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Holidays

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

Original poster

Staying home for the holidays

21 replies

AlertEagle · 08/07/2025 10:14

Hello, I’m not planning a holiday abroad this year because of the cost but I would like to do some fun things with my son whilst in the UK.

So far I’ve book London Zoo and the National History Museum experience. I’m planning to go to the cinema as I got free tickets but have no more ideas.

can you please share your ideas with me. We are located in London. Anything will be helpful thank you all.

OP posts:
Forgottenmyphone · 08/07/2025 10:38

Wonderlab at the Science Museum is pretty good.
There’s also a Roald Dahl musical at Regent’s Park open air theatre https://openairtheatre.com/production/the-enormous-crocodile
Kew is always a good day out for the family. My dc still haven’t outgrown the amazing playground! I think you need to book though.

The Enormous Crocodile | Open Air Theatre

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre is an award-winning theatre and a London landmark. A firm fixture of summer in the city, the theatre provides a cultural hub in the surroundings of a Royal Park.

https://openairtheatre.com/production/the-enormous-crocodile

Original poster
AlertEagle · 08/07/2025 10:52

Forgottenmyphone · 08/07/2025 10:38

Wonderlab at the Science Museum is pretty good.
There’s also a Roald Dahl musical at Regent’s Park open air theatre https://openairtheatre.com/production/the-enormous-crocodile
Kew is always a good day out for the family. My dc still haven’t outgrown the amazing playground! I think you need to book though.

Thank you so much, I’ve added them to our list. ❤️

OP posts:
ShaunaSadeki · 08/07/2025 10:58

how old is your son @AlertEagle?

Tumbler2121 · 08/07/2025 11:27

Depending on your kids ages and interests, there is a lot of street art in some areas, take a walking tour and a picnic (I go for Boots or Tesco Meal Deal)

Basically picnics anywhere. Look at the boats ... anywhere!

Original poster
AlertEagle · 08/07/2025 12:08

Tumbler2121 · 08/07/2025 11:27

Depending on your kids ages and interests, there is a lot of street art in some areas, take a walking tour and a picnic (I go for Boots or Tesco Meal Deal)

Basically picnics anywhere. Look at the boats ... anywhere!

We’ve never had picnic but we do spend a lot of time in the park. How can I make it more special do I just prepare the food and we sit down, maybe I can get some board games with us. Child is 7 he’s asked to go on a boat ride before.

OP posts:
Bodonka · 08/07/2025 13:35

We have a fab book - Londons best playgrounds - which is just a playground guide 😂 One summer we had to stay in the UK and literally just picked up that book every other day or so and found a new one to explore. Loads of great options I wouldn’t have considered and we got to know London really well!

Outside of that, Greenwich Maritime Museum has just reopened its giant map room and has indoor and outdoor kid-friendly spaces. We’re also big fans of the transport museum and the Story Museum. There are lots of outdoor cinemas around popping up and many are free - worth a google to find out what’s nearby.

Original poster
AlertEagle · 08/07/2025 13:53

ShaunaSadeki · 08/07/2025 10:58

how old is your son @AlertEagle?

7.5

OP posts:
MinnieeMountain · 08/07/2025 16:40

Visit Tower Bridge. There’s also a website where you can find out when it’s going to lift open https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times

IMW Duxford. You could get a yearly membership and visit HMS Belfast too.

Bridge Lift Times | Tower Bridge

Find out the date and time of the next Bridge Lift at Tower Bridge.

https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times

MinnieeMountain · 08/07/2025 16:40

Visit Tower Bridge. There’s also a website where you can find out when it’s going to lift open https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times

IMW Duxford. You could get a yearly membership and visit HMS Belfast too.

Bridge Lift Times | Tower Bridge

Find out the date and time of the next Bridge Lift at Tower Bridge.

https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times

Mamamia35 · 08/07/2025 16:50

The fountains at Coal Drops Yard are entertaining. The Bethnal Green childhood museum is free. The South Bank Centre is worth a look and good park there. Travel Yahtzee - one in the round case is very portable. https://amzn.eu/d/3WBkAAX

Chewbecca · 08/07/2025 16:51

Try the Bank of England museum, so much more interesting than it sounds & it's free!

Original poster
AlertEagle · 08/07/2025 17:31

Thank you all for your suggestions, I had no idea some of these existed. I will add to my list❤️

OP posts:
TimeForABreak4 · 08/07/2025 17:33

Legoland for the day?

Slippersandrum · 08/07/2025 17:36

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

BleuBeans · 08/07/2025 18:47

We’re not either. To balance the mum guilt of work, I did one of those Pinterest summer of fun posters which has the calendar of days to tick off and loads of cheap fun ideas to do around the edge. We’ve already started and I left a gap for my DD to add her own ideas which she has

Funf · 09/07/2025 10:51

Often we travel miles to see and do stuff thats available nearby, its just finding them.
You have had some good suggestions.
I cant add much really as I don't know the area but look at exploring a local town you haven't been to, Build a craft box for rainy days so you can spend time inside.

AvidJadeShaker · 09/07/2025 16:18

How about a boat trip to Greenwich and then visit the free Maritime museum and walk around? There is lots to
do there.

Disasterclass · 09/07/2025 16:32

At that age Uber boat down the river to Greenwich, followed by cable car across and the. DLR back in to the city is fab. Sitting at the front of the DLR so the child feels like they’re driving it is particularly fun

crackofdoom · 10/07/2025 09:43

Forgottenmyphone · 08/07/2025 10:38

Wonderlab at the Science Museum is pretty good.
There’s also a Roald Dahl musical at Regent’s Park open air theatre https://openairtheatre.com/production/the-enormous-crocodile
Kew is always a good day out for the family. My dc still haven’t outgrown the amazing playground! I think you need to book though.

I thought the entrance fee to Kew was about the same as 2 weeks AI in Barbados* though?

*ish

EsmeNoteSpelling · 10/07/2025 10:26

Exploring the Southbank is pretty cool - walk from Blackfriars Bridge to the Covid memorial wall opposite the Houses of Parliament. Watch the skateboarders in the undercroft, there are usually some street entertainers around. Poke through the second hand books. The Southbank Centre often has free music events.

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