Arrive in central London, check into your 3-star family hotel or apartment and settle in; many hotels allow bag drop if rooms are not ready. This keeps the morning low‑stress and gives the child time to rest after travel.
Simple, family-friendly breakfast: choose a local café or Mildreds (Soho) for tasty vegetarian options — pancakes, granola, avocado toast. Mildreds is reliable for vegetarian kid‑friendly dishes.
Walk along the South Bank for views of the Thames, street performers and family-friendly attractions; if you prefer a landmark, a single rotation on the London Eye offers big views and is gentle for children (Eye typically open from ~11:00am).
Head to Borough Market for a vegetarian-friendly lunch: choose from falafel wraps, grilled halloumi, cheese toasties or fresh fruit. Markets are open most days but check weekend hours for full stalls (best midday).
Short walk to St James's Park for playground time, ducks and a relaxed picnic vibe; an easy green space for kids to run off energy near Buckingham Palace.
Dinner at Mildreds (Soho) or another vegetarian-friendly local spot serving pasta, veg burgers and kid favourites. Mid-range pricing and friendly atmosphere for families.
Explore the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels, Yeoman Warder stories and historic towers — book timed entry (typically opens ~9:00am). This is an iconic, educational visit that kids often find like a living storybook.
Choose vegetarian options at Borough Market or a family-friendly café at St Katharine Docks (near Tower Bridge) — lots of kid‑appealing choices like veggie pies, falafel and pastries.
Walk across Tower Bridge, visit the engine rooms or simply enjoy the riverside; then a relaxed stroll/playtime around St Katharine Docks — peaceful and child-friendly.
Both museums are free and very child-friendly: Natural History Museum (dinosaurs, blue whale) or Science Museum (interactive galleries and kid zones). They generally open at 10:00am; arrive early to avoid crowds.
Spend a relaxed afternoon at the Diana Memorial Playground — a great, imaginative outdoor play area for children and a safe place for parents to relax.
Enjoy a family-friendly West End show — book tickets in advance for best seats and child discounts. Evening shows typically start ~7:30pm; consider an earlier matinee if available.
Stroll Covent Garden to see street performers, then visit the London Transport Museum (open ~10:00am) — interactive displays that are fun for kids and parents alike.
Short sightseeing walk to view Buckingham Palace (outside) and more time in St James's Park for play and birdwatching — a relaxed afternoon near central sights.
If the child is a transport fan, take a short Tube ride to watch trains go by and say hello to the platform, or pop into a toy shop in Covent Garden for a small souvenir.
Early breakfast at the hotel and final packing; prepare snacks and entertainment for the train. Eurostar allows carry‑on meals and small bags, so keep essentials handy.
Short morning visit to King's Cross Station to see Platform 9¾ photo spot and the Harry Potter shop if your child enjoys that world; keep this brief to avoid rushing.
Eurostar is the fastest city‑centre option (about 2h 15–20m). Book tickets in advance for mid‑range fares; depart mid‑day to leave time for a relaxed morning and arrival in Paris in early afternoon.
Arrive Gare du Nord, take a short taxi or Metro to your central family hotel/apartment, check in and rest briefly — staying central (1st–7th arrondissements) keeps walking and transfers easy.
Gentle first afternoon in Paris with a stroll along Canal Saint‑Martin or to square near your hotel; a low‑key visit helps the child acclimatize and is less stressful after travel.
Have dinner at a nearby crêperie — Breizh Café is excellent for savory buckwheat galettes with vegetarian fillings and child‑friendly options like ham & cheese alternatives (ask for vegetarian fillings).
Carry a small flashlight or glow toy for evening strolls — Paris evenings can be pleasant and slower-paced; keep the child engaged with simple games like 'spot the statue.'
Avoid long queues for the summit by planning a relaxed picnic on the Champ de Mars and enjoying views of the Tower; if you want to go up, prebook timed tickets for the tower (opens ~9:30am).
Baguette sandwiches, cheese, fruit and veggies from a nearby market or boulangerie make a perfect, budget-friendly vegetarian picnic; choose shaded areas on the lawns.
Take a family-friendly Seine cruise (45–60 min) or use the Batobus hop-on/hop-off service for flexible sightseeing along the river (many services run from ~10:00–19:00).
Dinner at Breizh for savory crêpes or Le Potager du Marais for traditional French vegetarian fare — both are family-friendly and offer familiar tastes for children.
Bring a light blanket for the picnic — evenings near the Eiffel Tower are magical with lights that sparkle on the hour after sunset (seasonal), which kids love.
Simple breakfast before a museum morning: pastries, fruit and juice. Leave early to reach the Louvre at opening for shorter lines (museum typically opens 9:00am).
Visit the Louvre with a short, child-focused highlights route (Mona Lisa, Egyptian antiquities) and prebook a timed ticket to avoid long waits; limit to 2–3 galleries to keep the visit kid-friendly.
Spend the afternoon at Luxembourg Gardens with its excellent children's playground, puppet theatre shows (check schedule for weekday/weekend times) and pony rides — perfect for relaxed family time.
Morning in Montmartre: funicular ride up to Sacré‑Cœur, artists in Place du Tertre and panoramic views of Paris. It's an engaging open-air area for children to watch artists and see street performers.
Lunch in Marais or Montmartre: vegetarian tartines, galettes or falafel wraps (L'As du Fallafel in Marais is lively and convenient for vegetarian choices).
Visit the spectacular stained glass of Sainte‑Chapelle (book timed tickets) and stroll around Notre‑Dame's exterior and the Ile's small parks — a compact, walkable historic area.
Visit a nearby market street for last-minute pastries, fruit and picnic items for the journey; Rue Cler is central and family‑friendly, good for casual souvenirs too.
Check out and take a taxi or prebooked shuttle to Charles de Gaulle/Orly or your onward train — allow ample time for security and travel (plan 2.5–3 hours to CDG).