What to do in London with small children?

[Junibug]

So we're off to London this weekend for a few nights - we have a flat down there that we rent out and the tenants are changing so we need to do some works on it. We are taking our 3yr old and 20month old (he has Downs so can't walk yet). What daytime activities are good for those ages? Bearing in mind they still need a 2hr daytime nap which I always think scuppers things somewhat! I lived in London for over a decade but my mind has gone blank with regards to what to do with kids! Have already ruled out Aquarium and Zoo as we have those sorts of places near where we live. Thanks in advance for suggestions!

I’d avoid the science and natural history museums.
The transport museum is good as children can clamber on and off the vehicles. It’s really interactive and there’s a play zone for children under 7, plus a dedicated baby area www.ltmuseum.co.uk/visit/families/visiting-family

Mudlarks at the museum of London Docklands www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london-docklands/permanent-galleries/mudlarks-childrens-gallery

See the pelicans being fed in St James park www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/st-jamess-park/things-to-see-and-do/wildlife/pelicans The playground in St James park is large and has a decent sand pit.

The maritime Museum at Greenwich is geared up for children. They would also enjoy seeing the Cutty Sark.

Under 4s travel free on the Thames Clipper boats. You can take a pushchair on too.

There’s a toddler playground at Jubilee Gardens, which is a fun place to have a picnic on south bank. Lots of street performers nearby and my dc love watching the London eye.

The play ground in St James Park.

Science museum, natural history museum followed by Hyde Park.

The Lego and M&M shops in Leicester Square.

In the basement of the Science Museum is a fabulous activity area for younger children .

Green park and st james ' had a massive herd of willow elephants when i was there the other week. Loads of them ! There were kids loving them all over the place

A ride on a clipper up the thames?

Changing of the guard? Always a good spectacle

Princess Diana fountain, or the Somerset house fountains (but they can be a little unreliable when they are running). The diana fountain might be better for your non ambulatory one. Theres also smaller but lovely play fountains/paddling pool in granary square (kings cross), V&A museum and Leicester Square. Also Stratford Olympic park but I haven't been there.

London Eye
Boat trip to Greenwich or Hampton Court
Buckingham palace inside if you can these days and out (there's a gorgeous little play park in st James' Park, if you get the right angle you can get a photo of your little one swinging on the swing with the famous Buckingham palace facade in the background)
Docklands light railway (driverless trains that go through buildings, so cool)
Lego store and M&M store Leicester Square
China Town
Covent garden

Work your day to involve a stop at a pretty park where you can have your afternoon nap. Or stick them in buggies and walk, I love just walking in London eg Buckingham palace to Trafalgar square to seven dials to Tottenham court road, Tottenham court road to London bridge through Covent Garden; (can you tell the hotel I used to stay in was Tottenham court road)

Such good ideas, thanks everyone!

You could hire bikes in Richmond park www.parkcycle.co.uk/bike-hire/bike-and-equipment.aspx You can get child’s bike seats and trailers. There’s a playground for pre-schoolers at Kingston Gate www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond-park/richmond-park-attractions/childrens-playgrounds/kingston-gate-playground and a kids menu at the Roehampton Cafe.

Most of the exhibits at the Transport Museum were closed off a few weeks ago. I'd second St. James's Park - elephants, birds and a good playground - bring sandpit stuff

Where in London is the flat?

I'd stay as local as possible to avoid the hot tube. To be honest just a change of scenery in the local park might be interesting and new enough.

Definitely do some stuff local to the flat- depending on where it is, your looking at over an hour travelling in hot weather to some of these suggestions!

Whereabouts is the flat?

The fountains at Granary Square are always a hit.

The Peter Pan themed play area. I think that might be Hyde park. And a boat ride on the thames.