please may I have opinions on this proposedday out

[LetThemEatCake]

for my birthday next week I want to do something different from the norm but that still involves my dc (aged 4, 3 and 1)

we are doing grown up party/ dinner etc this weekend and the night before but on the day itself I want to do this: take them to watch the ice skating at the natural history museum, have a hot choc etc and then jump on bus down road to harrods to see Xmas windows.

my dh has a fear loathing and dread of retail areas esp when crowded (weekends, Xmas) and thinks it will be a nightmare, esp with the children. He is suggesting all sorts of boring alternatives that are not much different from what I do with the dc on a Mon-Fri basis (walk in the woods?? er, exciting. No thanks)

My mother and sister will be with us so we are talking 4 adults to 3 kids, so could even have them all in pushchairs if necess. We can also drive in. Hardly gruelling when you consider I took all 3 into central london for the day on public transport by myself the other day and it was stressy but fine!

what do you think please?

I'm afraid I sympathise with your DH about Christmas windows - the crowds are awful!

But it's very hard for me to make alternative suggestions as I don't know your DCs and, indeed, know very little about entertaining tinies in London.

Hmm, I can see both sides here. I think I would probably and try and cut down your proposal slightly and do the iceskating bit without the shops/windows.

Have done 3 adults 3 kids at Harrods at same time of year. Would ditch as many pushchairs as possible - it's hard enough just walking. Aim for a quick in and out and it should be fine.

You could always get takeout from the Hummingbird bakery to have with your hot chocolate.

It is your birthday, it doesn't sound like you are trying to pack too much into the day and you have realistic expectations on what you can achieve when it is so busy. I say go for it. If you wanted to do shopping as well as enjoy the sight then no, not with 3 small children but you aren't suggesting that are you?

It will be busy but if you are in no hurry, you can linger in front of the windows until you get a decent view.

If it is all too stressy, just come home!

I'm going up town tomorrow - will let you know how manic it is. Dp took dd to Hamleys three weekends ago and said it was too crazy to enjoy - masses of tourists and people woth no regard for prams/kids/personal space. They ended up walking along the Thames and going to RFH for food and the carousel outside. Having said that, if you do go & it's crazy you can just leave? I'd have somewhere in mind for food/chocolate etc (& maybe book if you can?) you can escape to.

I think it sounds lovely. In reality the bit your DH is objecting to is only a small part of what you're proposing; the NHM should be fine, and providing you all get a seat on the bus that will be great fun especially for the older 2 kids. Maybe DH could pop into Harrods food hall while you're looking at the windows and buy you something delicious to munch on the way home. Or you could send him to Harvey Nics...

And I always think having buggies available is a Good Thing in case kids get tired/over excited or you get too stressed keeping track of them.

god no, not proposing shopping!

but mum & sister are visiting from o/s so kind of thought Xmas windows nice for them too ... plus harrods this year is based on Peter Pan I think, which I have just finished reading to my dc ..

hmm. would somerset house be better option? away from high volume retail areas, quite close to home for us ( we are sth london) and if we are feeling buoyed up by success of venture can always whizz down road to liberty? or fortnum & mason?

There's a Christmas market along the river, carousel etc just down from Somerset House. V Christmassy. Could you not take your mum & sister to Harrods another day sans dp?

The Tate Modern is great for little ones and we enjoy the walk from there to the RVH. Dim Sum for lunch and ice skating somewhere else nearby?

You could always walk from Natural History Museum to Harrods, taking the lovely little back streets of Knightsbridge and then pop out at Harrods. Although, when you do pop out I think it will be crazy busy. We were at Harrods about 6 weeks ago on a weekend and it was pretty jammed even back then.

Somerset House and Christmas markets by the river and trip to Fortnum & Mason sound sounds like it might be a better idea. Think the riverside markets will be FREEZING, though - wind off the water, brrr. Damn London for being so busy!!!

If you going on a weekday it won't be especially busy. And Harrods is walkable from the museums (and easier if you have three buggies).

Not sure that watching the ice-skaters would be very exciting - there are more picturesque rinks like Somerset House. But you can always go in and see the dinosaurs if it's too cold and boring .

I'd be inclined to take a bus ride down Regent Street to see the lights, maybe a peek in Hamleys windows. Not sure what Liberty have this year as they no longer have the big storefront.

yes, don't think we could do the riverside - we're not good with cold. Also we go to tate modern a lot anyway so not especially 'special' for them or me

want to avoid proper meal out. They are quite good in restaurants etc but it's not particularly relaxing and I selfishly want to have an easy-ish day.

Okay, I am thinking Somerset for ease of access and picturesque qualities, followed by F&M. Then can nip over road to Royal Academy for quick squizz and a snack if desired.

Sounds like a plan .

Kew Gardens is lovely, there's usually an ice rink there (I'm not sure this year), and it's an interesting, beautiful and fun place to go for kids and adults. There's an indoor playground and treetop walk, and it's just lovely. You could go and have cream tea afterwards at the Maids of Honour teashop across the road. That would be a nice day. A 4 and 3 year old can go ice skating, not just watch.

If I had a little girl, I would take her to the Nutcracker

Will you walk through the Burlington Arcade, too - and perhaps choose a macaroon at Laduree? V gold OTT interior that Miss P might quite like?

BTW if you do decide to go to Harrods w the DCs they have an Alice in Wonderland themed childrens' cafe near the toy section...

Hampton Court? There is an ice rink there too, nice cafes on Bridge St, and usually a carousel next to the rink. You could maybe go home by river boat part way, if running.

The palace is right next to the railway station, or there is plenty of parking.

Your guests might appreciate Hampton Court, if they've never been. Then you can SHOP with them in the evening!

oh, nice ideas, but KG and HC a bit too far - really don't want to spend too much time dealing with travel and transport

Roma am sure a 3 and 4 year old can go ice skating rather than just watching .. but then dh and I need accompany and poor little one year old gets left out and won't be happy. Plus, it's my birthday remember? Do I want the potential hassle of children falling over/ hurting selves/ getting bored or too cold after 10 minutes. No I do not. Nice idea though

macaroons sounds good bunny. Not for me obv but for the others. Bit of glitzy gold for the girls too. Cool.

Yes, but...... I took mine ice-skating at the Christmas market here and they had things like zimmer frames that you can skate around holding, so you don't fall down. Supposedly for the kids, but I took one as well. It was very fun indeed, for me particularly. So, just in case, take lots of spare socks, as the boots tend to be all wet inside.

Hampton Court is also great, then you can watch 'The Tudors' with that gorgeous Matthew whatsisname in it and get all in to the spirit of the thing

I keep hearing rave reviews of winter wonderland. I haven't actually been but it sounds wonderful! We are going to go later next week. Problem is I'm not sure if there are internal bits (so cold will potentially be a huge issue!)

I've heard great things about the Winter Wonderland too. Some friends went last week with dc the ages of your eldest two Cakey and they loved it.

oh god we went last year! hell on earth!!

Really? They were my thoughts on first seeing it (I'm not a big fan of those things) but I've heard nothing but rave reviews.

really - everyone who has been promised it was brilliant. what was awful about it?