Google will serve you the hard-hitters, and you’ll be wading through swarms of tourist in soul-destroying keyring country, having lugged them across the busiest stretches of London, navigating the pram-unfriendly Underground. To avoid this scenario, ask the experts, the parents who learned their lesson years ago and know those genuinely family-friendly gems that make London a standout city for young children. From secret, uncrowded soft play zones to fantastical, Willy Wonker-inspired afternoon teas, here are 7 insider things to do with toddlers in London.
Frameless, Marble Arch
Be prepared for your toddler’s (and your) mind to be blown. Works by Picasso, Munch, Rousseau and the likes spin, twist, and cascade across vast spaces in a disused underground station. Toddlers chase shards of Klimt’s classics across the floor and marvel at animated versions Salvador Dalí’s clock faces, melting down the walls. The curators behind Frameless have created something special that appeals to the whole family – you’ll see people of all ages, their backs against the walls, their eyes fixed on the magic unfolding, their mind tripping a little as the mirrors add a layer of illusion to this truly spectacular art show. The adjoining minimalist cafe is superb, with plenty of options for fussy eaters. frameless.com
Afternoon Tea
Peter Rabbit at The Peninsula
Beatrix Potter books are passed down generations like precious heirlooms, particularly The Tale of Peter Rabbit which stirs nostalgia in the parents pawing its pages under a bedside lamp. So, while this playful, creative afternoon tea is aimed at the little ones, it’s really a hoot for the whole family. The Peninsula makes sure of this with an opening glass of Champagne for well-deserving parents who’ve scrubbed up the sprogs for a fancy family outing. Set in the grandiose main lobby, with its pillars, chandeliers, murals and grand piano, this fancy afternoon tea begins for the little ones with a cuddly Peter Rabbit toy (smart – it entertains them for a blissful few seconds before their juice turns up in a Peter Rabbit mug).
The main event arrives on two levels, a marvel for any afternoon tea first-timers, with a carrot jam sandwich (in the shape of a carrot, of course), as well as bunny-shaped smoked salmon and round chicken numbers. But it’s one tier up to the sweet stuff where the chefs’ creativity runs wild, with an edible chocolate plant pot, a bunny’s white chocolate feet poking out of a burrow (a macaroon) and a glossy strawberry-shaped pastry plucked from Mr McGregor’s garden. Pocket-sized scones ensure parents don’t need to monitor intake, and can focus instead on their own gourmet morsels (crab and caviar tart, asparagus mousse on a seeded cracker…) followed by soft, generously-filled sandwiches (egg mayo, roasted veal, tuna and capers, smoked salmon). Everything riffs on Mr McGregor’s garden and the Lake District itself, with the beef hailing from this velvety green pocket of England where Beatrix Potter and her fictional characters lived. A long list of teas can be topped up throughout, though we’d recommend the delicious sparkling tea from Hong Kong on a balmy summer’s afternoon. peninsula.com/en/london/peter-rabbit
Details: Every day, from 25 March to 28 April 2024
Price: £95 per adult and £55 per child
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at 1 Aldwych
1 Aldwych’s subterranean restaurant is an insider spot, right in the heart of theatreland. This wildly underrated hotel has curated a fantastical Charlie and The Chocolate Factory-themed afternoon tea for both adults and children. The grown-ups can expect a glass of Champagne or fun mocktails on arrival, while wide-eyed sprogs can dive straight into the sweet stuff with whipped-cream topped hot chocolates and caramel noir teas. Imaginative twists on the classic (teeny palate-friendly) sandwiches arrive as young children scribble on the back of the menus, buying their parents a moment of peace. The Willy Wonker magic reveals itself with the ‘Scrumptious Sweets,’ all of which adorn a sort of mini wooden flotilla (expect candy floss sprouting from the top, glass bottles of chocolate milk slotted into its edges and fun caramel-squiggled, soft meringue-topped and whimsically wobbly puddings. Onealdwych.com
London Transport Museum, Covent Garden
Now this really is one of London’s best kept secrets for those with young children. Located in the far corner of Covent Garden’s main square, London’s Transport Museum is as thrilling for the grown ups as it is for the wide eyes sprogs. As their parents wrap their heads around the Underground’s inception and those early, Wes Anderson-esque train carriages, toddlers will be clambering into the front of double deckers, and opening tool boxes in the fun play zones. There’s a little insider festive secret here too – avoid the crazy Santa-meet queues across London and simply book your LTM spot. We recommend a family lunch at the warm, atmospheric Balthazar after you’ve tested out all the vintage buses and trains, which is conveniently just across the square. ltmuseum.co.uk
Paddington Recreation Ground, Maida Vale
Some of the best things in life are free, but this is so rarely the case when looking for the best things to do with toddlers in London. Paddington Recreation Ground or ‘Paddington Rec’ as the locals know it, is one of those small-but-mighty parks that parents hot foot it to when they done with dropping £60 on a morning’s outing, and young children can’t seem to get enough of . This could have something to do with the mini row of pastel terraced townhouses for them to scurry into, the enormous oceanliner to scramble up and slide down, or the train to hop on. There’s a great café here too and a zip wire for any older siblings. playfinder.com
Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea London Sightseeing Bus Tour with Brigit’s Bakery
Peppa Pig fanatics listen up. From Thursdays to Sundays, Brigit Bakery’s top-drawer pastry chefs craft delicious Peppa-themed afternoon teas for the whole family to tuck into. The catch? They’re spread across a double decker bus, with Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Nelson’s Column, and all the main London landmarks drifting past as you munch yet another pink-glazed biscuit. Peppa Pig activity books keeps tots busy between courses, and the onboard entertainer (expect Peppa singalongs and immersive games), will keep any travelling boredom at bay. b-bakery.com/london/bus-tours/peppa-pia-afternoon-tea
National Army Museum, Chelsea
Helicopters, flamboyant uniforms, tanks… Chelsea’s Army Museum is a hit with toddlers before they’ve even sussed out the soft play. And with parents too, mainly for the (keep it to yourselves) squeaky clean, monitored and miraculously uncrowded soft play zone. You need to book sessions in advance, and be warned, if you turn up late, they won’t allow you in. Such is the militaristic mindset that keeps a soft play orderly, and oh-so polished. It’s also remarkably reasonable for London and the museum puts on fun creative workshops and half term sessions for toddlers. It’s worth hanging around for lunch, with plenty of high chairs and tot spag bol-esque lunch options in a chic café. nam.ac.uk
Battersea Park Zoo
There’s no denying that London Zoo in Regent Park wears the crown for the city’s best animals and activities, though it’s crowded and often involves queues. Head south instead to Battersea Park – one of London’s many green lungs, with lakes, swans, fun pedallows to rent and, unbeknownst to many, a pocket-sized zoo. Come here for the impressive adventure playground, the badger goats, the coatis and the squirrel monkeys. batterseaparkzoo.co.uk
Disney On Ice
Everyone’s favourite characters come to life through Disney On Ice, a mesmerising live ice-skating show gracing Wembley Arena this month. Celebrating its 40th year, the event is hosted by the beloved quartet of Mickey, Minnie,, promising an enchanting experience adorned with award-winning music, stunning costumes, and state-of-the-art special effects.
Dream Big brings Disney’s timeless stories to life through world-class figure skating, captivating audiences as heroes pursue their dreams. Skating sensation Sean-Isaac Parry, who has been gliding on ice since the age of 10, shares his excitement, calling it a “dream come true” to portray beloved childhood films on ice and inspire a new generation.
You and your little ones will marvel at Moana and Maui’s daring quest to return the heart of Te Fiti, swoon as you witness Rapunzel and Flynn go to great lengths to fulfill her dreams, and sing to the top of your little lungs with the likes of Ariel and Belle as they elegantly dance across the ice with their friends in tow. Join in on a captivating journey, traverse the Land of the Dead with Miguel from Coco, and get entangled in Rapunzel’s hair-raising adventure.
This spring, diving into the kingdom of Arendelle with Anna, Elsa, and Olaf, rediscovering the timeless strength of Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Belle, and Cinderella is certainly a must-do and Disney On Ice Presents Dream Big promises an unforgettable experience, uniting generations in the magic and wonder of Disney tales on ice at the iconic Wembley Arena. www.disneyonice.com/en-gb/
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