Big Kids Weekend in London

Hotels

Crash Out in Comfort

When it comes to big kids the formula is simple. They love anything with room service, a telly in the bedroom and a big bouncy bed – woof! But London's hotels can offer that little bit extra too...

Top dorms for sleepovers include the Great Eastern Hotel because not only does it have several superb bars, where a lot of other big boys and girls go to play, but also it is on top of a real train station.

The football mad should book into the four-star Hotel at Chelsea. In the heart of stylish SW6, Chelsea Football Club's 12-acre site boasts an array of fantastic facilities including four themed restaurants and bars and the exclusive Chelsea Club & Spa.

Large water babies will find aquatic happiness at Le Méridien Piccadilly. Its newly refurbished health club features one of London's largest indoor swimming pools. It also has a jacuzzi, steam room, squash court and gym - including the most technologically advanced bicycles, rowing machines and treadmills, free-weights and lifting equipment. Phew!

Friday Night

Scary Monsters

Big kids are very high maintenance, in that they need to be constantly entertained. So rush to make the last admission at the London Dungeon where, not wanting to look like total losers in front of your mates, you'll have to pretend not to be frightened. Then it's on to Covent Garden's Rock & Sole Plaice for some tasty fish and chips.

No trip to London would be complete without a foray into the West End. You're spolt for choice when it comes to shows to delight kids of all ages. You may choose to relive younger days at Mamma Mia – the blockbuster ABBA musical! Or perhaps the spectacular staging of The Lion King is more your thing?

By now you're probably overexcited and need to burn off some energy before heading back to the hotel. If so, jump "down the rabbit hole" into Strawberry Moons. At this popular drinking den, you can let your hair down and dance a dance that requires no rhythm – in very surreal surroundings.

Saturday Morning

Excellent Adventure

Big boys and girls are foaming at the mouth because it's time to go to Chessington World of Adventures! Ride the coasters and explore the Land of Dragons and the Monkey and Bird Garden. Chessington offers everything you'd expect from a top theme park and at only 45 minutes from central London, you could be back by early afternoon.

Saturday Afternoon

Big Air

Big kids (BKs) into extreme sports wear telltale clothing, sport distinctive hair cuts and have even developed their own language. Bay Sixty 6 is a major hangout for this type of BK. Here you can flaunt your trendy gear and, if you're up to it, show off those vintage skateboarding tricks!

To avoid personal injury on a half-pipe, older BKs with creaky knees are advised to book a slot on the largest ferris wheel in Europe: the London Eye! Exhilarated, move onto the SEA LIFE London Aquarium and pull faces at the sharks or get nuzzled by stingrays.

Saturday Evening

Pool Disco

With so much activity, tums start to rumble by early evening. So it's time for a pit stop at the Lucky Seven American diner in Notting Hill, which is conveniently close to the Elbow Room, West London's coolest snooker hall for celebrity and non-celebrity BKs.

Alternatively, if you've spent the afternoon on the South Bank, stick around for dinner. Choose from a collection of restaurants at the Royal Festival Hall. There's plenty of kids' favourite nosh on offer - from pizza and pasta at Strada to oodles of noodles at Wagamama.

For the BK who "really rather liked school actually" and hankers after bygone days, it's time to don a uniform and head for a night of retro fun and frolics at School Disco. Girls, skirts can be as short as you like!

Sunday Morning

Play with your Food

After a fun-packed Saturday, you may be feeling a bit knackered. So refuel with a yummy brunch and take a gentle stroll in the park. You can even feed the ducks!

In St James's Park, the renowned Inn the Park is perfect for a tasty fry-up. Here you can feast on the best of British food whilst overlooking the lake and Duck Island.

Sunday Afternoon

Toy Time

Now you're all revved up, it's time to hit the shops – to buy pressies for yourself of course! Where could be better than the world's most famous toy shop, Hamleys? Explore seven floors filled with the latest crazes, computer games, traditional teddies and specialist collector areas.

Isn't it great being a big kid?