Ideas for a 3yr old's birthday outing/treat

[Belle]

Not sure can face doing the full on birthday party just yet for my soon to be 3yo little boy, not least as have little one who doesn't sleep much at nights so too tired to plan and execute it! We don't really have room for everyone he'd want there and not keen to do a venue thing yet. Anyone have any ideas for a nice birthday treat we cd just do as a family? We went to the zoo the other day which was fab but quite cold - so some of my initial ideas (e.g. Legoland) seem like they might be out - his birthday is in 3 weeks so likely not to be too warm out.

[Pickle]

The Transport Museum in Coventry Garden? My son first went when he was about 3 and loved it, caters well for families and lots of space for them to run, especially if you can go mid-week. You can take a packed lunch, or go for pizza somewhere afterwards? Last time we went there was a brilliant street performer outside which kept us entertained for another 20 mins.

[BeccaL]

London Eye or Aquarium? Both relatively weather insensitive. Worth trying to book in advance online as you can often get good discounts particularly if going aytime in the week. I know the joy of a late Jan birthday...!

[Polly D]

Do you reckon he's too little for a cinema trip!? Alvin and the Chipmunks is out now and is 87 mins long.

A possible treat for all of you...maybe won't work with the baby though.

Funnily enough we are thinking about taking R to the zoo for his birthday following your success!

[millsa]

Gumbados in Beckenham or another massive soft play in Croydon, Ive forgotten the name - particularly if you can bring one or two of his friend's along. And go mid-week if you can. Gambados do birthday parties as well but just taking the boys there for a day works magic!

[Ruth_Baldock]

Seconding london transport museum! Took Seb for his second birthday. He loved it! We went to wagamamas afterwards, too. V good.

[Lochie]

If he likes planes and trucks then imperial war museum might be good.... I haven't been but hubby has taken O twice and he loves it 'apparently' (though suspect hubby might also love it too)

[BellendenBear]

I was going to suggest the Transport Museum too. We took our almost 3 year old on Saturday and she loved it. Lots of buses, trains and taxis for them to pretend to drive. And Covent Garden is great for street performers. It's quite pricey though, about ?13 per adult.

Of course the highlight of the day as always was sitting at the front of a double decker bus.

[crystal7]

I'm following this thread with interest! Can't face the idea of birthday party either for similar reasons. Was thinking zoo but E recently decided she wont walk when it's cold. Science museum great but so busy at weekend ditto Gambardos (though that would be her no 1 choice!). Last yr we went with friends to Mudchute farm which was nice but cold and the main attraction was riding on the DLR and lunch at Wagamamas in Canary Wharf! The Museum of Childhood Bethnal Green has some interactive stuff and nice cafe plus easy to get to on Overground.

[Belle]

oooh fab ideas all, thankyou! Crystal - J is the same re walking in the cold at the moment! At the zoo we had 1 buggy and 1 sling and swapped the kids in and out of the buggy, he lasted a good 2.5 hrs or so but some of that was inside (reptile house and the cafe).

Birthday is a sunday which is a factor...guess there's nothing to stop us doing sthing on the Monday instead but is nice to do something on the actual day somehow.

[Belle]

oh also - do love idea of london eye, esp as he has recently learned about london landmarks from his advent calendar, but am a bit wary of trapping him for any length of time in a pod with unsuspecting tourists...

[snowboarder]

Hire your own pod!!

[BeccaL]

Re London Eye and unsuspecting tourists, if you go mid-week in Jan it will be v quiet, esp in the morning... We went a few years ago and the kind person directing us on let us have a pod with just 2 other people in it rather than going in with a bunch of school kids. Worth considering and he'll love seeing things from it...

[edanna]

Peppa pig world? A bit of a trek though and not sure about winter opening but have heard great things about it. Agree with everyone that London Transport museum is brill.

[millsa]

and worth knowing that although the ticket to the Transport Museum seems pricey (?13) it is valid for the whole year so you can go every weekend if you fancy :) We have taken our 3-year-old four times this year, and he loves it more with every visit.