Where else to take the Gdcs?

Second the postal museum and the transport museum .

A Thames boat trip is good too. You could stop at Battersea power station or Greenwich for a run around in the park.

Thanks, everybody! Some great ideas. Funnily enough, whoever said it, I mentioned the Postal Museum to dh just the other day - we visited it some years ago.

Hetty58, funnily enough, we actually enjoy taking them to do/see fun or interesting things. It won’t be too long before they’re past the stage of needing grandparent care during the holidays. And although we’re thankfully still fit and active, we’re not exactly spring chickens, so who knows how much longer that will be the case.

The Polka Theatre is alive and going strong having been virtually rebuilt and has now restaurants etc. Looks great

Witzend

Thanks, everybody! Some great ideas. Funnily enough, whoever said it, I mentioned the Postal Museum to dh just the other day - we visited it some years ago.

Hetty58, funnily enough, we actually enjoy taking them to do/see fun or interesting things. It won’t be too long before they’re past the stage of needing grandparent care during the holidays. And although we’re thankfully still fit and active, we’re not exactly spring chickens, so who knows how much longer that will be the case.

We used to enjoy it too!
It goes by all too quickly.

Take them to the local library where they can borrow books, you can return them when they go home. Also libraries sometimes offer various activities in the holidays. In our town there is a toy based charity shop, our two love going there and can have anything!! We’ve had some excellent bargains from there. Build a timed obstacle race in the garden, play all the old fashioned games - pass the parcel, Kim’s game, etc.

If Tfl buses operate near you simply take them on a bus ride. Even better if it's a double decker. Children rarely if ever go on public transport. On Tfl buses children are free and adults are a flat rate. Simply tap and go as cashless. We get DGC 10 and 7x3 to organise a shopping list for each. Lidl near us have small shopping trolleys and they have one each to do ' their' shopping. They then pay with cash at the end for their goods. We then go to the nearby park with our goodies for a picnic and play on the swings etc. Then back on the bus. Works out a really cheap day out and for they love it.

Take them to Coram Fields and the Foundling Museum.
They'll love the fact that you couldn't get into the Fields without them! (No unaccompanied adults) And the museum has loads of interesting stuff (although it is a bit heartrending)
www.coramsfields.org/about-us/
foundlingmuseum.org.uk/

National Trust is worth joining as a family membership. Can take up to 4 children I think. You could visit Polesden Lacey, Claremont to name a couple. Most have something laid on for children during chool holidays. We did Easter egg trail at Polesden where they each got an Easter egg at the end. There is playground at most NT sites. And you ca n use the tickets when they're not with you - bonus.
RHS membership is also good. Up to 4 children plus one adult.

Transport museum gets completely rammed during holidays.
I would do dockland light railway, which is free,. Then cable car over the Thames. The O2 has lots on or a water boat down to Thames barrier.

Loads to do in Greenwich.

Museum of London, the Wallace Collection( they used to do art classes for children)?The Evening Standard did One goes free offers for the theatre and that was amazing. If you are fit take them up the Monument . I did it once and once was enough.
Bunny park Zoo in Hanwell, Borough of Ealing.Theatre Museum in V&A.
We would go out twice a week ,always a surprise. I was helped considerably by the Evening Standard magazine , which had a page of activities for children every Thursday. (no longer )I had a great time with my two grandsons. Just thought of the ship in Hyde Park Princess Diana.Lots to do and see.

Battersea Park Zoo and terrific wooden playground by Go Ape.
We took ours 10 and 5 to revamped Young V and A, they loved it.
Enjoy your time!

Plunger, so true - they’ve always loved the bus - preferably top deck at the front! I’ve been known to take them on 2 buses to the garden centre, when it’d take half the time to drive! They so rarely go by bus at home - a lot of walking and cycling though. Even the 3 yr old is a whizz on her little bike now.

We go on long walks, pick up treasures to bring home. We paint, cook, read, play card games, explore round in my husband's work buildings. Perhaps keep them in and have fun doing nothing special?

When I had my DGCs (10 and 8) after games of dominoes, chess, draughts etc, they were getting a bit wild, so I sent them out to my patio. There they discovered my brushes and spent time sweeping up. They then found my window cleaning thing, I gave them a bucket of water and they cleaned my windows!!! They had a lovely time.

"Take them to Coram Fields and the Foundling Museum.
They'll love the fact that you couldn't get into the Fields without them! (No unaccompanied adults) And the museum has loads of interesting stuff (although it is a bit heartrending)
www.coramsfields.org/about-us/
foundlingmuseum.org.uk/"

AND WHISPER : you think you have it tough, my darlings, think about what it was like for these kiddiewinks . . .

Harry Potter World - but might be busy or hard to book

Chalking on the paving slabs in the garden is fun!

It washes off in the rain.

Harry Potter museum if you go into London.

I’ve taught my 2 grandsons Rummikub that I play at my WI which they really enjoy. The 8 and 7 year old could learn it quite easily.

Another vote for the Horniman Museum. Our DGC (same ages) like to wind down using household paint brushes and pots of water on the patio.

I have my grandchildren coming too next week but with DD thank goodness as i would struggle to manage the7 year old on my own now . I live to the east of London , but we are going to Kew - it’s an easy train ride.( I’m a member so can take a guest). Another day we are going on the DLR, at the front hopefully, and then cable car and a river trip . Nearby Epping forest where they have activities in the visitor centre. All fairly cheap so far . The museums will be packed undoubtedly so probably give them a miss . There is often things on along the South Bank . Probably go to the local swimming pool where they have a “fun session”
GD likes to have a jigsaw puzzle on the go during their stay. We often sort out the games cupboard and take outgrown items to the charity shop and bring back new things! Sometimes local museums have something on .
We will do some cooking no doubt. I hope to avoid the film Barbie !

From SW London you should be near a train to reach Portsmouth? Either visit Southsea, and/or the historic ships there (Warrior, Victory) or pop over to the IoW (they get a sea cruise!) and have a couple of hours at Ryde?

Yesterday I went with DGD(14) up the observation chimney at Battersea Power Station - what a fantastic experience!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=97YPOcBXVD8

My eldest grandson spent a lot of time with his other gransmother (he lived the next village over to her and we are 200 miles away).

As he grew towards double figures she adopted a brilliant policy of giving him a notional 'budget' and the chance to draw up a list of things he'd like to do. This grew (as he did) into him planning how to get there & back, what to take etc., whether a picnic (saving money) would give enough free dosh for a tea out.

Not many grandson/grandma teams would spend a happy afternoon & pretty inexpensive afternoon target shooting air guns - but they did.

He's now in his own home with a job that involves planning, responsibility for others and decision making. Other Gran died a year or so back but her influence lives on.