What attractions are absolutely unmissable in London for ages 6 and 3?

[carolinecordery]

Haven't really explored London with the DC at all (we live a couple of hours away).
What things would you say are really unique and brilliant for DD (6) and DS (3)- possible to take them separately to something as well.
Thank you

Anything and everything! Museums, galleries, Sea Life Centre, London Eye, hotel teas, Palaces, Parks, Gardens, Theatres...my DCs love it all.

DCs are the same age as yours and we have started exploring London properly now, from tea at the Savoy, West-End shows, dinosaurs, shopping...go for it!

Dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum.

How about an open bus tour to see the major sights?

I agree, the museums are great and well done for children and most are free.

DD loves The Tower, running around Southbank, playing in Hyde Park, watching the cheesy street performers in Covent Garden. Greenwich Park with the Observatory, Maritime Museum and Cutty Sark is also great.

I must say I wouldn't do SeaLife unless you have a budding fish-lover. I found it dark, crammed, expensive (even with 3 a child needs to pay) and full during the holidays.

If you go to the Observatory be prepared for the very steep hill up to the top, my poor knees weren't.

Cable car is great fun and a lot cheaper than the London eye.

Have some pirate fun on the Golden Hinde. Check web for days and times.

Do see the dinosaurs but avoid the blue whale if DC if DC are sensitive to stuffed animals. DD2 saw a stuffed giraffe realised what it was and just about held back the tears.

Yes I think the cable car is a good bet. I will check out the Golden Hinde as well. I didn't know you could go on it.
Is there ANY time/day/month when attractions/tubes are slightly quieter, to avoid queues and stress? We home educate, so can go anytime.

Space exhibit in the science museum.

Avoid half term holiday and the typical rush hours like before 9.30am and after 4pm. Tubes or trains are not fun then. I commute into London and try everything not to catch these times when out with DD.

If you need trains, children older than 5 have to pay but not on busses or tube and DLR. It is a bit of a minefield. We found that a child's travelcard is cheaper than a single train fair for example.

I would say go for it early morning and or in small chunks so don't overload the thee year old. Ours are a little older loved NHM (but so much to see, do and take in. I would maybe say just do the dinosaurs (the first time), Tower of London was also a big hit with adults and children but again it was tiring and a lot to take in but the Beefeater was extremely entertaining for adults and children, climbing up the Monument might go down well with 6 year old (and not too expensive). I would break it up with down time in the parks or hanging about in Trafalgar Square etc.

I found this blog article a while back and it's got a really got list so I've saved it to work our way through;
notanothermummyblog.com/2014/05/21/50-things-london-youre-5/

NHM - dinosaurs, but also the Earth/World section is amazing and never gets a mention. My DC are much more impressed with that than the dinosaurs.

Princess Diana playground - amazing.

Science museum - if you can catch the show they have on there it's brilliant (although there are a lot of loud bangs, so not suitable if your DC are of a sensitive disposition).

British museum and Transport museum are also good.

South Bank is fab all year round, but particularly during the children's Imagination festival. I think it's on over Easter (or possibly Feb half term). Most stuff you need to book tickets in advance so check before you go.

Most places are quiet-ish during term time and early in the morning. There's also usually a lunch-time lull where it quietens down a bit.