London's best Spring attractions

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5 April 2012

If you're on the lookout for ways to keep the children entertained, look no further than our guide to the places that never fail to work their magic.

Legoland
With seven new attractions for 2008, this is a must for the under 12s. In the Land of the Vikings go for a dizzying spin on the new Longboat Invader ride before heading down the wettest ride in the park, the Vikings' River Splash.

The live-action Johnny Thunder show has a different plot this year (but still the same daring high dives), called Revenge of the Aztec Queen. Also new is Mole in One mini-golf and the Xbox Gaming Zone.

Tips: Get there for 10am to beat the queues, book online for discounts and faster entry and go to the rides you like most first before it gets too busy.
Where: Legoland, Windsor
When: Opens Sat 15 Mar, 10am-5pm/6pm (until 9pm 21-23 Mar for the After Dark laser show).
Admission: Adult £34 (£31 online price), child £26 (£23 online), under 3s free. Annual pass prices start from £36 for children and £49 for adults.
Info: www.Legoland.co.uk

Science Museum
The Launchpad, the ever popular hands-on area for children aged 8 to 14 (which did tend to get very crowded) has been relocated and reinvented and includes over 50 interactive exhibits plus shows and lively demos.

To find it go up to the third floor although the basement still has the Garden with its waterplay area (take spare clothes as they will get wet despite the overalls). For 5-8s the Pattern Pod is on the Ground Floor.

Book online now for the new interactive family exhibition The Science of Survival: Your Planet Needs You - which explores how we will survive on a changing plant - and book in advance by phone (0870 870 4771) for an IMAX film (worth seeing while you are there). The new one is about mummies.

Tips: Book the Science of Survival online in advance for timed entry (no queues) and check the times of the Science Shows in the Launchpad so you get there early enough to get in.
Where: Science Museum, Exhibition Road, SW7.
When: Daily, 10am-6pm. Science of Survival: 5 Apr-2 Nov.
Admission: Free. Science of Survival: adults £6, 1 adults 2 children £16.50
Info: www. sciencemuseum.org.uk

The Natural History Museum
My family has never tired of a trip to see the robotic dinosaurs, experience an earthquake, gawp at the giant blue whale and then press every button in every interactive exhibit.

Still showing until April 20th is the Ice Station Antarctica exhibition where you can experience sub-zero temperatures, see if you can cope with the stink of penguin vomit and find out if you could drive a snowmobile.

Tips: Get there early to avoid the queues. Either take a picnic or visit the restaurant before it gets busy. There is timed entry for Ice Station Antarctica which means no queuing.
Where: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7.
When: Daily 10am-5.50pm. Ice Station Antarctica until 20 Apr.
Admission: Free. Ice Station Antarctica adults £7, children £4.50, families £19.
Info: www.nhm.ac.uk

Chessington World of Adventures
With a new SeaLife Centre - a 250,000 litre aquarium with sharks and stingrays - and the zoo with its Trail of the Kings, Chessington is a favourite with children - although they seem more interested in the rides: Vampire, Dragons Fury, Rameses Revenge etc. Plenty of rides for smaller children too.

Tips: Buy a fast-track ticket for the rides you really want to go on and get those out of the way first. Book tickets online, they are cheaper. Take a picnic, the day will be much more affordable.
Where: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Road, Surrey, KT9 2NE.
When: From 15 Mar, 10am-5pm/6pm.
Admission: Adults £23, children £16 (discounted online price). Express pass £6.
Info: www.chessington.co.uk

Madame Tussauds
Even grown-ups like to have their photo taken next to one of the waxworks. Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz are the latest celebrities to join the A-listers such as Brad and Angelina. Check out the BB Diary Room and the Stardome for the Aardman Animation film.

Tips: Book online for Fastrack admission tickets or go from 5pm-6.30pm when the online price drops to £12.50 for adults and £10 for children. You can buy the Big Ticket for three attractions: Madame Tussauds, the London Dungeons and London Eye, £50 adults, £35 children (only available at Madame Tussauds).
Where: Madame Tussauds, Marylebone Road, NW1.
When: Daily 9am/9.30am-5.30pm/6pm.
Admission: Online fastrack admission tickets: adults £22.50, children £18.50.
Info: 0870 400 3000 or www.madame-tussauds.co.uk.

Greenwich
It has so many attractions including the new(ish) planetarium (the only one in London) at the old Royal Observatory (shows suitable for ages 7+) as well as the National Maritime Museum, Queen's House and the Royal Park with its spectacular views. Sadly the Cutty Sark is still closed after its fire, but you can see it being restored (visitor centre is open Sun, Mon and Tues).

Tip: Either go or come back by river boat.
Where: Greenwich, SE10.
When: National Maritime Museum 10am-5pm. Planetarium shows start 11am. Book in advance on 020 8312 8565.
Admission: National Maritime Museum: free. Planetarium shows: adults £6, children £4, families £16.
Info: www.nmm.ac.uk, www.cuttysark.org.uk

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London's best Spring attractions

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