inspiration needed....

[millie42]

Does anyone have any good ideas of what to do with two boys during half term (5 and 2.5) if rain precludes the usual trips to the park!

The 5 year old is now too big for the usual groups and soft play will be far too manic.

All ideas appreciated!

[littleEDfamily]

Grandparents? Friend who owe you a favour?

[Polly D]

Locally: Horniman

In town: Transport museum in Covent Garden or Science Museum

[Fuschia]

baking

craft project

gardening

[millie42]

Thanks. Has anyone tried Geffrye Museum as I understand they have some children's activities during half term or am I being far too unrealistic with young boys!?

[snowboarder]

There seem to be posters up all over hte Ed shops for a childrens festival at the south bank over the next 2 weeks - dunno whether that appeals/is right age group etc?

[millie42]

Thanks Snowborder - will take a look.

[crystal7]

The Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green is great and easy to get to from Forest Hill overground. The Tate galleries always have stuff on for kids at half terms. I've heard the Army Museum (?) near Sloane Square (again very easy walk from Victoria) has an amazing kids bit but haven't been myself. Have fun

[hpsaucey]

Polly D Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Locally: Horniman

> In town: Transport museum in Covent Garden or

> Science Museum

science museum at half term positively heaving after about midday. I should know as I work there!! Can make for a stressful trip with young kiddies. Then again, many other places the same! Thomas carton centre usually run some free/Cheap excellent family classes.

[womanofdulwich]

richmond park is great as 5 year old can trike / bike there too,

[BB100]

Natural History has lots of stuff to see on a rainy day and believe or not the V & A is quiet at half-term but has plenty of buttons to press, dressing up, colouring-in and other activities to keep even the toddler quiet for a while.

[Olga]

Don't know about the childrens activities but when I was at the Geffrye museum with my kids they tried to sit on all the antique furniture and kept setting the alarms off it was pretty difficult. The battersea park children's zoo is amazing though with absolutely tons of activities, playgrounds and demonstrations for kids. You need a clear day for it though.

[plimsoul]

tate modern is great with kids, not sure what is happening about turbine hall though.

otherwise the aquarium (though can be expensive, think you can get a deal with travel cards?)

the science museum is heaving but a good tip is get lunch at the V&A, lot calmer and also head to the less popular sections. next to the basement area for kids is a great gallery about how things work at home. there is a display with a toilet section that you can flush to watch a plastic poo being taken away. this kept my boys happy for a good half hour ;)

[hpsaucey]

plimsoul Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> tate modern is great with kids, not sure what is

> happening about turbine hall though.

>

> otherwise the aquarium (though can be expensive,

> think you can get a deal with travel cards?)

>

> the science museum is heaving but a good tip is

> get lunch at the V&A, lot calmer and also head to

> the less popular sections. next to the basement

> area for kids is a great gallery about how things

> work at home. there is a display with a toilet

> section that you can flush to watch a plastic poo

> being taken away. this kept my boys happy for a

> good half hour ;)

Ah - I'm the curator for the 'poo' gallery. Glad to know it still keeps so many happy lol! I don't take my own kiddies there very often though - feels too much like a 'busman's holiday'. IF you go, get to the interactive Launch Pad gallery (top fav with kiddies) early if you're intending on visiting it(3rd floor). 4th and 5th floors quieter but do hold some objects that may be disturbing for younger visitors as they're the medical galleries.

Second the V&A for being calmer and still having lots to do. Natural History Museum also chokka!