LONDON - what one thing would you take your children to?

[Momoftwo]

We will be in London (for an appointment) in May and would like to take our children (5 and 1) to something for them, to make it a fun day.

If you were going to take your children to ONE thing in London (for about 3-4 hours) what would it be?

Thanks!!

Ssshh, don't spoil the surprise aDad! Visiting friends from out of town's sons nearly combusted with excitement when they trundled down the slipway...

god yes the aquarium is really expensive.

But it's still quite exciting I think

I agree with Marina that the Aquarium is very expensive - about £22 for kids iirc fo about 2 hrs ! But - it is very good ! Depends if you are on a strict budget I suppose.

oops sorry marina!

I really don't want to sound poncy but I think the one in Boulogne is much better .

Are the slides still in at Tate Modern?
And the bookshop has a fabulous selection of activity stuff and books about art for children

Thanks so much everyone!

Thanks in particular to USAUKMum - that was really useful! I was really hoping to show my little one at the beginning, but it sounds like that is out of the question. Well, maybe my parents can take my older child to Hyde Park while the little one plays with us in the playroom. When we registered our first, we were there for about 4 hours, so I am glad to hear that they have sped up the process! I don't think I could entertain my VERY busy 1 yo in the Embassy for 4 hours.

Duck tours start right next to the London Eye. You could do both inside 3-4 hours if you wanted to.

The Duck Tours look great!

Agree that the South Bank is the place to go - cheap, interesting and a good place to spot landmarks.

The Tate modern slides ahv been dismatled

We did a Duck Tour last summer and the guy doing the commentary was so funny & informative. Splashing down into the Thames was just amazing! Not only that - it's a genuine WW2 vehicle so it's a real little bit of our history.

I have to say that London Zoo was fab last week. Great new gorilla enclosure and they have spruced the place up a lot lately.

However, if you/they had recently been to a zoo, then I would reconsider.

Although the South Bank is a great place to go for adults - lots of sights to see, it is a bit dull for children as I remember. Not incredibly child friendly.

If you want a crawling or letting off steam space for baby/toddlers, I would thoroughly recommend the Museum of CHildhood in Bethnal Green. It has loads of hands on play areas which will keep them occupied for hours. Not as show stopping as the big names, but wonderful for giving yourself a hard earned break while they play.