London 9 days with 2.5 year old child

Use Google and look for playgrounds in any of the parks.

I know there’s the Diana Memorial playground in Kensington Gardens. Battersea Park has a children’s playground.

There’s also the Round Pond near Kensington Palace where there might be tiny motorized sailboats to watch.

See if you think a visit to the Mudchute Farm to see the animals would be of interest.

There’s the Children’s Discovery Center near the Stratford Center.

Look for the green parrots in Hyde Park.

Ride up stairs in the front seats of a double decker bus.

Take a boat ride on the Thames.

Visit the butterfly house at the Horniman Museum and Gardens. Review the website.

Lastly walk along the Thames River pathway and check the Tower Bridge lift schedule.

Great suggestions, Claudia!

I’ll add Hamley’s and then hunker down because many commenters might think that’s just asking for a meltdown. I’ve seen many an enchanted toddler there over the years.

OP: why are you changing hotels mid-stream? I think with a kiddo, an AirBNB with a nice kitchen would be ideal. You can eat breakfast and pack a lunch, which will save money (if that’s a consideration) and allow you to bring what your child prefers: weird food pickiness can suddenly rear its head when traveling.

London is a lot of walking. Are you bringing a stroller? Bus travel is easier with a stroller than the tube.

Thank you all for suggestions. My reason for staying partly at hotel is that I have Marriott points that will fully cover 5 day hotel stay.

Boat ride as suggested- go from Westminster pier to Greenwich (Cutty Sark). Find one with. Commentary.

For the bus ride, the number 26 between Victoria and Liverpool St is good as you go past number of famous landmarks.

St James’s Park is good on a nice day - can you still feed the ducks? Chase the pigeons in Trafalgar Square if this is still ok.

Get a photo with the guards on Whitehall near Horse Guards Parade

I echo the comment that if you have a stroller (pushchair in the Uk) then buses are generally easier in my view. Even if a tube station shows step-free access this may involve the use of several lifts (elevators)

At that time of the year you are going to have to factor in options that work in bad weather.

Most of the main museums are free so provide some good options to shelter. The Science Museum mentioned above is a good suggestion because it is always full of kids running around.

The Diana Memorial playground in Kensington Gardens is excellent, I spent many happy hours there with my nephews.

That said, with the right clothes no weather is bad, waterproofs and wellies ( rubber boots) and you son will be merrily stamping in puddles.

Young V&A Museum and London Transport Museum would also be age-appropriate for your son.

https://www.vam.ac.uk/young/

https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/visit/families#

ORDtraveler I really REALLY wanted to say what you said about not remembering/not processing! Now that you have been brave enough to put it out there, I will pile on.

As an adult, I would not want my London trip to be nothing but kiddie sights and play areas. My plan would be: eat breakfast, bung child in stroller, do something you want to do! Then take a picnic break to chase ducks and have lunch or whatnot, and go on to another spot that interests you in the afternoon. Late afternoon nap or playbreak, meal at a pub, and call it a night.

Your child will not remember this trip. You will. :-)

I know every toddler is different but my oldest did really well at the Chicago art institute at 15 months old being worn in a baby wrap. It's definitely more fun taking her to art museums now that she's 16 but we made it as a toddler.
I hope you have a great time!

OP hope you appreciated all the intel provided.

Absolutely ! Thank you everyone