To ask for advice on great family things to do in central London

[Witness55]

We are travelling down between Christmas and New Year. 2 adults and 2 kids aged 10 and 15. We've done all the Merlin attractions before and Duck Tours. I've looked at that funny slide thing (arcelo orbit slide?!!) and that looks fun! Would love to go to history or science museums but big crowds put me off. Not sure if it would be too busy to enjoy?
Any other suggestions welcome please 🙂🙂

The Conservatory at the Barbican is good (open on the 29th Dec) and has a very 1970s sci-fi feel!

Friends children were a bit older when they did it, not sure if there's a minimum age, but you can walk over the 02 - they thought it was brilliant.

You can do treasure hunts around London with a company called HiddenCity. They text the clues to your phone - we did one for my dd's birthday and it was a great success!

Thanks so much everyone!!

There is the tutankhamen exhibition at the saatchi gallery, I've not been to that particular exhibition (going Friday) yet but the gallery itself is wonderful, even my non interested in art 14 yo loves it, they often have interactive experiences but I would book in advance as we were disappointed not to be able to do the VR one last time we were there

I’d recommend a day in Greenwich - get the boat down to the Thames barrier and back to greenwich. The Maritime museum is free and great for kids - see Nelsons uniform with the bullet holes from the Battle of Trafalgar there’s a good indoor market with street food and lots of interesting stalls. The Cutty Sark is interesting but you have to pay. Great park and you can walk up to the meridian line. Lovely views from the top. The South Bank is great for a walk and go in the Southbank Centre an up in the singing lift- there’s usually some free performances on as well, can see the skateboarders and lots of good foodie places. Definitely book a free visit to the Sky Garden - views as good as the Shard and you don’t have to pay. If you want to eat you can book Darwin’s restaurant there- a bit pricey but you pay for the view.

Sorry just bumping this again to clarify travelling on tube. My ds is 10 so he'll be free with us. Me and Dh will have our own contact less cards and dd aged 15 what is best for her? I've found an oyster card in the drawer from last visit. Not sure how long it was used. Maybe 2 - 3 yrs. How do we top it up? I can't even remember how we got it in the 1st place!

Transport museum, London eye, walk around any of the big parks