Advice for London with kids

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Taking kids (8 and 10) to London for first time in July and looking for any tips!
We'll be looking to do all the usual...Eye, Tussauds, Buckingham Palace. What's the best all encompassing ticket to get that covers the attractions?

Is it worth chancing for last minute tickets for shows when there or better to book in advance (prices are eye watering but I know they would love it)

Would like to bring DD10 to Friends experience - is there anything similar DH and DS could do when we're at that?

There for 3 full days and limited(ish) budget so any must sees or secret hidden free gems would be very very helpful!

Speaking of loos, the ones in the Guildhall Art Gallery in the City are nice. You can see the remains of the Roman amphitheatre there, and the reconstruction of the Temple of Mithras is not far away.

Ignore the tourist buses and boats, use the regular bus and riverbus services.

I agree the regular buses are better but I think the tourist boats are better than Uber. The commentary is great, really informative, and delivered by people who know the river. I’ve haven’t been on one though since before Covid but I hope that hasn’t changed.

Lots of free museums but definitely book especially the science museum and natural history museum. You skip the queue if you book - would also go for a early time slot.

If going to the above the tube station gets very busy usually fine for getting off nightmare for getting back on! We would have a nice walk to the previous stop tube station to avoid the crowds.

South Bank is also really good just for a wander down from London Eye. The national theatre in summer does kids programme/free events.
If the weather is nice it's a good walk down to the Tate Modern.

The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is really good. Get there early enough to get a good view (probably on the fountain opposite the palace if you can), but it’s a real spectacle. And totally free!

If you can get an I-Spy book for London it's good because it really makes you stop and look at things.

The mummies at the British Museum. Always a hit with kids.

National Portrait Gallery/National Gallery and Trafalgar Sq, walk round to take in the atmosphere at Covent Garden

I've had lots of discounted on-the-day theatre tickets from officiallondontheatre.com - they also have an office near Leicester Square. Their kids week tickets go on sale on June 10th (one child free and others half price with one adult ticket). Kids "week" performances run from 21 July - 31 August if that covers your trip

If going to the above the tube station gets very busy usually fine for getting off nightmare for getting back on!

A friend and I went to the V&A one wet half term. They closed South Ken tube station for a while in the afternoon, it was so crowded. We went up to street level and found a bus going more or less where we wanted to go.

Sometimes the big attractions have bag searches at the entrance, which can create a bit of a queue. They don't turn everything out, just have a quick look.

Book tickets in advance for the sky garden.

ID is also needed to enter there (passport or driving licence).

Horrible Histories boat tour is great, very funny for that age! On South Bank the fountains outside Festival Hall are great for kids to play in. DS loved the free things - like walking along the bridge to Embankment station with the trains going into Charing Cross alongside.

Horrible Histories boat tour is great, very funny for that age!

Does it cover the Great Stink? Children who like Horrible Histories might like that - and then appreciate how and why the Embankment came to be!

Oh my god can you still get them?! I used to send my complete ones back to Big Chief Pow Wow and get a certificate. Happy days 🤩

Yep they are still around 🙂