Weekend in London

[AprilSpring]

Mid December we are off for a weekend Christmassy trip to London with our 5year old and 20month old. Our only plans are a Christmas lunch with old friends on the Saturday in Covent Garden. We are staying in Putney.
We left London four years ago I feel like I’m totally out the loop for child friendly Christmassy things to do.

What are your top tips please?

Oh and I don’t fancy winter wonderland....

Watching with interest as we’ll also be in London with our toddler pre-Christmas. So far on my list is ask DMother to babysit so we can go to all the bars we used to go to when we lived there pre-baby 😂
We’ll also be avoiding winter wonderland like the plague!

Trip to hamleys and see the lights. Ice-skating somewhere like the nhm? Walk along south bank with a hot choc.

If you can get a spot I love sail with Santa.
We enjoy Santa’s grotto at rainforest cafe.
Royal albert hall is great- don’t go for their Santa I hear it’s awful.
Kew Gardens lights? A show?

Sail with Santa sounds good particularly as I see there’s a bar on board!
Thanks for the other suggestions but my youngest won’t manage a show or ice skating.
@Expressedways You may be into something - might bribe my brother!

The lights at Kew Gardens are supposed to be fantastic

There are lots of toddler suitable theatre productions on this Christmas, some are only 45 mins long so really not too much for either child.

Kew Gardens lights - we come down from the Midlands every year to see them.

Kew Gardens is magical at Christmas and has so much that would absolutely mesmerise a 5yo. It’s also perfect if you’ve got a pushchair. www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas
In Covent Garden, the London Transport Museum is excellent with small children. There’s a buggy park, changing room, picnic area, soft play for under 7s and a specially designated baby area. At Christmas there are playful, interactive storytelling sessions, a tasteful Santa’s grotto and Christmas craft activities.

@Ricekrispie22 your suggestions sounds fab thank you.
I’ll look into Kew Gardens seeing as it seems to be coming highly recommend.

Echo @itshappened there are so many shows on. There's scrunch at the unicorn theatre, Christmas tales from chickenshed at the museum of comedy, Bach to Baby, baby Broadway, me at the little angel theatre... Just a few to have a look at.

I like wandering around Piccadilly (not the Circus, the thoroughfare) and Jermyn Street and through the myriad of arcades. They look magical in winter but Christmas makes them look even better. Go in Fortnums too. The Christmas lights in Bond Street are lovely too. I avoid Oxford Street and Regent Street. Good people and building watching, so many lovely buildings. Green Park is nearby if you want a rest.

South Bank walk is always a good idea, ending in St Katherine's Dock over Tower Bridge. Borough Market is fascinating.