10 things to do in London with a toddler
I have decided to start a new blog feature - London with toddlers. Once a month, a family-friendly place or thing to do in London, and I've thought of ten different places I think are good for toddlers.
I've lived in London for about eight years now. I used to live in central London and loved visiting all the sights and just walking around. Now, living in the outskirts of London, with a toddler in tow, we rarely venture to see the sights. Toddler, buggy, public transport. Too. Much. Effort. Sitting in the train, commuting Monday to Friday does that to you.
It is a crying shame living in London and not actually enjoying the unique sights and experiences London offers. So for a while I've thought about trying to do one London thing a month as a whole family, our 22 month old toddler in tow. And then of course, blogging about it!
Here are ten things to do with a toddler in London. For a perfect weekend in London our family would choose a few of these to do, and pop in by some toddler-friendly restaurants in between experiences. We have been to the Disney Cafe in Harrods, and I've heard Rainforest Cafe is great for kids too.
1. London Aquarium - this would guarantee lots of shrieks of joy. All those fish! (See my review of the London Aquarium!)
2. And afterwards, going on the London Eye. While this is more for the grown-ups, I am sure little monkeys would enjoy the scenery as well.
3. Speaking of little monkeys, going to the ZSL London Zoo would be amazing. Seeing all those monkeys, lions, tigers, and other things. ((See my top tips for the London Zoo!)
4. Natural History Museum would be pretty special place to visit, with all those massive dinosaur skeletons. In the summertime the yard houses a special butterfly tent, which you can go and visit, and see lots of amazing butterflies.
5. Nearby, the Science Museum has plenty of interactive things to do, and apparently some are suitable for toddlers too.
7. Kensington Gardens has Diana, Princess of Wales' Memorial Playground, with a large pirate ship to climb aboard to.
8. Going on a cruise on the Thames would be lovely - we have actually done this, and while you have to stay in the central aisles with a buggy, you can still enjoy the scenery. (See my review of the cruise here!)
9. Greenwich is a lovely area to spend some time as a family. The views are fabulous, there is a big ship to admire (Cutty Sark) and the park is humongous for a toddler to run around in. (See my review of the Cutty Sark)
10. V&A Museum of Childhood looks like another lovely place to visit and there are supposed to be suitable things for toddlers to play with too. (See my review of the V&A Museum of Childhood!)
Would you recommend anything else to do with a toddler in London?
The pictures are all from our last family outing to London - Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
Great post, some amazing looking places here for toddlers. Will have to bookmark this for when I take Ethan. x
ReplyDeleteThanks :) I think the Zoo and the Aquarium are going to be great for toddlers and you can get cheaper entry using Tesco vouchers, as they can be quite pricey. I'll start writing my "London with toddlers" features soon too, and you'll find more tips there :)
DeleteGreat post, I really want to take Luke to London. He's 19 months old though and I'm not sure how he would cope with the tube! :( Ray xx @ lukeosaurusandme.blogspot.co.uk #MBPW
ReplyDeleteTube can be a bit difficult with prams, I find it is much easier if I take a baby carrier. Won't need to worry about stairs that way. I am sure Luke would enjoy it - it can be pretty exciting seeing all those people - my little one loves being on the Tube :)
DeleteLovely to find you today on #thelist linky. Your list brings back some great memories of when my oldest was a tot in London. Definitely add to the list the Children's Zoo in Battersea Park, smaller animals, lots of hands on stuff and petting zoo - just perfect for the under 5 crowd
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, that sounds like a nice place to visit - I'll definitely need to keep that in mind! We have some petting zoos nearby us as well, and we live close to Lee Valley so we might try a few different animal experiences :)
DeleteWe live in London, quite Central, and love exploring the city. S has been on a river cruise, on the London eye, to the London Zoo and the Diana Memorial Playground. The Transport museum is another thing he loved. The Science Museum is on our to do list this year. He also really enjoys going on the tube so sometimes we'll just head into town on the tube, look around and come home, it's such an adventure for him! :) xx
ReplyDeleteNot sure if my comment went through, it sort of disappeared. We've done the London eye, Thames river cruise, London Zoo, Winter Wonderland and the Diana Memorial playground. My son loved the Transport Museum in Covent Garden. The science museum is on our list of places to go this summer. We live pretty central and he absolutely loves the tube so sometimes we go on the tube into town just for a little adventure :) xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment - it just needed to be moderated so that's why it didn't appear here straight away :)
DeleteYou've done loads of stuff already! Good stuff too :) I used to live central and loved it but now we live in the suburbs with the baby, so it is rare that we venture there anymore. We'll have to check the Transport Museum, I've never been there myself so it would be nice to visit :)
Hey there, very pleased to have found you on #thelist I love all of these places although have never heard of that park in Russell Square- will have to check it out. We're actually planning on going out for the day in London soon (like you I live a bit out of town now so don't get to go in as much as I'd like). I'm also planning on doing the whole touristy red bus sightseeing tour... My daughter loves buses. And The Tower of London is a must for me. Plus, any of the parks and the Southbank is fab too - especially during the kids holidays. Phew, need to get my list done. Xx
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you too :)
DeleteYour list sounds great! Lots of great places to visit here :) I didn't even think of going on a bus tour, I find it so terribly touristy, but it would actually be a good idea with a toddler - they love buses don't they! And you get to enjoy the scenery :) I might try a Duck Tour too at some point.
We always used to enjoy a meal at the Rain forest Cafe on our trips down (can get very busy though), and the gorilla used to scare the little ones.
ReplyDeleteYeah I've heard it can be really packed there - it would be fun to experience the athmosphere sometime though. Maybe we'll pop in there next time we are in town :) I'll try to stay away from the gorilla though! :D
DeleteOoh you are going to have loads of fun!! I love the photo of you looking over your shoulder with that gorgeous dimple! I don't know London very well I'm afraid, I do love the science museum there, I once went to an epic conference dinner there - huge planes mixed with ribbon dances falling from the ceiling and champers flowing. That was a night alright. But I recon it would be great fun to go back with the kids!
ReplyDeletethanks for linking up to #TheList and enjoy your trips! xx
Aww thank you :)
DeleteWow, that sounds like an amazing place to have a conference! I've had a few conferences in London, and that would probably be the most fun place to have a conference - thinking of all the possible fun activities you could do there between sessions!
You should come to London sometime, it is a fab place to visit :) Thanks for hosting!
I'm planning a trip to London with N in the next few weeks. The aim was to see the Shaun the Sheep figures, but might do Science museum or Greenwich - depending on weather and how early we get there.
ReplyDeleteThe Southbank's great too - lovely park area, nice walk, and lots to watch and experience.
Oh yeah, I've seen quite a few of those Shaun the Sheep figures, they are pretty cool! A while back they had Paddington Bear as well, I wonder if they have them around still... Greenwich is gorgeous, well worth a visit if the weather is good, failing that Science Museum would do the trick :) Have a great time! :)
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