Where to take a 9 year old during summer holiday.

[Pugwash]

My daughter, a single parent, has been let down by her children's' father, who was supposed to have them for part of the school holidays, So we are helping out. Our grand daughter aged 11 is no problem, but 9year old is more difficult to please. Has an interest in computers and coding, does not like crowds (neurodiverse)  Is keen n how things work and enjoys taking things apart. He is already going to the transport museum and has been to the science museum  Husband and I have some mobility problems so nothing too strenuous. have done Horniman's a number of times.  Is there any local holiday schemes where we can enrol him in for 2/3 days. There seems to be a number relating to singing/dancing and drama but nothing science/maths based. He does not have an interest in sport at the moment. Grand children live in Sussex and will be attending Holiday Clubs for a couple of weeks

 

[beansprout]

Why not have a chat with the Maths school on Lordship lane? Just down from library - in front of bus stop opposite side of road to Sainsbury. Libraries sometimes offer coding …not sure if it still tuns but in Brockwell Park they use to have a little train - maybe they might have stuff that needs fixing.

[Mrs C]

This might be an option? 
 

https://www.southwark.gov.uk/southwark-presents/coding-and-robotics-workshop-peckham-library-0

[IlonaM]

Also, if he enjoys design or drawing (alongside his maths & tech) he might like the Greenpeace competition for a poster (see Lounge post) - 5 days left to enter. Something more for some time at home, but ...

[beansprout]

Try Alleyns School - ask about Sparks for Kids

[Pugwash]

At the time of posting previously, we had no idea of the dates we would be having the children. The maths place - you pay for a course of lessons .

The coding session would be good but you need to book well in advance. Also grandson has been doing coding since 6 years old. He now has a 'mentoring role' at his primary school as his knowledge of this subject is years above his chronological age. Dates are still up in the air as their father is trying to juggle leave from a new job in the north of the country. 

[beansprout]

Best you post when you have an idea of dates  - waste  of everyone’s time

[HeadNun]

16 hours ago, beansprout said:

Best you post when you have an idea of dates  - waste  of everyone’s time

How charming. 

[beansprout]

Makes sense though… or do you not think so? Can’t book anything without dates!!

[HeadNun]

I see some possibly overloaded grandparents, with mobility issues, trying to help their overloaded daughter. They put some feelers out in anticipation of having to look after their grandson who, it seems, it extraordinarily smart and requires extra stimulation. A big ask all round. That they weren't yet aware of exact dates hardly warrants your complaints of time-wasting. 

[beansprout]

Don’t see you making any positive contribution so with respect each person is allowed their opinion - matter closed

[Angelina]

Regardless of not having booked in advance, I would still reach out and explain your circumstances - they may have  cancellation or be able to accomodate.

 

I typed this into search and it cam up with a number of options

"london kids science school hol clubs"

 

Edited July 29 by Angelina

[Pugwash]

Thank you all for your input- we had the children with their mother for a few days. individually the children went out - one  to the theatre and Camden Market and Horniman's. The other to the transport museum and Leicester Square (could not get in to the Lego place so went into M & M place) also Dulwich Park with his Aunty and cousin. My daughter is a special needs teacher in Sussex and even though schools have closed, she had  to work 2 days (INSET Days)  one day she had a 3 hour zoom call with her colleagues as could not find a child minder, so worked from home, the next day the 9 year old spent the day with friends so she could go to work. At least with us she could get some respite from child care.

After much negotiation, their father in Liverpool  has managed to get some leave from his new job for 2 weeks. My daughter will drive them to Oxford where Dad will pick up. This gives my daughter a few days  without children to catch up with various friends in the Midland's and Yorkshire.

I will search the science school link as above as there maybe something in the October or February Half Terms which we could enrol the 9 year old in.

We try to support our 3 daughters with child care but most of the grandchildren are grown up which leaves us with 9,11 and 15 year olds.

We have not been asked to look after the 6 year and 3 year old great grandchildren - !!!

We are firm believers that grandparents should be active in their grandchildren's lives and offer support where they can. I looked after my eldest granddaughter when she was a baby and toddler one day a week so my daughter could work. My granddaughter is now 26 and we are very close as she is the only one living in London. The others are scattered around Kent, Sussex and Essex.

 

[Pugwash]

Looked up the science holiday clubs in London as mentioned by Angelina. There were none south of the river- most of them in Kensington area. Some had a price of £242 per day (for 5 hours), Also looked to see if there was anything in the Worthing area which we could pay for in the future,

[Sue]

On 04/08/2025 at 15:28, Pugwash said:

Looked up the science holiday clubs in London as mentioned by Angelina. There were none south of the river- most of them in Kensington area. Some had a price of £242 per day (for 5 hours), Also looked to see if there was anything in the Worthing area which we could pay for in the future,

£242 a DAY? For 5 hours?

What on earth are they doing with them, alchemy to make gold to take home?!

[beansprout]

You clearly do not know, how much it costs..

An example, little change from £100 if granny & gramps plus 2 want to do an activity in London ..& that is not adding in kids pick a toy each at the end or, ice cream - that alone for 4 - no change from a tenner.

Yes, of course one can take a picnic, drinks etc & do it cheaply, & yes - plenty of attractions for free, kids go free etc but, at the end of the day, if you are grand parents & only see your grand kids a couple of times a year, if you are lucky.. that is what it costs..!!

Times have moved on - I am old ..looking as an example.. Paddington Bear experience for a family,, 

 

[Sue]

36 minutes ago, beansprout said:

You clearly do not know, how much it costs..

An example, little change from £100 if granny & gramps plus 2 want to do an activity in London ..& that is not adding in kids pick a toy each at the end or, ice cream - that alone for 4 - no change from a tenner.

Yes, of course one can take a picnic, drinks etc & do it cheaply, & yes - plenty of attractions for free, kids go free etc but, at the end of the day, if you are grand parents & only see your grand kids a couple of times a year, if you are lucky.. that is what it costs..!!

Times have moved on - I am old ..looking as an example.. Paddington Bear experience for a family,, 

 

Eh? I'm not sure whose post you are responding to, but if it was mine, you  "clearly do not know how much it costs"?

I have two granddaughters who have frequently stayed with my partner and myself in London, since the younger one was four.

I wasn't commenting on the cost of taking children out in London.

I was asking exactly what a holiday science club was doing with the children to warrant charging £242 for five hours!

You "clearly" did not read my post! 

You don't have to take children on expensive outings. As you say, there are plenty of free/cheap  things for children to do in London, and children enjoy choosing things to go in their packed lunch which they can carry themselves in a little backpack.

As for buying toys etc, you can give them pocket money at the start of their stay, to spend how they want, and if they make poor choices and then run out of money, it's a learning experience, isn't it.

And I suspect I am at least as old as you, and quite possibly older!

But in any case, Pugwash was not asking for general comments, s/he was asking for specific suggestions for a specific boy with specific interests.

[ctovey]

If you are  a resident in Southwark, Tower Hamlets or City of London, you can buy tickets for the Tower Bridge Experience for £1 each.  There are lifts.  I found it ok to navigate around as an older, less able person.  You get entry to the Engine Room as well, which is very interesting.  Best to book in advance as the queues can be long.  Afterwards, a walk around St Katherine's dock is free and a pleasant experience.  The (old) Queen's royal barge is currently berthed there and worth a look.

[Pugwash]

Years since we have been to St. Katherine's Dock. Used to take our now 39 year old and now 52 year old daughters when they were young.

[beansprout]

Tough getting there by train, when you have disabilities but, you know what, is possible…Elizabeth line is step free, just all the walking around and escalators but, if I was not so stubborn, staff are always there to help.