Clur Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 My dad wants to take our 9 year old son out for the day for his birthday which falls in half-term. Dad's suggested London, but we're not really sure where they should go. Dad has a mobility disability so I'm not keen on him having to do lots of walking (though he says it doesn't phase him, I know he'll suffer for it the next day!). Where would be good for them to go? Any places that hire a mobility scooter might be an added bonus - though the stubborn old mule probably wouldn't be seen dead in it with his grandson! We've done the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum; does anyone else have any novel ideas? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 perhaps not great for your Dad with mobility problems but when my son was 9 he loved HMS Belfast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 (edited) The Imperial War Museum is great for boys of all ages , it has an excellent exhibition on child evacuees, a 1940s house you can walk through, tanks, planes, rockets ,bombs, subs galore. As well as artefacts from WW1 and WW2 you can experience life in the trenches and the blitz. There is also information on Conflicts since WW2 and best of all like the Science and NH museum it's free. If you look at The Imperial War Museum website there is information on disabled access. Edited February 16, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 The Duck Tour is great fun, I would highly recommend it CLICK Whatever you do it's always worth googling for money off vouchers or codes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 The Duck Tour is great fun, I would highly recommend it CLICK Whatever you do it's always worth googling for money off vouchers or codes I 2nd that well worth taking the tour brilliant for all ages too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 What about the london aquarium, it's supposed to be very good, we are going in march. It's just along from the london eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 The London Eye is good, although possibly not fast enough to be exciting for a 9 year old! The views are great though, and your dad could sit down while it went round. I agree about the Imperial War Museum, it's great. The Tower of London is good value, I haven't been for a few years but last time I went they'd made it much more exciting and of course you can still get the traditional Beefeater tour - lots of gory stories. Hampton Court would be another good one from that point of view, and probably has good access, but I haven't been for ages. A riverboat tour is really good, and again would mean your dad could sit down for the journey - you can actually get the boat to Hampton Court, or go the other way and you can go to the Greenwich Maritime Museum which is excellent. My nieces came to stay with me some years ago when they were quite young, and their favourite place was Covent Garden because of all the mime artists and the market stalls and so on. That, and having an ice-cream in Harrods! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 RAF Museum in Colindale is good - on the flat and I am sure there are lifts etc - also good interactive bit for busy 9 yr olds. Its in NW London so easy from M1 not sure where u live Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clur Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 These are really good suggestions, thank you. Dad's now wondering about the British Museum as DS is into the Eygptians, but I think DS will be bored after about an hour! I'm going to suggest the Imperial War Museum and then the river/Duck tours for when it's warmer (dad really can't get too cold). These posts have made me want to take a day off to do a tour of London myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Re the Tower of London - there is a moving walkway past the Crown Jewels, which would be ideal for your Dad,but there are a lot of very steep steps around the Tower itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerryegg Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Went to the Tower Bridge experience a few years ago. Wasn't keen but had discount tickets. Fabulous but I think there may be too much walking. Thames barrier trip was great but our favorite was Greenwich. Have a brilliant time whatever you decide on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 These are really good suggestions, thank you. Dad's now wondering about the British Museum as DS is into the Eygptians, but I think DS will be bored after about an hour! I'm going to suggest the Imperial War Museum and then the river/Duck tours for when it's warmer (dad really can't get too cold). These posts have made me want to take a day off to do a tour of London myself! The British Museum has the most amazing Egyptian 'stuff' in it, kids love looking at the Mummies, but I'd say the Imp War Museum has more interactive exhibits. Has a great shop too, if your Dad is into Military History he'll be in there a while browsing the books. Been to both Museums fairly recently following school topics. Hope they have a fab day whatever they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 science museum, our two loved it when they were about that age, lots of things to do, and look at and it flat with lifts to all the floors so Dad should be OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 These are really good suggestions, thank you. Dad's now wondering about the British Museum as DS is into the Eygptians, but I think DS will be bored after about an hour! I'm going to suggest the Imperial War Museum and then the river/Duck tours for when it's warmer (dad really can't get too cold). These posts have made me want to take a day off to do a tour of London myself! My 13 year old loves Imperial War Museum and has been going for years. We also did the Duck Tour and its also fab. As long as your Dad can climb up a couple of steps on the 'duck' he should be fine. YS also loves the science museum and we have been there sooooooo many times! Can I get him to come into the V & A - no! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 The Aquarium, Greenwich, The Clink (DONT go to the London Dungeon it has been ruined), The Tower, Ripleys Believe it or Not- blimey, theres so much to recommend... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 If your dad isn't set on London how about a visit to a Bird of Prey centre? I've never been to Cadbury's World, might that be an idea? Also http://www.diggerland.com/ http://www.legoland.co.uk/Explore/About-Legoland/ Is there a Zoo, a Safari Park or a theme park reasonably close to you? For me an exciting half term day out might be a trip to Paris! or a sleeper train to Scotland and back again. If London is the favourite idea, a Thames Cruise might be good, the Duck - definitely if it is as good as the one in Liverpool, the London Eye would be great too. Whatever you decide, a disposable Camera or some other novel way of recording the day, maybe a s"Ooops, word censored!"book, might add interest to the day and make a nice momento. I went to the Imperial War Museum a few years back and found it so absorbing, worth going to, but it seemed far away from any tube station and therefore a bit more of an effort to get to. Covent Garden is bustling, in a good way, lots of things to see, and also lots of places to sit and watch from. Will it be just the two of them or will you be going too? I love days out and even at my age, a day in London makes me feel very grown up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
