12 of K's favourite things to do in London!
London is one of K's favourite city and the one we began our International travels with. Initially it was the comfort of having close friends and family that made us choose this as our destination but over the last couple of years K has explored a fair bit of the city and is always excited to visit.
The primary reason most kids love the city is the wonderful green spaces. Every home or hotel we visited had a park, however big or small within a short walk and that's all K and his buddies needed for hours and hours of play! Read on to see some of the places that top K's list in this wonderful city that appeals to people of all ages!
1. A picnic at Richmond park
Which kid wouldn't enjoy watching deer in the wild (from a safe distance of course!) We took our collapsible trikes (see ours folded away neatly in the stroller) and followed a lovely trail and ended up at the pond. Carry a small picnic to enjoy there!
2. Regent's Park and the Zoo
K enjoyed the day out at Regent's park with the ducks followed by paddle boating. After a leisurely walk across the park we made our way to the Zoo at the Northern edge of the park.
3. Natural History, Science Museums
K really enjoyed the Dinosaur exhibits at the Natural History Museum. Then drop in at the Science Museum opposite and go to "The Garden" in the basement where the kids can get their hands dirty trying out some fun experiments and discover science through play!
4. Musicals- Disney on Ice, The Peppa Pig musical
This was an exciting show where four of the Disney classics were performed by ice skaters. They have a 100 years of Disney special this summer. Book soon though since tickets get sold out well in advance!
If you can't make it to Paulton's park don't worry! You can take the kids to Peppa Pig's Surprise. If you have older kids then you could go for Lion King or Matilda.
5. An interactive farm/safari park
We spent a morning at Hounslow farm meeting some lovely animals from Tortoises to cows and even Peacocks. There was a lovely petting zoo and even some fun events like the Pig races. There are a few others like Bocket's farm in Surrey you could check out as well.
6, 7. A trip to Southampton- Paulton's Park, Day Out with Thomas
If a certain Piglet rules your world, this trip is a must for you! Spend the day at Paulton's Park and visit Peppa Pig world and the next day you could spend a wonderful Day out with Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends on the Mid Hants Railway line.
K is a Thomas The Tank engine Fan so this was a dream come true..You can ride any number of times you want on the 4 stations up and down the Mid Hants line. Alresford was the one closest to Paulton's Park. There are different activities and entertainment like magic shows and Story telling sessions at each station.
8. Be Amazed at The London Eye
The view from the London Eye is truly amazing and though its a part of the typical tourist itinerary, we did it once and K absolutely loved seeing The Big ben, the boats on the Thames and lots more about the city on his first trip.
9. SEA Life London Aquarium
You can get combined tickets for the London Eye and the SEA aquarium close to it. There was an area where the kids could touch some of the creatures like the Starfish which K loved.
10. Go off the tourist track...and enjoy the simple things!
Kids may not enjoy the regular tourist sites like the Buckingham palace but we visited Green park next to the palace and though it was chilly, K enjoyed sitting on a bench with a juice and a snack.Other parks the kids would enjoy are Coram's Fields and Battersea Park.
11. Farmer's markets/summer pop ups
Check the latest Time out for interesting events around the city in the Summer like this one we found at Kenwood house in Hampstead.
12. Winters in London
Despite the rain and the chills, we loved walking down Leicester Square, Piccadilly and we enjoyed the small Winter Carnival we came across. There is also the Winter Wonderland at Hyde park which we enjoyed. If your kids would like to ice skate you can visit the ones at the Natural History Museum, Somerset House or the one at the Hyde park wonderland.
And most importantly when it rains, and most likely it will, don't sulk, put on your wellies and jump in the muddy puddles (Like you know whom!)
