Things to do in London for 4 and 6 year olds?

[Sue]

My granddaughters are staying with me for a week in August, and are very excited to be coming to London (they have only been before for family gatherings).

I asked them what they wanted to do and all they came up with was that they'd like to see the parks in London :)) I don't think they have much idea what's here (the little one asked whether it was in England :)) She also does not believe that London Bridge actually exists outside of the nursery rhyme.)

I have eliminated the zoo for this year on the grounds that probably the 4 year old will not have the stamina for it, so I don't particularly want to shell out shedloads of money and then not see it all .....

My ideas so far are:

The Horniman

River trip

Open top bus to see the sights (without actually going in them ....)

London Bridge (see above) plus Tower Bridge opening

Art galleries - kids' activities

Science museum - interactive stuff

Brixton Market - to see the exotic fruit and veg

Oddono's (!)

Local adventure playgrounds (thought of a climbing wall as they both love climbing and jumping from mind-boggling heights, but they don't take them that young unless you are a member).

Duck and/or pigeon feeding (yes I know, I know)

Any other ideas? They're both bright kids, and I don't have a lot of money.

[Pickle]

You've got loads of good ideas there! You could tie your river trip in with a trip across the river in the cable cars? The O2 is a good place to have a run about/refuel, and the cable car is pretty reasonable with an Oyster card. My kids loved it (were 4 and 6 at the time!).

[Bishberro]

Hi - sounds like you've got some lovely things planned. The National History Museum is great, a walk around the dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park. The Museum of CHildhood in Bethnal Green is free and great for a run round and they have holiday activities. You can get the overground to Shoreditch High Street and it's 10 minutes walk from there. The Discovery Story Centre in Stratford is good but you have to pay to get in. My kids (3 and 5) love a walk along the South Bank - run around the Tate Modern, watch the street performers etc. Have fun!

[Sue]

Thanks both, great ideas!

Maybe I should negotiate for a fortnight :)

[Pickle]

I'm happy to lend you a 5 and 6.5 year old for a week :)

[crystal7]

Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens is fantastic. Get there early though (not easy from ED with small children...) as it gets crowded, think they might limit numbers. I like the Tate Britain, in the school hols they have art trolleys with all sorts of materials for children to create their own masterpieces to take home plus friendly staff on hand to inspire. Easy to walk there from Vauxhall. Southbank is another hit as others have said however there's a much better playground than the one behind the London Eye. Archbishops Park behind St Thomas's A&E, great play equipment and never very crowded.

[Sue]

Pickle Wrote:

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> I'm happy to lend you a 5 and 6.5 year old for a

> week :)

xxxxxxx

I think I'll have my hands full with "my" two, but thanks for the offer :))

I'm stocking up with fish fingers and baked beans as I type :))

ETA: Thanks, Crystal7 :)

ETA: Sorry, Pickle, just realised you meant you'd lend them for the second week!

[canela]

The National Maritime Museum is a firm favourite. Can get there from Lewisham station on DLR, the museum has a whole kids floor, is right next to park, plus can wander by the river and see the boats. Take a picnic and day is free except for transport.

[Ondine]

Worth checking what's on at the IMAX if they haven't been to one before - my kids found full length films at the imax overwhelming at that age but some of the nature/space type specialist films are only about 30 mins and are fantastic - haven't been to science museum for ages but assume there's still an IMAX there too.

[StraferJack]

Richmond Park to see the (deer 9and the general scal of it as well)

Battersea childrens zoo is a good alternative to London Zoo - a lot cheaper but because it's smaller, little children don't get bored

Agree with teh southbank suggestions too - Start at teh Design Museum (after the Tower Bridge visit) and head towards London Eye - a whole day in itself easily

[fapl]

City farms are free, I like Mudchute which you can get to on the DLR, and there is one in Surrey Quays on the East London Line, one in Vauxhall but I have not been and don't know where it is.

If you go to Greenwich there is so much to do that is free, my kids like walking in the foot tunnel under the river Thames, the entrance is via a Domed lift right near the Cutty Sark. On there other side there is a small park, basically a patch of grass, there is a little kiosk type cafe so you could grab an ice lolly. The view back to Greenwich is lovely you get to see all the stunning buildings. Also th view from the top of Greenwich Park near the Observatory is stunning, out to Canary Wharf and the City.

If you drive the Beastly Hall Exhibtion is still on at Hall Place in Bexley, adults ?7.50 from memory but I think kids of 4 and 6 might be free. (the ticket is valid 12 months). Fun gardens to run around in there and to make a day of it you could stop in Danson Park which has a great playground, and a small splash park bit if it is a hot day.

Open top bus tours are ridiculously expensive, maybe just go on the top deck of a but that goes past a number of sights, surely somebody here could suggest a route :-)

I have not been, but maybe changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

[Sue]

Thanks all, what a lot of excellent suggestions - we will be spoiled for choice!

I know open top buses are very expensive, but may be worth while as a one-off to see the sights and save keep changing buses. I'll check out the cost.

Will take them on the underground once so they've been, but otherwise intend to avoid it if possible! And also attempt to avoid the rush hour, though I guess it won't be too bad in August.

There was a brilliant thing on in Greenwich park last week as part of the festival, sadly it's finished now as I think they would have liked it - sort of music installation.

I need to check out fares for children - do they need oyster cards?

ETA: I also intend to take them to this:

http://www.lovenunhead.co.uk/events/the-village-hall-experience/

http://thejohnfleming.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/after-only-fools-and-horses-comic-martin-soan-the-village-hall-people/

which looks absolutely brilliant!

[Jessie]

This is for you, Sue: http://www.travelzoo.com/uk/local-deals/London/Other/59241?utm_source=localdeal_uk&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1509851_html_nationwide_deal%3a59241

[Sue]

Jessie Wrote:

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> This is for you, Sue:

> http://www.travelzoo.com/uk/local-deals/London/Oth

> er/59241?utm_source=localdeal_uk&utm_medium=email&

> utm_campaign=1509851_html_nationwide_deal%3a59241

xxxxxx

That's really kind, but unfortunately I can't buy them now because of weather issues - don't want to sit on top of a bus in pouring rain!

Thank you anyway.

ETA: Oh, sorry, just seen they're valid for any day, so massive thanks :) ETA: Oh, you have to book in advance online :(

Edited AGAIN to say I've just also seen you can't hop on hop off and it's a three hour trip - I doubt there's a loo on the bus, but I'll check. If not, I can't imagine the girls would last three hours ..... !!!

[njc97]

Natural History Museum, but get there (very) early to avoid queues.

London Transport Museum is good and they might like buskers in Covent Garden.

Instead of open top tour buses, get the no 15 from Tower Hill to Trafalgar square. Goes past St Pauls etc and uses mix of new buses and old routemasters. Plus they dont need tickets...

And/or the no 9 from trafalgar square to kensington: get off by hyde park for science and natural history museums, plus the park (if they need to run off energy, the princess di playground on north end kensington palace gardens is good).

[Sue]

Thanks :)

[ontheedge]

I would seriously suggest not to try do too much, I remember one of my nieces saying after a day in London that she was so tired she felt sick. At that age they will enjoy most things, so maybe one day doing things and then a day at home with maybe a trip to Dulwich park with a picnic.

176 to Waterloo walk along Southbank and train from London Bridge home

Legoland is another big hit I've always managed to do it pretty cheap, adult ticket if you have nectar points use them and then children's tickets there's always 2 for 1 offers so you manage to pay for only one child ticket and think train is only about a ?1 for children.

A pushchair for 4 year old is also worth it, they might say they're too big but their legs are so little they tire easily.

Do things like freeze drinks in freezer and grapes to take places that's one of my top tips, keeps sandwiches cool and cold drinks all day.

Surrey Docks farm is also very good

Bake pizzas with them, let them garden a bit, no matter what they'll enjoy and you'll see a different London through their eyes

[Sue]

Thanks ontheedge.

I agree re the little legs and the pushchair, but unfortunately the pushchair/buggy has been given away to a cousin of theirs ...... and she is too heavy to carry!

[pripolla]

Maybe you could borrow one?

[buggie]

Use to come into London with my Mum on day trips & having got the train into Victoria, our first port of call would be Changing the Guard on Horseguards parade

http://www.royal.gov.uk/royaleventsandceremonies/changingtheguard/overview.aspx

We're not a royalist family, but the pomp, band, horses & soldiers were always went down well & are truly something you don't see elsewhere, plus at about 1/2hr long it's not too strenuous & a great start to a day sightseeing.

[Belle]

Museum of London Docklands (get there from Peckham Rye-Canada Water then short tube journey) is great, and v do-able for that age, has a play area too - they'd prob be too big for soft play but other fun stuff to do and easy cafe with pirate lunch packs.

Second Battersea Park - really lovely Park. Also not sure if anyone's said it but Crystal Palace Park - great playground and the dinosaurs! plus easy on bus.

nearer to home Brockwell Park has an AMAZING playground and next to it is the water & sand play, on a warm day that could be you all day if you take a packed lunch. Sorry if I'm repeating other suggestions, posting in haste!

Mooching around East D on a Saturday is nice too even for that age kid I think - my 4 yo loves the market. pedaloes on dulwcih park pond? Trip to Hope & Greenwood and their own ration books to spend on sweets for t he week?

have fun!

[Belle]

Also Unicorn Theatre might have something good on wh ile they're with you - v handy as London Bridge.

[Sue]

Thanks all, great suggestions.

[Irina childminder]

Museums will always have activities in

Art and craft etc...

Free and good fun!

Also I suggest go to Greenwich playground and then take boat into town

You can use your oyster so not to expensive.

Also camberwell playground in myats fields has

Water features and the kids love it in a hot day( bring towels and swimming stuff as they will def get wet!!!)

Enjoy!!!

[lucyA1308]

I sometimes take my children on the top deck of a no. 3 bus. it starts at Crystal Palace, and the 1st bit is fairly residential South London, but soon it emerges into exciting Central London, and you pass by Big Ben, Horse Guards Parade, Trafalgar Square, Regent Street, and out at Oxford Circus. We usually find a nice place to buy an ice cream, or sometimes we have got off at Trafalgar Square and walked down the Mall and see Buckingham Palace, then go and feed the ducks in St James' Park. St James' park has a really lovely playground too. I remember doing it when I was little, one of my favourite holiday treats.