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

[BBno4]

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

If you can afford it, the Gunpowder Plot immersive theatre experience at Tower bridge. it is awesome, a mix of live actors and you are involved in the plot, including being imprisoned in the tower for being Catholic and escaping and being in a priest hole. Also VR rides. We all loved it and my 12 YO would love to go again.

i have heard similarly good reviews about the War of the Worlds immersive theatre.

Hi, thanks everyone. I am looking at everything that's posted and googling.

London kids do run free, but not for 6 weeks. My kids get bored and I want to plan 3 paid for activities as we are not going away this summer.

I'm pretty sure the Saturday tickets have sold out for Pokemon Go. Probably Sunday still available though. (I'm 41 and going on my own on Saturday, can't wait 😁).

A Treasure trail? www.treasuretrails.co.uk

They're great fun and get you exploring new parts of a city.

Boat trip?
Sky Garden

‘Mission London’ scavenger hunt book - lots of sites like Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square etc where you won’t need to go inside the museums (but the kids may get hooked on scoring points and insist you take them inside the National Gallery etc).
We are regular visitors to London as lived there for years and come in for work. But it is fun for us to do the book too as you embrace you inner-tourist and see another side to the city that’s your home.

Have you been to the wellcome collection museum? Exhibitions change too especially v&a. Riverboat ti Greenwich and picnic in the park

One of London’s lidos
Bouldering at Queen Elizabeth Park
South Bank, the ‘changing rooms’ fountains, watch the skateboarders, street performers, check out this list including the free performances https://southbanklondon.com/free-things-in-south-bank
Have they got skateboards? Visit different skateparks. Would they be interested to learn? Skating was key to my young teens Dc leisure and holiday time.
Hire bikes in a park if you are not regular cyclists? Get Santander bikes near a good cycling park? Richmond Park is wonderful to cycle round, see the deer etc. No idea what Hampstead Heath is like for cycling.

Battersea park you can hire recumbent bikes which is different and good fun. (Pricey though) Also a great playground, Go Ape, mini golf, pizza and close to the new Battersea Power Station which has food/shopping/cinema and a small playground.

You can do paddleboarding on the Thames from about Putney westwards.

@FatCatatPaddingtonStation I looked at the Gunpowder Plot experience, it looks amazing but think they recommend for over 10s only - would you agree? I have a 10 and 8 year old (actually the 8 yr old is much more unflappable!)

The Thames Barrier

Kew Gardens

Walk along the South bank to Tower bridge with food along the way

Camden market (plus a walk along Regents canal to Primrose Hill)

Brick lane - plus junk yard golf

The Hockney Lightroom at Kings Cross plus shops and food at Coal Drop Yards

Hire some Lime Bikes and explore Hyde park, Kensington gardens, Green park and St James park.

Uber river taxi - cheapest and best way to get a river trip

@minipie hmm I suppose it’s the being in ‘jail’ and hiding from the enemies - mine thought it was hilarious but youngest is 10. It does depend on the child.

Oh that doesn’t sound particularly scary! Thanks

Marking place as some great ideas there.