Where to take two under 5's in London this half-term?

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colonel_jaffacake

Try looking at all the national museums like the British Museum, National Maritime Museum, Imperial War Museum, Science Museum, Barbican Gallery and the Natural History Museum.

They are free to enter and they will have special events on specifically for children during the half-term. Some will be free some might not. The Science Museum is a good bet and your kids may even come out educated at the end of the day!

Look at their websites on line to find out more.

Alternatively there's the kids love london website http://kids.visitlondon.com/ which is very informative.

Caz

London Aquarium is great but it's not that cheap I suppose (for adults at least).

Carrie S

The science museum is great. If you go down to the lower floor (Garden level) there are waterproof bibs to put on them and then roll up their sleeves and let them play with the dam. There is running water and things to push and boats to play with. There's also a little fort where they have to attach beanbags to a bucket and pull them up with a rope. they have musical instruments and lots of touchy feely things to play with. If they get bored of that, take them to the Launch Pad (for slightly older kids but still fun) round the corner from the Garden area where they can turn handles, balance objects and really run wild.

The Natural History Museum is round the corner and on the ground floor there is a huge interactive dinosaur exhibition with live animatronic dinosaur and lots of things to push and explore how they lived. All museums and galleries in London are free so it's very cheap if you bring a packed lunch.

If it's a nice day, take them to the Diana Memorial Playground (Bayswater, Queensway tubes). It has a security entrance system so you can just let them get on with playing without worrying about them leaving the area. It has a sandy beach area with water, a grassy picnic area, a wooden fort, teepees, a giant peter pan pirate ship with rigging to climb and the usual playground equipment too.

The Horniman Museum in South London (Forest Hill rail station) is almost built for kids. It's a small collection but has lots of interactive musical instruments, a nature trail with wildlife pond, lots of grassy areas, a little zoo with some animals in it and a child friendly cafe.

If they like animals then Battersea Park Children's Zoo (Battersea Park station) is great. It's a fraction of the cost of London Zoo and set up better for kids. It's got guinea pigs and rabbits, donkeys, birds, monkeys and a huge playground with woodchips under it. They also have a hut where they often have things to make like bird feeders. Don't forget the city farms as well. Deen city farm (next to Morden Hall Park on the tram line) and Vauxhall City Farm.

If they like swimming then there is a really good swimming pool at Bromley (next to the Glades shopping centre) Bromley North or South rail stations. It has slides and lots of fun things for kids to do in the water. If you fancy shopping then the Glades also has a creche (there is a charge for this) in the centre where you can leave the kids to play for a couple of hours while you get in some retail therapy.

Also in Bromley (Civic Centre, opposite the Glades) is Adventure Kingdom which is a giant soft play area with slides, ball pools etc. where you let them run wild while you have a cup of coffee in the cafe watching them.

It's a Kid's Thing in Earlsfield (Earlsfield rail on Magdalen Road) has a nice cafe and a small-ish soft play area ideal for under 5's. They also have different things on each day so contact them to find out what's on.

Another play place is Eddie Catz in Putney which is, again small with a cafe but good fun for the little ones.

JennJenn66

If it is a dry day go to Princess Diana's playground in Kensington Palace Gardens, if the weather is bad try the science museum or natural history museum - both in south Kensington. Or the national Gallery in Trafalgar Sq - they do activity packs for little ones to go on a hunt round the gallery to find insects or monsters or animals - or whatever this years theme may be - in the pictures in the gallery - again free to enter and small charge for activity sheet may one or two pounds.

xpandapinxx

Hi!
You could take them to all the sites and to see the palace, they might enjoy the london eye.
Wimbledon lawn museum and tour is quite nice too.
You can take them to the royal parks or sight seeing too.

Hope that helps!

L W

Hemel Hempstead out of London little bit but not far at all! They got brilliant swimming and slides!
Pet Farm
Fanatasy Island in Harrow its like a big massive indoor kids play zone!

Peardrops

Iâ€™d recommend London Aquarium, there are over 500 colourful marine species, and at this time of year make you can make the most of the themed events. Halloweens â€œTerrors of the deepâ€ starts at the end of October and if thatâ€™s not tempting enough, if you book online its half price during half term!

This years Battersea Park Fireworks display is also happening the weekend of half term (Saturday 1st November). Tickets are Â£5 for adults and Â£1 for children under 10. The theme for 2008 will be Paint the Whole World with a Rainbow. The kids will be mesmerised by the bonfire and 'The Sun et Lumiere' show with music and lights.

To save your little ones legs, you should look at taking them on London RIB Voyages. They offer several trips via bright orange high speed boats! All the safety clothing is provided and boats run every hour, 7 days a week. All you need to do is choose which tour to take, make sure the camera is charged ready for action and enjoy the ride!

Whatever you decide, the kids wonâ€™t be disappointed! If you donâ€™t want to spend any money then walk along the South Bank and let them take in all the views. Many of Londonâ€™s famous tourist attractions are within walking distance or a short ride on public transport.

Peardrop

http://www.parkplaza.com/countyhall_London

stainless steven

you have certainly got an answer. Regents park and the zoo. and St James park where they can see trees flowers pelicans- even have their sandwich snatched by those birds.

caergybi

If they are little boys try the London Transport Museum. We took our little grandsons there and they loved it. There are lots of inter-active things to do and you can bypass the displays that are too technical or above their heads. There are buses to "drive" and uniforms to try on - it was a great day out, quite inexpensive and not weather dependent. When you have finished there is usually some street entertainment going on outside in Covent Garden Market.

Cat

Exactly what Carrie said and also The London Transport Museum, The Imperial War Museum, Hampton Court Maze, The Busy Bee centre on the South Bank and The South Bank in general is fun for running and playing.
Enjoy

CMGBWCJB ;)

to soho! good brothels and drug dealers there x

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