London with a 6 year old

[sallycinamon]

Thinking about taking our 6yo dd to London for the day. Has anyone got any recommendations on the best way to spend a day in London with a child of that age? Which are the best museums etc?
We were considering a sightseeing bus then a show but not sure which show and wondering if a first visit to London should be spent doing things other than sitting in a theatre!
No doubt it will cost an arm and a leg to get there so don't want to waste the day!

Thanks!

There's really loads to do with kids, but think of the weather and what time it gets dark when you are planning your day.
The London Acquarium is always a hit (and it doesn't matter if is raining) and is just beside the London Eye and all the excitment of the South Bank, including loads of places for lunch. But neither the Eye nor the Aquarium are cheap...

You could also take in the Tower of London, which has a variety of different things to see - indoors and out.

If you want to take a six year old to a show, then it has to be The Lion King. It blew my DS away! Amazing show, I can't recommend it enough for kids and adults too!
If the weather is good (later in the spring) then how about a boat trip? You can get on near some famous landmarks (e.g. houses of parliament, Greenwich etc) and there are a number of trips to choose from. You could go to the Thames barrier or Greenwich or Hampton Court Palace. All good trips, with educational elements for good measure!
There are tons of museums etc that are either free or cheap and they cater really well for kids. If you are heading to the Greenwich side, then the observatory has really interesting exhibits and runs some cool shows for kids. There are amazing views of London, including canary wharf and the O2. And you can take a walk through the park to the maritime history museum - this is small but also great for kids.

Or there is the natural history museum. An old favourite of ours. Never fails to deliver. For free.
Close by, the Science museum also caters for children really well. I think the Victoria and Albert is also amazing, but to be honest the kids get bored here...
South of the river, the war museum is really good too (ok, so I have boys...!!)
I could go on!!! I haven't mentioned the zoo, the parks....
Anyway, you could probably fit in a visit to one of yhese places if you plan your day well. Soak up some atmosphere... I think the South Bank is great for that, and you have the added bonus of seeing some landmarks.

Have a great trip!!

Was going to recommend the Lion King as a "must see" show too!

LondonKitty's suggestions are spot on - the only other thing I would suggest is Ducktours which combines a sightseeing tour with a boat trip (it's on an amphibious car that turns into a boat - really good fun!). It leaves from just by the London Eye on the South Bank.

Hope you and DD have a lovely day whatever you decide to do.

When i was growing up in london my favourite place wa the bethnal green museum of childhood. I can't link as I'm on a phone but if you Google you can get the details. It's a museum full of toys from the last 150 years and its really interesting for all ages. I must've gone there a thousand times as a child it well worth a look

Either the Natural history Museum and / or the Science Museum (they are next door to each other) The science museum has Launchpad - a brilliant hands on section. NHM has dinosaurs, the blue whlae, and other excellent sections. Go up the escalator to the earth sciences part and experience a fake earthquake, for example. Both these museums are free.

Or

Take a boat down the river to Greenwich. The Maritime museum is good (and free) or walk up the hill to the Observatory, stand on the date line, visit the free astronomy museum and maybe pay to see a planetarium show. You can easily get the overground train back to central London from Greenwich station, or go back on the boat.

Or

The Covent Garden area - The Transport Museum would be a smash hit with a 6 yo, (there is an entrance fee) , wander round and watch the street performers, have something to eat and then stroll the 5 min walk to the Lion King

Or

The South Bank - the Aquarium is excellent, rather expensive but you can use tesco vouchers etc, the London Eye, walk along and see the street performers. You can book a timed slot for the Eye - or queue, the queue goes faster than you think.

(The boat takes hours to get to Hampton Court - much better visited by overground train from Waterloo, IMO).