who features lots of kid friendly exhibitions etc.

Up to sky garden which is child friendly and has amazing views.

Oh yes sky garden - but you have to get on the website the Monday 2 weeks before your visit as that’s when tickets go on offer and they are booked out v quickly.

I would also ditch Shrek. Overpriced and unless your kids are Shrek crazy then really not worth it.

My kids (and me!!!) loved the Postal Museum at that age. Science Museum and Transport Museum also great.

The TodayTix app is fab for theatre tickets.

Another vote for Kidzania too.

My kids enjoyed the transport museum and the street entertainers in Covent gardens. They also loved Hamleys. Battersea park was enjoyed too. They have a small zoo with a really lovely playgrounds and the main playgroud in the park is probably the best I've seen.

Postal Museum is unexpectedly sweet. It's near kings cross. We do Coram fields after that museum which is a playground.

You're not too far from the zoo if you would fancy that? Though appreciate that would be an expensive day!

Greenwich on the boat is a nice day trip.

I think lots of Premier Inns do free breakfast for kids.

Check nearer the time if Tower Bridge lifts if/when you are in the area, always fun to see:
www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times?

The vast majority of great things in London are free: parks/museums/famous sites/ big shopping streets/a cheap boat down the river/Hamleys

Ditch the crap overpriced exhibitions/experiences is my suggestion. A show is probably the only thing that's worth spending money on. Even the London eye is a bit dull especially given the money.

We managed to get Travelodge at Kings Cross family room, clean and cheap just somewhere to crash.
We enjoyed the water taxi like many have said, it was really reasonable and we were the only ones on it so it was like a private boat trip along the Thames saw lots of famous sights in comfort.
We used the Kellogs vouchers for the Aquarium which was really good spent ages in there.
Skygarden was enjoyed although youngest said it was a bit boring.
The shows are always amazing if you have a budget for one.
Looking back when mine were small we did too much and exhausted them. I would go for one attraction a day and then some pottering and less dashing about.
They loved spending pocket money in the big Lush and wandering a few shops.