Going to London for Christmas - Ideas on how to entertain a 5yr old child cheaply would be much appreciated!

[MummyJules]

As the subject suggests - I'm off to London for Christmas and New Year (leaving on Friday) to stay with my sister and my teenage niece and nephew. I'd like to take my little girl out and maybe my niece and nephew on occasions and spend some quality time so if anyone has any ideas that would be fantastic. I'm thinking of taking her to see Father Christmas in Harrods and such....

Many thanks,

Julesx

Father Christmas at Harrods is all booked out I think. Museums - Science and Natural History - are great and free, lots of hands on stuff. Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens is great but max age is 12. I'm sure others will be along with ideas. Just seeing the lights on Regent/Oxford Street is good.

Kew gardens is great, apart from the obvious lovely plants, vistas etc, it has santa (i think - it usually does), ice rink for older kids, indoor playground and picnic area, and the biggest greenhouse has an aquarium underground. it's all lovely. it's not v cheap but you only pay for adults.

my other - free - fave is the hornimann museum which is on the south circular, beyond dulwich. usually has fab kids activites in holidays too.