Help! What would a fun London weekend with an 11 year old look like?

[Browncoffee]

I have my 11 year old niece coming to stay over for a weekend (last weekend in June) and I have promised to plan an exciting weekend for her (and my two little girls who are nearly 2 and 4 yrs old).

Can anyone recommend fun activities/events in London for an 11 year old girl? She's great with my girls and is looking forward to 'babysitting' and helping with bath times etc. but I also want some special treats for her, especially given her brother & father are off to their annual camping trip to Goodwood festival of CARS!

Our intention is to make our weekend so...much more fun than the boys';-)

[Dodo1]

Try Wahanda. There are great treats that you can do with her that are heavily discounted.

[BeccaL]

Tricky to combine your kids and her interests with the age gap - boat trip down the river - maybe to Greenwich? Trip on London Eye - good for little ones too. Kind of depends what she is interested in/likes doing. Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green might be good for all if she isn't too grown up for it!

[kittysailing]

Open top bus round London works for all ages and easy with little ones. Tick off all the sights! I took an eleven year old girl to Topshop Flagship Oxford Street and then for a burger at Ed's Diner and she said it as the best day of her life!

[Lindsey<3]

Southbank is lovely. Entertainment and bits to do. Specially if the weather is as it has been. :)

[Browncoffee]

Thank you all for your lovely suggestions. I hadn't considered most of those options. I think I'll have to go for some activities for just both of us, and others with the little ones. Thanks again!

[JessM]

If your niece seems to like being with your kids in a nurturing way, go to the library together. She might enjoy revisiting books from when she was younger with her cousins

[Mrs TP]

Most people coming to London want to see the tourist stuff. Would echo south bank and it's offerings / river trip and / or St James' park picnic and view of front of Buck Palace. Also Top Shop / Forever 21 on Oxford Str depending on how grown up she is or Hamleys. Whatever, you have to see some London tick box stuff - Big Ben etc.

[Easterbunny]

Hello

We recently took my daughter (nearly 2) to a Family Sunday at the Royal Opera House - it's really designed for over 6 and lots around your niece's age. It's a lovely day out and the little ones will enjoy it too. http://www.roh.org.uk/functions/family-sundays

There are music, ballet and singing activities - and a great dress up area. There are also lots of nice spots for lunch around Covent Garden too.

I should say, I have just started working at the Royal Opera House but I promise that I would recommend this even if I didn't have a personal connection!

Otherwise, always the Horniman!

Hope that helps

Lizzi

[Mustard]

King's Road might be fun as well. There's a Saturday market on.

[Browncoffee]

So...many options! I love the idea of tourist activities as she doesn't get into London often. I like the idea of South bank and a river trip, perhaps finishing off with a Hamley's visit for treats.

Lizzi - the Family Sunday at the Royal Opera House sounds great. Unfortunately tickets are already sold out for that Sunday. Must be pretty popular. Thanks everyone!

[curlykaren]

Southbank... Fountains are on now, (upper level) also Namco bowling/games/rides etc is inside city hall opposite the London eye. The Globe is really interesting as is the Tate Modern. Loads of street performers, carrousel, lovely gardens with a small playground. Check online and see if the changing of the guard is on at a suitable time as it's an easy short bus ride to palace from Westminster bridge next to City Hall. From the palace you are near St James Park or a bit further to Kensington Gardens and the Diana Memorial playground.

Somerset House, also has fountains (call first to avoid disappointment) that puts you near Covent garden...

Have fun!

[edanna]

Climbing to the top of St Paul's is great if you have the energy - definitely not for the little ones though.

[Robert Poste's Child]

Ice creams in the Parlour at Fortnum & Mason.

[Bellenden Belle]

It depends on the child I guess but for me, the most fun I could have, ever, was a big West End show.

But that doesn't come cheaply!

[LVWT]

Along the same lines as st Paul's, you can do monument quite cheaply and get a certificate.

Have you asked what sort of thing she's into, and work around that?

Chislehurst caves are another good one!

[Browncoffee]

Thanks again, everyone! We're also considering Chessington or similar.

@Bellenden Belle: West End Show is very tempting. Will check what's showing.

[BeccaL]

If she hasn't seen Matilda, definitely worth trying to get tickets for that - even right at the back of the theatre the view is pretty good (as it's a small theatre) and tickets are about ?25 each. If you and she went together, could prob manage an evening show which is likely to have much better availability than matinees.