London with kids

Imarocker

Natural History Museum. (Next to Science Museum).
Maybe the V n A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green.
How about the Egyptian mummies in the British Museum?
Don’t plan to do too much as the little ones will get tired.

polar22 told us on Saturday that she had been to London.

Natural History Museum. (Next to Science Museum).
Maybe the V n A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green.
How about the Egyptian mummies in the British Museum?
Don’t plan to do too much as the little ones will get tired.

Polar22 thanks for letting us know the tips helped and it sounds like you all had a great time!

Grammaretto

That sounds perfect! You will be tired now.

Definitely. Feet up today. It’s raining again so good excuse 😉

Gummie

If you are planning on taking them on the tube they will need their own little travel card to use it.

No they travel free with paying adult. We just went through the bigger gates with a child each. Used our debit cards to pay. No problem and relatively cheap compared to Sheffield trams and buses.

If you are planning on taking them on the tube they will need their own little travel card to use it.

That sounds perfect! You will be tired now.

Quick update in case you’re interested. We went, we saw, we had a great time. Arrived after lunch. Drop bags at hotel. Quick walk to Nat History museum. Loved it!!! Dinosaurs were fab. Then hop on/off bus for an hour. Bought food at M&S. Back to hotel. Eat, shower bed for kids. Not long after for us. Next day up early. Breakfast, pack. Left big bags at hotel. Tube to Buck Palace. (Youngest disappointed it wasn’t more sparkly). Walk thro St James park. By chance hit on changing of guard. Fab. Walk to Westminster bridge. Boat tour to Tower - again fab. Sandwiches on a bench. Found hop bus and had great tour with a brilliant guide commentating. Off at nearest stop to get tube back to hotel. Bags collected, back to train station, quick McDonald’s and home. Had a wonderful time. Kids loved it. Many memories made. Thanks for all the tips. Did initial photos as suggested and put air tags on chains round necks too. 10/10 😊

Tried to book but fully booked. Done it before tho and yes it’s great.

If you’re going to the Monument you should do the Sky Garden which is just across the road. You do need to book but it’s free. The kids will love the views. Better views than from the London Eye.

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

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.

Good tip. Thanks 👍

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! 😃

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

Thanks 👍

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.

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

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:-).

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 !

My grandchildren had tea with Paddington on a London bus.