To ask you what I can do with two under 5's in Kensington?

[Munrow]

Just that really.

I'm at loss and they both REALLY despise shopping.

Is there anywhere indoors that I can let them loose so they can run wild?

The younger one will just cry if we go to any museums.

I'm not familiar with the area at all - and the children can be challenging therefore can't venture out too far!

Your help would be really appreciated!

Is that you, Kate?

Where abouts in Kensington? Science museum and NHM in South Ken. If it's not raining you've got Hyde Park. There's a soft play near Hammersmith tube, and a big Gambado near Imperial Wharf. Depends where you are exactly when you say you don't want to venture far!

Princess Diana memorial playground in palace gardens is brilliant.

Oh sorry, you said indoors. They can run wild there though and there's a cafe with hot drinks

The lower ground floor in the Science Museum has a big play area - not like a traditional museum at all!
And there is the playground in Kensington gardens www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington-gardens/things-to-see-and-do/diana-memorial-playground

Princess Diana memorial playground (Outdoors) or The Science Museum Wonderlab: The Statoil Gallery (inside)

Have you tried taking them to the planetarium bit of the natural history museum. It’s very interactive and as long as you don’t stop and try and make it an ‘educating experience’ not very museum like

Science museum if you need to be inside. Holland Park adventure playground (there's a smaller one for younger kids too) for running around and then down to Byron or Nando on ken high st for a tea that will thrill them!

Have you tried the under 5s area at the Science Museum? There is a "building site", water play, sand play. It's amazing. DS could have gone every day and never got bored.

The libraries have story time and rhyme time for toddlers.

Is there any reason why you are tied to Kensington? In the time it would take you to walk across the park to the Princess Diana playground, you could take the tube across town. The London Transport Museum (clambering on buses and trains) or Coram's Fields (farm animals and an adventure playground) are both a quick and convenient trip on the Piccadillly line.

I know you said inside but the Paddington trail (Paddington), the canal boat to the zoo (Maida Vale - you don't have to go to the zoo, you can just take the boat trip), feeding the ducks in the park or a ride on the pedalos, a wander around Winter Wonderland are all good and nearby.

Also, check out Time Out for activities and events. We did loads of free workshops/activities when DS was little. Having a "teacher" in charge of the activity always made it more fun than doing stuff with mum and made him behave impeccably!

If you're near North Kensington there's a soft play near Ladbroke Grove. I think it's Bramleys - no idea what it's like though

That reminds me - I need to get some cooking apples.

YY science museum, the garden!

Thank you ladies . All of these suggestions are really helpful.

Definitely going to visit the science museum play area! That sounds good.

Is it true Harrods has a cafe and a cinema thing and play area? A big screen or something? Can anybody tell me more about this, if you've been?

We are heading to South Kensington.

@fozzleyplum just random bursts of laughter throughout the morning every time I remember your comment

You can watch the skaters at the Natural History Museum, take a walk down to Knightbridge to see the store christmas lights, visit the Christmas grotto in Harrods...

Gambado is a big soft play in Chelsea, by Imperial Wharf station.

I hope the food's improved at Gambados, made McD's look like The Ivy.

The science museum is absolutely perfect for toddlers.