london
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London blogs coming soon!
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eat:
London has an incredibly international culture, so you will be able to find the best of the best of any culture's food you may be hunting for (crepes, dim sum, pho, curry, you name it). And one very cool feature: parks and museums often have great little cafes so you can stop for a healthy bite before or after playtime (our "play" section for a few of our favorite London playgrounds).
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Several locations
Oh, Pret. Maybe I just have a special place in my heart for Pret because of how easy it is to just grab a quick healthy bite: cases are filled with easy dine in or to-go options, everything from sandwiches to veggies to chips to edamame to fruits to popcorn to kale & cauliflower mac & cheese (yum). Super easy, super fresh, super affordable, and super kid-friendly. Plus, they are everywhere. Plus, they have an adorable gingerbread named Godfrey you will simply have to keep an eye out for. |
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Several locations
When I was pregnant with my son, I had terrible morning sickness and craved an American classic, Chik-Fil-A. Ha! This was the closest I could get. Serving a Portuguese Peri-Peri chicken, it's just good, fast, easy chicken with kid's menus, crayons, and high chairs. It's a global chain, so you can also get your cheeky Nando's fix in places like Dubai, Singapore, and even Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, and DC! |
Chinatown
Imperial China is a local Chinatown favorite, and seems to consistently deliver with its delicious dim sum and other delicious. And when the kiddos get restless, send them to check out the bridge overlooking a koi pond in the middle of the restaurant. |
Several locations
With its London locations in Chelsea, Canary Wharf, St. Katharine's Docks (near the Tower of London and Tower Bridge) and Somerset House, Toms Kitchen offers delicious, fresh food and a super kid-friendly vibe. The Canary Wharf location even boasts a play area! The kids menu provides a main dish and a pudding (dessert) for 8.50 GBP. |
Several locations
Kids love noodles, and this chain (with locations all over London, including Covent Garden and London Bridge-- check out the tower in the background of the above pic!--and even a few in the United States) won't disappoint for good kid-friendly fare. With an entire range of mini Japanese dishes like mini chicken ramen and chicken yaki soba, perhaps what we like best is the allergy guidance online (click on each dish and it tells you nutrition information as well as common allergens present). |
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Pubs
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Several locations
To be honest, the food here is nothing spectacular, but it will most likely be familiar to your Wanderlittle (think chicken breasts, burgers, pastas, salmon, jacket potatoes-- those are just baked potatoes, and more) and they usually provide crayons, high chairs, and a kid-friendly environment. |
Various
We never minded taking our kiddo into pubs (unless it looked particularly dodgy) but here's the word from the insiders at the Evening Standard: check out their list of London's Best Child-Friendly Pubs. |
play:
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Kensington
Go here. That's all. Okay, no, I'll tell you more. :) The Diana Memorial Playground (yes, that Diana) is located in Kensington Gardens adjacent to Hyde Park (so yeah, don't miss it). The playground is made up of several different and magical areas, all inspired by Peter Pan (Peter Pan author J.M.Barrie loved Kensington Gardens and funded the original children's park as well as a Peter Pan statue located elsewhere in the gardens). The pièce de résistance is undoubtedly the full-scale pirate ship simply inviting your little ones to come adventuring. There is a cafe right outside the gates in case you work up an appetite. |
Covent Garden
If you have a Wanderlittle who loves all things that "go," this is seriously a CAN'T MISS. My husband and I were amazed by how much even we enjoyed this place-- we learned so much about the fascinating history of the Tube, the iconic double-decker buses, and all those famous London taxis. And this is by no means a "hands-off" museum; instead, you and your kiddos will be able to climb aboard old train cars, buses, carriages, and cabs. There is even a great family play zone, and an activity pack that kiddos can take with them through the museum. Lines can get pretty long, so definitely think about buying a Fast Track pass online. The museum is actually located in Covent Garden, so plan plenty of time to explore the market as well. |
South Kensington
Grab your pint-sized paleontologists and take them to meet the first T.Rex ever discovered, as well as other incredibly impressive specimens such a gigantic Triceratops skull and the most complete Stegosaurus ever found (went on display in December of 2014-- we missed this one!). There is so much more than just dinosaurs, and luckily they make a Visitors App that you may want to look into downloading. I still cannot believe this museum is free (you only pay in time; the lines can be long so bring a busy bag for your kiddo). Hungry after all that exploring? There are a few cafes as well as a yummy restaurant with a kids menu and even microwaves for warming baby food. |
Kew
Located just a bit outside of the city, Kew Gardens offers tons of family fun in amazing grounds: Treetop Walkways, Kew Palace, an iconic pagoda, a small marine aquarium, and even one of the "world's most unbelievable playgrounds" according to Red Tricycle. (I, I mean my daughter, adored the indoor area). Definitely grab lunch at the Orangery (good hot meals) or one of their other cafes and restaurants. Before you go, be sure to download the "Secret Kew for Families" discovery map. Going to be visiting near Christmas? Don't miss Christmas at Kew! |
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North London
This sweet little place used to be a cafe, but now it just offers coffees, cakes, and hours of fun for your little travelers. If your little has had enough of the museums for now, think about popping into this play space for open play or maybe even a class. |
Regent Street
Touted as the oldest toy store in the world, Hamley's was opened in 1760 (although it moved to its "new" location in 1981). Imagine 7 floors of sensory overload. Sort of a nightmare for me, really, but our Wanderlittle loved it (she could have spent hours at what we dubbed the "great wall of animals" selecting the perfect additions to her Schleich collection (and I thought we had a lot!). |
Harrods, Knightsbridge
If budget is less of a concern than making those magical memories, budget yourself a few hours for the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique at Harrod's. Your little princesses can be pampered, styled, and schooled in the royal qualities. Who knows? They may grow up to marry Prince George, after all! |
Parks and Playgrounds
Various
London has fantastic playgrounds. Here are a few of our favorites (although Diana Memorial and Kew deserved their own sections!): Ravenscourt Park Holland Park Regent's Park Kew Gardens Diana Memorial Playground |
stay:
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Mayfair
You know a hotel is kid-friendly when it offers a Teddy Bear Turndown service (complete with milk and cookies). Or free meals for kids 10 and under. Or how about baby monitors, cribs, play mats, nightlights, rubber duckies in the bathroom, and more? Add to that the fact that you can get interconnecting rooms (and it is located in stylish and historic Mayfair), and that is MY kind of hotel. |
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general tips:
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Buses.
Strollers (even double strollers or prams/buggies/pushchairs!) are definitely welcome on double-decker buses and do not need to be folded up, but there is an important ground rule: two strollers max, and wheelchairs take priority. If you see a bus coming, peek through the windows to see if there are already 2 strollers or someone in a wheelchair; if there are, then either fold up and take a seat, or pull back and wait for the next bus. If your stroller is quite large and you are worried about it fitting down the aisle, get the driver's attention and point to the exit doors located in the middle of the bus; once he opens them, head on in and park and then walk up the aisle to pay. TimeOut London.
Check out TimeOut London to find out "what's on" in London for your stay: events, concerts, shows, and more. |
The Tube.
Regarding the Tube, a lot of stations don't have elevators. Don't fret: you are in one of the most polite cities in the world. Hang around looking lost at the bottom (or top) of a stairwell for a couple of minutes and most likely, a gentleman will offer to help. Accept it! Then you can stroll right onto the Tube with your stroller and stand or sit near a door. Easy peasy. If you don't have as much faith in humanity, check this page of the TFL (Transport for London) website for help, including a a Pregnant Women and Pushchairs page with an "Avoiding Stairs Tube Guide." If you are expecting, this page gives you the link to make a "Baby on Board" button to wear on the Tube. Afternoon Tea.
Check out AfternoonTea.co.uk's list of the Top 10 Family-Friendly Venues for Afternoon Tea. You might also want to check out their Afternoon Tea Etiquette before you go! |
Oyster Card.
You will definitely need to get yourself an Oyster card, which will work on buses and the Tube. To be best prepared, go ahead and order yourself a Visitor Oyster Card and have it delivered to your home so you have it in hand when you get there (one less thing to worry about). The TFL website gives info specifically for international visitors here. Babyccino.
Okay this may be a silly piece of advice, but it's cute. When you order yourself a nice cappuccino (the best thing I could find to compare to my normal American coffee-- do not make the mistake of ordering an Americano!) ask if they do a babyccino. Many places do: it's just frothed milk (like the top of the cappuccino) without any caffeine, and is sure to perk your little traveler right up. Or at least get a cute 'ccino-mustache photo op. :) Relocating?
Find your local mumsnet site to see "what's on" in your area for kids. Depending on your area, you can find great info on activities, classes, etc. |
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Required reading:
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Seriously- get this book. Absolutely love Fodor's Around London with Kids. It is what this webpage's "Play" section wants to be when it grows up!
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How cute is this scavenger hunt book? Super cool idea.
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