Do you love London? Do you have children? Although on the face of it, the capital might seem geared towards adults, there are all sorts of great activities for young visitors that you can discover together.
Getting organised
The key to getting a lot out of your family trip to London is good planning. Itineraries will inevitably be subject to some changes on the day – there’s no accounting for children’s whims or tantrums, and it’s their trip as much as it is yours – but having an idea of the route you want to take will make things much easier. Using the internet, you can plan your sightseeing and other activities round the locations of cafés where you can sit down to eat together, or picnic spots where you can buy your little ones some ice cream.
Seeing the sights
Children can’t stay on their feet for as long as adults – if you try to walk everywhere, they’ll quickly become exhausted. This makes the London Eye a great choice as they can see the whole city without having to go far at all. They’re also impatient with standing around, so if you want them to see the Changing of the Guard, check the times first and make sure you arrive when something’s happening. Include them at the planning stage so that they can make suggestions. The Tower of London is often a favourite – they can see the famous ravens and hear some grisly tales.
Exciting adventures
Many fantastic adventures to be found in or near London are ideal for kids. Meet gigantic dinosaurs up close and personal in the Natural History Museum. Try some hands-on experiments and learn how the world works in the Science Museum. Get off at platform 9 3/4 and stroll down Diagon Alley looking out for Harry Potter on a Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Simple things such as an hour or two in the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens can provide real thrills, and if you really want them to burn off some energy, you can take your kids to trampoline park, Air Hop. Smaller children, meanwhile, will love the play, storytelling and craft sessions at the Discover Centre.
Getting around
As an adult, the easiest way to get around London is to use the Underground, but although kids should probably experience it once, many find the crowds and the idea of being underground quite frightening. A better idea is to pick up tickets for the hop-on, hop-off bus tours that go all around the city. Travelling on an open-top bus is especially exciting for children, and they may well enjoy it as much as the sights themselves. River cruises can also be a good bet and provide a great opportunity for you to relax whilst the guide does the hard work of telling the city’s stories.
Wherever you choose to go, and however you get there, there’s lots of excitement in London for visitors of all ages. It’s a trip your children will always remember.
Collaborative Editorial Piece