Things to do in London on a day out with a 20 mth old?

[Juliehafrancis]

Going out for the day to london on monday and would love some idea's for the day.
We were thinking of going to London Zoo but if it's raining what else can we do? Someone suggested the natural history museum? and where is a nice place to eat with a baby? (it will be my birthday)

Hope someone can help,

Thanx,

Jules xox

[Joffy]

The science museum basement is great for little kids if it is raining. I think it's called the garden room. They have water and noises and textures and stuff. It's a lot better than I am describing! They also have a bit for little kids upstairs near a cafe with hands on stuff. You go all the way through the ground floor exhibits to the back, past the engines, space rockets, machines and in the final hall the cafe is in front of you and the kids bit is to your right.
You can also walk from there to Hyde Park if it's nice weather.

[Jzee]

Just thinking of places, areyou planning on spending the day in the West End?

[expatkat]

Indoor activities:

1. Garden at the Science Museum (as Joffy said)
   
2. Museum of Transport (Covent Garden)
   
3. Bramley's Big Adventure (soft play area) in Notting Hill
   
4. Natural History Museum is very good, but I'd prefer the Science Museum basement garden for a 20 month old.
   
   My little one (approx same age) loves to have crepes at John Lewis in Oxford Street on the 3rd floor (I think). They have lots of stations so you can eat pretty much anything you like, not just crepes. The atmosphere isn't ideal for you birthday, but if it's just you and baby it might be a good, no-nonsense choice. If you want a good place for dinner, Belgo (there are 3 or 4 about London) is amazingly child AND adult friendly. (Great beers and mussels in particular, but lots of choice on the menu.)

[Welshmum]

Mine has always loved riding around on the bus so we often end up visiting the 'mountains' in Trafalgar Square.
Tate Modern is pretty good for toddlers - there's plenty of space to run round, you can go out onto the wobbly bridge if it's not raining and the cafe/restaurant is very child friendly but with good food for grown ups too

[Daffyduck]

There are lots of places to go to which are listed here reviews including places to visit, eat drink etc. I use this site quite a lot now and find it useful to check before going somewhere, there's also another site called daysoutukk i think but the only downside of that one is that it is not made up of reviews and is made up from paid advertising so you aren't guaranteed, plus other one is direcdted at child friendly places rather than just days out suggestions