London Toddler

Mudlarks at the Museum of Docklands in Canary Wharf is brilliant for toddlers. There’s a soft play area with a small climbing structure and a slide. The soft play area also has a interactive DLR train which you can pretend to drive and other soft play shapes to jump on and move around. This area is specifically designed for the little ones and was only occupied by under 5s on my visit.

There was a sand and water play area which my son (at 23 months) loved. The older children were trying to build a dam to stop the water trickling down to the lower part of the play area but my son just loved putting is hands in the water and digging in the sand.

You can weigh the cargo which my son also loved and build a tower with soft play shapes. There were also lots of flaps to lift and look under. There Mudlarks play area also had quite few activities that the older children seemed to be enjoying too including attempting to lift the sandbags with different pulleys.

It costs £5 entry per adult to the Museum of Docklands but children are free. The £5 includes entry for the museum for one year so if you are a local its great value. If not, there is still a lot to do and see at the museum on just one visit. They also have lots of events as well as regular baby and toddler groups for the under 5s. For more information visit the Museum of Docklands website. It may also be worth giving them a call before you go just to double check Mudlarks will be open as sometimes it’s closed due to private school visits or a birthday party.

Cafe and Eating out
There was a cafe right outside Mudlarks and there was also an adjoining bar called 1802 that did free meals for children eating with an accompanying adult between 11.30 to 3.30pm. We didn’t eat there but it sounded like good value.

Getting there
The Museum of Docklands is a two minute walk from the DLR station at West India Quay. The DLR is brilliant for pushchairs. There’s lots of space to push them on (although avoid the rush hour) and there are lifts at every stop.