to just let my baby crawl around on the pavement?

[Ijustdontknowwhattodowithmysel]

We are going to London for a few days and I desperately worried that my one year old will just be stuck in a pushchair or a high chair for days on end. Can anyone help with suggestions of museums or anywhere with a soft play area I can use? Help meeee

Grass is probably cleaner than soft play.

I would be perfectly happy if my 1 year old was in a pushchair in London - safe and so much to see. Why can't they crawl around wherever you're staying?

there's parks everywhere. Whereabouts are you going?

Royal festival hall is carpeted and clean,with sofa and space suitable for crawling (can be packed of these is a large event on though so check your dates )

Science museum basement has "the Garden" (which isn't actually a garden at all) which has sand and water play and things like that. Probably ideal for slightly older children but still worth taking your one year old there.

We had this problem as our 1 year old didn't tolerate being in a pushchair for more than about 30 minutes. Horniman Museum is fab especially the outdoor space. Otherwise we tended to stay near our accommodation and tag team on sightseeing.

Like someone else has said, there are many lovely parks in London. Also worth a visit with little ones is the Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens (get there early).

Other ideas: www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/family-activities/where-to-take-a-toddler-in-london

Ooh these are all fantastic. The baby can crawl where we are but our friends have very expensive ornaments....

Jessie we are going all over, the science museum, Greenwich, tower bridge, where would you recommend?

OOH! Horniman is really near where we are staying!

Last week I took my two-year-old to the Science Museum 'basement', then it was a 15 min walk to the Princess Diana memorial fountain in Hyde Park which she LOVED. We spent about three hours there! Just remember to take a towel

Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green is also fab. Has an under threes play area and a big sandpit

greenwich has a very big park
very big park near science museum (and play area in basement)

i have never had a problem finding places for my kids to crawl in London. You will be fine!

museum of london docklands has a kids area too

If you are near horniman then maybe visit Greenwich park. Royal observatory. Lovely rose gardens and best views over London by general wolf statue then down the hill to the kids playground and maritime museum which has specific childrens area. Cutty sark and walk along the Thames also recommended. Lots of opportunities to crawl on lovely grass on route. Enjoy your trip.

Transport museum if he's interested in buses, trains etc. Battersea Park Zoo, Fulham Palace Park, play/sensory area in Natural History Museum, standing up on your lap on bus/tube...tons!

Ah you're all amazing. Thank you! I have no idea where anything is but these suggestions are helping me plan my time there. Thanks so much

Maritime Museum at the bottom of Greenwich Park has a giant map on a comfy sprung floor that small children sit/crawl on. It's on the first floor and there is a Paul cafe right next to it. Bonus!!

And it's free

From Greenwich, you can nip to Deptford, where the Leisure Centre, Wavelengths, has a fab soft play. £2.60

I think there's one at both of the Westfields (East and West) too.

Kew Gardens, fun indoor kids play area perfect for crawlers (called creepers and crawlers), loads of grass obviously, no dogs or litter and it's very beautiful! There is also a cafe in Kew village called Torellis with little play area and great coffee. I go almost every day and am still not bored of it!

And adults without children will love it too. There is also an aquarium in two of the hot houses.

It's a bit further away from where you're staying but Discover Children's Storytelling Centre in Stratford might be worth a visit - soft play, a garden & storytelling events.

I can vouch for The Horniman too, spent many happy childhood hours there myself!

Transport mesuem has a baby area. Tbh the whole place is a play area with a few busses chucked in

museum, buses

sigh