London with small children...help!

[LaurenS91]

We're visiting London for the first time in November with 2 young children, aged 6 and 2 ...staying for 4 days.

I need some help What activities are family friendly? Low budget things to do? Family-friendly restaurants?

We've not done a city break with the kids before and I'm a bit anxious. Tips and recommendations would be great!

If the weather is good there is an AMAZING play area at the Diana Memorial Playground. If it is too cold or rains then the science museum has free children's play

Mudlarks at the Museum of London Docklands is an interactive play area is designed for the under 12s, with a soft play section for under 5s. Everything is themed around life in the London docks so the big kids can weigh cargo or load a tea clipper while the small kids get to crawl around with large foam bananas and a London bus, plus they can pretend to drive a DLR train.
The Science Museum has sections specifically for preschool children. The Garden is an interactive gallery based around water, light, sound and construction where toddlers can learn about floating, sinking, shadows and reflections. The Pattern Pod is a multi-sensory area for children aged under 8. There are also other interactive galleries at the Science Museum which you have to pay extra for including the Red Arrows flying simulator which is suitable for very small children.
Coram's Fields is a free 7-acre playground and park for children. Pet's Corner is popular with its goats and sheep, and the sandpit can get busy if it's dry. There's a cafe onsite. Coram's Fieldsis close to the British Museum and other attractions such as theFoundling Museum,which is free for children.
Children under 17 always go free at Kew Gardens. The paths around the gardens are smooth for buggies and most of the buildings have ramped access. There's someuseful informationon theKew Gardenswebsite to help you plan your visit but all you really need to know about isClimbers and Creepers, the amazing play area for theunder 9s.
The pelicans in St. James's Park are fed fish at 2:30 p.m. each day. The park is quite big so you need to head for the opposite end to Buckingham Palace and they are fed from behind Duck Island Cottage, near Horse Guard's Parade. The pelicans know when it's time as they wait there and keep watch for the man with the fish. Throwing the fish out takes just 10 minutes or so, but it's fun to watch, and you're in a park so the kids can have some outdoor 'run around' time too.
If you fancy a trip on a bus without paying for an open top bus tour, the RV1 bus from Tower Gateway to Covent Garden goes past many of the big sites taking about 30 minutes. It’s a great alternative if you think your toddler would like a trip on a bus but you don’t think they will sit still through a long tour.
There are loads of street performers at Southbank, such as magicians and singers, as well as restaurants and cafes with good views across the river. Just behind the Southbank is the Jubilee Gardens where toddlers can let off a bit of steam. There is a great adventure playground and lots of grass for a picnic and play.
The Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens has a huge wooden pirate ship, sensory trail, tepee and a beach set against a backdrop of trees and plants. There are also lots of seats for parents too.
Lots of visitors to London go to see the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace, but there can be large crowds making it difficult for little ones to see. An alternative, particularly for toddlers who love horses, is to head for Horse Guards Parade where the Queen’s Life Guard change at 11am Monday – Sat and 10am on a Sunday. There are smaller crowds and no railings between visitors and the guards taking place, and the whole event takes about 30 minutes.

Can't really add much to rice's post but the Tate modern is a good place to check out if your on Southbank on a rainy day. Also the cable car could tie in with a trip to the docklands museum. Greenwich has a lovely park and the cutty Sark museum is great if a little pricey. Finally the post museum has now opened the old mail rail for tours - again it isn't free but the museum plus train ride filled a good half day.

Where are you staying? Ricekrispie you should be getting commission from Visit London

Thank you so much for your recommendations! Lots to go on there :)

Transport Museum in Covent Garden! Not cheap but included in the 2for1 with National Rail tickets offer, and I think children are free - so that would be about £18 for the family. It's very interactive and great for this age group.

Sky Garden tickets are free but you need to book in advance. Great views from there.

The Victoria and Albert museum of childhood is free to get in to. Lots of bits out for the kids

tfl.gov.uk/modes/emirates-air-line/?cid=emiratesairline this! Super cheap, don't need to book, amazing views. One end is near the o2

Taking the river boat (tfl one) from the London Eye down to Greenwich is a lovely trip. Its worth having some time to explore Greenwich The martime museum and the planatarium are our favourites ( and not as busy/ expensive as the actual observatory and Cutty Sark) - Lots to see on the way down ( you can stop off for Tower of London/ tower bridge if you want) and great view over Canary wharf when you get there.

Cheaper than a river cruise too - but not included with a standard travel card - although its easy to top up... if you are using a oyster/credit card you can touch in - just make sure you have extra money on your oyster for the extra (I think the kids go free anyway but please do check!)

Can I jump on here? I'm taking my 2yo to London in December, which do you think is best for her? Science museum of natural history??

Science museum! It's very interactive.

National gallery does story times for toddlers in the week i think. Often there are weekday concerts and events for young families you need to get quite good at going on websites of venues and looking at family events. Curry Sark I've heard also does good little children things andcan be combined with Greenwich and outdoor space

I'll suggest dianna memorial park. It's very nice and it fits for kids ages 6-12.

It’s already been suggested but the Diana memorial playground is wonderful.
I’m so sad my DC are too grown up for it now!