A day out: nice day, more recommendations?

[theDudesmummy]

I work during the week (and most weekends) but sometimes get a day to be with DS (3 yars old, ASD) for a day on the weekend. I usually take him to soft play or a park, or local autism provisions (we are in London), to have a nice and interesting time with him.

Today I decided it was time to do something different and we went to Tate Modern, which went far better than I expected!

We have a blue badge so parking was not a problem. I enjoyed the art (well, what I could see of it as I was not allowed to stop walking but was allowed to walk slowly past the works!), and he enjoyed the space, the building, the doors and the lifts. We both got something we liked! A few shouts and noises when I tried to stop or go where he did not want to go, but no meltdowns or major embarrassments. We even got to sit in the expresso bar and have cucumber slices (after a bit of firm insistence!).

So this got me thinking, I don't always have to spend my time with DS in typical "child" environments, or autism-specfic places, we can branch out and do other things. I have heard Legoland can be good for ASD children. Any other suggestions in or around London?

I took DS to legoland when he was 2.5 and before we realised there was a problem and it was awful. He refused to go on anything - we queued for the boats etc for ages and then he refused point blank to get on. He ran up and down along all the barriers touching the ropes. Then he hid in his buggy under a blanket.

We took him to Alton Towers this year (he's now 6) - well we took his brothers and he had to go too because its not fair they always miss out. He went on a few very gentle rides but hated the noise of the roller coaster (the wheels on the rails and the screams). I saw another boy with ear defenders on and I thought ok thats what I should have done, because he kept covering his ears for weeks afterwards even though he has never covered his ears, ever.

I would try small fairground rides etc before paying out for legoland etc especially with all the queueing.

DS is ok with the zoo and with a blue badge you can park right outside and I think they do a carer discount.

A friend suggested the Museum of London in Docklands (West India Quay). Apparently they have a softplay section and she suggested we go on the DLR which ds would enjoy in itself. We don't live in London just visit my folks, so haven't been able to try that one out yet. I actually think just riding up and down on the DLR would be a treat for my ds.

He quite likes aquariums but the dark can be a risk whether will like it or not - and its expensive to go in and then find they hate it. He liked touching the ray fish and the massive shark aquarium but not bothered about anything else.

That is interesting. DS went to the aquarium with his ABA tutor a couple of weeks ago, she said it went very well. I have also been looking at the Docklands museum, it looks promising. We are taking the chance of taking him to the London boat show next weekend, not expecting to stay terribly long but hoping it will be ok!

PS my DS dis nit really have a problem with crowds, noises, dark etc, which may help. He just does his own thing and pretty much ignores things unless they are part of his interests such as doors, buttons etc.

ds loves stately homes. We have national trust membership. It is a bit scary as he is a small ball in a china shop but it keeps him busy and happy on wet days. And when the nerves of the staff inside the house have been stretched to a critical point we go out in the gardens or to the tea shop.

I should point out - that ds has never broken anything yet - we keep him close!

bull not ball

Have you been on the docklands light railway with him? My ds enjoyed it at that age - not as claustrophobic as the underground and nice when the train goes between buildings in canary wharf area. Also, if he gets a seat at front of the train he can pretend to drive it.

Ds enjoyed legoland but only the mini land area - so very expensive for just that!

Better value if you are in north or west London is a trip to Bekonscot in high Wycombe www.bekonscot.co.uk/

So, he likes doors, buttons... The National Railway Museum has loads of both (York, but I think there are similar ones elsewhere).

DS likes Debenhams and some other not-too-busy department stores where you can go in and out of the various types of doors, try the escalators and go up and down on the different lifts. You could also pop into a very big bookshop so he can press all the buttons on a huge selection of 'noisy books'.

Ds1 is very sensory seeking, so has always adored legoland. If you take some proof of disability (statement etc) you not only get a free carer's pass but an exit pass, which enables you to bypass the queues. Queuing was the only thing we had worried about with ds beforehand, so that was fab.

He also loves the London Aquarium...the dark environment really does it for him! It's very child-friendly and he can climb up to have a good look in all the tanks as the urge takes him. They also give you a free carer's pass.

He has also loved the transport museum in covent garden, and loves Kew gardens (aquarium there also) especially taking a ride on the land train. Had good fun at the Wetlands Centre too

Oh and not forgetting The Science Museum!

All very interesting suggestions, thank you! I will be trying a lot of them (maybe the outdoor ones will wait for when it gets a bit warmer, snowing here today!) His ABA tutor did in fact take him to the London Aquarium a few week ago, and it was a success, which is why I plucked up the courage to brave the Tate!

I was also going to suggest the science museum and also the natural history museum. There are tonnes of interactive things in there to keep them amused - the children's section in the science museum and the bit about electricity are particularly good for things to push pull and play with, as is the human body section in the natural history museum.

We have found that the street entertainers can be good on the south bank near the London eye, when its not too wet or freezing.
We have been on the London eye too. That was OK but not spectactular for the children as they didn't recognise all the sights we were busy spotting.

Kew gardens is good to let them run off some steam and for you to get some fresh air and a nice garden to walk in - also there is a children's playground and the treetop walk is nice.

this is not london, but.... 'Steam' another railway musuem was good for ds, they had interactive games which he liked, but also a mocked up cab with film running of countryside either side, the cab shook, (like it was chugging along IYSWIM). there were also a numnber of trains you could get on and off, (lots of doors ) and a signal house where you followed a computer screen with directions and moved all the signal levers to open and close the track.

lots of general kid stuff, thomas and train sets etc.

If you go early or late it is quiet, parent carer goes free, and if you are local-ish a year season ticket for a child is only about £14 i think.

DS has got his and it means we can nip in for an hour and not worry that it is costing loads.

idiot! 'Steam' is in Swindon.