Evening activities in London 9 and 11 year old

[Canihaveanotherbiscuit]

We are heading to London in the Easter holidays and have plenty of day time activities sorted but am looking for a few evening activities that my 9 and 11 year olds might like. I don't think budget will stretch to a show, unless anyone can point me in the direction of something a bit cheaper. We are staying fairly central (Covent Garden). I suspect most evenings will consist of a meal and a wander but any suggestions for something a bit more special would be welcome. Thank you!

We did the emirates airline at night- great view of the London skyline all lit up. Could see planes coming in overhead to London city airport too.

It's not too bad to get to on the tubes, and you could either do a return trip on it, or just cross over then make your way back from the other side.

Or I think you could go up the sky garden after dark too- that's free..

They are great ideas, thank you, and just the kind of thing I was after. We were planning to do the Sky Garden during the day, but that might work well in the evening.

take a bus around central London, no11 used to have a great route along the river to see all the things that are lit up and looking nice

the new Battersea Power station has a 'festival of lights' at the moment with lots of glowy artworks (and shops)

Check out when sunset is and book the Sky Garden then! It’s fantastic watching London gradually darken and all the lights come on across the city.

Frozen is the only show I can think of that you can try for upto 4 tickets for (it's usually only 2) on rush tickets. Download the today tix app and unlock frozen rush tickets. You then need to be on the app just before 10am to be ready to try for them. Worth having a play around a few days before so you know what you're doing. No guarantees you'll get them but we've see lots of shows this way.

The tickets would be £29.50 each

www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/whats-on/art-and-exhibitions/late-museum-and-gallery-openings-in-london

Also suggest Seven Dials food market (or another indoor food court but this will be closest) and a look into the Royal Opera House - have a drink at the Floral Hall bar, it’s beautiful at night.

Of course a lot of options will depend on the weather!! Just wandering around some areas is fun eg Carnaby Street, Southbank, Shoreditch but not in the rain!

Try the Festival Hall, National Theatre or Barbican as they often have cheaper tickets. Tkts booth in Leicester Square sells tickets a day ahead or same day for shows.

The cheapest tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong are £23 if that would work? You might not get 3 or 4 together is the only thing. If there's 2 adults going that's not so bad as you could do 2 and 2. But if it's just you that might not work.

It's a brilliant show and your kids would find it hilarious I'm sure.

It is just nice walking around Covent Garden and the South Bank and people watching.

Brilliant ideas, thank you everyone. It looks like there are tickets available for the play that goes wrong and the other ideas all sound great too so will have loads to keep us occupied. I really can't wait.

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I think tickets for Ceremony of the Keys in April will be released on 1 March. £5 each. They will probably go quickly though, think they only have about 30 tickets per night. It's a lovely ceremony and feels very special being let into the Tower of London at night.

www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/ceremony-of-the-keys/#gs.qzu6n9

V an A open until 10pm on Friday. National Gallery open until 9pm (also on Friday)

*and

There's a see London by night open top bus tour that starts from outside green park tube station but it will be quite chilly in April.
There's an indoor amusement park in Camden with a few rides and arcade games called Babylon park. It's a bit on the expensive side but DD really enjoyed it.

Uberboat. A walk around the Tower Bridge area or Southbank.