Fun activities for 3 yo in London

[KatyS36]

Hello,

We are going to be in London for a few days in February. Can anyone come up with good suggestions for DD who is 3?

We've been a before and had a fantastic time in museums and the parks. I know she will enjoy these again (DH loves museums, I get some time off!) but can anyone some up with any other ideas?

I had a recommendation for Room on a Broom on another thread but that will have finished by the time we are there.

Many thanks
Katy

The London Eye is good, and the Aquarium is next to it.

You can buy a Paddington Bear guide book to London, and sticker books - try to spot landmarks from the London Eye?

Another museum, but the transport museum in covent garden is great ( pay entry though)

Diana Fountain in Hyde Park (you'll need wellies in Feb unless its unseasonably warm)
London Zoo (or there's a little zoo in Battersea Park, which is good enough for little ones - there's also a toddler playground).
Aquarium (but it's pricey)
London Eye (ditto)
Hamley's toy shop, Regent Street
Natural History Museum
Riding on the top deck of a London bus (don't do the expensive 'official tours' - you can just ride normal buses if you pick up a route map, or this site is helpful: London Bus Routes for Tourists

Time Out does a 'London with Children' guide book.

The Time Out London website is also helpful for seeing what's on while you're there (or pick up a hard copy from a newsstand).

They have a children's theatre section on their website: Children's Theatre

Battersea Park Children's Zoo: www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk/

Try this site for masses of offers: www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london For many of them it's worth buying a train ticket (eg Waterloo to vauxhall) even if you don't want to travel. Although you have to put the date in to download the form, it doesn't actually appear on the printed form, so you can change your mind re timings at a later date. Two for one includes aquarium, London eye and transport museum

Princess Diana Memorial playground is really good.
Also the Discover Story Centre in Stratford.

Thansk everyone.

I was thinking London Eye, especially as I want to go on it, and all these recomendations make it think its a good idea.

that childrens theatre link is great and I'm probably going to book 'too many penguins'

Many thanks everyone, and other ideas welcome.

Katy

We live in the outskirts London and every time we go into town (not as often as we should) and ask my 3 yr old what her favourite bit was, she says 'the big escalators,' so don't plan too many bells and whistles would be my advice!

It is worth seeing what's on at the Southbank Centre (just down riverbank from London Eye) as they often have free music etc on for kids. Looks like there's a children's festival in Feb.

The Thames Clippers are a good and interesting way of getting about and you can go from South Bank to the Tower of London (2 for 1 tickets with www.daysoutguide.co.uk/ if you are travelling by train), and then get the number 15 old fashioned bus back to the Centre.

I'm seeing Too Many Penguins with 3yo DD this Saturday, I can tell you if it's any good if you want. Also see if Potato Needs a Bath is on anywhere, it's the best play for 3yo's and we've seen loads.

Another vote for Natural History Museum, kids love it. Also Science Museum, it's great. The Army Museum has a fabulous soft play area called Kids Zone, but you will need to book online in advance as it always sells out.

Thanks everyone. We are going to miss Potato needs a bath, but it looks excellent and is coming colse to us soon so I shall book tickets!

Thanks again

Katy

Riverboat or Thames clipper to Greenwich and the maritime museum/cutty sark/observatory. Former has big kids section and new space opening in the "spring" so worth checking before you go. Park is great and there's a v big playground suitable for that age. From the cutty sark you can walk under the river in an old Victorian foot tunnel to the isle of dogs, visit mudchute farm and take the dlr back into town. The trains are driverless so kids love sitting up the front.

Everyone, you are brilliant.

The clipper boat is a great idea as I want to go the Ansel Adams exhibition.

And I've just checked out the 2-for-1. Fabulous. we are travelling by train and this is going to save us a fortune :)

Thank you all

Katy