Natural History Museum - how feasible with 3.7 month old DS?

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DS has recently developed an interest in dinosaurs, so we were planning to take him up on a train to the Big Smoke btw Christmas and New Year when Dh and I are off work and take him to the Natural History Museum for the day to see the exhibits there. I haven't been there since I was at school (so a VERY long time ago...)

How feasible is this? is it likely to be too much for him? We do have a collapsible stroller in case he gets tired walking... sorry, probably sound like a country bumpkin but I've never done public transport with a pushchair! We live on the south coast so our pushchair excursions tend to be cross country and beach walks!

Thanks!

We took DS to the Natural History Museum in the early summer when he was just 3, and he adored it. He did get very tired, but I just took a sling so that he could ride if he wanted to - but mostly DH's shoulders were enough

I was about to say take a slingbut I guess you mean a 3 year old. Very doable, we took dd for the first time at about that age, but the pushchair will be an absolute pita especially if you are going by tube. Probably not so bad if there are two of you with him though. My dd loved it, but it will probably be incredibly busy at that time of year

We went around that time last year. It will be very very very busy so the earlier you can get there the better. I'd be inclined to ditch the pushchair and carry him on shoulders if he gets too tired.

He might run away shrieking at the sight of the Tyrannosaurus Rex (me and dd did, and she is 13 and I am in my thirties!).

It is a great idea, however I would restrict yourself to a short period of time and not be too shocked if he gets bored after half an hour or so. Also, a good thing is that the Science Museum is round the corner, so you could go to the dinosaurs, have lunch, and go and play with the interactive stuff in the Science museum. It would be a lovely day.

Good idea to take a collapsible pushchair in case he gets tired, rather than carry him. As long as you fold the thing up whilst negotitating the tube it will be fine.

O yes yes, agree about the T Rex, my dd nearly jumped out of her skin and bawled for about 10 minutes!

Obv depends from child to child, but I see no reason why it wouldnt be great. And you dont need a buggy, esp if 2 adults to one child . I take the boys into town alot; we scrapped ds2's buggy when he was 2.5... it fell apart, literally... and actually, he was fine. I took the hipseat for when he got tired at end of day (or when I had to hold him to stop him running off), and the times dh came, he was on his shoulders when tired. Or just stop for snacks when he needs a sit down.

I would consider ditching the pushchair too, part of the dinosaur bit involves going upstairs and looking down on the dinosaurs. DS2 (5) is a dinosaur geek and thinks it is a required part of any trip to London (his brother and sister have seen it once too often now). On his first visit we looked round the dinosaurs, went to the shop and I suggested going to another part of the museum, he however wanted to do the whole thing again. Be prepared for the fact that if he likes it you will be visiting many many more times over the next couple of years.

We've just been with 3.5 yo ds. Definitely a buggy if there are 2 of you to help manage - we had an adult to walk ds up and down stairs/escalators and another to manage the buggy. The museum is huge for little legs, so it was handy for ds to sit in when tired - he has not used the buggy for months and months, but it came into its own - there's a lot of walking involved!

Buggy also invaluable for storing coats, snacks etc withough havign to carry it all. We took a packed lunch which was useful to avoid too much queuing.

You could also book online a slot to go ice skating outside if yo uthink you'll all have enough energy!

there are lifts etc so is fully equpiied for wheelchairs/buggies to access all areas

We took DD1 when she was a little older (4.3) and I had forgotten how far there is to walk - when you get to S Kensington tube for example, it's miles down the subway with short legs.

I would definitely take the buggy with a 3 yr old, or if you can stretch to it - get a taxi from the station you arrive at straight to the NHM.

Yes, South Ken tube station almost reduced me to tears when we first went. I was 8 months pregnant and could barely walk . I agree he probably won't want to do it all, we have been 3 times now and there are still bits we haven't seen. The dinosaurs and the animals are about all dd can manage. The body bit looked a bit tired last time we were there

I took Dd at about that age and took the buggy. I had DH with me to help. Make sure you go up the road to the Science museum as well as they have a cool children's play area in the basement and its all free.

You mean 3.7 YO, not month old, yes? Get there early and go straight for the dinosaurs, as it does get busy. There are lots of places to sit and rest, and as someone else mentioned, the Science Museum is great, too. If you do mean 3.7 month old, then I wouldn't bother!

Yes, idiot that I am I typed months instead of years.

Thanks for all your advice - looks like a museum trip coming up then :-)

Me and DP went (without kids) the other week and were absolutely blimin knackered by the whole experience. We kept saying, lordy would be a right mare with the kids too. Also, shhhh, I didn't like it all that much. Shhhhhh. Stuffed things everywhere.

South Kensington tube station gets very busy and the walk is about equal from Gloucester Road tube stop. Sling + shoulders is probably easier than a buggy unless it's small and light.

Have a brilliant day, I can't wait to head back to London with DD and do the museums.

Don't go under the subway from S Ken - it's quicker to go up and cross the road!

I wouldn't take a buggy, but then my DS (same age) hasn't used one in a year, so I never take one anywhere! They are a pain on the tube anyway.

It'll be very very busy in school hols, be warned! You do have the science museum next door as well.

Sometimes we tube to Sloane Square, have lunch at Peter Jones (great view at the top) and catch a taxi to the museum. I always took a buggy when DS was small, but at 3yrs 7mths, he may be OK to walk. There is lots to look at in the main hall, but obv the dinosaurs are the main draw.

Do go and look at the pleiosaur fossils (near the restaurant) as they are fantastic. There is even one with babies inside her. Then if you want some quiet time you can go down to the basement there and do a bit of drawing - much much quieter than the Science museum!

South Ken underground is a nightmare, as others have said.

Are you coming into Victoria?

We do and what we have done in the past is get a taxi. It does cost about a tenner each way though . . . an extravagance of course but we started this as our first trip was just after 7/7 and I was terrified of the tube (says she who was tripping in and out of all the shops in London in the '80s when the IRA's bombing campaign was at its height).

So it'd cost you £20 ish but save a lot of legwork.

One of DS's trip highlights was going in a black cab - he thinks it is incredibly exciting for some reason

It is just me but I think the Science Museum is as boring as fuck. Except for the mummies on the top floor.

Yes ours love the black cab too.

However they would also love a bus and would be beside themselves with joy going on the tube (even boring District & Circle), so I can't really kid myself I am doing it for them.

The Science Museum has the LaunchPad, which kids love (not sure if they are learning anything though and it is usually frantic). The Discovery centre at Winchester is actually better for this, much less crowded if slightly less techo-whizzy. The talks are excellent though. I actually enjoy looking at the quieter areas (Babington's adding machine anyone) but can't say my kids like it much!