London with kids- two things....

[tiredemma]

1. Has Oliver! finished??? I cant find any tickets online

1. Apart from the obvious (museums, Buck Palace etc)- what else exciting is there for a 8 and 10 year old??

I have been a couple of times with friends, but never taken the children. any tips would be appreciated.

( we are staying right by London Eye)

Imp War museum great, but do keep kids out of the holocaust section. The new 'bravery' section on the top level is good - the Lord Ashcroft gallery (not that Lord bloody Ashcroft is brave...)

Boat down to Greenwich - National Maritime Museum also v good, then walk up the hill to the Observatory and Astronmy Museum and great views over London.

Madame Tussauds - loads of posing for photos with celebs - much more interactive than it was in the old days. The '4D experience' is great (extr £2-50)

I hate the London Dungeon but lots of 10 yo love it. It is quite nasty and gruesome. Good deals for combined tix for Tussauds, Dungeon and / or Eye.

They may be a bit old for Princess Diana Playground and Aquarium to be v exciting.

Check what is on on the S Bank / S Bank Centre - they often have great free events.

Cutty sark being re-built after arson attack - no access.

Lots of stuff to do around London Bridge / Waterloo.
Most have been mentioned - all good advice. You could see what's on at the BFI too - might be something suitable for them. To be honest you could probably spend the day in and around the southbank.

But if you fancy a tube journey (not a long one!). You really can't do better than the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. Loads to do. They'll love them and they're reasonably near to each other.

Have a lovely trip!

Zebrasarespotty - yes I was wrong about the Imperial War Museum. I thought it was part of the Churchill rooms when we visited a few months ago.

For children studying the NC, the Churchill Rooms would be interesting to some extent as they help to bring the past alive - but surely not for under elevens?

Science and Nat Hist museums are top. I wouldn't bother much with Buckingham Palace except perhaps to cunningly plan to go past on a tour - not wildly interesting.

If you're staying by the eye, make sure you just walk along the south bank towards Waterloo, always lots of street buskers and stuff going on. Mine really love the short 'educational' films at the imax near there, about space/ dinosaurs etc, in 3d on a massive screen, and not too expensive. And if they are into egyptian mummies (mine are) the British museum is amazing, but not so geared up for kids as the science and nat history museums.

Yes the Science and Nat History mseuams have lots of interactive displays which children love.

If you're going at half term be prepared for hoards of other children - can be difficult to get round all the exhibits because they all want a go.

The museums have an area where you can eat packed meals as the food can be expensive to buy.

Don't tell everyone about the Science museums, I'm going there in half term and want it to be quiet!!!! As if by any chance it will be!!!

Hey well anything you do in London is better if you use this website because it gives yo loads of discount and provides you with cheap and effective ways of travel in london...
London Passit is called and it is really effective and cheap!

If you get to the science and nat hist museums and there is an enormous queue (I have queued for 2 hours before!!!!!) try the V& A accross the road- smaller queues and some great kids activities in the holidays. national portrait gallery also has a prog of really good free kids craft activities at weekends and holidays, check their websites. Both are free entry as well - always a bonus ?I find.