London can seem a city not specially suitable for traveling with children: big, gray, somehow chaotic… But actually it is a city that offers many options for the little ones, and the best is that most of them are free. Here goes some ideas!

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MUSEUMS

It is important to start visiting museums with kids. Basically because it is the only way to teach them to go and enjoy the museums. The cultural possibilities in London are overwhelming and  many that fit perfectly for kids and adults. The British Museum itself could be a great experience for the whole family. But probably the museum that all kids will love is the magnificent Natural History Museum; a huge building full of dinosaurs skeletons, huge real-size reproductions of animals (including a huge blue whale) … and even an earthquake machine that will give adults the willies and for children will be a total party. The Natural History Museum is located in the area of South Kensington, on Cromwell Road. Admission is free. More information: www.nhm.ac.uk

DISCOVERING LONDON

The city itself, with the appropriate breaks, is a great attraction for the whole family. Always keep in mind the limitations of children and not charge in excess the visit with attractions that may end up getting bored them. Kids will love walk discovering the city’s icons: the red telephone boxes, double-decker buses, Tower Bridge, Big Ben…

Visiting the city on the Thames, can be an original way to discover the city with children and from a different point of view. For a reasonable price, for example, you can travel from the docks next to Westminster Bridge to the London Tower.

The very Tower of London  will also be a visit that will appeal to the kids. They will love the Beefeaters and their curious costumes, the old rooms and, above all, the Crown Jewels and old and shining armor. Remember to prepare the visit and tell stories about the places you will visit or, for example watch a movie about the it, like in this case, the Minions, where the small, yellow creatures steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London.

And talking about movies and books, what about visiting some famous spots from the Harry Potter series? You can try to catch the Hogwarts Express at platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station in Central London. In the train station you will find also a shop that recreates the Ollivander’s wand shop from the books, where you will see all the merchandise that a fan can expect.

Visiting Trafalgar Square you can look for the smallest police station in the UK. It is so small that barely fits one person. In case of problems in the square, a police could call from there for help. Also served as a prison. Today is not a police station anymore,  however, you still can see in a poster the prohibited activities win the square at that time.

Probably the most shocking attraction for children throughout the trip to London is the monumental ferris wheel at the edge of the Thames, the London Eye. Built in 1999 to celebrate the start of the new millennium, it should be noted that it is a fairly expensive attraction, but the kids will have a great time and adults will  enjoy a unique view of London. Admission costs £ 17 for adults and £ 8.50 for children up to 14 years. More information: www.londoneye.com

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PARKS AND GARDENS

To rest from such a visit, London offers a lot of parks and gardens, where children can play. For example the playground Princess Diana Memorial, north of Kensington Gardens is a truly treasure for the kids, with all kinds of swings for them. Hyde Park is the heart of the outdoor activities of London and venue of major events. In summer it is a mandatory stop on our visit to London: you can have a picnic, play and enjoy yourself like a truly Londoner.  More information:  www.royalparks.org.uk

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SHOPS

A must-see with kids in London in the seven floors toy shop Hamley’s on Regent Street. The store has not only all the toys you can imagine, but also shows, workshops, magic… Even without understanding English the children will be fascinated by some of the activities.

Less great but more luxurious is the Harrod’s toys floor. Like the rest of the department store, it is way more than just a store. Here you can find stuffed animals for more than 1,000 pounds to classic dolls, horses, carriages…

THEME PARKS

The London Zoo, opened in 1828, is one of the most famous attractions of London, and is the world’s oldest scientific zoo. It is the home of more than 15,000 individuals of 755 species of animals. It is located in Regent’s Park. The entrance fee is around £15 for children ( 3 – 14 years) and free for children under 3 years old. Adults must pay about £ 21. More information: www.zsl.org

The Making of Harry Potter is a visit to the film stages of the famous Harry Potter movies, and has become one of the most visited tourist attractions in London. You can visit the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office with the genuine sword of Gryffindor and the Sorting Hat. You can also explored Hagrid’s cottage and see his famous motorcycle. These are just some of the surprises that this tour has for the  Harry Potter fans. Warner Studios are located in Watford, 32 km. London and the entrance fee (about £ 50) is including round trip transportation from London. More information: www.wbstudiotour.co.uk

Thorpe Park is a theme park near London, located on an artificial island. It has six themed zones including one dedicated to Angry Birds. The highlight of the park is its roller coasters, so most visitors are teenagers and adults. Thorpe Park is located in Surrey, between Staines and Chertsey. The easiest way to get there is by train from Waterloo. Trains are quite frequent and the trip takes 30-50 minutes. Once in Staines, at the door of the station you will have to take the bus 950 that goes to the park. Thorpe Park is open from mid-March to early November. The ticket price at the box office is £50- £60 depending the season. But to save lot of money, buy the tickets online where price is only £25- £30.https://www.thorpepark.com/tickets-passes/tickets/

Legoland Windsor  is aimed at children between 3 and 12 years old. And, of course, for LEGO fans. It is very well themed, and all the decoration is made with Lego pieces. The best way to reach the park is by bus. From Victoria Station, the Green Line bus number 702 goes straight to the park. The trip takes about an 75 minutes. It is possible to go by train, but from Windsor you will need to take another bus. Ticket prices are around £50, but in the website you will find numerous discounts.

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