Reeshiez

I'm going for a week long conference in London on the first week of February. My husband will be coming with me and our one year old as well (who will be 15 months at the time. Going without them isn't an option. I'm dreading this trip. I've travelled with her before and our solution was always to take her to an outdoor space where she can do what she wants. It's going to be cold I'm assuming so spending a lot of time outdoors is probably not a good idea. Does anyone have tips on what to do with her during that week? And how bad is London in February?

sofarsogood

<<It's going to be cold I'm assuming>>

compared to what?? milder than most of north america, cooler than the the tropics. It might snow, it might rain, it might be sunny. All in one week.

<<how bad is London in February?>>

why would it be bad?? plenty to do, not peak season, life goes on

bilboburgler

Ok, it may be a bit wet but the sun may be out, where are you going to be exactly so we can see if there are some obvious play areas nearby?

London is a big place and something that works for one area will not for another.

Mimar

Kids play outdoors in the cold; after all, they love playing in the snow. Do you have warm clothes for your daughter?

The only problem is if it's heavy rain. As bilbo says, where are you staying?

sofarsogood

Tips for Visiting London With Babies and Toddlers

http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to...lers-in-london

janisj

It might be cold, it might not be. But unless it is pouring down with rain there is no need to stay indoors.

If you can rent an apartment instead of staying in a hotel you will have more play space for the times it might be too wet out.

MissPrism

I think she'd enjoy the Museum of Childhood. My grandchildren almost have to be dragged away http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/visit/
There are several moving and interactive toys of interest to a toddler.

MissPrism

Another idea http://www.coramsfields.org

Cathinjoetown

Don't dread it. I suggest an apartment as well. I assume your husband is taking care of the baby?

Try to stick to her normal routine as much as possible, meal,nap, bed times, etc. The parks are all open, the grass rarely turns brown so barring non-stop rain, very unusual, she can run around and burn off energy, plenty of kiddie areas inside the larger parks, London zoo, boat rides....

Of course take a stroller, am sure you thought of that!

Great stuff in the links posted.

nytraveler

In London in Feb the average high is 49 and the average low is 40 - so definitely chilly but usually not super cold. (Warmer than the northern US.) Certainly unless there's a lot of rain or wind a kid can easily run around in weather like that as long as they have proper clothing.

And some of the London park - esp Green Park and St James - have nice areas and also lots of bird life which kids love to throw bread at.

If the weather turns much colder of very rainy many of the museums are free and you can take a child who will enjoy parts of many of them. (Here on bad days in the winter moms or nannies with kids in strollers fill up the museum of natural history - which even the littlest kids seem to love.)

And there are numerous guide books with sections on what to do with kids - even boat rides if the weather cooperates.

ESW

There are dozens of indorr playcentres which are great for running off excess energy on wet days. There are a few suggestions on the Time Out London website here:
http://www.timeout.com/london/events...tres-in-london

BigRuss

I wanna know what "cold" means. There's a difference between cold to a NYer, cold to a Texan, cold to a Hawaiian, and cold to a Dakotan.

That said, you're not going to Svalbard or Antarctica.

loncall

Even with the very occasional snow on the ground London is rarely so cold that you cannot enjoy a fair bit of outdoor time each day with a toddler in the major parks. i.e sometimes gets to around freezing but very rarely goes to many degrees below during the day so just being warm clothes [anorak, gloves and hat] and all will be well. Parks and playgrounds will be fully open and being well used.

However good news is that thus far this winter it is useful to be aware that it has been very mild indeed with temperatures today in mid December at 15 C [I turned our heating completely off during the day] and above average temps are forecast here for many weeks ahead.http://www.timeout.com/london/kids/a...lers-in-london

Loads to enjoy even if cold in February. Museums have big long corridors for running along and are largely very child friendly. they have lots of activities for children which, even if yours is perhaps a bit young to join in, will create a relaxing child friendly feel. Loads of coffee shops and casual cafes and restaurants that will be totally fine to enjoy and hour or two.

The usual indoor playgrounds and soft play centres that you will find all over the world are also all here to enjoy.

It will be fine. Time out might sign post you to some options

http://www.timeout.com/london/kids/a...lers-in-london

Reeshiez

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice and links! My parents own an apartment in marylebone so that's where we will be staying. I'm quite familiar with the area but I have no idea where the children friendly spaces are. As for the weather, I should have said cold and rainy instead of cold. I realize it isn't going to be as cold as DC where I live, NY where I used to live. Thanks!