This is a guest post from Tamara Heber Percy of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, a directory of boutique and luxury hotels, that includes recommendations for fashionable yet child-friendly hotels in Europe. Look through the directory and you'll be as desperate as I am to experience them first-hand. Tamara lives in London with her husband and young son and was kind enough to share some of her favorite ideas for things to do in London with kids.
London is a great city for kids – full of parks and open spaces, city farms, children’s playgrounds and fantastic free museums; the Great British capital caters to children of all ages.
As a mum, I’m constantly looking for new things to do to keep my little one entertained. I’ve compiled a list of my favorites, some insider tips, and a few things that, although obvious, are must-dos for any parent visiting the city with children in tow…
Indoor Activities
Gambado
If, like me, you have pocket-rocket children who need to burn off energy, then this indoor play centre complete with dodgems, climbing wall and ball pools will give them plenty of ways to blow off steam if it’s raining outside. Parents can relax in the lovely little café.
Natural History Museum
Don’t head for the main front entrance but go to the right-hand side as you are looking at the façade; it’s often queue-less. There may be a little further to walk to get to the main attraction (the dinosaurs, obviously) but there are some fascinating displays on the way. I wouldn’t recommend this for children under the age of two as the crowds can get a bit tedious and the T-Rex can be a bit scary.
The Science Museum
A great alternative to the Natural History Museum. It’s full of rockets, cars and airplanes suspended from the vast ceilings. The fantastic sensory exploration area on the ground floor that’s great for younger children. There’s a basement play area, but it can get a bit claustrophobic down there.
Hamleys
London’s answer to FAO Schwartz and s a strong contender for the title of best toyshop in the world. It’s a day-trip in itself. Check out opening times and what activities they may have in store before you go.
Outdoor Activities
London Duck Tours
I was a bit skeptical about this – I thought it might be a bit gimmicky and tour bus-like but I went on a trip with some friends of mine who have kids (before I had mine) and they loved it. The amphibious road/river vehicles were originally built for war but now have a much more benign use. The tour departs from behind the London Eye, goes past Big Ben (by road) and then takes a dramatic turn straight into the River Thames – cue squeals of excitement from all the kids (and a few dads). It was great fun and, at just over an hour, isn’t too long for the children to be sitting down. Definitely something I’m planning for my family this summer.
Princess Diana Memorial Playground
A playground that has something for all ages, the Diana Memorial playground is a child’s fantasy come true – there’s a life size pirate ship complete with masts and sails as well as sand pits, swings and the ilk. A café and, of course, the rest of Hyde Park, including the Serpentine lake makes this a great day-trip. Picnicking on the grass in the summer under the trees, Tom and I really enjoyed this park.
Battersea Park Zoo
Last weekend, Tom, James and I went to explore Battersea Zoo. I’m a big fan of London Zoo but I was really blown away by Battersea. It’s compact, all on one level (so easy for buggies and little legs) but the best thing about it is its originality. The cages are well laid out with interesting activities for the animals – it looks perfectly curated and has some interesting creatures, both cute and furry (rabbits, baby meerkats, a mouse house, etc) and the more reptilian. The farm section has a cute miniature pony, donkeys and pigs – all happy to be petted. You won’t find the big animals here – no lions, tigers etc… BUT it’s perfect for younger children, very central, a fraction of the price of London Zoo and without the queues and the long walks.
Double-Decker Buses
For the princely sum of £2, your child can get to sit at the top of one of London’s iconic double-decker buses. Tip: don’t pay for a bus tour except on a warm summer’s day – some of them are open-top and can get a bit chilly – just make sure you use the buses while you travel around the city and sit at the top.
Kid Friendly Hotels
Just because you have children does not mean you have to sacrifice style. This selection of child-friendly hotels welcomes little ones with open arms.
Charlotte Street Hotel
Set in a quiet street in Bloomsbury, this hotel is perfectly located for theatre, with gorgeous interiors by gifted London designer, Kit Kemp. Most rooms can accommodate a cot or crib (provided free) or an extra bed (£40 a night), and you can stash milk and snacks in your minibar. Your best bet is a family-friendly Junior Suite; even with the sofabed, there’s still room for an extra bed. Click here for our full review of the Charlotte Street Hotel
The Bingham Hotel
Not in central London but in Richmond – this hotel allows you to dip into London when you want some action but also give you peace, tranquility and space for the kids to run around.
The best room is Sappho, with garden views. There's a large garden to run around in. Staff can arrange horse riding, bike hire and boat trips to Hampton Court and Kew Gardens. In summer kids will love boating in Richmond, going to Richmond Park to spot deer. Click here for our full review of the Bingham Hotel
Where to Eat With Kids
Coffee and Crayons
A wonderful café and a mothers’ savior, offering organic, Fair Trade treats and great coffee. Best of all, it has a colorful crèche that looks after your kids for as long as you like, for just £4 (£3.50 if they’re under 18 months). Activities on offer include drawing and painting, toys and games, and there are story-telling sessions three mornings a week.
Frizzante
The cute and award-winning Italian café at Hackney City Farm serves fabulous all-day breakfasts and an assortment of scrumptious pasta dishes – all of it organic. In addition to the chicken-strewn courtyard, pigs, goats, sheep and rabbits, it hosts a range of child-friendly activities including regular pottery classes.
That Place on the Corner
Run by a pair of North London mothers who really know what parents (and kids) want from a café, this lovely spacious spot not only serves great food (not a chicken nugget in sight), but also runs a weekly schedule of after-school events, ranging from music and crafts to baking and dancing.
Thank you to Tamara Heber Percy of the website Mr and Mrs Smith for contributing this list of things to do in London. Check out her website for hand-selected boutique and luxury hotels - including recommendations for kid friendly hotels or to keep up with the latest news, read the Mr and Mrs Smith blog
Do you have a favorite Activity, Restaurant or Hotel in London? It's easy to Share your recommendations with other parents in our kid friendly city guides
Related Links:
London With Kids
Mr and Mrs Smith's Guide to Child Friendly Hotels
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Posted on April 20, 2009 |
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I think E enjoyed visiting the Arc de Triomphe in Paris even more then we did. The historical significance of the monument was lost on him, but the birds and the traffic spinning by made him wish he could walk right off my lap.
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Posted on April 16, 2009 |
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My friend Michelle Duffy (otherwise known as Wandermom) has a new book coming out this week about traveling with kids! I'm eagerly awaiting receiving my own copy (which includes a few snippets of my own advice), and you can order your own copy of Wanderlust and Lipstick: Traveling with Kids
on Amazon (hurry, there are only 5 left).
Book Signing Dates in the Seattle Area
April 14th (Tuesday) – Wide World Books and Maps: Michelle Duffy speaks and signs books. 7 p.m.
April 15th (Wednesday) – Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park: Leslie Forsberg speaks and signs books. 7 p.m.
April 29th (Wednesday) – Third Place Books in Ravenna: Leslie Forsberg speaks and signs books. 7 p.m.
May 19th (Tuesday) – Village Books in Bellingham: Michelle Duffy speaks and signs books. 7 p.m.
More dates will be announced at the
Wanderlust and Lipstick website.
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Posted on April 13, 2009 |
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I confess, I have an addiction to international toy stores. There is something rewarding about finding a toy with foreign flair, a toy that no other child will have, and bringing it home for my kids. Before we head out of the country I find out where the best toy store is, and add the address to my sightseeing list - right along side the major monuments and museums.
One of my favorite finds ever was this sweet hand puppet from the Bon Marche Department Store in Paris. I love the muted slightly grown up colors and the oh-so-french outfit. At 6 months old my son thought the floppy ears were the most hilarious thing he had ever seen. For the rest of the trip, the toy provided comic relief in long museum lines, on car rides, and even on the plane ride home. Best of all, it's still a popular toy three years later - but now I get to relax and laugh while my kids put on the puppet show.
Do you have a favorite toy or product that you found on a trip?
Related Links
Bon Marche Children's Department
Paris With Kids
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Nishino, one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants here in Seattle is also a great place for eating out with kids. I also think it's a great example of how you can enjoy interesting food even with kids in tow.
In this picture, E is too young to eat solids, but the action-packed sushi bar was a great place to sit. As he got older, we ordered him tofu, sliced avocado, tamago (an egg dish) and rice. Gradually he moved up to vegetarian hand rolls, tempura and other items. Even though he's an incredibly picky eater, Nishino is still a favorite spot for E, and he always finds something he's excited to eat.
Related Links
Seattle With Kids
Does Travel With Kids = The McDonalds World Tour
How To Find a Kid-Friendly Restaraunt YOU will Enjoy
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Posted on April 9, 2009 |
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I want to thank everyone who entered to my clek olli booster seats
giveaway.
The randomly selected winners were Donna K who said:
I would like the blacktop because it would match my car.
and Peg who added a recommendation for the Children's Museum of Virginia to our Kid Friendly City Guides
Donna and Peg, please email me your mailing address, and I will send you your prize!
Didn't win this time? I have another great giveaway starting soon. Be sure to check back (or subscribe so that you don't miss a thing).
Many thanks to clek for generously sponsoring this giveaway.
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Posted on April 7, 2009 |
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After my post about the Four Seasons Aviara in Carlsbad, CA last weekend, I got a great question from Hansen who wanted to know whether I felt my family had received markedly different treatment at the resort than other families.
Great review, I wish I had a little extra cash to stay at the Four Seasons. I was hoping in your review you would have stated a conclusion about whether or not it would have been worth it had you paid the full price and also do you think all those extra kids amenities were because they knew you were coming to write a review or do all kids get treated equal. Just some food for thought.
Here is my response
The amenities I described, including the babyproofing, kid-sized robes, and stuffed animals are all described as "standard" on the hotel website and, in fact, that was what drew me to the resort. I wanted to evaluate whether the hotel was truly kid-friendly, or offered some luxury amenities without any deep consideration to making a family stay at the hotel easier.
I was happy with the way our room was set up, and felt that it fulfilled the promise made by the marketing materials. I also took the time to talk with other parents at the poolside about their experiences at the resort. Most were in the middle or end of multi-day stays, and all described a pleasant stay - with many of them having had time to try some of the kid friendly amenities that we missed (for instance the kid-friendly room service menu). The one "complaint?" One mom said that the hotel had sent a complimentary plates of sugary treats to her kids for her son's birthday that she felt was just too over the top. That didn't make my article, but it was an indicator that the experience we had, with the hotel staff going out of their way to make my kids comfortable was fairly typical.
It is possible that the staff could have known who we were (though my itty-bitty blog hardly warrants presidential treatment), and been more polite to us than they would have been otherwise. Still, I saw every indicator that all the families at the resort were being treated with respect, and that the staff was helpful across the board. Experiences like the toy-wagon were repeated throughout the day and many of the kids at the pool were dressed in child-sized robes. It is hard to train people to do things like direct parents to the beach that has a playground or suggest a kid friendly local restaurant on just on a one-off basis... that is something the valet was probably helping with routinely.
The dollar value question is a tough one because I think everyone evaluates that differently. This was the easiest and most relaxed hotel stay I can remember having with the kids. It was relaxing in part because there were so many kids around, and I didn't feel like I needed to be on constant watch. It was also in part because things were set up thoughtfully. Small touches I didn't mention in the article, like stepstools in the public restroom and a selection of coloring pages at the restaurant add up when you are 8 months pregnant, exhausted, and trying to wrangle two excited kids.
I personally have a difficult time ever spending this much on a hotel room (the cheapest one-night rate during our stay was $395). I can imagine splurging for one or two nights as a special trip, but it would not be routine for us. In general, we prefer to keep our budget more minimal so that we can travel more often. Other families take one or two trips a year and want to make sure that they are very comfortable during their entire stay. For them the time is more important than the money. My goal was to give an accurate description of what to expect so that readers can assess whether it represents a good value for them.
There are several other hotels in the area that look promising, including two that are conveniently located next to LEGOLAND and I hope to evaluate them on future trips. The compressed nature of this particular trip (squeezed into the middle of a visit with my in-laws in Orange County) didn't let me spend time looking at other properties as I normally do.
Readers: I'd love to hear from you so that I can make these reviews even more useful in the future - what would you want to hear about that I missed?
Related Links:
Four Seasons Aviara Review
Carlsbad With Kids
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Posted on April 7, 2009 |
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Blog friend Mara of MotherOfAllTrips just revealed her brand new blog design, and it looks fantastic. If you aren't familiar with her writing, you should check it out. I always love her perspective on traveling with kids, and I enjoy living through her more East Coast focused travel experiences. If act fast, you can even enter to win her $25 Amazon Gift Certificate.
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Posted on April 6, 2009 |
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We fly in and out of a huge number of airports each year, and with each new experience, I become even more grateful that Seattle is our home base. A lot of thought went into making the airport family friendly, from a playground and nursing room near the food court to the family restrooms scattered throughout the entire airport.
This weekend, when we flew down to Orange County, I happened to find myself in a family restroom I hadn't visited before. This one had a convenient shelf - just at child height. Genius! Instead of monitoring D's every move to make sure she wasn't about to touch something filthy, I asked her to have a seat. Even better, the seat was broad enough that both kids could have fit in a pinch. I don't know why every handicapped or family restroom doesn't have a child seat like this.
Imagine my surprise when I looked again and realized that the installer had conveniently placed the seat where it would give D easy access to the hypodermic needle disposal box that also graces every airport restroom!
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Posted on April 6, 2009 |
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Today is your last chance to enter our free giveaway to win one of two clek olli booster seats .
If you have already entered, but want to add your recommendations to DeliciousBaby for more chances to win, now is the time! Each recommendation will earn five extra entries in the giveaway.
Just visit this article: clek olli booster seats giveaway and follow the instructions.
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Posted on April 6, 2009 |
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