Top Ten: London with Kids

1. There are no public restrooms practically anywhere. When you go to eat or to a museum, make everyone "go" no matter what.

2. Bring an umbrella buggy. Preferably a Macleran. If you bring a big buggy and try to ride the tube or bus, you will be very frustrated.

3. Try to avoid tube/bus between 8-9a and 5-6pm. (the am rush hour is a bit later here than in US). Oh, and go to the end of the platform when you have kids. There is usually more space there.

4. Pack snacks.

5. Half term: the week that English and French school kids have off in the middle of the term. This means EVERYTHING is busier. If you have to travel during this time (refer to internet for dates), get to the museums before they open and stay for only a few hours. Or, go for the last few hours of the day. The middle of the day is worse than a mall at Christmas.

6. At about 3pm, head back to the hotel for tea, snacks, a little downtime. If you have a child that naps--DO NOT SKIP NAPS.

7. Bring an umbrella and rain cover for buggy...no matter what the weather looks like when you leave the hotel.

8. If you go during half term and want to see a childrens' show, book tickets ahead of time. THEY WILL BE SOLD OUT.

9. Do not, I repeat, do not wear sweats, white tennis shoes, or wet hair to breakfast. All other cultures attend breakfast in the hotel fully dressed and you will look like a sloppy American if you do otherwise.

10. Carry the ugly backpack, instead of the cute handbag. You will be happy when you are able to carry snacks, a few small toys, babywipes, etc AND have your hands free to hold on to your little one on the busy, busy streets.

Rainy Day...again.

So it's raining again....I know, big surprise, it's London.

A list of things to do with a kid (age 3) when it is rainy and cold.

1. Go to Ikea. Cheap Meatballs, Kid area, lots of space to run around, and 35p ice cream. The train ride to get there is half the fun

2. Sock/Balloon/Washcloth in Hamper Basketball

3. Marble Shaving Cream Painting..then cut into hearts.

4. Hide and Seek. Either with yourselves or a favorite toy/doll.

5. Bake.

6. Race Car Day.

7. Sidewalk Chalk on Kitchen Floor. Then mop, because you know it probably needs to be done anyway!

8. Painting in the shower.

9. Go to the Mall. Similar to #1, but not as fun.

10. Clean, and have little one help. For instance, get all your dusting done and give them a cloth. Wash dishes and give them a bowl of water, some plastic cups and a washcloth. Sweep or vacuum and put all the dining room chairs in "choo-choo train formation". This only buys you a few moments, but hey, you get a few things done.

11. Put on boots and coats and go out in it, if even for a minute.

12. Sort different kinds of macaroni, beans, etc into muffin tins. We do this with small 3D scrapbook supplies as well.