Take the Kids to London – Family Travel Blog

Looking back at Dr Pepper, the Little House and London Calling

I love poking around in my archive attic, especially with this blog’s 4th Anniversary coming up in February 2010….

A year ago on the Family Travel Guide, we had fun talking about:

*** Sugar overload at the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco, TX

*** Nautical fun in Norfolk, VA

*** Some TSA tips for dealing with kids through airport security

Want to go back further?

In December 2007, we looked at:

*** Cool US museums you’ve never heard of (brief summary plus link to an article I did for Education.com)

*** Holidays with kids in New York City

*** Whether the airlines should provide harnesses for kids

*** A reminder to make travel plans to see March Madness games

*** One of my very first videos (eek!) of the site of the original Little House on the Prairie in Independence, KS

Even further?

In December 2006:

*** Support your parks and pay a visit (based on an overnight at the CCC-built cabins in Bastrop State Park, TX)

*** Tips and advice when it’s London Calling (with one of my favorite photos of my daughter when we visited)

*** Me as a non-skier kvetching about constant travel articles about skiing this time of year

Thanks for wandering down memory lane with me!

What Lies Beneath? Intriguing Cold War online exhibit from Britain’s Imperial War Museum

A recent letter from one of my readers led me to a terrific “online exhibition” about British experiences in the Cold War – it is very well done and would be suitable for tweens and teens, whether they’re on a trip to the UK or not….

From reader Tom:

“Hi Sheila,

My name is Tom and I’m from the UK. Just getting in touch as I have a great suggestion for a family activity in London.

I recently had a day out with my kids at the Imperial War Museum. Whilst we were there, we saw this being advertised….

(If you can’t see the box below, here’s the direct link to the video URL.)

This short video is an ‘introduction’ to this [site] https://www.whatliesbeneath.org.uk

When we got back we went online to investigate. It’s a site that acts as an online exhibition of sorts, looking at the Cold War. Clearly it is aimed at slightly older children, but my eldest boy (who is 12) absolutely loved it (probably something to do with the fact that he wants to be James Bond!) I thought it was an excellent way to finish the trip, but I think it could even be a good stand-alone activity. It’s fun and interactive and they can learn a bit at the same time, which is always a bonus. It can also act as a bit of an introduction to the [Imperial War Museum] itself if perhaps people are unsure if they want to visit or not.

I’d like to help spread the word a bit so as other parents and their children can get as much enjoyment out of it as we did, so it would great if you could post it.”

Sure, Tom, and thanks very much for sending the info!

This seems like a great way to learn history in an interesting, interactive way (and not least because I discovered the James Bond books as a teen myself, and was enthralled.) Check it out online, follow the Museum on Twitter, and plan a stop at the Museum the next time you’re in London.