Something to do in London with young kids

[dienamic]

We're going down to London this weekend for the boat show (excel), and are wanting to make a bit more of a weekend of it. We'll be at the show all day Saturday but would like something to do for a few hours on Sunday before driving back up to Yorkshire, something to do with 2 year old twins in tow! Ideally something a short drive from docklands area, as cheap as poss, and indoor as the forecast it's for it to be bloody freezing! Went around the maritime museum last year (without kids), thinking of something along those lines, or are we best just taking them there? Oh, we're also with a couple with 9 month old twins so needs to be buggy friendly

[petemurphy]

Horniman museum? Is great even if it does have v inappropriate name

[RichS]

Horniman is really good, very near us. It has an outside bit with a few animals, the inside always has some interesting exhibitions as well as a permanent aquarium; the aquarium is just big enough to wander around in about 20 minutes but you don't get museum fatigue at all.

[petemurphy]

theres a cool music room bit too where the kids can play weird instruments - only 10-15 mins train from london bridge i seem to remember. and its free!

theres battersea kids zoo but it will be freezin!

[Puggit]

Science Museum (free!) has a great hands-on section downstairs. Took 2 hours up! (there's a whole museum to see too)

[dienamic]

Horniman looks like it could be ideal, also handily placed- some our group are heading to Brighton and some to Bournemouth afterwards. Think they might be a bit too young for science museum at the moment, we're also right on the doorstep here of eureka- the childrens science museum. Would also prefer not to head into central London and have to worry about parking and getting about with 2 double prams. Any other ideas? Thanks for the suggestions so far!

[RichS]

Greenwich is nice to wander around, there's a fairly interesting covered market with lots of little food/trinket stalls; not so much for the kids to see though, although The Cutty Sark is close by. It's both outdoor and indoor, you can make up your own mind as to whether the method of displaying it is appropriate, you've got to see it to understand what I mean! The Planetarium at the observatory in Greenwich is fab, though may be a bit beyond 2 year olds. And of course there's the Meridian, which is always fun.

[BenjiA]

Dockalnds museum in Canary wharf is quite good, they have a kids discovery area,...and being in canary wharf there are loads of good places for lunch too. Also nearby is dockland city farm at mudchute, although, granted this might be cold....columbia flower market is also good on a sunday, again outside...sorry.

[dienamic]

Is it possible to see any of the Olympic Park yet, other than from the A12? Or is it all closed while they dismantle it?

[ClaphamGT3]

The Horniman is great - our two love it.

Its not brilliant for public transport and has no parking, so park in one of the backstreets 'behind' it and walk through the park

[dienamic]

Think we're going to go to the Horniman, if we can get down to London at all tomorrow!

[valiant]

Do the cable car from near the EXcel (although is weather dependent). Goes over to the O2 arena and then do a Thames clipper into the city. Have a wander around BigBen and then come back.

Not too expensive and continues your 'nautical' theme.

[megaphone]

valiant said:

Do the cable car from near the EXcel (although is weather dependent). Goes over to the O2 arena and then do a Thames clipper into the city. Have a wander around BigBen and then come back.

Not too expensive and continues your 'nautical' theme.

+1

[zcacogp]

Museum of childhood is a HUGE personal favourite, and it would appeal to the 'rents as well as the kids (as long as you can cope with seeing all your childhood toys in glass display cases!)

http://www.museumofchildhood.org.uk/

Close to docklands and would be pretty much en-route back to Yorkshire. And free and inside.


Oli.

[Blown2CV]

am i missing something here? I loved going to london when i was a kid because of all the traditional sights, the palace, the buses, the beefeaters, the tower, the river, trip on the boats, daft souvenirs, all of it! Why go in some bloody kiddy-friendly museum?

[Nobby Diesel]

The OP wanted something close by to Docklands and indoor.
So, I guess you missed that bit.

I know what you mean though, London is an incredible sightseeing place.

[Blown2CV]

fair enough, looks like i was missing something then! Unless they've seen it all already, I just reckon they'd love all that stuff. Anyway.

[dienamic]

thanks for all the suggestions, but unfortunately the weather ultimately dictated our day today. We're currently at Leicester forest services heading straight home! Will definitely look at the horniman next time, and all the traditional sights when they're a bit older