What can I do with a bad tempered 15yr old boy in London?

[lilibet]

Apart from run off and leave him?

We are coming to London for 2 days in the school holidays, he doesn't wnat to come, there is no one we can leave him with and he is no way mature enough to be left on his own.

He could (in that lovely way that teenage boys have) completely ruin the two days for us, I'm pretty easy with what we do or where we go, so all suggestions welcome.

His idea of fun is talking to mates on msn/x box/play station/ hanging out with mates, none of which he can do in London.

He has told us at teatime that he hates history/galleries/museums and doesn't wnat to go on the Eye again as it's 'boring'

He is determined not to enjoy himself and will have an expression like a slapped a**e but can anyone think of anything ?

Please??

I would do London Dungeon
A festival in a park
The Globe Theatre
Camden Market

Tate to Tate Boat

If you're there 2nd/3rd of August there's a Red Bull Air Race event taking place near the O2 arena - expensive to get tickets but the kind of thing you could see from all sorts of other, free places. Could be the kind of thing a teen might like. Tried a link but it took ages to download .. try londontown.com for other ideas

Boot him up the arse. Ungrateful little sod.

Does he like comics etc? take him to Forbidden Planet on Shaftesbury Avenue - should keep him occupied for an hour or two?

The skeleton exhibition on Euston Road - everyone loves a skeleton.

I also think nobody is too teenage and cool for London Zoo link

Not actually ON Euston road cos that would cause traffic mayhem - but in Wellcome Institute.

Take him along the S Bank - there is a fablous fountain sculpture that springs up creating different 'rooms' of solid jets of water - the trick is to run from one to another without getting wet.
Also the Haywod has an exhibition 'Psycho Buildings' in which artists ahve transformed the building itself - 'walk ino an exploding room, row across the skyline, float on a plastic cloud'..

DD (14) suggested the London Eye and a musical, because she has never been to one. I told her no, he wouldn't appreciate that suggestion!

outside the national theatre they have free events and its very cool. go to thier website www.nationaltheatre.org its called 'watch this space' . also the benugo bar next door in the film institute is really nice venue for lunch. then the psycho architecture exhibition at the hayward is really cool, they have got sort of rowing boats on the roof and you row to the end , its a sheer drop. Also the IMAX cinema nearby is showing batman 24/7 at the moment.
You could walk to covent garden and let him go shopping.
Greenwich is good for a day out too, park, vintage clothes shops.
Or Camden market, surely a 14 yr old would love that.

Take him to the pub.

That's what I do with my stepson.

if you're anywhere near one of the open air swimming pools (hampstead heath, serpentine, brockwell lido, hackney, tooting lido) that'd be worth a try - lots of teenagers, bracing
refreshing water, and I'd defy anyone to have a slapped arse face after swimming in the open air

I would give him a Travelcard and a few quid and let him do whatever he wants to! I was exploring London on my own every weekend from the age of 12/13, surely a 15yo can manage this?

what about popping in to some of the art galleries (spend no more than 1/2 hr) to look at some of the most impressive pieces....

Like the tate modern - is that helter skelter still in there? - just don't spend too long....

crown jewels in the tower of london always imprssive

What about the Duck Tour?.

IME of a 14 year old teenage boy (ds1), there is lots to amuse and amaze in London once you start exploring.

However, IME you can get through a shedload of cash in the process of keeping teenage boredom at bay.

I don't know your budget, but a trip to the Science Museum, (free entry) is going to be a lot cheaper than shopping in Nike Town or Camden Market.

I hate this attraction myself, but there's a games arcade/bowling area on the South Bank, just next to the London Aquariam, that is always a hit with my son. We go there only rarely, but if you are truly desperate....

Another idea would be to see some street entertainment at Covent Garden and go for a meal. There are lots of cool places to eat. Also some interesting shops for teenagers - skateboard shops for instance.

leave him at home and dont let him spoil your weekend. sorry, i know you were not looking for 'help' like this. shame the big slides are not up anymore in the tate modern.

there is some ship you can go on, can't remember what its called, hms belfast - meant to be good
cabinet war rooms
london dungeons

lose him on the tube!