Visiting London with small kids and little money...?

Question

I'll be in London for 3 weeks this summer with my two young kids, ages 2 and 5. We're looking for fun activities that won't cost too much (or anything) and are simple for a mom & 2 kids to find & explore on our own. We're staying in the Kensington area and would love to swim, rent bikes (training wheels!), play outdoors, eat some fresh & yummy produce, see a few museums or castles and ride the top of a double-decker bus, but I don't know where to start...All suggestions appreciated!

Answer 1

children are free on London Transport but you might want to buy an Oyster card for yourself (see the Transport for London website www.tfl.gov.uk) ... the big museums, e.g. Natural History, Science etc are also free and usually have good activities for children during the school holidays ... when you get here find your local library and ask what information they've got for children's activities, there's usually lists of stuff going on in the area as well of details of local swimming pools etc ... there's a good playground in Holland Park ... there's also a children's play area in Kensington Gardens and you can visit the fairy tree and Peter Pan statue at the same time, don't forget to take some duck food with you ...

Answer 2

You can get a sightseeing tour on an open-topped bus, not sure how much it costs, but it's quite good because it will take you around everywhere and you can get on and off the bus as much as you like to visit places.

Answer 3

You could go to London Zoo, it's fourteen pounds for a five year old and children under 3 go free, it's only a 12 minute walk to Regent's Park

Answer 4

Buy a tour book.  I have been to London twice.  Rick Steves' book is right on the money.