Ideas for a city break in January with a 3 and 1 year old?

[chocolateanddietcoke]

Ideally abroad…

Brussels? Not a long flight or you could get the eurostar. Very easy to walk around the city centre, and lots to do with kids. 2 or 3 days is probably enough.

P&o mini cruise to rotterdam or amsterdam. Very easy, sleep on the ship overnight transfer by coach into the centre and return to the boat for another evening on board. Lots of entertainment. Food buffet is great for little ones. Depends if you are near Hull I guess.

I’ve got happy memories of being snuggled up in the warm pancake canal boat in Amsterdam, cruising past the winter light festival https://winterfestivalamsterdam.com/event/amsterdam-light-festival/ My then 2yo was transfixed by the lights.
We managed to find loads of cafes which had small play areas or toys and spent two mornings at the Nemo science museum and an afternoon at the Artis zoo which was excellent.
It took just under 4 hours to get there by train from London, which we felt was easier with small dc than negotiating airports, plus it took us right into the centre.

Malaga or Seville. Warm enough to be outside in their lovey parks/playgrounds in January (we did February several times with toddlers). Just watch Spanish restaurant timings - we needed to self cater for dinner as they eat very late there.

Valletta

We have done Lanzarote several times at that time of year with young DC including babies. Warm but not too hot, easy to get around in a car (or stay in a resort), loads to see and do, very family friendly, but (crucially for me) not over-touristy as long as you choose your location carefully.