There are many worthwhile child-friendly attractions in London, but when you’re on a budget some of the entry prices can be intimidating. To balance out costs during your visit, consider these four free activities, guaranteed to entertain the whole family.

Exploring Hamleys
188-196 Regent Street
London W1B 5BT
Tel: 0871 704 1977
Web site

Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Sat 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Thur and Fri 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun noon-6 p.m.
Free entry

Treat the little ones to the UK’s ultimate toy shop experience at the flagship Hamley’s store on Regent Street. Wander seven magical floors containing all sorts of toys, and let them play to their hearts’ delight. It’s free to go in, but you may struggle to leave without making a purchase.

The V&A Museum of Childhood. Photo: Avail

Playing and learning at the V&A Museum of Childhood
Cambridge Heath Road
London E2 9PA
Tel: 020 8983 5200
Web site

Opening hours: daily 10 a.m.- 5:45 p.m.
Free entry

Excellent free museum with row upon row of display cases packed with toys throughout the ages, all the way up to the present day. Alongside the static displays there are interactive corners where children can play with exhibits and try on shoes from different eras, plus rotating exhibitions catering to young ones, with low-mounted displays and multimedia features.

An afternoon on Hampstead Heath
Web site
Free entry

Escape to over 800 acres of parkland to the north of the city, where the heath offers bags of space to run around in, hills to roll down, pools, ponds and signposted walks. There’s a wealth of family-friendly pubs around the edges; better still, pack a picnic and have lunch perched on a hill overlooking the city.

Going back in time at the Ragged School Museum
46-50 Copperfield Road
London E3 4RR
Tel: 020 8980 6405
Web site

Free entry; donations welcome.
Opening hours: Wed and Thur 10 a.m.-5 p.m., first Sun of the month 2 p.m.-5 p.m.

This compact museum was once a school for impoverished Victorian children, and now plays host to a fascinating museum on the history of the school, its founder and the surrounding East End. Call to find out about special interactive sessions held in a recreated Victorian classroom led by a stern schoolmistress.

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When this recently happened to me, I had to hop into action fast (especially since I had already booked a plane ticket for me and my mini shadow). So, in the spirit of “don’t do as I do…,” here are my top tips for the fateful day when your babe-in-arms finally requests passage across the Atlantic.

1. Photoshop.

Call ahead to make sure your local convenience store or photo place can take and print passport photos specifically. On the day I decided to stuff my offspring into an Ergo baby carrier and “photo shop” we were flubbed up by a CVS that didn’t have a working printer, a Rite Aid whose passport photographer had stepped out to lunch, and finally a specialty studio where you had to book an appointment ahead of time. Doh!

When you finally do get your little one in front of the camera, remember that passport photos become invalid if any part of the guardian’s body can be seen in the frame. That includes toys too. I had to hold my daughter by the thighs and hoist her overhead while she feigned her best Leonardo DiCaprio “king of the world”.

2. Know when to go and where to go.

This seems like a no-brainer, but for me it wasn’t. I assumed every passport office was open five days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Just like all the other government offices, right? Ha. But these days many passport offices—though typically housed in government buildings and post offices—run a more minimal schedule than their umbrella locations.

In some cases, you need to make an actual appointment. So, do your research beforehand and if possible, arrive just before the office opens for the day. If you can too, call ahead or go online and book an appointment to see someone via your local post office.

The easiest way to find out where you should go for baby’s first passport is by visiting the U.S. government’s web site on passports.

Cheapo note: I dread the lines that inevitably form at any type of government or bureaucratic establishment – especially during “rush” hours or at lunchtime. So, ideally try to arrive on “off” hours. That means early morning (if available) or late in the day.

3. Bring the other half, namely your child’s other parent.

If you cannot both be present when applying in person for your baby or minor’s passport, you will need to provide notarized proof as to why. A simple letter stating that one of you has a work commitment or is out of town will suffice. Just remember to get it notarized. Many convenience stores now offer, for a nominal fee, notarizing services.

4. Bring your forms all filled out, but don’t sign them.

Yes, you should certainly fill out the passport forms before you arrive (you can find and print them all online). If you have questions about what forms to fill out or how to do them, this page is very helpful. This is a good video tutorial, too. Just don’t sign the forms. You will have to be witnessed signing them when you are at the passport office or agency.

5. Bring exact cash, and/or a checkbook.

While many passport offices now take all manner of credit and debit cards, a few—namely those in US embassies and consulates, still prefer cash. Make sure you get a receipt that confirms when you applied and how much you paid. This will come in handy if your document doesn’t arrive within the 4-6 week window.

For expedited passports, there’s an additional fee that applies. Expedited minor passports typically arrive within 2 weeks time as opposed to the 4-6 week timeframe.

On that note, passports aren’t cheap to begin with ($80-$95 to begin, plus a $25 administrative fee) and this cost only escalates if you can’t wait out the typical timeframe. Expediting your minor’s passport could cost anywhere from $60 up to hundreds of dollars extra. For more on fees, go here.

Happy trails—and remember—though your pint-sized world traveler may disagree, there’s no crying in baseball or in the passport application process!

The post The Littlest Cheapo: Baby’s first passport appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Still, there are many things to do with children in Venice that will make their holiday one to remember. The following suggestions have been tried and tested with children of all ages and backgrounds: from tiny toddlers to bored teenagers, from wild primary school boys to young girls.

Vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal

As you arrive in Venice the first thing you should do is to take a vaporetto (water bus) ride on the Grand Canal. Get yourself and your child (children under one meter do not pay transport fees in the city) a daily pass. (A 12-hour pass costs €16 per person—it allows you unlimited rides within the allotted period.) For more information, visit ACTV, Venice’s transportation Web site.

The Palazzo Ducale

Take vaporetto line 1 and admire the beautiful palaces, gondolas, roaring boats and the innumerable seagulls and pigeons flying above you. I have not met a child who does not enjoy the ride.

To get the best views, sit outside either at the front or at the back of the vaporetto. The journey from Piazzale Roma to San Marco Square takes about one hour.

The Palazzo Ducale
San Marco 1, 30124 Venice
Tel.: +39 (0)4 12 71 59 11
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (April 1st to May 31st), 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (June 1st to October 31st), 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (November 1st to March 31st)
Getting there: With vaporetto, line 51 or 41 to San Zaccaria
Admission: €13 (adult), 7.50 (reduced)

Once you arrive in San Marco, visit the Palazzo Ducale (the Doge’s Palace). To avoid the crowds, go during lunchtime or toward the end of the afternoon.

For children, the main attractions are likely the weapon and armor collection and the dungeons. If you take part in the guided tour of the dungeons, you will be sure to have a very happy kid when you come out.

Gondola and traghetto rides

Another kid-pleaser is a nice gondola ride (if you do not mind the cost—a whopping €80 for a 30-minute ride). If you want a cheaper alternative, try hopping on a traghetto.

Inside the Museum of Natural History

Traghetti are big gondolas, also called barchette (small boats). You can use a traghetto to cross the Grand Canal at various points. A ride costs just €0.50 and the crossing lasts about 10 minutes. The catch is that passengers have to stand up during the journey, and this can be a bit tricky with the waves rolling around the boats. In any case, it’s definitely an exciting, if short, experience!

Natural History Museum
Fontego dei Turchi-Santa Croce, 1730
Tel.: +39 (0)4 12 75 02 06
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Wednesdays), 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Saturdays and Sundays)
Getting there: With vaporetto, line 1 or 52 to Riva de Biasio
Admission: €4.50 (adults), €3 (reduced)

Children will also enjoy the Museo di Storia Naturale—the Natural History Museum. Just recently refurbished and reopened, the museum hosts a very interesting collection of fossils and finds from all over the world.

The most interesting (and scary) exhibition is the stuffed animal collection, which the museum has been displaying for over 100 years.

Don’t forget gelato!

No list of kid-friendly activities would be complete without mentioning gelato. For a nice break between traghetto rides and museum visits, seek out one of the gelaterias mentioned in this post.

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Glass Tunnels and Sharks: The Aquarium

Right on Barcelona’s central Port Vell, a visit to the aquarium makes for an interesting afternoon activity. As you walk towards the aquarium, take in the enormous cruisers, wooden sailboats and million-euro yachts bobbing in the port.

The aquarium is located in the Maremagnum complex, an area with a shopping mall (the only one in the city opened on Sundays), many restaurants, a movie theater, and an iMax theater which shows 3D movies. (Movies here could also be a good family option for rainy days, though films are sure to be in Spanish.)

To tell the truth, I have been to some killer aquariums, and this one did not knock my socks off when I visited. However, the glass tunnel leading through a watery world filled with sharks was impressive (and a bit scary!).

Website
Admission: €16.50, free under 4 years
Metro: Barceloneta: L4; Drassanes: L3

Hands-On Science: CosmoCaixa

CosmoCaixa. Photo: Mataparda

The CosmoCaixa science museum, the city’s best science museum, is not in the center, so getting there takes some planning. Take the old trolly (that, incidentally, is said to have run over the architect Guadi) up Avinguda del Tibidabo and then walk ten minutes to the museum. Or take the bus 196 right to the front door. (Or, of course, you could take a cab.)

However, the journey up Avinguda del Tibidabo is half the fun (the street is full of once-exquisite mansions) and the museum, with its many family-centered exhibitions, is worth the effort it takes to get there. Kids will enjoy “Toca Toca!”, a tactile exhibit where visitors are encouraged to touch the displays.

Website
Admission: €3, free for 3 years and under
Bus: 17, 22, 58, 196

Surfs Up: the Beach

Some people try to surf along Barcelona’s Mediterranean shores, but unless there is a storm brewing, there are few waves. This makes for the perfect sea for small swimmers. Most of the city’s beaches are sandy and shallow, and there are lifeguards stationed throughout the summer. A day at the beach is a great way to spend an afternoon from June to September. Beach umbrellas and beach chairs can be rented for the day once at there.

(Note: I recommend Marbella Beach – though it is a nude beach – and do not especially recommend Barceloneta Beach for swimming. Keep an eye on your possessions while at the beach, there are many pickpockets who will run off with your bag while you take a dip!)

Metro: Barceloneta: L4; Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica L4

Lions, Tigers and Bears: the Zoo

Situated right in the center of the city off Parc de la Ciutadella, visiting Barcelona’s zoo is a cinch. See dolphins, penguins and Iberian wolves. The zoo often has activities for families during the week.

Website
Admission: €15.40, €9.30 3-12 years, free under 3 years
Metro: Barceloneta: L4; Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica L4

Cycle Tours: Bike Barcelona (with older kids)

See the city by bike! Rent your own bikes and ride by the seaside (there are bike lanes), or sign up for a bike tour of the city.

Barcelona By Bike offers Modernista architecture and Tapa bike tours in many languages. Born Bike also rents out quality cycles. Note that there are no helmet laws in Barcelona and hardly anyone uses them. All bike shops should provide helmets and other gear if asked for.

Futbol! the Barca Stadium

Camp Nou, FC Barcelona’s stadium, is a must-dvisit for young (and old) soccer fans (or “futbol” fans, as it is called here). Take the guided tour to check out the President’s Box, the players’ tunnel, dugouts, locker rooms and more. There is also a museum at Camp Nou where 100 years of FC Barcelona history is on display.

Website
Admission: €8.50; guided tour is €13
Metro: Collblanc: L5; Maria Cristina L3 Avinguda Aristides

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At the Porte de Vanves Flea Market

So in celebration of freedom of choice and “seizing the day,” here’s a grab bag of activities for kids in Paris that not only would have captured my imagination at age 10, but still holds magical appeal today.

So play on, Cheapos!

1. 400 bows: The Doll Museum

Got a broken doll or a one-eyed sock monkey? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Véronique Derez at the Le Musée de la Poupée. La Docteur Miracle is usually on call on Thursday afternoons, and will gladly mend eyeballs, replace lashes and repair heads. Permanent collection feature the 400 historic French dolls.

Check out the clothing for the dollies in the gift boutique. Looking for a vintage doll to call your very own? Skip on over to the Porte de Vanves Flea Market any weekend morning.

2. Day for knight: the Army Museum

Nestled in what was once Louis XIV’s military hospital, the Musée de l’Armée is a definite hit not to be missed. Watch out for Catherine de Médici’s stone bow and Henri IV’s sword, dripping in mother-of-pearls. See Charles de Gaulle’s leather bomber jacket, and Napoleon’s tent, hat and little dog too!

Up in the attic, model railroad bugs can feast their eyes on the military model collection. On either end of your visit, picnic down the street on the grassy Champs de Mars. This former marching grounds is my favorite spot for gazing up at the Eiffel Tower, sun soaking and people-watching.

3. A real scoop: The new Chocolate Museum

Around St. Valentine’s Day 2010, Le musée Gourmand du Chocolat opened its doors in the heart of Bonne Nouvelle. The museum serves up 4,000 years of history, along with free chocolate samplings. Signage is in both French and English, and at a kid’s eye view, to boot

Inside the Chocolate Museum

After your tour, stop by the shop for cookbooks and molds, along with chocolate lipsticks, candles and bags of chocolate from all over the globe. Ooh, la la. Also, Cheapos, discount bookstore Mona Lisait and Le Grande Rex movie palace are located just a few blocks away.

4. Right round like a record: The carousels

The Sun King set the French love affair with the carousel in motion when he installed a wooden one in his amusement park at Versailles! Today nearly every square in Paris boasts one. My favorite carousel is deep in the Jardin du Luxembourg (where kids try to spear brass rings with tiny lances), designed by Opéra architect Charles Garnier.

My pet merry-go-round spins at the Place des Abbesses. The difference between a carousel and a merry-go-round? The latter features a variety of animals and transports, while the former only wild horses!

5. Send in the clowns

But think seasonal. During the fall and winter, warm-up with the clowns at Cirque d’hiver Bouglione. Imagine! Degas, Seurat, and Toulouse-Lautrec all sat tight on the same velvet seats at this old one ring circus.

Chaumont’s Théâtre Guignol Anatole

Tips: Stop by the nearby Clown Bar for a pre-show nibble. Its circus memorabilia-covered walls and frites will help get the party started. Pack your camera because there’s usually a photo-op with the troupe during intermission. For the love of Bozo, just do it.

Haribo street candy

During the warmer months, get punchy with the 202-year-old puppet Guignol and his rowdy entourage at the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont’s Théâtre Guignol Anatole. Before moving to the park in 1867, this same theater worked the crowds into laughing frenzies over on the Champs Élysées.

There are more than a dozen puppet theaters in Paris. For current show listings, pick up a copy of Pariscope (the weekly entertainment guide) at any newsstand or kiosk. Buttes-Chaumont’s temple, cliffs, cavern and waterfall lend a panoramic backdrop to any scene.

Additional Pick-me-ups

Best French supermarket cookies (for touring fatigue): Lu Biscuits
Best French soda pop (in a super cool bottle) to order in a café: Orangina
Best place to score the perfect snow globe: the shops at the Place du Tertre in Montmartre
Best street candy: Germany’s Haribo (another meltdown cure)

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