It’s straightforward to assume it is best to delay a household vacation in London till your youngsters are a bit older – however the metropolis is stuffed with youngsters, and with so many issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers, there’s no motive to attend.
![Girl in front of vintage underground sign to tickets and trains - exploring the London Transport Museum depot with kids](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/london-transport-museum-depot-girl2-1.jpg)
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I’ve been exploring London with my daughter since she was a child – she was a toddler once we first visited a few of the main museums and braved the tube with a buggy, so the hot button is planning fastidiously and selecting your points of interest correctly.
Whereas all these are focused at youngsters aged 5 and underneath, as any mother or father is aware of, there’s an enormous variation between an 18-month-old toddler, and a four-year-old preschooler, fairly aside from accounting for their very own likes and dislikes – however with concepts for 25 issues to do in London with younger youngsters, all beneficial primarily based by myself expertise, you’ll have loads of inspiration for a terrific time out.
London Zoo
With greater than 750 totally different species and 1000’s of animals to find on the zoo – the world’s third oldest after Vienna and Paris – this makes a incredible time out in London with toddlers.
Sprawling throughout 15 hectares, you do want to permit a minimum of half a day to profit from it. There are three colour-coded routes, so in case your youngsters have a number of favourites they wish to see, it’s straightforward to focus first on the furred and feathered inhabitants they’ll love most.
There are particular areas for various habitats, from rainforest to penguin seaside, in addition to the land of the lions, gorilla kingdom, the prospect to stroll with lemurs plus reptiles and bugs… too many to depend actually. There are a few walkthrough enclosures that are particularly enjoyable for little ones (until you’re apprehensive about little grabby fingers close to the animals).
Tickets value from £27.73 for adults (as much as £33 at peak occasions), £18.04 for kids over three, underneath threes go free – tickets should be prebooked.
Take a look at my recommendations on visiting London Zoo with youngsters together with recommendations on discovering reductions
![Penguin stands by the edge of the pool at London zoo waiting for feeding time - my top tips for visiting London Zoo with kids](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/london-zoo-penguin-pool-tips.jpg)
Battersea Park Kids’s Zoo
This little kids’s zoo is nice for youthful youngsters – much less overwhelming than the principle zoo, much less far to stroll and nonetheless loads of animals to thrill, particularly in case you’re in need of time (a few hours is lots) or visiting London on a funds.
As a result of whereas London Zoo is a incredible time out with youngsters, there’s no query that it’s a pricy one – and for youthful toddlers, they’re usually as excited by a rabbit as one thing uncommon and unique.
You received’t discover larger creatures however there are monkeys and lemurs, wallabies, cattle, birds, reptiles and various small furry issues. There’s additionally an journey playground to entertain – in addition to loads of area within the park across the zoo.
Tickets value £10.95 for adults, £8.95 for youths aged over two, underneath twos are free. Household tickets are additionally out there, and entry is first come first served.
You may also discover extra of London’s smaller zoos, together with a little bit free zoo in north London – try this put up for extra, in addition to our time out at Battersea Park Kids’s Zoo
Sea Life London aquarium
A beautiful various to town’s zoos for animal lovers, London’s aquarium is a superb place to go to with youthful youngsters – the Sea Life London Aquarium close to the London Eye can get busy at peak occasions and on wet days although.
One of many largest collections in Europe, the aquarium homes over 500 species, 14 themed zones and greater than 2 million litres of water with some uncommon creatures, in addition to some favourites together with penguins and clownfish.
Tickets value from £29.50 for adults, £26.50 for youths in case you ebook on-line, and children underneath three go free.
![Grey rabbit sitting on straw in a hutch - our day out going to hug a bunny at Easton Farm Park in Suffolk](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/rabbit-hutch-farm-kids-Depositphotos70310881s.jpg)
Go to a metropolis farm
In the event you’re visiting London with youngsters who love animals, add one of many many metropolis farms to your listing – there are half a dozen websites dotted across the capital that are free to go to.
For instance Freightliners Metropolis Farm (between Caledonian Highway tube and Highbury & Islington) has some uncommon breeds, as does Spitalfields Metropolis Farm.
At Vauxhall Metropolis Farm, you’ll discover alpacas alongside farmyard animals and even a few cats, whereas there are llamas at Mudchute. Hackney Metropolis Farm has some smaller fluffy inhabitants together with rabbits and guinea pigs in addition to bigger creatures too.
For extra concepts of free issues to do in London with youngsters, try this put up
Open-top bus tour
London isn’t a small metropolis, and strolling for miles isn’t going to go down properly with youthful youngsters – somewhat than carrying out your personal legs, or heading underground to catch the tube, it’s straightforward to mix getting round with some sightseeing on an open-top bus tour.
London has varied open-top bus sightseeing excursions to select from so there are many totally different choices, relying which routes and occasions you need – try my comparability of the greatest bus excursions in London with youngsters right here
![Advert showing an image of a printable scavenger hunt for London's iconic sights and the words 'click here to buy your scavenger hunt for finding some of the iconic sights of London with kids, only 99p'](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Click-here-to-download-a-scavenger-hunt-for-London-icons.jpg)
Tootsbus (previously The Unique Tour firm) has a particular 45-minute London Children tour which is enjoyable for brief consideration spans, in addition to the traditional hop-on hop-off tour across the metropolis.
Or the London Large Bus Excursions has its personal hop-on hop-off routes, with 24 and 48-hour tickets out there. Children underneath 5 go free, though if you wish to assure a seat, it may be sensible to ebook in busy vacation intervals – having a toddler in your knee is one factor, having a four-year-old sitting there may be much less enjoyable!
Hop on a ship
One other enjoyable technique to sightsee is by taking to the Thames – in my expertise, that is higher with preschoolers than toddlers, who are likely to get bored on an extended journey down the river.
In the event you’re cautious about paying for a sightseeing cruise that your youngsters won’t love, or from being caught on a ship for ages, it’s straightforward to get a little bit style and hop aboard Uber Boat by Thames Clippers which runs common routes alongside the river, and you’ll pay as you go.
![One of the best ways to arrive in Greenwich is taking a cruise along the Thames](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/london-thames-view-boats-eye.jpg)
It’s not essentially the quickest technique to get round, however you would cruise a few stops from round Westminster, Waterloo or Embankment right down to the Tower of London, for instance (or the other way).
Metropolis Cruises additionally has varied sightseeing cruises which allow you to hop on and off, together with ones with afternoon tea so you’ll be able to benefit from the sights over some scones to assist entertain your youngsters.
Take a look at extra of the totally different boat excursions of London with youngsters for extra concepts
Discover Paddington
For little followers of Paddington Bear (and who isn’t?), you’ll be able to spot Paddington in a number of locations round London.
Begin with a go to to Paddington Station, the place the furry hero of the books was first discovered by the Browns and acquired his title.
The lifesize bronze statue with the label asking individuals to take care of this bear is again in its traditional residence by Platform 1, after a quick stint close to the Praed Avenue entrance, between Platforms 9 and 10. Hold a watch out for a plaque marking his appearances on the web page and on display screen too.
You’ll additionally discover the Paddington bench within the station, the place youngsters can pose for images subsequent to him.
You might even let Paddington be your information to London too – one among my picks for the greatest youngsters’ books about London – or try the greatest locations to seek out Paddington in London
![The Paddington bear bench at Paddington station - let literature inspire you with my top 21 days out with kids who love books](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/london-paddington-bear-station-bench2.jpg)
The station can also be the place to begin for the Pawprint Path – three trails, actually, every with one of many Paddington statues from the 2014 assortment dotted across the metropolis.
For a much less well-known statue of Paddington, head to St Mary’s Churchyard at close by Paddington Inexperienced, the place you’ll discover him commemorated together with his creator Michael Bond, one of many Sustrans portrait benches dotted across the nation. Or he additionally pops up with a marmalade sandwich in Leicester Sq..
For extra issues to do round Leicester Sq. with youngsters, try my prime picks
Pure Historical past Museum
Top-of-the-line museums in London with a toddler – though older youngsters can even find it irresistible right here too – there’s the prospect to see Andy’s clock in the event that they’re followers of CBeebies exhibits Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures and Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures, plus the well-known dinosaurs and blue whale skeleton within the entrance corridor.
That’s all simply the beginning of what you’ll be able to see on the Pure Historical past Museum. Braver preschoolers will love the earth sciences part, together with a simulated earthquake, after being whisked upstairs by an escalator rising in direction of dramatic rumbles and purple gentle.
![Advert showing an image of a printable scavenger hunt for the Natural History Museum in London and the words 'click here to buy your scavenger hunt for a visit to the Natural History Museum in London with kids, only 99p'](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/NHM-Scavenger-hunt-ad.jpg)
My daughter couldn’t even be persuaded on the escalator as a toddler however youthful ones will benefit from the mammals part and you’ll actually have a little break within the Wildlife Backyard as properly.
It’s unsurprisingly in style, so the free tickets for weekends and faculty holidays do get snapped up quick – don’t depart it too late to ebook.
For my recommendations on visiting the Pure Historical past Museum with younger youngsters, click on right here
![View of the whale skeleton hanging in the Hintze Hall of the Natural History Museum in London - one of our 2020 family travel days out](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/london-natural-history-museum-whale4.jpg)
Science Museum
A brief stroll from the Pure Historical past Museum, the Science Museum is one other of my favorite locations to go to with youthful youngsters and aside from the interactive reveals of Wonderlab, which does have a reserving charge, there’s no cost to go to.
Toddlers and youthful youngsters will love the hands-on space known as The Backyard, together with a water play space, making music, sensory shows, puppets and big blocks.
For extra issues to do in South Kensington with youngsters, try my choose of the perfect
The Sample Pod is one other nice one for preschoolers – with numbers restricted contained in the museum, chances are you’ll have to put your title down on an inventory at busier time so it’s price checking as quickly as you arrive.
Not forgetting the fabulous gallery full of automobiles, in addition to the area gallery and shows on communications – successfully an summary of 250 years of scientific and technological advances which have reworked our on a regular basis life.
Prebooking is beneficial throughout holidays and at weekends and also you’re suggested to permit a minimum of two hours for a go to.
For my recommendations on visiting the Science Museum with youngsters, click on right here.
Victoria & Albert Museum
The third massive South Kensington museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum (or V&A) is one which regularly will get ignored by households – however there’s extra to see and do right here than you would possibly anticipate, in case you’re visiting London with toddlers.
The world’s largest museum of ornamental and utilized arts has some incredible household actions to strive, even for the youngest guests, that are nice for bringing the gathering to life.
See the costumes from the Lion King, eye-catchingly dramatic courtroom clothes, and a really surprising automaton of a tiger consuming a person, in addition to statues, sculptures and extra, it’s a superb treasure trove to discover with youngsters.
Prebooking is beneficial in the course of the holidays, though the V&A tends to be the quieter of the South Kensington museums. There are additionally free household occasions throughout faculty holidays and a few weekends, in addition to digital and bodily trails to comply with (the household backpacks are at present unavailable).
For my recommendations on visiting the V&A with youngsters, click on right here
![Striking a pose in the British Museum, on one of the activity trails around the Asia gallery that's aimed at preschoolers](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/london-british-museum-girl-trail.jpg)
British Museum
You positively don’t have to be faculty age to benefit from the British Museum, however that is one place that I might suggest for preschoolers somewhat than toddlers, with some enjoyable trails designed for these aged three and up.
They’re an effective way to introduce youthful guests to a few of the 80,000+ gadgets on show (try my go to to the British Museum with a three-year-old), with trails themed round numbers and hues, as a straightforward to technique to carry a few of the artefacts to life.
In any other case, the mummies and the Historical Egypt galleries are among the many hottest (and normally the busiest) however are by no means lower than fascinating. However you’ll be able to uncover Anglo Saxon treasure, video games which date again 1000’s of years, gods, jewels, on a regular basis gadgets and distinctive finds, to not point out Romans, Greeks, Vikings and an enormous quantity extra.
Solely the particular exhibitions have a cost, and in case you’re visiting with youngsters aged underneath 5, it is best to be capable to skip the queue on the entrance – prebooking free tickets is beneficial at busy occasions and you’ll obtain trails upfront (restricted paper copies out there).
For my recommendations on visiting the British Museum with youngsters, click on right here.
The Horniman Museum
The one downside to this pretty museum is that it’s exterior central London, as a result of with a little bit little bit of the whole lot, it’s significantly enjoyable with youthful youngsters – preferrred in case your toddlers really feel overwhelmed by town too.
With galleries on totally different themes, the Horniman is sweet for little consideration spans as you’ll be able to wander from the well-known walrus in pure historical past to world music and tradition, to see butterflies and wander the grounds exterior, the place you’ll discover extra animals.
![My daughter looks at a stuffed fox, one of the interactive exhibits at the Horniman museum - my ultimate guide to London's museums and tips for London museums with toddlers and kids](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/london-horniman-museum-fox-girl.jpg)
The Nature Base offers youngsters an opportunity to get fingers on, together with stroking a stuffed fox and badger, whereas older ones can be taught extra about conservation too.
There’s additionally a little bit aquarium, which has a small cost – as do the non permanent exhibitions – however in any other case it’s free. The museum could be reached by practice from London Bridge station.
Learn extra about my go to to the Horniman museum with youngsters right here.
Postal Museum
The Postal Museum won’t be town’s best-known museum, however there are a few the reason why it’s a terrific one in case you’re searching for issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers.
To start with, you’ll be able to hop on board the Mail Rail – beneath the museum are the unique tunnels and station platforms of London’s 100-year-old postal railway, which as soon as delivered mail throughout town.
It stopped getting used again in 2003 which signifies that guests can now journey by means of those self same tunnels on a miniature practice.
It’s additionally residence to Sorted! The Postal Play House – a play space that’s designed as a mini city, with streets and buildings, plus tons to push, pull, slide down and extra. Classes final 45 minutes and should be prebooked.
For extra recommendations on visiting London’s museums with toddlers and preschoolers, try this put up
![View of some of the vintage vehicles in the main hall of the London Transport Museum - a visit to check out the London Transport Museum Christmas events](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/london-transport-museum-christmas-hall.jpg)
London Transport Museum
There are few toddlers who aren’t fascinated by automobiles – which makes this museum small baby heaven, full with classic buses, outdated tube trains you’ll be able to climb inside, and varied different interactive parts.
Preschoolers will love the London Transport museum too (as will any older siblings), as you go on a journey by means of London’s transport historical past, from sedan chairs, carriages and river transport by means of to the primary omnibus and later taxis, doubledecker buses and the underground.
With numerous quirky information, together with the eye-watering quantity of dung scooped off London’s streets in the course of the days of horse-drawn automobiles, and many shows the place you may get fingers on, there’s tons to entertain youngsters.
For youthful guests aged underneath seven, there’s additionally the All Aboard play space, with a fleet of mini automobiles and dressing up (riverboat captain or bus driver? Hmmm), plus the Child DLR space if there are even youthful siblings to entertain.
Tickets value £24 for adults, together with limitless return visits for a 12 months, and is free for youths – you may get a reduction in case you ebook by way of tiqets utilizing my code, MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Take a look at my evaluation of a go to to the London Transport Museum with youngsters and the museum’s Acton depot
Uncover Kids’s Story Centre
You don’t have to have the ability to learn to get misplaced in tales at Uncover: Kids’s Story Centre in London’s Stratford, geared toward youngsters aged from 0 to 11.
This incredible multi-sensory play area in east London is ideal for younger kids, full with two flooring of magical Story Worlds and a Story Backyard, that includes the whole lot from a pirate ship to a spacecraft and loads of different enjoyable imaginary lands for youths to discover.
There are numerous timed actions and you’ll construct your personal session, together with any particular exhibitions and storytelling, plus the play areas throughout the 2 essential flooring.
Tickets value £9 for adults and youngsters aged over two, £3 for one-year-olds, and underneath ones go free. There are additionally household tickets, whereas exhibitions and a few actions have an added cost of round £1.50-£3.50
One among my prime uncommon issues to do in London with youngsters – you’ll be able to try the remainder right here
![A view towards the London Eye against a blue sky, with the river Thames and the old County Hall building seen in the foreground - if you're looking for things to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers, fast track tickets are definitely a good idea](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/london-eye-view-south-bank.jpg)
London Eye
There’s one thing very enjoyable about crusing round above London in an up to date ferris wheel that’s going to enchantment to a variety of youthful youngsters, particularly if they will select some London landmarks from on excessive.
Nonetheless, tickets to the London Eye aren’t low cost, so it’s one other attraction that I’d suggest for preschoolers somewhat than toddlers, particularly those that are prone to get bored quick or wish to run round. Too little, and so they simply received’t recognize the expertise.
When you assume your youngsters are going to get pleasure from hovering above town, it’s price trying out quick monitor tickets – there are all the time timed slots to your ‘flight’ however that also entails an affordable quantity of queuing, so the quick monitor choice allows you to to skip the queue.
You may select between two choices, the place you get precedence boarding at a selected time, or costlier open tickets, the place you flip up everytime you need and get precedence boarding. You may also discover mixed tickets with different Merlin points of interest on the South Financial institution, together with the aquarium.
Go to a park
London is a a lot greener metropolis than you would possibly anticipate, with parks galore throughout town – every has its personal points of interest, in order that they’re locations in their very own proper, but in addition nice to mix with an indoor attraction.
Coram’s Fields is strolling distance from the British Museum, for instance, so an effective way to burn off some power after wanting on the reveals. Or Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are a great choice in case you’ve been to the close by museums and are searching for extra issues to do in South Kensington with youngsters.
Kensington Gardens can also be residence to the spectacular Diana Princess of Wales playground (click on right here for extra concepts of the greatest playgrounds in London), whereas Hyde Park has the Diana Memorial fountains, or you would spot pelicans at St James’s Park, throughout the river from the London Eye.
Slightly additional west, there are peacocks in Holland Park whereas Regent’s Park surrounds the zoo.
Or in case you’re heading out of the centre, you’ll be able to’t miss the dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park.
Take a look at my put up on the perfect free issues to do in London with youngsters for extra particulars on London’s parks
![The ship in the sand at the heart of the Diana Memorial playground in Kensington Gardens - one of the great free things to do in London with kids](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/london-diana-memorial-playground-Depositphotos220886492s.jpg)
Take a look at a playground
Generally all you want is a little bit of time taking part in to spice up flagging power ranges – and also you’ll discover play areas each in London’s parks and dotted across the metropolis for when toddlers and preschoolers want a break from exploring.
A stone’s throw from the London Eye, Jubilee Park & Backyard has its personal playground for instance.
For playgrounds which might be virtually locations in their very own proper, the Diana Memorial Playground is among the greatest identified, within the north-western nook of Kensington Gardens, with an enormous wood pirate ship as its centrepiece, plus a sensory path, play sculptures and lots extra.
There’s a toddler playground in Holland Park, in addition to its journey playground for extra adventurous preschoolers, whereas in case you’re out by the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Tumbling Bay playground has sand, wobbly bridges, swimming pools and extra to play in.
And for someplace actually particular, head to Paddington Recreation Floor playground, aka Paddington Rec close to Maida Vale tube – designed for all ages and talents, it’s meant to encourage inventive play… you’ll discover a steamliner, practice, tunnel, musical devices, a forest play space among the many timber, plus the spotlight, pastel colored playhouses which appear like terraced homes.
Discover the Sky Backyard
For a backyard that’s somewhat totally different out of your common park, head to the Sky Backyard, London’s highest public backyard.
Sitting on the prime of the skyscraper Londoners know because the Walkie Talkie constructing (in case you’re combating instructions, it helps to know what to identify), the backyard is free to go to, though you do have to ebook upfront to take in the views and to have ID to enter.
With a lined terrace, you may get some wonderful views throughout to the Shard (which has its personal spectacular views!), St Paul’s, Tower Bridge and alongside the Thames throughout your hour slot.
Not removed from Monument station, you can even stroll previous the well-known Monument itself on the way in which (whether or not you fancy singing London’s Burning collectively is as much as you!)
For extra of the greatest viewpoints in London with youngsters, try my prime picks together with some extra free choices
![Fountains near the Royal Festival Hall with the London Eye in the background - my London Instawalk along the South Bank](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/london-south-bank-fountain-eye.jpg)
Splash within the fountains
That is one to avoid wasting for a sunny day, however when town basks in a heatwave, the perfect factor to do in London with younger youngsters is to splash in one of many fountains which have began popping up lately.
A few of the greatest are at Granary Sq. close to Kings Cross. Made up of 1,080 separate jets, they dance in patterns, as youngsters splash excitedly amongst them.
You may also discover extra fountains within the courtyard of Somerset Home off the Strand, in addition to The Riverside at Extra London close to Tower Bridge, 200 jets organized in traces which spring as much as catch the unwary.
Or try the Showing Rooms on the South Financial institution, an artwork set up created from the fountains right here which spring into life, vanish and reappear once more. Do come ready with spare garments, and children have to put on a prime on this explicit splash zone!
For extra issues to do on the South Financial institution with youngsters, try my ideas
Take pleasure in some road theatre
One of many nice joys of London is solely wandering round, seeing what’s on and discovering one thing new – though in case you’re visiting London with toddlers and preschoolers, a selected aim is commonly higher than an aimless wander to see what you see.
So head for Covent Backyard and the South Financial institution, the place there’s virtually all the time one thing to entertain. At Covent Backyard, the road performers audition for the coveted slots right here, so that you would possibly spot something from magic tips to music.
On the South Financial institution, you would stumble throughout something from a competition to a brief seaside – however even when there’s nothing explicit happening, the pedestrianised bankside is beautiful for a stroll (with excessive partitions so that you’re not going to lose toddlers into the Thames), the little playground of Jubilee gardens and the Golden carousel simply past.
![My daughter walks across a rope bridge in the Children's Garden at Kew Gardens](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/london-kew-gardens-childrens-garden3.jpg)
Kew Gardens
With 300 acres to discover, it fairly merely takes years to see all of Kew Gardens – my daughter’s first go to got here at a number of weeks outdated, and I’ve misplaced monitor of what number of occasions we’ve been again since… however we nonetheless repeatedly uncover one thing new on this nook of west London.
The kids’s playground right here is incredible: impressed by themes like gentle and earth, there’s the whole lot from water play to climbing and mini trampolines that’s enormous enjoyable, and matches properly along with your environment.
You’ll additionally discover common household trails and child-friendly actions throughout faculty holidays; earlier ones have included a Beano-themed occasion and one other themed round Shaun the Sheep.
Add in limitless area to run round, different surprising highlights just like the dragons on the pagoda and a carved statue of a bear, the buzzing Hive set up, plus some superb ice cream, and it’s a stunning time out at any time of 12 months.
Tickets value £21.50 for adults, £5 for kids aged 4 to 16. Below fours enter free. In the event you’re visiting at busy occasions, it’s price prebooking tickets together with entry to the kids’s backyard playground, as there are restricted numbers and timed slots, however at quiet occasions it is best to be capable to get them on the day..
Learn my ideas for visiting Kew Gardens with youngsters
London Wetland Centre
Simply throughout the river from Hammersmith, the beautiful London Wetland Centre at Barnes is one other enjoyable time out with preschoolers and toddlers in London.
In addition to paths by means of the wetlands, you’ll discover common household occasions right here too – for instance big Lego sculptures have appeared on a number of events – in addition to toddler pleasant actions like pond dipping, plus a really enjoyable playground with tunnels to scramble by means of and extra water play (so spare garments are a great plan).
![My daughter looks at a bird on one of the paths through the gardens at the London Wetland Centre in Barnes](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/london-wetland-centre-barnes-girl-1.jpg)
It’s additionally residence to a pair of short-clawed Asian otters: usually laborious to identify exterior feeding time, you’ll see them scampering round when meals seems, playfully pestering workers with an affectionate nibble on their wellies in the event that they’re being gradual with the fish, and darting and frolicking within the water.
Tickets value from £17 for adults, from £11 for kids aged 4 and up. Below fours go free and there are household tickets out there.
Cutty Sark
One of many first stuff you see as you step off the boat at Greenwich pier or out of Cutty Sark DLR, a go to to the historic clipper ship makes a very uncommon time out with a preschooler.
It’s an alternative choice that’s higher with barely older youngsters than toddlers, not least due to the journey to Greenwich (until you occur to be staying there), though it’s excellent to mix with a ship journey alongside the Thames.
In the event you do fancy making a day of it in Greenwich, head to the Nationwide Maritime Museum as properly – it’s free to enter, and children can play with the interactive nice map, whereas preschoolers will benefit from the Sea Issues gallery
There are kids’s trails to comply with across the Cutty Sark however you can even wander by means of the ship peeking inside cabins, discovering the cargo she carried, plus varied interactive shows together with an opportunity to strive crusing a digital ship (more durable than it appears!)
Better of all, you’ll be able to discover proper from the copper-bottomed hull to the deck (be careful for the carved monkey). Get discounted tickets by way of tiqets utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Learn what we considered visiting the Cutty Sark with a preschooler.
![Audio exhibit at the Cutty Sark with kids](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/london-cutty-sark-greenwich-play.jpg)
Go to the theatre
The West Finish is rightfully well-known for its theatre, however there’s lots for youthful guests to get pleasure from as properly, with nice toddler-friendly exhibits and a few wonderful kids’s theatres.
The Little Angel Theatre in Islington has some fabulous puppet and marionette exhibits, which even the youngest youngsters will probably be mesmerised by, whereas the Unicorn Theatre close to London Bridge has exhibits geared toward mini theatregoers aged six months and up.
In south-west London, the Rose Theatre in Kingston usually has variations of Julia Donaldson books, whereas the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon can also be vastly child-friendly.
However you’ll discover performances in central London as properly: on the Theatre Royal Haymarket, the Tiger Who Got here To Tea has been an everyday summer time choice. Be careful for Children Week too (which really lasts for a month in August) with free baby seats, or exhibits primarily based on Julia Donaldson books, together with The Smeds and the Smoos on the Lyric Theatre.
And most excitingly for older preschoolers, Frozen the Musical is on on the Theatre Royal Drury Lane – minimal age is 4+ and it’s beneficial for six+ although.
Ideas for visiting London with toddlers and preschoolers
- Don’t pack an excessive amount of in – with youthful youngsters, you’ll be able to simply fill a day with one attraction and an opportunity to play within the parks or playgrounds, or some low-key sightseeing like an open-top bus tour.
- Restrict your travelling – London is an enormous metropolis, so you would simply end up needing to criss-cross backwards and forwards on the tube to pack the whole lot in, which is tiring for littler ones. In the event you can spend the day in a single space or inside strolling distance, it’s lots simpler.
- Bus or tube? When you have a buggy, be ready to hold it down stairs in a variety of tube stations, as there are restricted lifts – try my ideas for utilizing the London Underground with toddlers. Buses could be extra easy however you may need to fold your buggy and there’s a restrict to what number of are allowed on.
- Keep someplace central – in case you’re visiting London with toddlers, it may well assist to decide on a extra central location to remain in. First, it avoids lengthy journey occasions in and again initially and finish of the day, and in case your youngsters want a little bit of time to relax out after a busy day exploring, it’s doable to move again for some down time, even a nap, then enterprise out later.
- Obtain the Flush app, which tells you the areas of the closest public bogs – very helpful when you must discover someplace urgently.
*First printed 2021, final up to date 2023*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN LONDON WITH TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS
![The best things to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers - 25 ideas for days out with kids under five, including free things to do in London, ideas for rainy days in London, plus museums, parks, playgrounds, bus tours and more.](https://www.mummytravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/london-things-todo-toddlers-pin.jpg)
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