Staycation (in the correct sense of the word!) in London- can you help me please?

[HelenHywater]

I have a staycation in London wih my 13 and 9 year olds in the next 2 weeks. Lots of activities planned, but a couple of gaps on the plan and I wondered if anyone had any thoughts:

One day we have a morning in the Trainer Exhibition followed by lunch in Gordon Ramsay, but nothing for the afternoon - any ideas about what we could do? An activity would be good

Another day we are going to the exhibition at the 180 Strand followed by a trip up the Sky Garden. Any ideas about what we could after that? Again, an activity would be good.

I've booked a climbing session, a skateboarding lesson too. I would have liked to have found a bmx session but the olympic park is fully booked. I would have to accompany them in Go Ape in Battersea and but am currently injured so can't do that.

They're not particularly sporty kids, but they don't want to spend all day in exhibitions and museums. We live in London so have done all the normal stuff. Thanks!

The orbiter in Olympic park. They could whiz down on the slide. Fast boat trip to dome and do the climb over the top of it.

Boating inI regent's park or serpentine pedalo or row boat
Book a cold swim at one of the lido or oasis outdoor pool (heated) or hampstead ponds (cold)
Climb the mound for a laugh
Electric scooter or bike hire
Ele tric boats hire from Paddington
Canoe session pirate castle
Sailing at docks in the City

www.dswc.org/

www.thepiratecastle.org/

goboat.co.uk/paddington/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb-website-button

Is this for next week? Hate to be the bearer of bad news but there are tube strikes next week so you will need to plan around that

The zoo

I don’t think you need to go up with them at go ape. My 8yos have been on go ape alone.

Boat trip from London Bridge pier to Battersea power station is good though. Then have a look at the power statio and a ramble in the park.

@nancy75

Is this for next week? Hate to be the bearer of bad news but there are tube strikes next week so you will need to plan around that

I got this email from TFL yesterday

The Tube strike action planned by the RMT union from tomorrow, Tuesday 24 August, until Friday 27 August has been suspended. Tube services will now run as normal

Thanks everyone! Sailing looks interesting (we were supposed to be on a sailing holiday right now...).

They went to the zoo yesterday with their dad. He's also taken them to the cinema and Thorpe Park.

I've booked the mound for another day.

I didn't know about the Tube strike - am trying to keep things in the same general location on each day though as far as possible.

oh good about the Tube!

How about Canal Museum, then trip on a canal boat.

And how about some performing arts activities?

There’s a whole programme of activity at Somerset House that looks interesting: www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on

And this is today at Royal Festival Hall: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/family-young-people/zoonation-presents-element-session?eventId=876826

Is Wandsworth too far? There is a flip out there. Not sure if there is one more central. Also isn't there an ice-skating rink in Streatham.

Any of these suggestions any good?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4324449-Quirky-London-tourist-attractions

I thought about Flip Out in Wandsworth - it's about an hour away on the tube from High st Ken

My ds loves cooking and baking (he's the 13 yo).

Sad that Dodge finishes tomorrow - that would have been ideal.

I've mined that thread already @SoupDragon !

Trapeze school at Hyde Park? I walked past it and it looks absolutely terrifying.
www.gorillacircus.com/flyingtrapezeschool/

Or London zoo and Camden Market. At their age the zoo is still amazing (if pricey).

I’m currently recommending treasure trails.co.uk to everyone. They’re a great way to explore parts of towns and cities, and even if it’s a familiar place you’ll find spots you never knew about.
£10 for a couple of hours sleuthing.

The day you're at the Sky Garden, how about a ghost walk or history walk or similar in the City?
Or a mooch around Borough Market and maybe Clink St?

Or walk from Little Venice to Kings Cross along the canal.

Re High St Ken to Wandsworth - you can take the overground from Kensington Olympia to Clapham Junction (takes 8 mins but it's a half hourly service I believe) then switch to a train to Wandsworth. Not sure if that helps as I don't know exactly where the Flip Out is...

That is good news about the tube strikes!
Might have been suggested already there is an interactive game thing at the south bank, that could be fun
electricgamebox.com/

This website is good for everything that’s going on secretldn.com/

My ds apparently refused to go on any ride at Thorpe park, so I'm thinking the Trapeze isn't for him.

The game thing is right up his street!

The Treasure Trails look really good - just working out which one to do.

I find it’s more difficult when you live here - like you we’ve done all the normal tourist stuff to death!

Round the corner to the Design museum there is a pop up Museum of the moon (in a church in Holland Road) you’re not there long but it’s worth going. We saw it yesterday in the afternoon, we’re going back next week when it’s dark & lit up tickets here (can’t do a link but google that) tickets are free
eventbrite museum of the moon