Family things to do during a day trip to London?

Joebob

Joebob

Joebob

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It's my gf's 40th coming up at the end of the month and it's going to be difficult to make it a memorable day as we have a 2 month old in tow, plus she's from Sweden and all of her friends are still back home!

I have the day booked off work and a good friend of mine has said we can come down and stay with him the night before and then spend the day in London.

I just want to know what kind of things there are we could do with a 2 month old and a 5 year old (Easter holidays)? How easy is it to get around with a pram, getting on and off the tube etc.?

We don't really have anyone who can have the kids for us.

Any help or advice appreciated - thanks :)
 
Joebob said:
I just want to know what kind of things there are we could do with a 2 month old and a 5 year old (Easter holidays)? How easy is it to get around with a pram, getting on and off the tube etc.?
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On the tube you will be carrying a pushchair up and down the stairs. There are some accessible stations but there aren't enough to really be convenient. If you have a specific plan then check whether there is a bus that gets you where you want to go as it may be easier. Or get a sling instead of wheeling something around (not easy I know as you will probably have a whole load of baby-paraphernalia to carry around as well - some parents seem to manage it though).

A 2 month old is never easy to find specific activities to entertain with but for a 5 year old the natural history (dinosaur) and science museums are perfect (and both next to each other at south kensington). They will be very busy if it's the easter holidays though. Especially the dinosaurs. You can go in the side entrance of the NHM to avoid the entry queue but you will almost certainly be queuing some time to see dinosaurs (tbh I find the dinosaur exhibition boring anyway)
 
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+1 for science and history museums. Science museum has quite a large interactive learning/play area for the kids. They could waste hours in there while you catch a breather in between showing them the different exhibits.
 
London Zoo if it's a nice day? Plenty of stuff to keep a 5 year old interested and plenty of places for pit stops with the 2 month old.

Very pushchair friendly I believe, though I haven't taken kids there in 7-8 years.

Not cheap though.
 
The Science museum is brilliant, my son loved it. I found the natural history museum to be tiresome, it is also in need or a refurb.
 
Rifte said:
The Science museum is brilliant, my son loved it. I found the natural history museum to be tiresome, it is also in need or a refurb.
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Natural history for young kids is like:

Pro's:

Dinosaurs

Cons:
Boring exhibits about old stuff (most wont interest kids and the exhibits seem to be in need of a makeover)
Weird smelling musty areas with minimal interactive things
Gross dried up dead things which are also creepy



The science museum

Pro's:

Interactive play area
Cool lights and illusionary effects
Giant space stuff
Modern looking rooms and exhibits (feels less like school stuff more like school trip)
Sweet looking crystal and rocks section
Space Simulation rides
presented shows throughout the day showing some novelty laser/shadow/camera trick
Sweet anatomy floor with freaky interactive games
Sweet earthquake simulation

Cons:

No dinosaurs



Natural history is good but the kids will appreciate the science one more. I would take them to the dinosaur one and then move onto the science museum.
 
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Thanks for all of your replies. My mate lives in Shoreditch, if that had any bearing on transport etc.
 
Avenged7Fold said:
The science museum

Pro's:
...
Sweet looking crystal and rocks section
...
Sweet earthquake simulation
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Those are in the NHM, not the science museum! (unless the science museum also has a crystal section...)

As a building I prefer the NHM which is more grand and impressive - children might not appreciate that as much though. The volcano / earthquake section in the NHM is reasonably modern and there's a weird cocoon thing as well which is an interesting space but I don't remember the exhibit very much. Certainly there are many areas still in need of a refurb, or at least dusting every now and then...

The NHM is my 4 year old daughter's favourite place to go in london, even though the science museum has a lot of hands on activities etc. - don't know why!
 
Zogger said:
Those are in the NHM, not the science museum! (unless the science museum also has a crystal section...)

As a building I prefer the NHM which is more grand and impressive - children might not appreciate that as much though. The volcano / earthquake section in the NHM is reasonably modern and there's a weird cocoon thing as well which is an interesting space but I don't remember the exhibit very much. Certainly there are many areas still in need of a refurb, or at least dusting every now and then...

The NHM is my 4 year old daughter's favourite place to go in london, even though the science museum has a lot of hands on activities etc. - don't know why!
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Yeah there is a mineral and crystal section in science museum. Though unlike the raw minerals and crystals of the NHM exhibit, it focuses more on structure and how that structure resulted in a material which feels like whatever they have on display to interactively feel. They also have another similar section with man made materials where you can stroke a variety of furry carpets and walls.

The earthquake section in Science Museum is not so new thoguh it has that cool floor and wall where it shakes you silly, while mums and nans giggle at each other falling over.

I agree the NHM is more spectacular as a building but to the average kid, that just means old and big.

Interactive sections were introduced as a way to encourage more children to go into science as the number of British students going into science seems to be dwindling. Though the numbers are still failing, i can definitely say from threads on here as well as my own experiences, these places are pivotal in attracting youths to science.

Last time i went, i brought my girlfriend who had never been and my gamer mates visiting from Holland and Germany. Though i have studied much of the museum to death in education, i found it incredibly enjoyable giving a little explained tour of the Physics section, giving out 'fun facts' and simplified explanation of how many of these advances were derived. I even ended up with a family of american tourists following along, of which i informed them i was not a guide but they are welcome to shadow me after the third time one of them put their hands up to ask me a question. Brining a kid along to experience and discover science for the first time will rekindle the embers in yourself.
 
Be warned, Science museum in kids holidays is hell. :)

As interesting as it is to older folks there is very little for a 5 year old to do in there, other than a few little bits.
 
Could go out of London?

Peaceful scenic day trips to old English villages straight out of middle earth like the Cotswold. Not tons of things to do but plenty for a day trip. Falconry centre, bird world zoo, lovely little places to grab ice cream and have afternoon tea outside, small clear water streams 1 ft deep for them to splash their feet in while you have a breather, model villages ready for kids to stop around in pretending to be giants.

TBH a cardboard box can keep them entertained, no need for anything elaborate or expensive. A day out in the Cotswold has enough to keep the kids going and is lovely relaxing day for the parents.

Obviously you need a car, as public transport is not really an option for these places. Geographically seems far from London but if you avoid traffic, you will be there in no time at all, though a bit of a waste if you are staying in London. TBH, England is so small, you can pretty much go most places in a day if the kids are heavy car sleepers. My dad use to drive for hours for day outings and although i probably got a little car grumpy, i wouldn't trade my experiences for the world.

If you haven't been, have a quick google image search as the area is beautiful with a traditionally English touch that seems to be almost gone from modern England. Pocket the idea for another day if it is not an option for this particular day.
 
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Joebob said:
Thanks for all of your replies. My mate lives in Shoreditch, if that had any bearing on transport etc.
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Shoreditch is great.

There is Jamie Olivers 15 restaurant, super dining experience.
Great burger at the Hoxton, if you do get out in the evening there is cocktails at Lounge Lovers.
Awesome Indian called Dishoom - recommended.

National History M was crappy.

This was great:
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting at Trafalgar Square

River taxi to Greenwich Village - there is the Cutty Sark, Royal Navy Museum and Royal Observatory. All within walking distance, good restaurant there too. Wrap up warm.

Pop to Fornum and Mason to buy some tea and for a milkshake, coffee and scone.
 
I did the London aquarium with a 1ish years old and he enjoyed it.

There's a tube map which allows you to avoid stairs http://content.tfl.gov.uk/avoiding-stairs-tube-guide.pdf

but tbh, the stairs aren't so bad. Depends on how capable you 5 year old is. It will require both of you to manage the buggy in places.

We normally drive to a tube stop in north London, where there's plenty of parking and no steps, then tube in as close to a convenient central point as possible.

Try and head somewhere with a bit of choice, as it will cut down on travel.
 
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