London with kids

A couple of suggestions from an Inner City kid that are not in central London.

The Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green was fascinating for my GD when she was about 6. Lots of old games, dolls, clothes and loads of other things to see. It was also great for me as I saw some stuff there that I had played with as a child! It's very near the tube station and easy to get to.

In Shoreditch there is the Museum of the Home, which has various room settings from different ages. We used to visit it from Junior School (by foot!) so it may not be as good for a 5 year old, but it is very child-friendly - and free!

I agree with the Coram's Fields suggestion if you want a safe, secure park. Adults are only allowed if accompanied by a child and it is a lovely space for them to run around and explore.

The Museum of Childhood is now the Young V and A, recently renovated. I often taken children round and about in London as we live there. They do like the museums but at your little ones’ ages weren’t interested in sightseeing . Covent Garden is good for street entertainers and the Transport Museum. I agree just have a relaxed itinerary and factor in some time for the kids to have a play

I took DGD to the Lego art exhibition and the Van Gogh exhibition in Brick Lane, East London with lunch at Spitalfields Market recently. The VR at the Van Gogh was extra but was her highlight.

Science Museum
Transport Museum
London Eye
Tower Bridge experience
Harry Potter Studio
The parks in London are lovely, and I think worth a visit.
Hamleys.

I took our granddaughter when she was 9, NH museum, Science then Hamleys, lunch in between, we used the hop on/hop of bus, that was enough for the day. We went on the train too, which was also a novelty.

A second vote here for the Postal Museum - last year I took a 7 Yr old and 3 year old and it was enjoyed by both - you can ( and should!) book a session in the postal themed play area which is only for under 8s and was a great hit ! I also often go back to the Canal museum on the Regents Canal - small but lovely - my 7yr old granddaughter loves it . Save the big expensive visits eg Tower of London for when they are older - these small places are great for little ones ( and grandparents too !!)

The Transport Museum is great for younger children, not too big, lots of interactive games, real trains and buses they can sit in, and an infinity platform - which impressed me too.
The sightseeing bus trip is also good for children, they like sitting upstairs on the bus and having their own earphones, and it’s a more fun way to travel round London than the underground.
Mine also really enjoyed Madame Tussauds and the planetarium at that age.

Some good suggestions here.
I've taken several school trips into London. If you want to link the visit to your grandkids' learning at KS1, then obvious choices would be The Tower of London, Big Ben, and something to do with the Great Fire of London. If not, the museums are excellent. The sight seeing bus trip gives a taste of the landmarks, so do that early on.

Some great suggestions here....for when they are older. I would bookmark this thread. Many of these things would be suitable in 5 years time.

At the age they are now I would keep it simple as I suggested before. Natural History Museum is good, open top bus ride (if fine), London Bridge and Horse Guards. Those guards on horseback will thrill them. More than enough for a 5 year old I'd say.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea is on at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket - and Little Angel Theatre is a great puppet theatre with short shows.

My children liked the Cutty Sark at that age but obviously that was years ago. I'd be fairly confident about it though.

Young V&A, the Science and Natural History museums would be top of my list.

My grandchildren had tea with Paddington on a London bus.

I like PamelaJI's itinerary .
Born and partially bred in London I've lived in various parts - it is wonderful and totally exhausting .
Go to bed early and start your day trip before the crowds swamp it .
I'd think about coming the night before .
A boat trip is relaxing remember to wrap up warmly as it can be chilly on the river .
The Natural History Museum is my all time favourite .
This is a gem if your children are dinosaur mad .
I like the Science Museum .
I think that they raided my mother in law's house . I saw the identical TV, radio , kettle , washing machine , carpet sweeper and vacuum cleaner there .
Both have nice cafes .
You can take food to both .
I'd save the parks for the summer .
Give Oxford Street a wide berth .
Be prepared to carry them home !

Thanks again all. I now have a potentially more difficult question. We’re arriving at lunch. Going to hotel near museums. Dropping bags and going to Nat History museum. (A short walk). Day after we’re doing hop on/off bus. I’d really like to dump our bags near the station (KX) so we’re not lugging them round all day. We could leave them at the hotel but it means travelling back there which will eat into our time. Am thinking is there a stop on the hop on bus that goes near the station so we can jump off, dump bags, get back on and enjoy our day??? Am I being too optimistic:-).

Or just tube to station, dump bags and find a hop on bus? Easier??

Get the TfL Go app on your phone which will give you all the details of busses etc. you may be better getting a regular bus to the station first thing.

Thanks 👍

I'd be inclined to keep the luggage to a minimum for one night. Just toothbrushes and change of underwear. Then you can carry it with you. Stopping to drop the luggage will only eat into your time and be stressful. London is stressful anyway, just keep it simple.

What books/films/TV programmes do they know and like? Paddington or Peter Pan sound like a safe bet for that age group, but if they haven't read the books or seen the films it won't have the same meaning for them. They are too young for Harry Potter, but that's something I'm looking forward to doing with my DGC when they are a little older.

Could you read some of those books with them before you go? There are probably lots of stories with young children having adventures in London if you look.

And I'd love to hear more about chocolatelovinggran's Paddington tea experience!

All the main stations will have left luggage and there are also private firms who look after your luggage for you. But these are more expensive. And check the opening times!

Please ensure the two girls stay beside you and do not wander off. There are predators everywhere. I am sure you will have a wonderful time. I live in the suburbs and love London.

Go to coffee shops off the main streets, usually nicer and cheaper.

We’ll try to do Monument as the oldest did Fire of London last term and can talk for ever about it. Youngest still likes Peppa and has books about visiting Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge so she’ll like to see that. I think they’ll love just seeing places they’ve only read about. But am keeping it simple. Find London is too stressful if you try to do too much. It’s a first time we’ve done a big trip so easing them in. DD and I have every intention of travelling with them as they grow up. Dad isn’t bothered so we’ll go without him. My OH would want to go but then he gets impatient and tetchy so we’ll leave him at home too.

I've taken minded children to London for a day trip several times, two were only 4 and we've all enjoyed it.

One thing I always do is take a head and shoulders photo, plus a full-length photo, on my phone of each child that morning against a plain wall.
Then if you do have any problems you have a good, clear, up-to-date photo of them wearing the clothes they're in, rather than trying to remember and describe it in a panic.

For the 4 year olds I bought wrist straps to use in crowded places eg the Underground.
We did the same with my granddaughter who was 5 when we went down for the Queen's jubilee.
It's too easy for little ones to get distracted and separated in a crowd of other people's legs!

Have a wonderful trip! 😃

Good tip. Thanks 👍

I think they’ll love just seeing places they’ve only read about. But am keeping it simple. Find London is too stressful if you try to do too much.

Exactly. Mine were 5 and 7 for their first London trip and we kept it simple with one indoor attraction and a sightseeing walk if fine, but that was a day trip. You can fit more in on an overnight trip. If you search on Amazon 'London for children' you'll find some travel books which might be helpful.

I would simply hold their hands the whole time unless in a park. Then you know they can't get lost.