London museum for 3 year old

[kisaki333]

Considering a day in London with 3.5yo DD and my 70+yo mum. We are coming from outside the m25 via public transport so will be a bit of a journey to even get there.
DD is easily bored but very inquisitive. Not a chance to get her to sit in a buggy.
I was thinking the Natural history musem or the science museum. Or both? She did enjoy a visit to the Lookout Centre in Bracknell a while back. Is there enough for her to see/do in any of the two above? Are there hands-on things for her to try? Would it be crazy busy on a Sunday in July?

Also secondary question, is there a toddler-friendly play area near-by? And by toddler-friendly, i mean something aimed at 3 yo and below only. If there is a climbing frame aimed at teenagers, for example, she will want on it, so I need a playarea with nothing dangerous, if possible.

When are you coming? If it’s soon, I’d avoid the NHM and Science Museum like the plague. Even mid week they’re hellishly busy in the summer.

I’d do the Transport Museum, the Postal Museum (the museum itself isn’t interesting, but its train and soft play are ace), or the Museum of London Docklands, by Canary Wharf, if transport there is easy for you.

Edit to say - also the Horniman if you’re coming from the South.

Sigh, it has to be in the next 3 weeks as that's when my mum will be visiting.
All the others sound a bit boring tbh. And with DD softplay is very hit and miss. But always involves me crawling in it with her so... no thanks 😅

I don’t think any museums are fun for three year olds! Look out what s on and see if there is something target at that age group.

I second the Transport Museum and the Postal Museum. The soft play there isn't really soft play, it's a role play area, so no crawling through tunnels necessary. If you go to the Horniman, check first that the main hall has reopened.

I agree with @RightSaidFredericathose museums are surprisingly good and really interactive. I haven’t been to MoL but they used to do mudlarking sessions that the kids loved.

Horniman museum is nice but not central.

Science museum and natural history are both huge and queues to get in can be long unless booked in advance. If he likes dinosaur choose nh otherwise I'd go to Science.

I'd go to the London Transport Museum and mooch around Covent Garden.

Actually, I would suggest a day on the south bank. There's a small playground by the london eye. Walk up to big Ben then down embankment to victoria gardens. Eat a picnic lunch there and there is another small playground. Walk back over the river and to yo the Tate (there is always a free kid thing happening there) then walk back along south bank, can sit on thames beach, see street performers, go on the carousel, buy an ice cream. I did this when my dcs were 5 and 3 without a pushchair.

I wouldn’t do either nh or science tbh - in the summer it becomes virtually impossible to move in there it’s so overcrowded…

Postal museum is ace and very close to Coram's fields which has two play rounds, one of which is suitable for little ones. The other playground is bigger but I reckon a 3yo would enjoy bits of it.

Science Museum has The Garden at the bottom which is great for pre-schoolers, and you could walk up to the Diana memorial playground in Kensington Gardens, depending on how happy your child and mother would be with a 15minute walk.

Which station will you be coming into? That would help us offer advice which won't involve too much trekking about

It will also be busy but I'd suggest the V&A. It's just over the road from the Nat'l History and likely to be crowded but is full of interesting bits like clothing and furniture. Probably there's a section about toys and dolls which your DD might really enjoy. There are also great exhibits about jewellry - good for the princess vibe. Also, you may know that the short street opposite the Nat'l History and V&A is full !!! of restaurants.
Also, I would google London with 3yr old and see what the options are. You know best - what does your DD enjoy ? can she rise to an occasion? Times we took a DC that small to London it was a cross-city tour of churches and bell towers (yeah, yawn for you but have you been up Marlebone spire?) which provided an all day variety of scenes and a great slice of the capital.

Throwing the ArmyMuseum into the mix. Their play base has masses of hands on, climb over, dress up as, be in charge stuff to do. There is a charge but only the same as any soft play. Nice cafe too.

Also not as crowded as other places.

Bus from outside Victoria Station takes you to the front door.

An alternative idea - take advantage of the half price tickets on various family friendly shows to go see a pre-school friendly show like the Tiger who came to tea or Smeds and Smoos. if you Google kids week theatre London you'll find the info. Or, do a boat ride on one of the tfl.riverboats.

Agree with all the PPs that museums will be crowded in the next three weeks and there is lots to do in London which might be more fun for you and child.

Probably there's a section about toys and dolls which your DD might really enjoy. There are also great exhibits about jewellry - good for the princess vibe

How depressing.

You could certainly do science (launch pad bit) + nat history + V &A as they are all very close. V & A has a variety of things that are visually appealing/ colourful/big/sparkly and corridors to toddle down and a courtyard with an unofficial paddling pool.

Where would you be coming from/going to (station)?

Postal museum + Coram is a great shout.

London Transport you could do + St James Park (playground + loads of ducks, geese and the pelicans)

Don't discount the postal museum. The soft play is incredibly engaging. Every kid is fully locked into that place every time I go. It might be "boring" for the grown ups but the kids love it.

This is far and away the most fun for a 3 year old (or a 63 year old ) in London. It's on the South Bank just across Waterloo bridge from Covent Garden if you opt for the Transport Museum.
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/activity/jeppe-hein-appearing-rooms/
It's basically a fountain but you have to jump around to avoid getting soaked. Used to do it every summer with my kids and still jump in when I pass by.

Transport Museum!

You definitely need to book tickets in advance on a Sunday for the NHM and Science Museum. Of the 2, the Science Museum is better for toddlers IMO - you have The Garden hands on section for preschoolers, Launchpad for older kids (still fun for toddlers but it will be busy). The amazing Princess of Wales Memorial Playground is a short walk away. You can also feed the parakeets and ducks in the park, paddle in the fountain or hire a pedalo.

The Transport Museum would be my second choice. Covent Garden with the street entertainers, cafes and market are nice for adults as well as DC. Corams Fields isn’t too far away either.

If you want something less childcentric, my DC enjoyed the Tate Modern at that age. They have an art trolley at weekends. There will be lots going on on the Southbank, plenty to do and eg sand sculptures, street entertainers, possibly free events at the Southbank Centre, the London Eye.

The taking a boat to the aquarium or a narrowboat to the zoo were other favourites at that age.

Hard disagree. Never heard such rubbish actually. You need to take them as if it's an expected activity so they develop an interest. What 3 year old doesn't love seeing dinosaurs or climbing aboard a tram and pretending to drive it?

Docklands Museum at Canary Wharf has hands on stuff for small kids. My DH took our kids to the Aquarium a lot when they were young. That was always a winner.

DC1 loooooved the transport museum at a similar age. We haven’t braved NH or science museum yet…

I second the Docklands museum - my DD loved it at that age.

What does she actually like doing?
Not all children are interested in Transport or Dinosaurs or Space or whatever?
What's her thing @kisaki333 ?