3 days in London with 5yr old - what to do?

[Grockle]

We're going to see The Lion King and going on the London Eye. Also want to do Natural History and/ or Science Museum.

I've spent lots of time in London but never with children so cannot think of things we should do. What am I missing?

The Southbank can provide lots of entertainment for a 5 year old and is also enjoyable for adults (if its not too cold) - just watching the boats on the river and lookig at the buildings and street performers. If you are there on a Thurs/Fri/Sat then start at London Bridge, take a look at HMS Belfast and wander West, through Borough market tasting stuff! Will take 20-30 mins stroll via the Golden Hind to get to the bit near the Eye. He may be a little underwhelmed by the Eye tbh - it is slow and not many 5 year olds appreciate great views! The Aquarium is good and that is also close to the Eye. There are lots of family friendly places to eat along the river. You could also do a river boat trip.

The Science museum and NH museum are fantastic. Both free too. Not free but great if its a nice day is the Zoo. There are other cool museums but if you are doing Science and/or NH you will probably have had enough!

Have fun!

Southbank is a great idea, thank you. And Borough Market but we'll have to save that for another time as we're there Sunday - Tuesday! HMS Belfast also good plan. The Eye is for my benefit (and my mum's) but DS loves Ferris Wheels so hopefully he'll be ok and not too bored.

Will have to do other museums another time too - I can never remember what there are but I used to love the Museum of London or the British Museum - I can never remember which is which

Thanks for your help.

If it is fine and not freezing there is a great play area in ? I think Kensington Gardens, if you can picture the garden as a large rectangle it is at the top in the middle! It has provided hours of fun over the years for my DCs on our London trips, and has a cafe and toilets attached.

Buckingham Palace has got to be on the list too, again it is right next to a park with a good play area.

The zoo is great.Also if you fancied Borough market then instead you could go to Columbia rd market on Sunday morning.Its a flower market,but also has lots of lovely little shops and cafes.

Covent Garden can be good for a sit down and a gawp at the entertainers...in the market bit where the seats are is a permanent pitch, with a couple of benches.

Mine love the dlr and the top seat of the bus!

also Camden...lunch on the scooters overlooking the canal, but mine are older....not sure I'd have bothered with Camden when they were teeny.

You can get into the Zoo though, from the boatrips along from Camden....supposed to be easier than queueing at the main entrance.

If you do Southbank, you can get one of the ferries down the river to the tower of london.

Boat trip and flower market a good idea although he might appreciate covent garden more.

Probably won't go to the zoo this time because we lived by a zoo that was free and spent many many days there but will definitely go another time.

Thank you very much for all the suggestions.