Looking for recommendations - London with a 6yo boy

[kavijo]

Hi everyone! I’m heading to London next week with my 6 year old son who is obsessed with David Attenborough, fossils, palaeontology, dinosaurs - you name it, so of course The Natural History Museum is already on our must-do list!

I looked into the Jurassic-themed afternoon tea but was surprised at how pricey it was - does anyone know of something similar that’s a bit more budget friendly? Or any fun, themed or novel places to eat that kids would love?

We’ve also booked The Lion King at the theatre 🦁 and have a few other things loosely planned in but I’m looking for ideas for other activities or spots we might not have thought of, especially anything hands-on, educational, or a bit quirky. Museums, exhibitions, immersive experiences, cool playgrounds… all suggestions welcome!
Thanks so much in advance! 🦴🗺️🌍

I no longer have a 6 year old but at that age mine loved a boat trip on Thames and also sitting in front seats aboard a double decker bus travelling around London

He also liked the cable car thing that goes across the river - can't recall name and he loved the Tiwer of London

If you’re in the natural history museum , then you can pop next door to the science museum and there’s a great kids play area in the basement , o think it’s called ‘the garden’ . Also a short walk to Hyde park where you can go on poedloes on the serpentine and walk over to the Diana memorial fountain (lots of kids splash around in there ) and then Diana memorial playground with the huge pirate ship in the centre.

London Docklands Museum play area has tonka hats, wheelbarrows, cranes and water with locks.

The Postal Museum is also fun.

Wonderlab at the Science Museum (or Secet Life of the Home for free).

Water fountains at the Olympic Park and the mud/water play area.

Go down onto the foreshore from any of the sets of steps on the South Bank and look for interesting bits of pot.

Go into London Bridge train station and watch people playing the pipe organ, and ride up and down the escalators.

If you want to go a bit further afield then Crystal Palace Park and the Horniman have a lot of good stuff for junior palaeontologists.