Amusements For Kids In London

[EdmundD]

A Parisian colleague is visiting London in January and he is bringing his 2 young boys (8 and 10 years old). He has asked me about places in London where can take his kids. I've suggested the Science Museum, but am a bit of a loss to suggest anything else. Any ideas?

[Buenchico]

I'm pleased to see the Science Museum at the top of your list, as it's the most obvious place to go with kids. The Natural History Museum is right next door and, even if they miss out the rest of the exhibits, it would seem silly to miss out on the dinosaurs. (The moving one is great for kids!). Both the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum are free (unless you pay to visit special exhibitions within them).

More museums for kids here:
http://www.timeout.com/london/attractions/top-10-museums-in-london-for-kids

Other than that, a brief boat trip is well worth considering. (Kids get bored on long boat rides and it can be ruddy cold on the Thames in January as well!). The ride from Tower Pier to Embankment Pier only takes 17 minutes but it takes in loads of sights (including Tower Pier, the Tower of London, HMS Belfast, the London Monument, Cleopatra's Needle, etc). That positions you well for a look at the London Eye (with perhaps a ride on it if the queues aren't too long) and the Houses of Parliament. (River buses run every 20 minutes on that route).

Having mentioned HMS Belfast above, I'm reminded that every child I've ever taken there has really enjoyed the visit:
http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast

If the weather's good, the street entertainers in Covent Garden are always worth watching.

More ideas here:
http://www.timeout.com/london/kids

[Canary42]

It's a bit pricey, but the London Aquarium is only a stone's throw from the London Eye.

http://www.visitsealife.com

[sherrardk]

We went to the Science Museum in the summer and they seem to have turned it dull. The queue for the Natural History museum was 2 1/2 hours long. Or friend could go to China Town, Covent Garden, Hamley's, Harrods, etc.

[Buenchico]

>>>The queue for the Natural History museum was 2 1/2 hours long

The only time I've seen long queues at the Natural History Museum is when there are special exhibitions on (requiring you to buy a timed ticket). If you don't want to see the special exhibition you can simply walk straight past the queue and enter as normal.

>>>We went to the Science Museum in the summer and they seem to have turned it dull

You do need to be selective when taking kids to the Science Museum. Click '8 to 11' under 'Age Groups' here, and then click 'Go' to find the most suitable exhibits. (Save Launchpad until last though; it's the bit that most kids enjoy most!)

[sherrardk]

Buenchico, when we lived in Aylesbury (about 7 1/2 years ago) we went to the Science Museum a couple of times a year - this year it just seemed to have changed a lot (for the worse).

[Buenchico]

I seem to have omitted my link above:
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/Plan_your_visit.aspx

(Sherrardk: I might be going to the Science Museum soon, so I'll take a look and see what I think about any changes).

[Samuraisan]

Madame Taussads ? The London Eye

[rockyracoon]

London Docklands Museum is fantastic, very interactive, great location, well worth a visit. Royal Observatory and Planetarium are worth a look, could take in The Cutty Sark as well.

[237SJ]

and don`t forget that glass walkway they`ve installed at Tower Bridge

[Buenchico]

^^^I've always found Madame Tussaud's to be one of the most deadly dull places for kids. If you're going to include commercial (and mega-expensive) static exhibitions, I'd recommend the London Dungeon (as long as the kids don't scare too easily - I've had a tough 12yo lad pass out on me in there!).

The London Eye is undoubtedly good (although very expensive and with some very long queues). A far cheaper alternative is to take the Emirate Air Line cable car ride across the Thames:
http://www.emiratesairline.co.uk/
That can be combined (using a joint ticket to save money) with the Emirates Aviation Experience
http://www.emiratesairline.co.uk/local-attractions/emirates-aviation-experience/
and The Crystal (which is free):
http://www.thecrystal.org/

[Gavmacp]

Don't know where it is but the Harry Potter film set went down well with my nephew.

[Buenchico]

>>>London Docklands Museum is fantasti

I certainly enjoyed (although it might be best suited to slightly older children than those mentioned in the question). It's free (but with donations requested) so it wouldn't cost anything to take a look:
http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands/
(It also fits in well with my suggestions above of the Emirates Air Line, the Emirates Aviation Experience and the Crystal, as they're close by each other).

[Peter Pedant]

Tower of London ?
linked with a shortish bus tour ?

[EdmundD]

Thank you everybody !!

[GeorgiaP]

London has so many - there's a guide to 35 (sorted be neighbourhood) that I find useful. https://www.thelondonmother.net/home/best-museums-galleries-london-children