Days out in and around London

[SnipSnapMe]

Any recommendations for semi-educational days out in and around London?
Thinking of planning a day out for the extended family, so age range of 6-12.
Thanks.

The museums. Take your pick!

The Horniman Museum is excellent and a lot quieter than the NHM, science museum etc… You can make a whole day of it, as there are extras like crazy golf and an aquarium.
Kew Gardens is also good, even if the weather’s poor. The Children’s Garden is the highlight, and is designed for children up to 12. Make sure you book a free slot though - it’s very popular!
Colchester Castle is an hour away by train. They always have loads of family events colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/

The RAF museum is a nice day out, especially if you’ve got a plane enthusiast in the family www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/things-to-see-and-do/families/

The London museum is good.

Hi 👋 I blog about culture for families so think all my suggestions could be considered semi-educational (but fun!)

If it's half term, I've shared 100+ ideas here: museummum.com/2022/01/27/february-half-term-london/

Or in general most of my days out ideas are shared on my Instagram stories and grid Instagram.com/museummum.

It really isn't so much where you go as when, as having family events transforms a place, which is why I share so much family activities.

If you let me know interests/ when visiting I can make more specific interests but off the top of my head I'd recommend:

• The Postal Museum and Mail Rail, especially if can time with their half term activities
• Wonderlab at Science Museum, if 12 year old into science centre type activities
• the Grant Museum at UCL on one of their family activity days - think nutty professor meets Natural History Museum
• Horniman Museum - Brick Dinos (if 12 yo into Lego still) and general look around, there's also a little farm, aquarium and butterfly house
• V&A digital and design drop ins good for those ages
• Jewish Museum Bake and Take workshops

Note the London Museum/Museum of London is closed until 2026.

Lots more on blog/insta or just ask!

Colchester sounds great -but too far. Will look up the Horniman :)

Thanks for the ideas (sorry not sure I'm responding to these posts in the right way!) Will check out the links!
A neighbour suggested Kidzania - I hadn't heard of it before - anyone been there?

Kidzania is brilliant, my 8 year old loved it when we went.
Basically it's a city with lots of different jobs for the kids to try - they can be a firefighter, doctor, vet or pilot for example. They get 4 hours in there and can do as many jobs as they want/can fit it.
It's a lot of fun but teaches them about different careers and can give them an idea of jobs they might never have thought about before.
DD loved being a writer for the newspaper and since then has talked a lot about being a journalist

Thanks, that sounds really interesting!