Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

What to do in London for kids, no museums or galleries

62 replies

BBno4 · 25/07/2023 11:10

We live in London so have been to most museums and galleries as a family and also has been done to death as school trips.

Does anyone have any gems or other suggestions?

Ds 13
Ds 12
Dd 8

OP posts:
GloriousSludge · 25/07/2023 11:14

Princess Diana fountain?

Have you done the Steam Museum at Kew Bridge - can combine with Kew Gardens playground (need to book)?

Stockwell adventure playground?

Inflatable obstacle course at Olympic pool in Stratford?

Downtherabbitholeagainandagain · 25/07/2023 11:16

A show?

keely79 · 25/07/2023 11:16

How about a virtual treasure hunt? We did the hidden city one with kids during lockdown and was fun. You get clues on your phone and have to follow them

TheYearOfSmallThings · 25/07/2023 11:18

Which side do you live?

FriendsDrinkBook · 25/07/2023 11:18

Bowling would be good for those ages.

BBno4 · 25/07/2023 11:18

GloriousSludge · 25/07/2023 11:14

Princess Diana fountain?

Have you done the Steam Museum at Kew Bridge - can combine with Kew Gardens playground (need to book)?

Stockwell adventure playground?

Inflatable obstacle course at Olympic pool in Stratford?

Thank you!

I have been to the Diana Park with the sand and boat, really good.

I havent been to the other though I will have a Google of them.

OP posts:
BBno4 · 25/07/2023 11:19

TheYearOfSmallThings · 25/07/2023 11:18

Which side do you live?

West London Nw10, W10 area

OP posts:
wednesday32 · 25/07/2023 11:21

canary wharf free outdoor cinema

TropicalTrama · 25/07/2023 11:22

Battersea park- pedalos, mini golf, go Ape, big adventure playground, youngest might still appreciate the mini zoo

Onthetopbunk · 25/07/2023 11:22

I get called a wierdo.... but....Planespotting at Heathrow? Did this kinda by accident when mine were young and they loved it. Base yourself at Hatton Cross tube and there are buses to every possible place to stand under huge jets landing and taking off every 2 minutes. Great cafe in T5 by runway too, M&S food, toilets etc everything you need.

TastesLikeStrawberriesOnASummerEvening · 25/07/2023 11:22

Climb the O2.

Prettypaisleyslippers · 25/07/2023 11:24

Cable cars and cinema at the O2? Then boat to Battersea power station?

the lift there is cool

BBno4 · 25/07/2023 11:27

Treasure hunt sounds good. Don't fancy bowling.

OP posts:
SportsAndExerciseMedicineDoc · 25/07/2023 11:30

It's not cheap, but they'd probably enjoy Thames Rockets given their ages. I took our 17-year-old and 13-year-old. They loved it.

Moomindroll · 25/07/2023 11:32

give them a budget and get them to organise a day out

tube pong - you get on a tube and get off every time there is an interchange - toss a coin to choose the line you change to and then after half an hour get off, go to a cafe, Google what is interesting nearby and then have a wander.

Pick a theme (eg Poland) and then build a day around it - go and find the polish war memorial, the polish embassy, polish deli, eat polish food, find the polish church etc.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 25/07/2023 18:24

Olympic Park (including swimming or BMX or whatever they enjoy), Alexandra Palace (with pedal boat and skating or walk the Greenway to Finsbury Park), Chiselhurst caves (if they like a cave Grin), Primrose Hill and Camden market, Chinatown (challenge them to eat something they haven't eaten), Bruce Grove roller disco...you've probably already done Wembley stadium tour and Inflata Nation but if not, those, Terrible Thames boat tour, ghost walk...

Or just let them invite their friends around and fester on the playstation - they would probably prefer that 😭.

TastesLikeStrawberriesOnASummerEvening · 25/07/2023 20:07

Prettypaisleyslippers · 25/07/2023 11:24

Cable cars and cinema at the O2? Then boat to Battersea power station?

the lift there is cool

I've got the lift on my list for my trip in October, I absolutely love London.

justasmalltownmum · 25/07/2023 20:12

Battersea park, go ape

Hms Belfast

Sky garden

Firstnamesurname31 · 25/07/2023 20:13

One of the mini golf places. I personally love puttshack!

CurlewKate · 25/07/2023 20:18

Just checking that you've been to the Tate Modern.

BeBraveLittlePenguin · 25/07/2023 20:55

Treasure trails. All over London, used to be £7 or so a pop.

amicissimma · 25/07/2023 21:13

Up The Monument with binoculars and a map. How much of London can you identify?

Van Gogh immersive experience, Commercial Street?

Crossness Pumping Station?

Up a chimney at Battersea Power Station?

NuffSaidSam · 25/07/2023 21:19

I know you said no museums but the Twist museum is cool and very new so presumably not done to death yet. Dopamine Land also cool. Frameless is another new one that's fun.

Treasure Trails and Hidden City are both really fun. You could also look at doing an Escape Room.

Go to a VR place. Or a climbing wall. Or a trampoline park.

Do some interesting tours, like a cemetery one, ghost walk, foodie one etc.