What to do in London with a 7 yr old?......

[Im a BusyBee]

We will soon be taking our 7 year old grandson to London as we go regularly and he always asks to come but have been waiting until he is old enough to appreciate what he is seeing. We will take him to see Big Ben, Buckingham Palace etc. I dont want to get back and then think of somewhere we should have gone - where would you go? Also i want to take him to the O2 - which boats go there? would they also go in the other direction to cover most of the popular sites? thanks for your help.

[Buenchico]

The Science Museum is an absolute must!
('Launchpad', which is the interactive area for children on the third floor will be the most popular area but a quick tour around the transports areas - to see, for example, the aircraft hanging from the ceiling - would also be interesting for a youngster).

The Natural History Museum is next door to the Science Museum. All children love the moving dinosaurs!

If the weather's good, the street entertainers in Covent Garden are great fun. (Your grandson could even find himself the star of the show, as many of the performers use young assistants in their shows).

I'd suggest keeping a boat trip quite short. It's cold on the river at this time of the year and 7-year-olds quickly become bored. The short trip from Tower Pier to the London Eye is one possibility. (Use the regular river bus services, rather than the tour boats. They're much cheaper; you get a third off if you've got a Travelcard). Unfortunately Transport for London still has the Spring & Summer Timetable online (rather than the one you'll need) but it gives you an idea of services:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk...ds/riverbus-guide.pdf

Chris

[emmie]

as others have said The Duck Tour is a must, The London Eye, all in the same area, Southbank has lots of cafe's, restaurants for a quick stop.
Natural History museum is wonderful, gets quite crowded, especially as it's half term. Covent garden is quite interesting, they usually have musicians, sometime jugglers, and shops to browse. If you want to whizz around the sights, like buck house, and tower of london, take the open top tour buses,
too many things really, some off the track i could recommend but not sure if you have the time, or will find them. If you are not taking in a tour bus to see the sights, then get oyster cards for public transport, see around London that way. lots of choice, have a good time.

[VHG]

Have you searched on "London with Children" there is loads of web sites.

http://www.timeout.com/london/kids/

http://golondon.about.../London_with_Kids.htm

http://www.londontreasures.com/children.htm