Quick challenge - what shall I do with two teens in London this afternoon

[MidnightAtTheOasis]

I need to get out and about with two stir crazy teens (boy and a girl, 14 and 16) this afternoon. It is warm but wet. Children are relatively open to educational/cultural pursuits.

What’s on that’s good? Could spend some money if necessary.

This afternoon has passed, but just incase you find yourself in a similar situation, or it helps others, here's some suggestions for teens in London:
*Olafur Eliasson exhibition at Tate Modern is brilliant for all ages. Think coloured fog tunnel, indoor rain with rainbow, walk through kaleidoscopes and lots to do with environmentalism. I recommend booking.

• Smoke and Mirrors at the Wellcome collection, free and all about how stupid are brains are when it comes to magic
• I took the teen on a Hidden London tour of Charing Cross station, we saw abandoned platforms, now film sets, walked underneath Trafalgar Square, and stood inside ventilation shafts watching trains pull in underneath our feet. Teen was well impressed! I've shared some more ideas for teens and kids of all ages for the summer in this post

Sorry this post museummum.com/2019/07/13/summer-holidays-2019-50-things-to-do-in-london-with-the-kids/

Thanks MMB: normally I’m quite cynical about people pushing their blogs on MN, but that’s genuinely useful - I'd forgotten about the Wellcome magic thing.

You're very welcome! Glad you found it useful

@museummumblog thanks so much for posting a link to your blog. I’ve been to London quite a few times with Ds over the past couple of years but have taken note of quite a few of your suggestions.

Hoping to look at the Smoke and Mirrors exhibition you’ve mentioned. Can’t seem to see where you can book though so guess we’ll just have to turn up and hope for the best.

Going to head to The Tate too

I’m not sure you can prebook. It’s free, and we just showed up, but weekends are thronged and there was a sizeable queue.

Just checked out the prices for exhibition at The Tate and it’s possibly something we’ll have to think about. Ds (12) will love it but it’s £40+ and knowing Ds he’ll float through it within minutes, something Dp will find annoying considering the price, so we might have to pass.

Is it quite substantial? How long does it take to view the exhibition?

Just wanted to delurk to say thanks - former Londoner, returning for a minibreak soon with teens in tow

@SweetMarmalade, no, not particularly substantial, though queueing for individual elements like the fog corridor slowed things down a bit. The rainbow room was closed the day we went.

The free permanent collection is great, though. DS loves Bankside in general, though. We spent most of a day last week starting with the Monument, food at Borough Market and ambling along the South Bank, playing in the fountain rooms by the RFH and listening to buskers, as well as the Tate.

Oh, and the skateboarders. DS adores them.

Ooh we’ve stopped by the skateboarders before, where all the graffiti is? Ds loved it.

The fountain rooms? Tell me more

www.southbankcentre.co.uk/visit/outdoor-spaces/fountain-appearing-rooms-jeppe-hein

Thanks @MorningHair

Are Camden Markets worth a visit with a 12 yo?

To be honest, I’ve avoided Camden for years, so I’m the worst person to ask — I’ve taken visiting tween/teenagers to Brick Lane and Spitalfields for a more interesting weekend market vibe. Then again, he might love it!

I took my 12 year old to Camden Market not long ago and she loved it.