Entertaining small people ...

[Michael Palaeologus]

I have friends coming to stay with me this weekend. They have a 2 year old and a 5 years old.

Where can we go that will keep the kids entertained? London - wide that is, not just ED.

Ta

[KalamityKel]

I assume you mean "where can we all go together?" I believe there is something about it not being the done thing to leave the kids at home alone when you go out... :p

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Give them each a large net and tell them to round up the cats of ED.

Or go to Horniman Museum.

Princess Diana playground in Hyde park is good for those ages.

Mini zoo at Battersea Park (though quite expensive)

Imperial War Museum is v. hands on and free.

Walk along South Bank and play in fountains (take towels and change of clothes)

[lozzyloz]

Gambardo's in Beckenham has an excellent soft play area, bumper cars, carousel etc under one roof. Gets quite busy so you need to get there early or alternatively The London Aquarium, Horniman Museum music room and aquarium and Battersea Childrens Zoo.

[TillieTrotter]

Great place for lunch with kids is Smolenskis on the Strand. Bit pricey but has children's entertainers, face painting, little tyke toys and built in gaming consoles for the older ones.

[mightyroar]

if it's nice go to either peckham rye, dulwich park or crystal palace park for the fab dinosaurs. kids that age will love them.

Or get the train to london bridge- a treat in itself for that age group and just walk either way along the south bank for a bit. then the parents can go to the tate or the design museum. London aquarium is also great.

Or..

the science museum basement 'hands on' space is great, aimed at exactly this age group with a great water play thing, blocks to build and knock down, dressing up.............and more

and then you can check out the rest of the science museum too. also great cos you can take your own sarnies and eat them in indoor picnic area if needs be. or if you are feeling flash and the kids have been entertained then have lunch at the V&A cafe which is by far the best place to eat out of those 3 musuems. buy a sticker book from the science museum to keep the kids quiet while you eat lunch.

Or the horniman is great if its raining and you dont want to go too far.

if you are venturing into london proper take snacks- take extra clothes, take some colouring or a little book or something and take a buggy for the small one and double your normal journey time when calculating how long stuff takes.

[*Bob*]

Get down Le Chandelier.

Children are encouraged to wear muddy clothes and bring their own jam sandwiches.

[Annasfield]

*Bob* Wrote:

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> Get down Le Chandelier.

> Children are encouraged to wear muddy clothes and

> bring their own jam sandwiches.

How funny :)-D.

I wasn't going to read this thread as I have no interest in kids. My cousin has asked me to be her daughter's God Mother - she clearly hasn't thought this through. I do wonder how you can decline these things.........

Anyhoo, I saw that you had replied to this *Bob* and decided there would be some witty retort. I wasn't wrong.

[HonaloochieB]

Jimmy Krankee, Jimmy Clitheroe, Kramer's friend Mickey off Seinfeld, Ken Dodd's Diddy Men and Prince immediately spring to mind.

[Michael Palaeologus]

Anna - accept! Kids are great, when they arent your own.

I have 3 now - plus 2 siblings (which of course have to be treated as God-Kids to avoid tears).

You can spoil them rotten, feed them brightly coloured sweets and fizzy pop and just at the point when they go completely hyper and vomit - hand them back.

In the early days, with my first, I was worried that she was always shy when I visited. A learned friend advised me that small children are essentially Pavlovian. The simple presentation of a packet of chocolate buttons instantly dispelled all shyness, that and a willingness to play "Gee-Gee". Many years later I am still known in swathes of East Sussex as "Chocolate Button Mike" and have minor back twinges.

[Michael Palaeologus]

... and many thanks by the way.

Looks like South Ken here we come.

[citizenED]

Mike, all above suggestion are good - we've used many of them. If you are going to South Ken. I'd also suggest the kiddies playground in hyde park - take a walk by the Serpentine and stop for a bite to eat at the Lido cafe.

[tinagwee]

I reckon you should take em to the plough for the whole day and let them run riot. Its the weekend creche in the area heheheh (sorry just had to!) :))

[buggie]

The turbine hall at Tate Modern always seems to entertain kids - possibly not so taken by the art, but they seem to love running round the space!

[tinagwee]

there is actually loads to do in london with kids as long as you are fully loaded with cash! I had a 13 and 14 year old with me for 4 days and entertaining them cost me 250 quid! Me thinks I can only afford kids once a year! heheh

[????]

Personally, I'd recommend Tate Modern, always crowded, kids love running about in the Turbine Hall (pity the slides have gone), the shop's got good arty kids stuff but best of all they, rightly, come up with loud classics like "But that's just a pile of bricks"....."so if we put our cupboard in here mum would people look at that" etc......

PS Also works well with grandparents

[Annasfield]

Michael Palaeologus Wrote:

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

> Anna - accept! Kids are great, when they arent

> your own.

>

> I have 3 now - plus 2 siblings (which of course

> have to be treated as God-Kids to avoid tears).

>

> You can spoil them rotten, feed them brightly

> coloured sweets and fizzy pop and just at the

> point when they go completely hyper and vomit -

> hand them back.

>

> In the early days, with my first, I was worried

> that she was always shy when I visited. A learned

> friend advised me that small children are

> essentially Pavlovian. The simple presentation of

> a packet of chocolate buttons instantly dispelled

> all shyness, that and a willingness to play

> "Gee-Gee". Many years later I am still known in

> swathes of East Sussex as "Chocolate Button Mike"

> and have minor back twinges.

=================================================

Nah, they're not and I generally avoid them at all costs. Even other peoples...

I don't see how I can get out of it though, so I intend to be an Aunt who when she's older thinks is cool and comes to me to escape. Ha ha!

[Michael Palaeologus]

Wicked Auntie Anna - suits you madam.

[bon3yard]

Tis the job of children to keep adults entertained surely, dress them up in monkey costumes and pointy hats and get them to dance to the tune of the Mango Man, dance kiddies, dance!! Earn your keep you little midget folk you. Tis either that or a stint cleaning out the cowsheds down at Ol Berts farm.

[????]

My chimneys need sweeping too

[Michael Palaeologus]

I have looms that need cleaning first.

[bon3yard]

Lets face it all the worlds power needs could be met by harnessing the near psychotic energy levels of your average rugrat, feed em up with turkey twizzlers and sunny D, strap em to an exercise bike(Itself attached to a turbine of some sort) and voila an untapped resource. No more rotund kiddies either. Those do-gooders from human rights watch might stick their oar in though. Sandle wearing yoghurt knitters.

[Brendan]

Not that far fetched

http://www.accra-mail.com/mailnews.asp?id=926

[bon3yard]

The roundabout was my first idea! I'm surprised nobodies thought of harnessing the power of gyms, even if this was just power that was put straight back into powering all aspects of the running of the gym. Healthy body, smug green credentials.

[Brendan]

Or carriages on commuter trains that have rows of exercise bikes on them. You pay extra to be able to workout on your way home from work, but don?t have to pay for the gym and the power generated from the bikes can help the train run.