Toddler activities at Christmas - London

[marshmallow2468]

Hi,

This Christmas DS will be 22 months old. We live in London, and I'm sure there are loads of toddler friendly activities going on. Any recommendations of things you've been to in the past? Any particularly good Santas? I'm thinking now in case things book up.

Thanks!

We go and see the nutcracker at the theatre. The winter wonderland Hyde park is nice, during day it's fairly empty, busy at weekends.
Ice skating at history museum ( they have skating seals little ones can sit on and be pushed around, or penguins they can push depending on size)

Brilliant, exactly the sort of suggestions I'm after!

I did wonder about Winter Wonderland. I've never actually been, always thought it was a bit too grown up for toddlers. Could give it a go in the daytime though.

As for ice skating, might leave that one to DH while I sit on the sidelines drinking mulled wine hot chocolate!

Winter wonderland has a kids section, with Santa in grotto, and the toy ride on train is fun for them. Also loads of statue polar bears/ singing mooses etc so good to look at

Haven't done myself, but I've always wanted to take the children to see the lights down Oxford street.

Last year took my then 23 month old to Peppa Pig live in Piccadilly at the Criterion. It was great.she loved it and it was the first outing without a pram. We just walked to the tube...

Santa at Harrods is great, you need to book, but it's free and well done

Westfields (Stratford and White City) have a grotto (I haven't been my DC are too old teen/pre-teen ) but they do a photo or film on a 'magic background' then cut in Elf images or something (like flying on a sliegh)?

Harrods you need to book way ahead (I don't know if Selfridges still do a Grotto) so check soon, (I think they release the dates in August)

The lights are lovely, Regent Street and Hamleys.
Covent Gardens.

Winter Wonderland is lovely at night but really busy. It's got bigger each year so if you can go when it's quieter, it'll be better for a toddler.

I'll keep my eye on Harrods website, bet that's a grotto and a half!

DH is a giant kid and insists on going down Regent and Oxford streets on the top deck of a bus every year for the lights.

Is it bad that it's only June and I'm already looking forward to December? Christmas is the reason I had a child!

If you join Harrods rewards (just a points card thing, free), you get notified about the grotto and will be able to book your tickets first. Probably a good idea!

www.harrods.com/grotto

There's The Snowman at The Peacock Theatre Sadlers Wells.
Not sure what the minimum age is though (I took DS when he was 5 , but we're in Zone 6 so he had a train journey, then tube, all the crowds , went for lunch then Hamleys. He'll be 15 this Christmas and still remembers it )

Though I did feel desperately sorry for the mum whose little boy decided he needed the loo right at the bit where The Snowman flies (the best bit IMO) and they missed it

And tickets are ££ so look out for any special deals.

Theatre would be lovely, but I think that might be best saved until he's a bit older. His attention span is zero at the moment! But I'd love it.

Thanks for all the suggestions, got a few ideas in mind for now and future years.