Taking Kids To London - Some Tips & Hints
London makes a great place to take your family on holiday, but it can really help to do your research before hand to keep from being overwhelmed. Here are a few of the more interesting things you can do with your kids when you head to London.
Annual Children’s Events
Depending on the season, there are a number of annual events that children will enjoy, including January’s New Year’s Parade, the Pancake Day Races in February, and March’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. In April, you can enjoy the city’s Easter Celebrations, June is the Queen’s Birthday Parade, August has Notting Hill Carnival Children’s Day and November features the thrilling Bonfire Night.
Museum of Docklands
This museum offers a wonderful kid’s play area for any child under twelve. Called Mudlarks, this play area has a London docks theme, allowing kids to load a tea clipper, weigh cargo, crawl around in a model London bus, or pretend to drive a Docklands Light Railway train.
London Dungeon
Called the “most chillingly famous horror attraction” in the world, the London Dungeon covers more than two thousand years of the most gruesome history London has to offer. It’s a great choice for any little one who loves the gross and gruesome, especially if they’re fond of scary stories.
Hamleys Toy Store
One of the world’s most famous toy stores, Hamleys was first established in the middle of the eighteenth century and has been a landmark since the early nineteenth century. There are seven floors of games, toys, gifts and more, with a Narnia staircase and plenty of other things to see.
London Zoo
Opened in 1827, this zoo is actually the origin of the term. It has plenty of fantastic and exotic animals for you and the kids to see, and a conservation focus, with great breeding programs for one hundred and thirty different species.
The British Museum
Dating from 1753, the British Museum always has been and still is free. Check out Easter Island statues, ancient Egyptian mummies and artifacts, and plenty more attractions that the kids will love.
The Horniman Museum
Located close to the London Bridge train station, this free museum offers an aquarium and plenty of great exhibitions of natural worlds that children will enjoy.
Kensington Gardens’ Peter Pan Statue
Located in Kensington Gardens, near Hyde Park, this statue’s place was chosen by J.M. Barrie, creator of Peter Pan. The first story was published in 1902, and used the park as inspiration, since Barrie lived close to Kensington Gardens at the time.
Coram’s Fields Playground
Around the corner from the Foundling Museum, this central London playground only allows adults when they come with a child. Staff are always on site, and the playground features activities for all ages, a cafe and a pet corner.
That’s not all that London has to offer for families with children, but it’s something that’ll help get you started. When you go to London, check out some of these attractions with your kids and have a great time together!