THE MAD SCIENTIST

So we took the urchin to the Science Museum this weekend and she went, well, mad. Like, bonkers excited to be there mad. From the water feature where kids can splash away (waterproof overalls are provided) to their heart's content to the oversized Lego play area and intriguing – think hundreds of door stop springs attached to a wall and disused hosepipes hanging from the ceiling – texture maze, which is manned by genned-up Science Museum staff, this is kiddie Mecca.

The place to head with toddlers is the garden area downstairs (ages 3-8) where textures, colours and lights are of the essence. We didn't have to queue once for baby-changing facilities and the beaming staff at the Belugo cafe on the ground floor delivered a high chair and babycinno with pure gusto. And this was a Saturday – any other day is bound to be even more Zen. If you're looking for a free spot to burn off that won't-sleep-through-the-night giddy energy, this is it. Sciencemuseum.org.uk