London for free for children on wet Sunday (or SE - surrey, sussex, kent)

[3duracellbunnies]

Need to occupy the tribe on my own on Sunday out of the house so dh can work. Thinking of going up to London (though open to other suggestions). I want to keep it cheap too. Went to British Museum a month ago, so not there. Imperial War Museum at half term, was probably a little old for our crew (7, 5 + 2:5 yrs old). Has been a year since we went to science + nat history so will end up there if no other better ideas. They are all into history, they loved Tower of London, but hoping for something a bit easier on the wallet. Some appreciation of art but not sure will enjoy a gallery for more than an hour. Anywhere I haven't thought of?

We. Really enjoyed the Tate modern, especially the interactive stuff on the top floor. We also have enjoyed the Museum of London, not been to the bit in Docklands.

Docklands museum is brilliant for kids and they have a kids soft play and interactive gallery, also pirates exhibition. Plus you can ride the dlr and pretend to drive it ;-)
Museum of London at barbican also has a new gallery in basement about modern London which is quite kid friendly.

London transport museum in Covent garden? I have not been but the gp's took 2 of our dc's (5 and 8) and they loved it.

A boat trip down the Thames. It's pretty cheap, you can go from Embankment down to the Tower, then on to Greenwich if you fancy.

TBH, at that age mine would have been content with riding round on the top deck of a bus all day.

Or climb something. The Monument? St Pauls??

Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green (central line). Quite interactive, good for littlies. There is a cafe, but food is a bit over priced and not that great. If not too rainy, wander up to Victoria Park to have a go in the playground. There is a good cafe in the park. If you want to go even further, wander up to Lauriston (5 min from park) where there is a fab butcher, a good patisserie/ baker/ coffee shop and a lovely children's bookshop (Lauriston books). Oh yeah, museum is free.

Don't forget it is the marathon this Sunday so some places will be easier to get to than others and the tubes will be really busy in several places.

Thanks for that Sharpkat don't suppose they would reschedule for me? Docklands museum looks great but I'm guessing not with thousands of people running past! Will check the route. Tate modern should be doable from waterloo, there's a boat near there too isn't there, maybe that, unless I find somewhere out of London. I'm sure they'd rather do the marathon next weekend!

Maritime museum at Greenwich is great and afair, free. Boat from somewhere might help avoid marathon route.

Mine were never over-impresed with the TM at that age (probably still not....) but I agree that the Bethnal Green Museum or the Maritime are good for young children as is CV's idea of a boat trip or the bus - to Hamleys to look at the toys?

Agree with Docklands museum and bus ride. Also, Geffrye Museum (near Liverpool St) is free, interesting and a bit quirky. Lots for kids.

St Pancras Station is fab for looking at, lots of art pieces and that glorious ceiling, and shops. Kings X has just been redone too and is stunning.

Thank you for all the great ideas. Think I'm going to wimp out tomorrow, don't fancy me on my own with three young children and loads of marathon runners. Am going to download vouchers for free national trust visit to Igtham Moat - gunpowder plot ghosts should interest my horrible history fans. I will definitely bring them up another time, docklands is first on list!