Breadcrumbs [Home](/index%2Ephp/) > [How To Keep The Kids Entertained](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/2019) ![How To Keep The Kids Entertained](https://media.slman.com/2xAPojnM_vQbxUQoORmKbiwC9oA=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2023%2F02%2Fkeep-kids-entertained-thumb.png) Photography: Trustees of the natural history museum [Culture](/index%2Ephp/culture) / 08 February 2023 # How To Keep The Kids Entertained Supermodel and business founder David Gandy has two young daughters, so his weekends look a bit different these days. From parks and museums to rainy-day activities, here’s how he keeps his lot entertained… Photography: Trustees of the natural history museum ## THE OUTDOOR SPOT ### Richmond Park [Richmond Park](https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond-park) is the best spot in the capital if you have kids. I’ve spent the last few weeks there trying to tire them out. There’s so much to see and kids are always impressed by the deer (which you can turn into stories about Rudolph). I wrap them up when it’s freezing and then you can hide in the woods and make dens. Afterwards, we like to stop at Pen Ponds Café for a huge cookie and hot chocolate. Then there’s Petersham Gate Playground with its climbing frames and sandpit. It’s great to see kids getting muddy and properly stuck in. Visit [RoyalParks.org.uk ](https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond-park) ## THE ADVENTURE ### Thames Boat Trip to the Cutty Sark I’m planning to take the girls on a boat trip along the Thames, getting on at Westminster Pier and off at Greenwich Pier. You can see the sights and point out different boats before stopping at the [Cutty Sark](https://www.rmg.co.uk/cutty-sark). On weekends and during holidays, kids can meet ‘characters’ from the ship, including the captain, the cook and the man who originally built it. Older kids can even climb the rig if they want. Then, it’s back on the boat back to Westminster – a great chance for the kids to wear their pirate costumes. Visit [GetYourGuide.com ](https://www.getyourguide.co.uk/london-l57/westminster-to-greenwich-sightseeing-cruise-t71379) ![](https://media.slman.com/StModh5K1YeinBz4sUAoCdVubFk=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2023%2F02%2Fdaniel-buckle-dpinkgb4lb0-unsplash-1.jpg) daniel buckle/unsplash ## THE CREATIVE HOBBY ### Sheen Pottery Studio Classes I recently booked a workshop at Sheen Pottery Studio, which runs parent-child mornings on Saturdays. They supply all the materials and you get to take your creation home with you – whether that’s a pencil pot or a clay animal. There are a couple of local dads from the nursery who I’ve roped in, so we’ll go together then head to the pub for lunch. Visit [LindyBarlettaCeramics.co.uk](https://www.lindybarlettaceramics.co.uk/adult-and-child-saturday-pottery-club) ## THE COOL INVESTMENT ### The Little Car Company I love The Little Car Company. They basically take classic cars, like the DB5 Aston Martin, and create 70% models which can be driven by children or adults and go up to 60mph. They’re all electric and they’re phenomenal – and can obviously be toned down speed-wise for children. They’ve also got Bugatti Baby IIs and Ferrari Testa Rossa Js. Visit [TheLittleCar.co](https://thelittlecar.co/) ![](https://media.slman.com/KIkoF69tCW2-Rt03_FmDC51pYJw=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2023%2F02%2Fanne-nygard-g4ib-r6nsji-unsplash-1.jpg) ANNE NYGARD/UNSPLASH ![](https://media.slman.com/bhyWRD7dL-6TiaY-QlQJQ-I0Wjo=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2023%2F02%2Flittlecars3259602728612636750943948444361043525168006n-1-1.jpg) ## THE LEISURE CENTRE ### GetSetGo! Putney Encouraging the kids to swim is a must. I take the kids to GetSetGo! in Putney. It’s a family club without a membership fee that opened a couple of years ago. It has a family pool, an interactive play area and a café. There are baby groups, arts and crafts, and soft play – I quite like getting stuck in and being hands on. Other classes range from ballet to martial arts. Visit [Get-Set-Go.com ](https://get-set-go.com/putney/) ## THE CULTURE HIT ### Museum Hopping We’re fortunate that London has so many great museums for kids. We love the [Natural History Museum](https://www.nhm.ac.uk/) and we’re excited to see the new titanosaur skeleton which will be on display to the public next month. I’ve heard it’s four times heavier than the diplodocus. [London Transport Museum](https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/) always has fun activities during the school holidays, and we also enjoyed [The Postal Museum](https://www.postalmuseum.org/) in Farringdon where you can ride the postal train and take part in ‘post and play’ sessions. ![](https://media.slman.com/wi-GfdUXGqCJ_igucjrG_riwuzw=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2023%2F02%2Fsnow-centre-1_0.jpg) ## THE SPORTY DAY OUT ### The Snow Centre at Hemel Hempstead I’m a keen skier so I love taking the kids to The Snow Centre at Hemel Hempstead which has a huge 160m slope and the UK’s biggest indoor learning slope. They can ski or snowboard on real snow so you have to wrap up warm. There are also private lessons if you want to improve their skills before you hit the real thing, and you can hire everything from the venue. Visit [TheSnowCentre.com](https://www.thesnowcentre.com/) ## THE RAINY DAY ACTIVITY ### Making A Cushion Fort We recently bought some [Graham & Green](https://www.grahamandgreen.co.uk/) daybeds which look like sofas and the kids love them. They’re up in our loft conversion and it’ll be the place where they have sleepovers when they’re a bit older. Lots of cushions mean it’s the perfect space to create imaginary forts which really does keep kids entertained for hours. A few teddies and fairy lights complete the fun. If you don’t fancy turning the house upside down, [Kidly](https://www.kidly.co.uk/) has a selection of fold-away forts and teepees. ## THE ONE-TIME PURCHASE ### Bouncy Castle We invested in a bouncy castle for the girls and they are obsessed. It comes with an electric pump that takes about ten minutes to blow it up, then it folds up at the end of the day. We spent about £200 on ours which is a lot cheaper than hiring one for the day. [Robert Dyas](https://www.robertdyas.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=bouncy+castle) has a great range to choose from. ## THE MESSY ACTIVITY ### Cooking With Dad I’m quite a keen cook but I don’t tend to follow cookbooks. I’m the cook of the house, so I want to show my eldest how to make meals from scratch. The other day we made a curry and she was my little sous chef. I can even get her to help with the washing up sometimes – kids love anything to do with water. DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at .