What to do with 13-year-old godson this weekend?

[Peelietta]

My 13-year-old godson is coming to stay this weekend (Fri pm to Sun lunchtime) and I was wondering if anyone can suggest one or two things that boys of his age typically enjoy - either locally or in central London.

He likes music and writes/records his own songs, and he has already told me he wants to drink coffee and go on the Underground...

Thank you in advance for any suggestions!

[womanofdulwich]

I would normally say pop down saturday to herne hill velodrome but that may not hit his buttons.

[intexasatthe moment]

Covent Garden is good for hanging around ,watching street performers ,drinking coffee .

There's the london transport musuem there and used to be another little museum type place with old fashioned curios - penny in the slot etc .

[melbourne groover]

The south bank is looking very cool at the moment, also good people watching, art spotting, coffee drinking etc. easy to head into Covent Garden from there also. Or a movie at somewhere like The Ritzy/Everyman/Electric etc?

[prickle]

Would second melbourne groover, south bank is very buzzy. Some great outdoor installations and roof gardens near Festival Hall too not to mention pop up cafe's if weather is good. Near the London Eye too.

[gwod]

Another vote for southbank. Borough matrket has a great Londony vibe, and Damien Hurst is still on at the Tate which is a cool thing to take the thinking type child to!

[Carbonara]

A browse round the Apple store in Cvt Gdn, walk over Hungerford bridge to the S Bank, RFH / check out some Uderbelly events, walk along to Borough Market, have coffee somewhere cool en route?

Look at the S Bank website and see what is on.

[Convex]

Plus borough has really nice coffe at monmouth!

[Peelietta]

Thanks folks. Most of these are exactly what I like doing, so suit me down to the ground! I must say the velodrome sounds different - am quite curious. I'll give him a choice and see what he likes the sound of.

Thanks again!

[womanofdulwich]

http://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/about/

Enjoy

[tiddles]

also, a wander round camden - the cyberdog store alone is worth the treck!! - you can combine the tube with this trip!

[KestonKid]

The Science Museum has a wonderful (free) exhibition running at the moment. Universe of Sound where you can step inside a virtual Philharmonia Orchestra, conduct and play with the new interactive digital installation based on Holst's The Planets. Went with an eight-year-old who studies piano and clarinet. He loved it especially getting a chance to meet a real cellist and have a long confab with him. There was also a typanist talking to some other children. Going back myself with husband (71)for another visit. The gallery is situated on the first floor quite out of the way, past the Ferguson tractor. It was not at all busy although the rest of the Museum had the usual half-term crowd.