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[Travel] Day out in London with 6 and 2 year old



Mellotron

Mellotron

I've asked for soup
Jul 2, 2008
31,867
Brighton
Considering it for tomorrow.

Anyone taken small children to London for the day in recent years?

Advice? Tips? Reasons not to do it? Reasons TO do it?

Was thinking we’d go Science Museum, maybe a bit of sightseeing - the 6 year old is very interested in going. Not got a HUUUGE budget.

Any advice gratefully welcomed.
 








GT49er

GT49er

Well-known member
Feb 1, 2009
46,793
Gloucester
The six year old might have a whale of a time - the two year old, less so - and will demand a larger amount of your time. Isn't there somebody who can child-mind the little-un for the day?. Think of another treat on another day for him/her, perhaps - he/she is likely to have a very different interest/attention focus than the older one.
 


Mellotron

Mellotron

I've asked for soup
Jul 2, 2008
31,867
Brighton
Sid and the Sharknados said:
I've always thought the Natural History Museum is more exciting for children that age, because all the dinosaurs etc. look f***ing massive at that age. Whereas the science museum's a bit more "look at this fascinating bit of machinery from the 1930s".
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The idea behind Science Museum over NHM is that there would potentially be more that is interactive, which is what our son would likely be more interested in.
 




Mellotron

Mellotron

I've asked for soup
Jul 2, 2008
31,867
Brighton
GT49er said:
The six year old might have a whale of a time - the two year old, less so - and will demand a larger amount of your time. Isn't there somebody who can child-mind the little-un for the day?. Think of another treat on another day for him/her, perhaps - he/she is likely to have a very different interest/attention focus than the older one.
Click to expand...
It’s a fair point, and one of the reasons we are considering doing something else tomorrow.
 


Bry Nylon

Bry Nylon

Test your smoke alarm
Helpful Moderator
Jul 21, 2003
19,881
Playing snooker
I take my kids to London quite frequently. Although they are older than yours (12 and 14), we’ve been doing it since they were a similar age to yours now.

Many of the things they really enjoy about London, fortunately, are the things that are either free or relatively cheap. A picnic in St James’ park; ice cream in Trafalgar Square; strolling down the Mall, riding on a London bus or the tube; watching the street entertainers in Covent Garden. You can also go to the top of the Walkie Talkie building (1Fenchurch) FOC, to their Sky Garden but you do need to book tickets in advance but easily done.

We’ve never done Science Museum but we did the Natural History museum once and that was boring as f***. Just loads of dead stuff in glass cabinets from the days when the Victorians shot and stuffed anything that moved.

Hope you have a great day; I’m sure your kids will love it.
 






dazzer6666

dazzer6666

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Mar 27, 2013
52,565
Burgess Hill
Use your travelcards to get cheap tickets to go on the Thames Clipper, kids will love being on the river https://www.thamesclippers.com/plan-your-journey/timetable

The Royal Parks are great - St James’s, Green Park, Hyde Park

Street Entertainers usually in Covent Garden

Mudchute Farm (loads of animals, free entry)

The Sky Garden (great views) is brilliant (and free) but you need to book in advance

Some other stuff on here - https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/budget-london/101-free-things-to-do-in-london
 


Stat Brother

Stat Brother

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
73,833
West west west Sussex
I'd go to the NHM but not for the reasons others have stated.

I'd do it just so it's done, out the way, and you never have to go back - cos it's shitehouse.

After that it's The Science Museum all the way.
 


Westdene Seagull

Westdene Seagull

aka Cap'n Carl Firecrotch
NSC Patron
Oct 27, 2003
21,045
The arse end of Hangleton
Mellotron said:
Considering it for tomorrow.

Anyone taken small children to London for the day in recent years?

Advice? Tips? Reasons not to do it? Reasons TO do it?

Was thinking we’d go Science Museum, maybe a bit of sightseeing - the 6 year old is very interested in going. Not got a HUUUGE budget.

Any advice gratefully welcomed.
Click to expand...
I'd suggest the Science Museum is a bit heavy for children that age - especially the 2 year old. Natural History Museum would probably be better or London Zoo if the budget allows.
 




Sid and the Sharknados

Sid and the Sharknados

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Sep 4, 2022
4,106
Darlington
Mellotron said:
The idea behind Science Museum over NHM is that there would potentially be more that is interactive, which is what our son would likely be more interested in.
Click to expand...
Depends on the child I guess.
I remember the NHM being the BEST THING EVER at that age (we're talking mid to late 90s here), whereas even later in life when I was actually interested in science and engineering I've always found the Science museum a bit dull.
I know somebody who's an accountant at the NHM (he signs cheques to buy DINOSAURS) and he tells me that the Science Museum accountants are a bunch of wankers. I don't think this should influence your decision making. :lolol:

To be clear, no I haven't taken a young child to either recently myself, so none of this counts as a useful reply to your actual original question.
 


Stat Brother

Stat Brother

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
73,833
West west west Sussex
Our thing (after The Science Museum) was usually London Bridge, Borough Market, then loop around the river - Tower of London, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast all look great from the outside!!!!

As said above Covent Garden street entertainment is always fun.
 






U

um bongo molongo

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2004
2,693
Battersea
Mellotron said:
Considering it for tomorrow.

Anyone taken small children to London for the day in recent years?

Advice? Tips? Reasons not to do it? Reasons TO do it?

Was thinking we’d go Science Museum, maybe a bit of sightseeing - the 6 year old is very interested in going. Not got a HUUUGE budget.

Any advice gratefully welcomed.
Click to expand...
I live in London and have a 5 year old and a (nearly) 2 year old so well qualified for this one! I would definitely do the Science Museum but make sure you book Wonderlab (it will say it’s for older kids but mine both loved it). That’s where there’s live experiments and lots of interactive stuff. They’ll also love the ‘garden’ (which isn’t really a garden but an interactive space). Much better for that age than the Natural History Museum imo. Book somewhere else for lunch though - South Ken is a bit of a tourist trap.

My kids also love going to the theatre (although my 21 month old may be atypical in happily sitting through an hour long show). There’s lots of kid friendly theatres with morning or afternoon shows and usually you can get tickets at quite short notice. If you get one near the South Bank that’s a good area for kids - the river, a carousel, street entertainers etc.

London Zoo also good (but not close to the other two, easier to do Science Museum and South Bank together).

And once you know where you’re going, do some research and book somewhere nice for lunch. Never ceases to amaze me how many people come to London and then eat in a chain restaurant that you can get anywhere. If you’re near the South Bank, Brasserie Blanc or Sea Containers are both nice and kid friendly and, whilst not cheap, not really more expensive than a typical gastro pub. But very few places in my experience are not kid friendly these days (unless you’re going Michelin starred).

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask!
 






Mellotron

Mellotron

I've asked for soup
Jul 2, 2008
31,867
Brighton
GT49er said:
Oh dear, sorry, I didn't mean to put you off and spoil the kids treat! :facepalm::(
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Not at all - this is why I posted the thread. We’re not set on London tomorrow, have other decent options for a family day out.
 








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