Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

To visit London with a 4 year old

28 replies

anditwasallyellow · 25/08/2012 17:15

I've always intended to take him but was thinking when he's older. However was chatting about it with some work mates in the week and I'm now considering taking 4 year old ds to London for a couple of nights, perhaps October half term or the week before Christmas (thinking Christmasy city break).

But not sure if I like the idea more than he will actually enjoy it me being the city chick that I am.

Was thinking may see a show heard 'Lion King' and 'Gruffalos child' are on, go to the science and natural history museum to see the dinosaur display etc. Go on the London eye and see Buckingham Palace (where the queen lives!), he's quite into all this since he had a jubilee party at nursery. I hear you can have photo with the guards? Visit Hyde park. I need to do a bit more research.

We live a couple of hours away by train or car, may drive if boyfriend wants to join us. And travel by tube once we're there.

I've only visited once pre ds and the tube was so busy so this could be a problem, not sure how interesting a 4 year old would find it but I've asked him and showed him photos and now he's asking everyday when we can go to London, he's like me quite outgoing and loves an adventure.

Or wait until he's a bit older?

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 25/08/2012 17:19

He'll love it!

I don't even know him and I'm absolutely sure of it

Don't forget the new Skyride....you know the cable car that goes over the Thames? It's £1.60 per ride for kids and just over £3 for adults (with an Oyster card)

jkklpu · 25/08/2012 17:22

Will be great. Look into travelling by bus and Thames Clipper riverboat as well, not just Tube. And don't try to pack too much in, especially if pre-booking tickets as it takes time to get around and you'll want some flexibility just to wander about, drink hot chocolate, watch a street clown on the South Bank, etc.

Have fun.

BornToFolk · 25/08/2012 17:23

Do it! My 4 year old LOVES London. We live a short train ride away so have been quite a lot for various things. The Science Museum was a big hit, SeaLife Centre not so much. He's got an I Spy London book and most enjoys just walking around and seeing things like Big Ben and ticking them off in his book. Walking along the South Bank is really good for spotting landmarks and there are lots of street performers to enjoy too.

We went to Changing of the Guards too which was very popular with DS but quite busy (was just after Jubilee so I only have myself to blame really!) We were able to get a bit closer to the Guards at Clarence House.

The tube is fine. You just need to take your time and plan your route. Make sure you drill your DS in what to do if he gets lost.

Have fun!

DueInSeptember · 25/08/2012 17:35

We took our daughter in January for 5 days, she had just turned 3 at that time.

She absolutely loved it. She loved the tube and seeing all the sights. We also had the I Spy London book as BornToFolk mentions above and she also enjoyed ticking things off as we saw them. Well worth £2 off Amazon.

Found that people on the tube were very polite and often offered her their seat as she was a small child.

Of all our holidays, London has stuck in her memory the most.

Original poster

anditwasallyellow · 25/08/2012 17:36

Oh I need not know about the skyride worra, see need to do more research. Thanks for all the tips!

OP posts:

Original poster

anditwasallyellow · 25/08/2012 17:37

I mean I did not know about the skyride.

OP posts:

mrsscoob · 25/08/2012 17:38

We did it and our son loved it, very similar trip to what you have planned. The rainforest cafe is a lovely place for your evening meal.

Purpleprickles · 25/08/2012 17:42

We live in SE London and ds who is nearly 4 loves going into town. The tube can be busy but is also a fun experience. The Natural History Museum can get really busy with long queues during school hols and weekends. The Transport Museum is really good in Covent Garden, especially if your ds is into trains, buses etc.

Also lots of places are closer together than the tube map makes them seem so you could avoid using it too much by walking.

EmpressOfTheSevenFlames · 25/08/2012 17:47

Yy. DD loved the Science Museum at that age, they have loads for kids. Giraffe restaurants are child friendly but have decent adult food.

fridayfreedom · 25/08/2012 17:48

I used to put a wrist band on DC with emergency numbers on in case DC got lost etc. other than that just don't try and walk too far, pavements and escalators are tiring.

PeppermintCreams · 25/08/2012 17:51

I take my 4 year old every school holiday. Although we only live 45 mins away by train. So very easy for us to do.

How busy the tubes are will depend on where you are going and what time of day. Tourist areas and rush hour might be difficult. We normally take our time and wait for the mad rush to die down once we've got off the train. A trip on the Thames Clipper commuter boat to Greenwich is a must and very cheap. 4 year olds go free, and I think it's about £6 each way for adults. He will also enjoy the buses.

Check out www.daysoutguide.co.uk/ for 2 for 1 London offers.

Thanks for the tip about the I-Spy London book. Have added it to my Amazon basket!

Purpleprickles · 25/08/2012 17:52

There is a Giraffe restaurant on the Southbank right by the river. The Southbank also has lots of street entertainers so is a fun place to stop.

We never think to put a wrist band on ds I suppose because we live there but he did go round EuroDisney wearing a huge label with dh's contact details so it's a good suggestion.

Isaidhangonamin · 25/08/2012 17:57

Take him on the DLR past Canary Wharf to Greenwich. Sit at the front -as there is no driver tell him to drive - he'll love it - cheap as chips day out 'cos Greenwich is so much fun too for little ones. My boys loved it when they were small - its a favourite childhood memory of theirs xx
If its warm enough take him to the Princess Diana fountain just make sure you take a change of clothes too as it so interactive

snickers251 · 25/08/2012 17:58

Took my 2yo ds during the week just me and him and he loved it! Can't wait till he's a little older and can enjoy it even more

IsItMeOr · 25/08/2012 17:59

3.5 yo DS loves it when we head into town.

If the weather is good, I'd recommend the Princess Di playground in Kensington Gardens - Peter Pan themed and has a fantastic pirate ship.

DS finds the sideshows on the SouthBank fascinating (fishman on a bicycle was a big hit).

bigbluebus · 25/08/2012 18:45

We took Ds when he was 5 (we are country folk!!!). He loved it.
However, be warned - our DS does not remember any of the places he visited on that trip, so we have had to re-visit them on subsequent trips - including recently going to the Tower of London (DS is now 15!)

So take him now, by all means, but you will remember it better than him!

Rilson · 25/08/2012 19:27

We took Ds1 and 2 when they were 6 and 4 and they loved it.Looking forward to going back again now ds3 is nearly 5.

Im terrified of them getting lost on the underground though.When we took them last time I had a re occurring dream that we were on the train,the doors closed and the boys were on the platform! Have drummed it into them to stay where they are if they get lost,must get some details written down and put in their pockets though.

SoHHKB · 25/08/2012 19:43

Just got back from London with my dd (6) and she loved it The no. 12 bus goes past lots of the tourist sights (picadilly circus, trafalgar square, big ben etc.) Get the front top seat on a double-decker - MUCH cheaper than an official sightseeing bus!
Also check out what you can do with Tesco clubcard vouchers - we went to see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. Be warned though - you can't use vouchers to buy a family ticket for some reason
Have a great time

ihearsounds · 25/08/2012 19:48

Live in London, and do all the above and more all the time. The youngest loves it (he's 6 now) and been doing it for years. Even just a walk down the Thames, especially Southbank is good as there is always something going on.

Duck tours is also good, its a bus that also goes on the river. Have a look round for deals though, as everything can be pricy. If getting the train a lot of them do 2for1 deals, if not sky also do them.

If he's a child that can go in shops without wanting everything in sight, M&M world (very expensive) and Hamleys are good.

Then there's the seasonal stuff - ice skating, lights, punch and judy festival, lord mayor etc..

Depending on where you end up staying and going, buses might be an option. A lot of the things are close together. We never do tubes, hate them. Plus the bus others the bonus of seeing more things.

Whatmeworry · 25/08/2012 20:46

You'll be fine, just keep off the tubes in rush hours, that can be v unpleasant for small kids

janji · 25/08/2012 21:07

Take my 2 dc at least twice a year (& have done so since they were 4 & 6). They both love it each and every time. We even did tea at the Ritz on our last visit which was so popular we're doing it again with them near Xmas.

PurpleAndPoppyWearer · 25/08/2012 21:10

A bus ride.

Hamley's - to choose a Christmas present, perhaps.

FedupwithDisney · 25/08/2012 21:21

Do it!! We take our 3yo DD a lot, but we only live 25 minutes away on the train. We take a fold up light buggy, she hops out and walks when using the tube (with reins) and we carry buggy as quite a few stations don't have lifts. If she gets tired she hops in again. Also good for carrying bags and shopping!
Often things are nearer than you think so walking is good, and you see more.
The Rainforest Cafe in Picadalli is a great experience for kids (a complete rip off but if you're prepared for that then its great)

FedupwithDisney · 25/08/2012 21:30

parttimedomesticgoddess · 25/08/2012 21:32

We took ours (6 & 9) to the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green today, and it was fab. Went thanks to a thread earlier in the week where it was mentioned, and it was excellent. And it wasn't rammed like the Natural History/Science Museum would have been. Plenty of kids younger than ours enjoying it (quite a lot of toy vehicles to look at if that's your DS's thing), plus a nice sofa area with books, and a few minutes walk from the tube. Cafe extortionate, but picnic room where you can eat your own food, would def recommend it

Flip

1 2