toys from your childhood and toys from theirs...

London Museum of Childhood - 3.5 stars

the London Museum of Childhood is an amazing place to visit for adults and children alike.

With free admission, it's an easy half day activity for children of all ages.

Located in Bethnal Green (see map below),

the Museum showcases toys from childhood past and present. This is a great place for toddlers in

London.

For the younger children it is enough to have a quick wander through before heading up to the play area where there are sandpits and building areas (not to mention enough running/crawling around space).

Toddlers short attention span is easily satisfied with the sheer range of toys, dolls, pictures and clothes to look at.

For the slightly older child, you'll find that they'll be fascinated with the 'old' dolls and toys that you used to play with. For the adults, you can reminisce at spinning tops, rubix cubes, plus be horrified at some of the clothing that children had to wear in the 1800s!

One of the most difficult things may be explaining to your toddler that the amazing dolls houses are not for playing with!

Facilities: are excellent - food-wise there is a Benugo Cafe (who do half size portions for children) plus an outdoor eating area and a Summer room where you can eat your picnic. For the very young, there is a baby

feeding room (with bottle warming), baby change and a buggy park.

Cost: Free. Another great free activity for toddlers and children in London.

Where is it:

Cambridge Heath Rd,

Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA

How to get there:

Bethnal Green tube (escalator access - no lift unfortunately)

Buses: D6, 106, 254, 309 and 388 stop outside the Museum and 8, 26, 55 and 48 stop nearby

Train: The Museum is less than 10 minutes walk from both Cambridge Heath and Bethnal Green overground stations

The London Museum of Childhood is one of those amazing London museums - it's free, it's fun and it's for all ages.

it's free and right under our noses... london's secret is out!

Coram's Fields - 4 stars

Who would have thought that right in the centre of London there would be a large enclosed area for children that will keep your children entertained for a good few hours, and that it is FREE.

Coram's Fields is just that. It's a funny mix of enought bits and pieces that put together make it a great experience.

I love the fact that it is a great, safe environment. There's not a lot of places in London where you can let your children roam, and not feel like you have to be no more than reaching distance behind them.

Adults can only enter if they are with children. The whole area is securely gated. So sit down and watch your toddlers go walkabout. The only worry might be that they get a little too excited and friendly with the sheep that are wandering about.

The animal area is great, and feels like a real added bonus. On our visit we saw sheep, goats, hens and ducks. There is also a large grassed area which is great for a picnic, or just fun to run around and play.

There's a good range of playground equipment in different areas, for different age groups/skill levels. There are swings, slides, sandpits, a paddling pool - basically there is a lot to keep your little ones entertained. They regularly have organised activities there too - on one of our visits they were doing singing and movement sessions.

Practicalities -

Pram Access: Excellent. Because of the enclosed surroundings parents tend to leave their prams parked in different areas. There is no offical parking area for them.

Cost: it's FREE. It's open every day except Christmas and Boxing Day. In Summer: 9am - 7pm; Winter: 9am - dusk

Cafes: There's a good little vegetarian cafe, but this place really is made for picnics.

Where is it & how to get there?

93 Guildford Street, London.

It's so close to Russell Square tube - which unfortunately is not step free. BUT, it's central location does mean that there are about 10 buses which stop nearby.

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A playground where I nearly had tears when it was time to leave.

Diana Memorial Playground - 5 stars

This incredible playground in Kensington Gardens was built in the memory of the late Princess Diana, and is quite a tribute to one who loved children.

It has so much to offer. It is free, and open to children up to the age of 12. The policy of adults only allowed if accompanying adults is reassuringly well 'policed'.

The many attractions are dominated by the huge wooden pirate ship. Without stumbling over too many adjectives, the ship isn't just a ship. It offers an amazing climbing frame, a big wheel to turn in the captains cabin, and you can even jump below deck and play in the sand, and peer through the portholes.

The ship is surrounded by a beach (read one BIG sandpit) and provides a good opportunity to play with the little ones whilst watching those slightly older, clamber and climb to their hearts content.

Wander through the playground further and you'll find tepees, wooden playhouses, a sensory trail (jumping on the big pavings that play different notes is lots of fun for all), and so much to climb on, run around and generally discover. Oh - there are slides and swings too.

Nothing is ignored here and it certainly isn't overly kid-gloved. There's a great rocky area that frequently has water in it - don't be surprised if shoes are off for

the majority of your stay. There are some little taps and fountains to play with... so a change of clothes might be advisable too.

Practicalities -

Pram Access: Excellent. Prams are 'parked up' throughout the playground. No secure parking for them or any bags however.

Cost: it's FREE. Park opening times are available at the website here.

Cafes: The Diana Playground cafe serves up sandwiches and hot food for all ages. The food's a little pricey. I'd suggest bringing your own, and indulging in a nice cup of tea or an ice-cream!

Where is it & how to get there?

Queensway, Lancaster Gate, High Street Kensington tubes are all nearby, however none are step free. Many buses run along Bayswater Road and Kensington Road.

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playgrounds (and posers) galore!

Ravenscourt Park - 4 stars

You know sometimes when you just get bored of the same playground all the time, but can't be bothered walking for half an hour, or jumping on a bus to get to another one? Not a problem at Ravenscourt Park which has 3 playgrounds suitable for toddlers, PLUS a sandpit, PLUS (most times) a paddling pool PLUS, if you're a parent with children who are a bit older, there's lots of green space to kick a ball around.

We mostly tend to stick to the one on the south east of the park which has 4 baby swings (very handy for a toddler who struggles to wait) and a climbing frame with a fun slide. There is also a pretend jeep to climb and play in, plus a slide built into the small hill.

The downside of the park, in a way, is how good it is. It is mostly, very busy. On a nice day you could amuse yourself by counting Bugaboos. Or you can sit in the cafe grounds (there is also seating indoors with high chairs) at one of the picnic tables and watch the glam mums stroll by as you wonder why some people go to such effort just for a playground visit (heels, big sunglasses, full makeup), or somedays wonder why you don't go to that kind of effort yourself. It kind of depends on my mood :)

Though it gets busy, it is a big park, and i've never felt crowded there. There are enclosed grassy areas that are dog free, and there's also a pond with some lovely ducks and geese that are incredibly bread savvy.

The details - Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith - entrances on all sides - see map below.

How to get there: Ravenscourt Park tube has steps (surprise surprise), but there are plenty of buses from Hammersmith Tube (step free for District and Picadilly lines) which run along all sides of the park except the western side.

Cafe: Well priced adult teas, coffees, cakes and small meals (such as baked potatoes). Also sell child friendly food and snacks. No baby change facility.

Where is it?


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