As I travel across the globe (but
especially on my regular visits to the USA) I am often asked: “Is London
kid-friendly?” I have a quick and enthusiastic answer: YES! As the readers of
Studio Traveler prepare for a special trip of family fun over Christmas/New
Year’s or Spring Break, 2015, the range of activities for kids (of all ages) is
endless in London and surrounding areas.
From museums to shows to parks and
everything in between, London has a multitude of offerings. Let’s start first
with a special event every October (happening this week and every October in
the run-up to Halloween) called The Big Draw (www.thebigdraw.org) This month-long
festival is a celebration of artistic creativity. Kids can participate at
special events including Big Draw at the Zoo (www.zsl.org;) Kids at the Affordable Art Fair (www.affordableartfair.com;) and my
favourite, special events at the Foundling Museum which documents the History
of Abandoned Children in London from 1739-1954…it is an eye-opening and
profound experience. (www.coram.org.uk)
Throughout the year, the range of
activities for kids is truly extraordinary. Some of my favourites include
experimenting in The Pattern Pod at the Science Museum (www.sciencemuseum.org.uk;) rambling
over, across, through and below the Cutty Sark and The Great Map in Greenwich (www.rmg.co.uk;) or getting off-the-beaten track
and exploring the hands-on (and sometimes weird) exhibits at the Horniman
Museum and Aquarium (www.horniman.ac.uk.)
While the Horniman Museum is one delightful
day out, another that should always be considered is ‘The Making of Harry
Potter’ at Warner Brothers Studio, just outside Watford (www.wbstudiotour.co.uk) This is a long
day but a splendid one and the chance to see the sets and technology behind the
films is an “Only in London Experience”
Eating across London is always a
pleasure - no matter your age – but here
are many kid-friendly choices that won’t break the bank. As you explore
London’s many parks and formal gardens, pop into any of the restaurants in Hyde
Park, Regents Park or Holland Park (all are open year-round.) For a great café
experience, try Huggle in Swiss cottage (www.huggle.co.uk;)
Brother’s Grill at the ChickenShed Theatre –be sure to take in a show (www.chickenshed.org.uk) or the
fantastic Polka Theatre Café (www.polkatheatre.com)
with adult and kid-sized portions.
Lastly, you can never go wrong if you
finish off a busy day of exploring the sights & sounds of London with a
visit to M&M’s World on Leicester Square. It is a jammed with tourists from
every corner of the globe – that in itself is an eye-opening experience – and
the “Wall of Chocolate” has “trouble” written all over it….for your wallet and
your waistline
1 comment:
When my daughter was in 6th grade, one of the girls from her Girl Scout troop moved to London. All the girls promised they would go visit her. We parents and leaders took that to heart and helped the girls implement a fund-raising plan to get them there. The summer between their junior and senior year of HS they had finally raised enough money and we took them. Even though they were 16 years old and not "kids" in the typical sense, they were still youngsters. And they had a ball!
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