Day out in London with 20 month old

[MissPollysTrolleyed]

We are planning a trip to London at Easter and wondering what might be fun for our toddler. We are hoping to get up there early and do something he'll love until midday and then feed him and he'll then likely fall asleep in his buggy while we go for lunch somewhere nice.

I hate the thought of the zoo but think he'd probably enjoy it so that's the obvious choice. Otherwise, are there any museums / galleries that are particularly child-friendly. We took him to the Tate Modern before but it's toddlers area was abysmal.

its toddler area .

My son at that age thought that the underground was the Best Theme Park Ever and any other activity that I offered paled in comparison

The "Garden" in the basement of the Science Museum is great for toddlers, as is the London Transport Museum if they like vehicles or Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. Zoo great but hugely expensive, especially just for a morning visit. London Acquarium fabulous for toddlers but also not cheap.

Of the 5 options London Transport Museum or Aquarium are are most central. Or you could combine a trip on a boat with a simple toddle along the South Bank - there's always lots to see and chat about and a little playground by the Eye.

I second the Science Museum - get there early, so you can go in as soon as it opens and avoid the queues. The Basement kids area is great. If weather is nice, Buckingham Palace - find out the times of the changing of the guard. We used to live nearby and mine loved all the marching and music! Also, ST James park right opposite is lovely - feed the ducks and take nuts for the v.friendly squirrels. There is a lovely playground at the Palace end which has children's loos and a snack bar.

If it's a hot day then the Diana fountain in Hyde Park is fab.

They're doing some arts/story time things at the National Gallery over easter, also I think at the portrait gallery. My toddler doesn't really care where she is too much as long as she can run around, so I'd even consider the British Museum!

It depends how central you want to be. Kew Gardens is beautiful and has an indoor play area for rainy days, but then you're not really near anything else.
Somerset house is another good place for a hot day, they used to have water fountains splashing from the ground, and you're in the heart of London - not sure if fountains are operating or not.

Also st James' park is beautiful and in the heart of London/Westminster.

I don't rate the zoo, it's expensive, always really crowded and difficult for little one to see the animals. IMO a toddler would be just as happy running around a park and feeding ducks, until it's time for your grown up activity - you can save the money and use it for your lunch!

Or if you go for one of the museums in South Ken you can walk a bit further down to st Lukes gardens, there's a lovely playground there and little garden, plus loads of lovely shops and restaurants, as well as the Saatchi gallery, if you like modern art (and it's free)

I could go on and on, I love London!

I wouldn't do the Zoo, it is expensive and a full day.

Science Museum is great, the Diana Playground in Kensington Garden, Transport Museum, Aquarium, Greenwich Park is lovely,

If you do want to do London Zoo, you can get 2 tickets for the price of one with any train ticket (excluding London Underground)- Here. Makes it a lot cheaper.