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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be freaking out about how to entertain visiting 15-month-old in snowy London?

22 replies

Sandie79 · 18/01/2013 09:49

DP's god-daughter, who is 15 month's old, and her very lovely parents are flying in tonight to stay with us for the weekend. This has been planned for some time and we had provisional plans to do lots of typical London things: changing of the guard, museums, and DP and I had offered to baby-sit if they want to go and see a show on Saturday night. They haven't been to London before except passing through, so very much looking forward to it.

I'm now feeling really bad that all of this will at least be disrupted, and potentially ruined. We live in south-east London on national rail (that looks likely to be disrupted), no tube, and our bus routes always get altered if it snows due to being near a giant hill, so we should be able to travel but it won't be easy.

Our friends don't know London and we don't have dc so don't know London with a baby (we also only moved here relatively recently ourselves): WIBU to try and go ahead with our plans just wrapped up well? Will the paths be safe to walk on with a buggy? Will it be too cold to take the baby out even if we wrap her up? Should we abandon all our plans and just stay in our neighbourhood, drink hot drinks and check out the local soft play?

I really wanted them all to have a lovely break and am hoping to have some kind of plan in place before they arrive but am really struggling about what's appropriate to do with a toddler in the snow and would really appreciate guidance.

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 18/01/2013 09:55

I live in a London borough and it's just started snowing at last!

The paths will be fine as long as it doesn't get too deep and yes of course a wrapped up baby will be fine too.

But the trains are always ridiculously disrupted so I'm afraid all you can do is keep your eye on the weather and the TFL website

neriberi · 18/01/2013 09:56

There is a website called day out with the kids that has lots of ideas, otherwise I know rate modern has a soft play area type thing ( check out the website) and the natural history museum had stuff to do. My broadband isn't working so I can't google the links for you! You could always see what is going on at south bank as well and the London aquarium.

WorraLiberty · 18/01/2013 09:56

Transport for London link incase you haven't got it

neriberi · 18/01/2013 09:57

I meant TATE MODERN! Btw...

Anomaly · 18/01/2013 10:04

I don't know London so this suggestion may be a million miles from you but the museum of childhood is worth a trip. areas for little ones to play and the cafe there is fab. In fact museums generally are nice with kids.

wanderingalbatross · 18/01/2013 10:05

Aww, you sound like a lovely friend :) All toddlers are different, but at 15mo my DD was mostly just entertained by seeing new stuff. The only thing I found was that she didn't like to be in her buggy for too long when she wasn't asleep - she'd have to get out regularly and stretch her legs. Not so easy outside in the street or in crowded cafes, but ok in parks and probably museums too as they have quite a lot of room. With 4(?) adults and one toddler, you can easily take turns sitting down somewhere warm or seeing the sights while someone takes the toddler for a walk.

Central London will be fine with buggy as probably the snow won't stick around long on the paths. And baby will be fine wrapped up warm. Depending on what kind of buggy they have, buses might be easier than the tube, but your friends will be the best judge of that. Have fun!

Original poster

Sandie79 · 18/01/2013 10:06

Ooh thank you! These suggestions sound fab, they were hoping to go to tate modern but I didn't know it would have things for kids to do as well.

OP posts:

specialsubject · 18/01/2013 10:07

perfectly ok to take the kid out if it is correctly clothed. The human organism does not explode in the snow.

you've got feet and a pushchair, or at 15 months the child can be carried if the buggy is hard work in the snow. The parents will guide you as to what works with the kid.

enjoy the weekend!

AppearingDignified · 18/01/2013 10:28

Science Museum? Downstairs in the basement is great and the bubble show etc will definitely keep toddlers entertained.

JustAHolyFool · 18/01/2013 10:29

You know it's really not that bad out there, right? What do you think people in Canada/Finland etc do, hibernate half their lives?!

I second the Museum of Childhood, it's great.

NicholasTeakozy · 18/01/2013 10:38

Take her to a park and mess about in the snow. Kids love that.

Crinkle77 · 18/01/2013 10:38

I would suggest that you just have a word with the parents and see what they say. At 15 months the baby is a bit young for a lot of tourist attractions but am sure they will let you know what's appropriate

fanoftheinvisibleman · 18/01/2013 10:41

When my ds was 15 months he was happier playing with snow and didn't really get much out of museums. When we did them it was for us not him.

dinkystinky · 18/01/2013 10:45

Go mess around in the snow in the nearest park. If it gets too cold, then if the trains are running, head for museums in central London - Tate Modern great for toddlers running around in the turbine hall and theres a small play area on the 3rd floor I think, Natural History Museum and Science Museum are great. At 15 months, DS1 and DS2 would have been rubbish at doing proper touristy stuff that involved staying still but anything that was interactive was great.

NinjaChipmunk · 18/01/2013 10:45

yep, museum of childhood is fab.
Tate modern is fab for a run about, ds loves the natural history museum and also the v&a for its sheer number of vastly different things from room to room.
Transport museum in covent garden? its a bit costly though.
Are you anywhere near the horniman museum? thats great too.
Take her on a trip on a bus in central london?

EllaEllaElla · 18/01/2013 11:14

You do sound like a great friend! We had a weekend there with DD (17mo) recently....she LOVED the Aquarium and the Natural History museum. We also took her to the Zoo.....which she loved but I am not sure about the weather for you.

BTW we live in Eastern Europe and it is regularly -25 at this time of year, babies are still out and about!

chandellina · 18/01/2013 11:30

Don't know exactly where you are but my 13 month old enjoys the Horniman museum in Se23. At 15 months I'd say activities are still more about what the parents want to do. South Bank is great for a mix of museums and indoor places (national theatre, royal festival hall) for young children to run around so maybe head to the Tate and walk along the river. If trains are messed up there should be a bus.

Idocrazythings · 18/01/2013 11:48

I think science museum is great for little ones, but would stay away from the others if your time is limited. The aquarium will be packed and compared to other aquariums its not that good(I think). what about hamleys, there's lots going on there to look at and m&m world, plus you can see a bit of London at the same time? (Provided you can can in and out ok?) some of the Argos stores still have sleds left as well for £10. That little playground in green park is nice too- but not sure with the snow?

Bluestocking · 18/01/2013 11:50

Are you in Crystal Palace - home of the truly giant hill?

Pos1 · 18/01/2013 12:53

Are you in Shooters Hill? I also second Horimans - the aquarium is small but you could go round it a few times with toddler in tow....

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 18/01/2013 13:00

I was going to suggest Hornimans as well.

Science museum has a play area for smaller children in the basement (as well as the hands on area for older ones on the 3rd floor).

Peka · 18/01/2013 13:01

Snow suit. Park. Hours of fun!!! Best time ever had was when my DS was that age in the snow. They are amazed and love it and people smile at you as they make snow angels. Be warned, must be properly waterproof snow suit though, not the rubbish they sell in Gap etc.

Then nice warm cafe or pub to warm up. Loverly!

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