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

Original poster

Birthday day out in London for 2yo: Aquarium? London Eye? other?

23 replies

franch · 04/01/2006 00:06

Trying a different thread title as no one replied to my other one! Please recommend anything a 2yo is really likely to enjoy. Or should we just play it safe and go to a soft play centre?

OP posts:
kitegirl · 04/01/2006 05:20

The aquarium is wonderful for kids, your little one is probably big enough to enjoy it as I took my ds when he was 18 months and he was scared of the big fish... bless him. The Science Museum is also very cool, there's lots of interactive stuff for kids and things like massive steam engines etc.

stitch · 04/01/2006 08:20

a two year old is quite likely to enjoy the experience of being on the trains etc..
aquarium is a good choice, followed by fav restaurant, in my kids case, mcdonalds. and then train ride back!
dont do what we did with dd, which was take her to london dungeons for her 2nd! mind you, it was her almsot 8 year old brother wh o chose it,.

NotQuiteCockney · 04/01/2006 08:34

I've heard good things about the Covent Garden transport museum, although we've not been. Is s/he mad for trains? The Aquarium is good. I think the London Eye might be a bit slow for this age.

jenkel · 04/01/2006 08:50

We went to the London Aquarium between christmas and new year. I was quite dissapointed, we went ages ago just after it opened and they had lots more fish then, just thought it looked a bit run down and shabby and not so many fish. Still quite a few fish to look at so probably worth going but poor compared to what it used to be like.

SantaClausFrau · 04/01/2006 08:55

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NotQuiteCockney · 04/01/2006 09:02

The aquarium isn't great, it's very pricy, and not that impressive, but kids do enjoy it.

I'm told the London Zoo folks are planning an acquarium in the Docklands, and am very much looking forward to it.

spacedonkey · 04/01/2006 09:05

I think a ride on a double decker bus (alas no routemasters now) always goes down a treat ... ?

robinpud · 04/01/2006 09:08

A ride on a tube train, a double decker bus- if such things exist. The hands on part of the schience museum is fab if it's not the holidays and the Transport museum is great and has a tiny indoor play bit and a picnic place.

HappyNewFrannyandZooey · 04/01/2006 09:20

We loved the Aquarium but 2 yo ds was bored quite quickly. I think instead of appreciating all the different rooms he just thought "more of the same". He did like the Eye but again, a bit young to fully enjoy it, and spent most of the time mucking about with the air con.

What about Discover ?

Or the Science Museum has the most wonderful area for toddlers now - lots of water play, musical stuff and dressing up - very exciting.

mummydear · 04/01/2006 09:37

Science Museum & Natural History Museum are free entry so your not likely to lose out if he doesn't like it. Aquarium yu have to pay and I have heard that it is not very buggy friendly although I have no first hand experience of that.

Have got a feeling that the Covent Garden Transport museum is closed for refurbishment.

Changing of the guard at Buck Palace ? my two love it at Windsor

Furball · 04/01/2006 09:44

a Duck tour? but at the price!!

Trip round Hamleys toy shop, even better it's free!

MaryP0p1 · 04/01/2006 09:45

The play park in Kensington Park is fab and you have the park too.

Original poster
franch · 04/01/2006 18:37

Brilliant ideas and advice everyone, all noted.

OP posts:
Klauz33 · 04/01/2006 19:11

Hands down the Science Musuem wins every time, have tried the other options but the Science Musuem is the best for a two year old. And its the only one is free!!

MummyJules · 04/01/2006 19:15

We took DD to the Science Museum for her 2nd birthday and she loved it. We then went off to Harrods for a lunch and a look round at the toys etc - Had a fantastic day and will probably do the same again this year!

nooka · 04/01/2006 20:11

My two at 5 and 6 found the Eye quite boring. The Science Museum is still their favourite too - the garden in the basement keeps them happy for hours, and we have been visiting for a few years now. The Aquarium is great for relaxing, but I haven't been for a year or so. The Transport Museum is very easy to visit with littlies - nice and small so harder to loose them! We did Discover a few years ago and it was fun (also get to go on the DLR which is fab if you sit at the front and pretend to be the driver!). In nice weather the Zoo is good, and the play park in Kensington Gardens is definitely fab.

yoyo · 04/01/2006 20:25

The Science Museum. I wouldn't even consider anything else. DS loved eating in the "blue" cafe too - lots of lights to keep him amused.

lockets · 04/01/2006 20:42

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lockets · 04/01/2006 20:47

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tangarine · 04/01/2006 20:55

We went to the Natural History Museum yesterday, which DS's have both loved since being little. Personally I don't rate the aquarium, as neither of mine have particularly enjoyed it and it is expensive. My elder DS has been going on HMS Belfast since he was 2 or 3 - DH took him one Sunday morning while I was having a lie-in, I would have thought he was too little - and still always loves going (it's free for kids). But it's not buggy friendly.

Original poster
franch · 05/01/2006 10:11

Yes thanks lockets you did reply to the other thread, about the same time as I was starting this one! SW18 is a bit far (we're about to move to SW4 but it looks like we'll still be in N1 for DD1's birthday), but softplay a definite possibility. Thanks also to soapbox and earlybird

OP posts:
ameli · 05/01/2006 18:12

london zoo?dh was one and we took him , so much to see. entrance £12, food in rest is rip off so take your own.

bundle · 05/01/2006 18:14

spotty boat between the 2 Tates is a pretty good way of getting round

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