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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Day in London with 3 and 4 yr olds

19 replies

SparklyPrincess · 12/07/2010 20:36

I'm planning a day in London over the summer (dh works there and the girls keep asking to go!) and I'm looking for recommendations for things to do with them. The eldest is nearly 5, the younger is 3 and a half. I don't want to take a buggy, they're both pretty good walkers but obviously they have their limits

Can anyone recommend anything? My initial plan is to go to the Science Museum (the hands on bit in the basement), and perhaps parts of the Natural History Museum. Was also thinking of going to the Princess Diana playground in Kensington Gardens as I've heard that's good.

Does that sound like it would work? Does anyone have any recommendations?

Any recommendations on places to eat in that area would also be great (somewhere that can manage gluten-free would be fantastic!)

Thanks!

OP posts:
IMoveTheStars · 12/07/2010 20:48

London Aquarium and the London Eye?

How long will you be there for?

Original poster
SparklyPrincess · 12/07/2010 21:17

Thanks - should have said that we live in Essex so I've done the touristy options up to the hilt. Been the aquarium a couple of times when I didn't have to pay for the girls. Just too expensive now I think, they whizz round it too fast!

I'll do the Eye when they're big enough to really appreciate what they're seeing - and out of the high season.

I know that Kensington isn't going to be quiet, I don't think anywhere is, but I definitely don't want to be in the tourist hot spots.

OP posts:
Haliborange · 12/07/2010 21:19

There's a decent playground at Coram's Fields if you decide they need a gallop.

squeaver · 12/07/2010 21:20

There's a Giraffe on HIgh St Ken.

I wouldn't do much more than you've planned in one day tbh.

Haliborange · 12/07/2010 21:23

Alternatively West London is land of Carluccios and I find them very good with kids.

Original poster
SparklyPrincess · 12/07/2010 21:25

Thanks

Haliborange - I'm hoping the running around in Kensington Gardens will be enough for them, but I've bookmarked that for future reference.

Squeaver - should have thought of Giraffe. Hopefully they'll be as helpful as the one in Norwich when I went, there wasn't anything gluten-free specifically but they did me a low-carb burger (no bun!) and cooked my chips separately so I was a happy bunny. As were the kids, they love it there

Wasn't going to try to fit anymore in, the getting around takes long enough! Just wondered if anyone had any ideas I hadn't thought of.

OP posts:
diggingintheribs · 12/07/2010 21:26

your plan sounds good - just bear in mind that the princess diana playground can get really busy - I queued for half an hour to get in last time!

If you find that's the case there is a playground at the south east end of hyde park and you could feed the ducks and get an ice cream on the way!

don't know if possible but i'd be tempted to take a packed lunch.

otherwise ds and I often end up at yo sushi near harrods or wagamama in harvey nicks (if it rains you could take them into the harrods toy department although I would only do that if desperate!) although i don't know about gluten free diets

loads of buses go down from knightsbridge to south ken station

DilysPrice · 12/07/2010 21:27

I wouldn't bother with anything you have to pay for - there's so much you can do for free.

If it's hot then the fountains at Somerset House are fantastic, the ones outside the Royal Festival Hall are also great, and there's some pretty good ones near the GLA building, so consider bringing swimmies, carrier bag and a lightweight towel. I think that there's watery stuff at Princess Diana when it's hot as well.

Princess Diana is great, but you'll have to queue to get in during the summer (manageable if you go late afternoon while people are leaving), and because it's designed as a set of rooms you may find that keeping an eye on two kids simultaneously drives you insane. Combines well with a trip to the museums.

Nat Hist queues get dreadful in the summer. Science Museum may be more doable. With two girls I'd consider doing art activities at the V&A next door (check what's on on the website) - the girls can also paddle in the pool in the V&A garden and eat a picnic (the V&A cafe's not brilliant for that agegroup though).

diggingintheribs · 12/07/2010 21:29

Good point Dilys - PD playground has plenty of sand and water so pack the sunscreen and a change of clothes and a towel

make sure you go through the side entrance to the natural history museum (same road as science museum entrance) - it is buggy friendly and queue tends to be shorter

squeaver · 12/07/2010 21:48

Oh yes, I was just talking about the Somerset House fountains today - they're fab.

But apparently they're no always on, I think you can check on their website.

diggingintheribs · 12/07/2010 21:57

If you decide to do Somerset House you can combine that with the London Transport Museum (unfortunately not free but my ds (3.3) loves it) and Covent Garden piazza where you will easily find somewhere for lunch. and watching the performers is free

TheNextMrsDepp · 12/07/2010 22:01

Took mine on a boat-trip from Embankment down to the Tower of London. It isn't expensive. To be honest they were just as excited having a ride on a big red double-decker! There's another Giraffe near Tower Bridge, by the way.

Also second watching the performers in Covent Garden.

Original poster
SparklyPrincess · 13/07/2010 10:42

Thanks for all the ideas everyone! Will check them all out

I'm planning on a packed lunch, meeting dh for the afternoon so he can help with the playground and then we'll eat out later. Carluccio's is a good idea (they even do GF pasta, I've not been though.

I think I'll get dh to take the swim bag to work with him as I wasn't planning on taking the buggy. She won't stay in it and I hate having to take care of the damn thing.

Are the queues for the natural history museum as bad for the 'geology' side? I was planning on going in there as it seemed to have more hands on bits. And I like it. And I'm going to save the dinosaurs for when it won't end in tears.

TheNextMrsDepp - the boat trip is fun, isn't it? We did that last time we were in London. We got a real east-end lad doing the commentary, it was hilarious

OP posts:
LadyBiscuit · 13/07/2010 10:55

There aren't separate entrances so you can't queue for one bit and not the other IYSWIM

I think you might find the Science Museum and a bit of a run around in the park more than enough tbh - we went there for the day and my DS fell asleep on me on the tube which is unheard of! There is a lot of walking just to get to South Ken tube station!

Original poster
SparklyPrincess · 13/07/2010 14:53

I must be remembering the layout wrong, it's been a while.

I don't intend to go round the whole Science Museum, I don't think the girls will be interested in much of it - just heading for the basement!

OP posts:
diggingintheribs · 13/07/2010 15:36

The NHM main entrance that takes you straight to the dinosaurs always has massive queues. the side entrance (wheelchair accessible one) takes you in to the big escalator that goes into the giant earth. there are also toilets right there which may come in handy!

Original poster
SparklyPrincess · 13/07/2010 16:34

That's the one I was thinking of diggingintheribs! I pretty much figured the escalator would make going there worthwhile all on its own!

OP posts:
wonka · 13/07/2010 16:51

Took my boys 6, 4 and 2 to the tate modern. Fantasic kid packs. Great option if its raining. Boys loved the natural history museum (dinosaurs-boys!)

Haliborange · 13/07/2010 21:41

Nice cafe in the Tate modern with decent kid's menu too.

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