Sightseeing: London is filled with attractions that appeal to young and old -- take Madame Tussaud's wax museum , that all-time favorite. There's more: everything from the London Transport Museum to the National Army Museum , and, of course, the Natural History Museum . A cruise along the Thames is a great way to spend an afternoon, as is a trip to the London Zoo .

Trips Out of London: Board a riverboat for a cruise to Greenwich , with its National Maritime Museum and other amusements. Part of the fun is getting there. In Greenwich you'll find many attractions, including the Old Royal Observatory.

Royal London: No kid would want to leave London without a visit to the Tower of London . And of course, children will want to see the Changing of the Guard . For castles that evoke Disney, take them on a trip to Windsor Castle or Hampton Court Palace .

Playgrounds: London brims with a system of parks, nicknamed "green lungs," including Regent's Park with its two boating lakes, one just for children. An afternoon in sprawling Hampstead Heath can fill enjoyable hours, as can a stroll through Kensington Gardens with its playgrounds. Battersea Park has a small children's zoo and adventure playground. For more information on Regent's Park, Kensington Gardens, and Battersea Park.

Entertainment: London has a number of theaters designed for children, notably Little Angel Theatre, which hosts regular visiting puppeteers. The minimum age is 3.