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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

What to do in London for 6 year old DS?

41 replies

BrassicMonkey · 01/01/2008 19:30

DS will be 6 at the end of next week. No money, time, energy or motivation to organise a party or family get-together, but have to do something special for him.

He's never been on a tube before so I think we'll go into London, go to Hamley's, get something to eat (any recommendations for reasonably priced, child-free eating venues?). Need something to do in the afternoon as well - am considering London Aquarium (any reviews on that? Would it be better to forget Hamley's and lunch and just spend the day there, or is there not enough to keep a 6 yr old and 9 year old occupied?).

Any other suggestions also appreciated.

TIA

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Milliways · 01/01/2008 19:32

The museums are great. See the DInosaurs at Natural History or play in the Science Museum.

A ride on thr London Eye?

Play in the Diana Park on the huge Pirate ship??

There is a website of free things to do with kids in London somewhere.

Milliways · 01/01/2008 19:34

p

NotQuiteCockney · 01/01/2008 19:36

Diana Park and the museums are free, so more tempting than the Aquarium. The Aquarium is ok, but pricey for what it is.

I like Leon for food, it's healthy fast food, child-friendly. Not that cheap, I guess, but not pricey either.

Original poster
BrassicMonkey · 01/01/2008 19:37

Oh, dinosaurs would be great - he's into that. I'm taking his 9 year old (girl) cousin as well though and think she might get stroppy if I mention museums. DS would love it though, so it's a possibility.

I've been searching for things to do for a few hours now and I've done my head in with all the things I've come up with. I feel a bit guilty that he's not having a party so am trying to make it as exciting as possible for him.

London Eye - I know he'd love the idea of it, but I think he'd be disappointed that it doesn't whizz round like a 'real' big wheel.

Thanks for suggestions

Anymore...

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Original poster
BrassicMonkey · 01/01/2008 19:38

Thanks for link and Leon suggestion.

I'm going to make some notes and then get his dad to decide later.

Keep 'em coming though

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TwoToTango · 01/01/2008 19:38

this is interesting as I was thinking of taking DS to London this year - which part of London should I be aiming for to go to the science museum and natural history museum. Would I be able to get a coach and them walk to the attractions?

TwoToTango · 01/01/2008 19:38

this is interesting as I was thinking of taking DS to London this year - which part of London should I be aiming for to go to the science museum and natural history museum. Would I be able to get a coach and them walk to the attractions?

Original poster
BrassicMonkey · 01/01/2008 19:42

TTT I actually live in London and I hadn't even thought of that. I was just assuming that we'd hop on and off tubes all day if attractions were too far apart. I think most things are in the west end anyway - but I could be talking out of my arse

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MadamePlatypus · 01/01/2008 19:43

As suggested by Milliways, the Natural History museum is v. good and free. London Transport museum reopened recently. Its free for under 16's and £8 for adults. I think its really worth a visit.

Smollensky's on the Strand are v. child friendly (when we went there on a Saturday there was a clown and a magician, but prob. worth phoning to check) and they have a children's menu, so not hugely expensive. It is about 5 minutes walk from the London Transport museum.

Milliways · 01/01/2008 19:44

Changing the Guard at Buck Palace at 11:30am.

If the girl hasn't been to the museum before, it's fab. My DD loved it. They can stand on an Earthquake etc. Or the Science museum has loads of hands on stuff to try.

After the musum you could appease girl with a shop - Hamleys or Harrods?? The Selfridges Windows are usually great to walk around too.

MadamePlatypus · 01/01/2008 19:47

Harrods is very close to the Science Museum, V&A and Natural History Museum. If cousin watched Ballet Shoes on TV at Xmas, she might might me interested in visiting V&A and Cromwell Road?

Milliways · 01/01/2008 19:48

Oh, and the Trocadero is fun. We take a bag of 2p's and play the crompton machines for a bit!

lennygrrl · 01/01/2008 19:49

Message withdrawn

Original poster
BrassicMonkey · 01/01/2008 19:50

Oooh Selfridges. Went passed it early in December - lovely memories of having spare cash and nothing to worry about but clothes

I think she might behave herself all day if she knows I'll treat her at the end. DS will be knackered from running around and he can sit quietly somewhere with his dad

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Original poster
BrassicMonkey · 01/01/2008 19:52

Great suggestions so far and lots for me to look into when EX-P gets here.

I'm away for a bit now but any other suggestions, keep posting.

Thanks everyone.

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fortyplus · 01/01/2008 19:53

What sort of boy is he? Does he have the attention span of the proverbial goldfish or will he be attentive for an hour or so? Does he like gruesome gore or would he be scared?

I can offer a few suggestions if you tell me what he's like and how much you can spend on the day.

Original poster
BrassicMonkey · 01/01/2008 19:58

Can't spend that much - probably £100 but that would include food (although don't mind taking food with us).

He will sit and be good for as long as you need him to, but he won't enjoy it. Would be happier running around and hiding in corners, touching things that he thinks he shouldn't etc.

He'd be fine with gruesome, gorey stuff, and I think the girl would be ok too (I hope).

Thanks FP

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Original poster
BrassicMonkey · 01/01/2008 19:59

Loves football, dinosaurs, junk food, Harry Potter...all the typical things for his age really.

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fortyplus · 01/01/2008 20:17

I was thinking of the London Dungeon. Or maybe 'The Clink' which was the first ever prison. All on the South Bank, fairly close to London Eye.

'Duck Tours' are BRILLIANT if a bit expensive - about £18 a head last time we went. 45 mins tour of famous landmarks in WW2 amphibious vehilcle, then dramatic splashdown into River Thames chugging down in fron of Houses of Parliament.

Cheap food - go to Chinatown - Gerrard Street. eg 'Golden Dragon' - spectacular golden Chinese dragons entwined around pillars inside the restaurant. Staff very attentive to children.

fortyplus · 01/01/2008 20:18

Here's a link to the Duck Tours website

speak2deb · 01/01/2008 20:19

The children's zoo at Battersea Park is really good.

Anchovy · 01/01/2008 20:29

Is he into Star Wars? There is an exhibition on at County Hall (same building as the Aquarium).

I took my 6 year old DS a couple of days ago and he loved it. It was pretty much full of 6 year old boys!

Original poster
BrassicMonkey · 01/01/2008 23:10

Thanks everyone.

Have just booked tickets for Star Wars (cheers Anchovy ).

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Anchovy · 02/01/2008 10:37

Great - he will love it. Make sure you go to the Jedi school bit - its very cheesy but my DCs adored it.

There is a lot to do round there on the South Bank. You are right next to the London Eye, so you could at least have a good look at it. Walk along a bit and look at the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. You could walk the other way and go to Tate Modern and see the "Crack" - pretty sure that's all free.

I wouldn't bother with much special for lunch for a 6 year old - put it this way, my 6 year old would never go back to school and say "we went to London and Mum took me to Leon, a new concept in eating that is fast food yet cooked on the premises and ethically sourced" (although there is a Leon in walking distance if you do want to go). I would go to Eat (a sandwich bar at the bottom of the Oxo tower)for a quick sandwich and juice.