one day in london with a 3year old - christmassy things to do?

[unfitmummy]

title says it all really. i will be meeting up with a friend who has two kids as well and i was wondering what we should do. would love to do something christmassy if there's anything suitable. Otherwise, where is the best play park in london - perferably with a pirate ship?!

The winter wonderland in hyde park opens towards the end of November and that looks lovely. You could look at the windows in all the shops afterwards as you walk down Oxford Street - you may be able to book to visit Father Christmas in his grotto in selfridges if you book now - there is some availability left. And then walk down to Hamleys on Regent Street. There are Christmas markets on the South Bank too.

If you're in Oxford Street/Regent Street, it may be too much of a faff for you to go to Harrods too, but there is a grotto there, which is always gorgeous.

Santa at Selfridges is lovely and very slick organisation, if you can't book the day you want online you can turn up first thing at the store and book tickets for an allotted slot later, go off and do things in between (Oxford St lights/Hyde park, Disney store, Hamleys).

The winter wonderland in Hyde Park is supposed to be lovely but I've never fancied it with DC's that young, they are too little to ice skate and I think it is quite expensive with all the stuff going on that you have to pay for.

There are quite a few children's theatre productions on, the Gruffalo is fab and the snowman also apparently lovely. Have a look here to see what is on where.

Winter Wonderland in Hyde park was brilliant, I went last year, DD was 2. We will be going again this year, they have a zippo's circus as well as a french cirque tent, we went to the french one, it was amazing and DD was totally enraptured.

There are loads of classic fair ground rides as well as a few more modern ones, a brilliant German tavern and quaint German market selling trinkets and lovely food. Well worth it imo.

That's interesting mrsH, will try it this year then!

The Diana memorial playground (Kensington Gardens?) has a pirate ship I think.

Hyde Park is brilliant, but otherwise the South Bank as also suggested - has a play ground, great mime, Giraffe and other child friendly eateries, stalls.

Pirate ship in Diana Playground is excellent, depending on the weather, but it's next to Queensway tube so not exactly convenient - if you had buggies you could hike south through Hyde Park down to the museums or Harrods or west to Marble Arch & Selfridges, but that's probably too far for a 3 year old to walk.

London Zoo has a santa with reindeer which should be excellent, but it won't be a cheap option since they charge for 3 year olds I think.

We always take our DCs to Hamleys but it gets so busy near Christmas.
Hyde Park WW -our DCs loved it but I don't know how many rides are suitable for 3 yo.
They love the lights, just when it starts to get dark, it's gorgeous.

The Snowman-lovely but ££

What about Covert Garden, they have street entertainers, lots of lights and plenty of places to eat/drink.

(When my DS was 3 he was still in the backpack carrier-I worried about him being at ground level in a buggy or walking.He was high up,safe and warm.DH carried him )

thank-you so much everyone. i think i have a plan which is to meet at the diana playground (my ds is obsessed with peter pan!) and then have lunch in the cafe there before heading over to the hyde park winter wonderland for a wander about and do some of the rides. a nice day out with time to play for the kids and time for the grown ups to catch up!

i might be wrong, but theres no cafe at the playground...
i mean they do sell coffees and snacks but you stay outdoor. you may want to consider an alterntive cafe if the weather is a bit cold

There is a cafe there, but all seating is indeed outside. They do hot pizza slices, salads, filled french sticks, etc. All pricey, though, so taking a picnic and eating it on a bench can be nicer.

thanks for the cafe info. will have a search for something indoor nearby.