Bella and I had a great mummy and daughter time during the summer as we were invited to spend a family day out at The O2 in London. As soon as I received this invitation I told Bella and she was so excited as we both knew it was going to be a fun adventure for us.
I have been to The O2 before but it was a number of years ago – before I got married and before having my girls. I know it has changed a lot so I was looking forward to going back, and this time was special as I was going with Bella.
For me The O2 was always about going to the Arena and watching a concert or a show, but this is not the only thing they have. The activities are endless so you won’t get bored. You can do bowling, you can climb up at the top of The O2, there are lots of different restaurants to choose from, a Cineworld cinema, Building Six (night club), Nissan Innovation Station, Sky Studios and Indigo at The O2.
Everything for the day was planned for us. It was going to be full of entertainment and they wanted to show us all the activities that they had in place for the kids during the summer. The idea was to arrive in style via the MBNA Thames Clipper boat.
You can see our video below:
TRAVELLING
We were running a little bit late that morning to take the boat so we decided to go straight to The O2 via the Tube so we were able to arrive on time. It was a fairly easy journey. We arrived to North Greenwich Tube Station which is on the Jubilee Line. We took the Thames Clipper on our way back instead so we didn’t miss the experience.
THE O2
When we arrived Bella was very excited about the venue. It is very big and very inviting. I took a few photos of Bella outside of The O2 first. She was so keen to pose for me that I thought I should get advantage as she is not always in the mood for taking photos.
SKY STUDIOS
As soon as we went inside we saw the big sign that is on the Sky Studios building. They were waiting for us already so we were greeted straight away. Outside the Sky Studios they had a mini golf adventure featuring all the famous golf tournaments around the world. Bella was desperate to do this first but I said that we could come back to it after we had been inside to the Sky Studios.
The Sky Studios had 3 floors. The Ground Floor was all about cycling. There were a few bikes you could jump on and try to ride it as fast as possible so you could then check your timing to see how fast you were. Bella tried it but very gently as she was still not long out of hospital from the asthma attack she had, so I didn’t want her to do it too fast.
They also have one of British Tour de France winner, Chris Froome’s bikes on exhibition. It was very cool to see it and touch it. They also had a big white wall where we were able to leave a message wishing luck to the GB Cycling Team. Bella loved this idea so she was very excited to leave a message for them.
We then went to the next floor up and there was the Sky News section. Yay. We were really looking forward to giving this a try. Bella and I sat down and read the news. It was so much fun. The idea of this is to go behind the scenes, read the news and see how TV is made. They also recorded our “moment in the spotlight” LOL!
Then we went to the top floor. They had a whole floor dedicated to football with various games and interactive displays to play. They had a trophe on display that Bella liked. You can join the line up of a football team or even having a photo carrying the trophe. Bella was not so keen to do it all as she said was that she was not in to football. That surprised me as last year she was enjoying playing football with her friends during the school breaks but well, you know how kids are, they change their minds all the time, LOL!
Sky Studios is free and open daily. Event days are from 12pm to 8pm and non-event days are from 12pm to 6pm and from 11am on weekends.
MINI GOLF
After this we went to the mini golf area. Bella was very happy as she really wanted to play here. We did the whole round and she loved it.
LAS IGUANAS
We then went to have some lunch at Las Iguanas. It is a Brazilian restaurant. I was very happy to have lunch there as it brought me back to South America. It was lovely. They also had some Peruvian ceviche which I thought was fantastic.
Bella and I ordered some tasty burgers. We really enjoyed our meal there. They have fresh superfood salads, tacos, or hearty Brazilian curries, Blazing Bird, juicy spiced chicken or fajitas all made fresh to order. They also have a huge selection of cocktails. They open Sunday to Thursday from midday until 11 pm and Friday & Saturday from midday to midnight.
NISSAN INNOVATION STATION
When we had finish eating we were booked to go to the Nissan Innovation Station. This was a different activity to do, so we were very curious about it. You were also able to watch the Olympics live on a big screen from the outside.
There were different things to do inside. They had a flag where we were all able to leave a good luck message to the Team GB Olympic and Paralympic Teams which was going to be sent to the athletes in Rio. How cool is that? We of course had to leave a message.
You can challenge your family to a race on their custom built Nissan track and Gran Turismo 6 pods. They had competitions and activities to fuel our little ones excitement for the day. They also had a state-of-the-art wheelchair racing competition for a chance to win Nissan merchandise. We didn’t try as it looked a bit hard to do.
They are still inviting along people until the 18th September to cheer on the Paralympic athletes at their purpose built Cheerzone. They have a giant screen where they are passing all the action from the Rio 2016 Paralympics. They have deckchairs you can relax in too. They will also be giving away free ice-lollies and chocolate medals every time Paralympics GB wins a gold medal. Yay!
This is a free experience which is open daily 12pm-8pm. Cheerzone opens every weekend until the 18th September from 12pm to 8pm.
MBNA THAMES CLIPPERS
Bella and I went for a little walk around The O2 after we had finished the main activities. Then we head towards the MBNA Thames Clippers to go back home. The River Roamer tickets allow you to board an MBNA Thames Clipper at any pier and you can hop on and off all day. Boats go direct from London Eye pier to The O2. They leave every 30 minutes and begin three hours before an event. It takes 35 minutes so there was time to grab a drink and a snack on board.
Unfortunately Bella was so tired that she fell asleep on the boat. She did enjoy the first 10 minutes though. I had to wake her up so we could leave and take the tube so we could go back home!
I really enjoyed spending some time with my daughter. It was really nice. We did so many things that day. The O2 is definitely a place that I recommend you to go with your kids. They will love it! You can find more about them on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Have you been to The O2 before? Have you heard of all the activities that they are having during the summer and also during the whole year? What do you like most from the things that we did that day? Is there anything in particular that caught your attention? Please leave a message below as I would love to read what you think.
*Disclosure: I was invited to spend a family day out at The O2 with my daughter Bella in exchange for a blog post. However all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
Linking up with:
Great pictures, very interesting x
I went there too for a similar.blogger day – it was fab! Was pleasantly surprised how much stuff they have for kids over there
Wow what a great day from start to finish, so much to do there. Can I just say you looked stunning last night at the MADs too. #KCACOLS
Looks like an interesting place. Living way down on the edge of the country I am out of any loops of modern knowledge and had a moment of “ooh, that’s the Millenium Dome”! I had heard of the O2 but had no idea it was the MD! ~KCACOLS
What a great day out.. Love the gold Nissan. Pen x #KCACOLS
There’s something about the O2 isn’t there? I love it. I always have a good time there! #KCACOLS
I’ve been to the O2 a while back and saw the Sky room, restaurants and bowling but didn’t realise there was so much more #KCACOLS
A lovely review, wouldn’t have thought the O2 was a good day out for little ones, so thanks for the inspiration! #KCACOLS
Looks like a really fun day! Great post!
#KCACOLS
Looks like such a fun afternoon. Love that Bella fell asleep on the way home… #KCACOLS
I had no idea all that stuff was in the O2. Very cool. Glad Bella was up for having her photo took because she’s so cute! #kcacols
Oh wow, it looks like you both had an absolute blast! How special it must’ve been to get out, just mother and daughter, and spend the day together. I’ve never heard of the O2, but I wonder if they have something like that here in America. It looks like such a fun time!! Thanks so much for sharing, and for hosting such an awesome linky! <3 #KCACOLS
Looks a great day out – I love how much stuff is at the O2 we’ve been many times and it’s great xx #KCACOLS
This sounds fab! I honestly never realised there was so much to do at the O2! What a jam-packed day. Bless her , no wonder Bella was tired! Thank you for sharing X #kcacols
What an amazing opportunity! I’ve never been to the O2 but it’s definitely on my list now. think my guys are a little too young so it might just have to be a grown-ups only date day, ah well! #KCACOLS
Looks like a great day out, so much to see and do! #KCACOLS
I never knew that they had so much on offer at the O2! It sounds like a fab day out! #KCACOLS
I’ve never been but looks fab and like Bella had a great day! #kcacols
When Gray is a bit older I bet he’d love this, thanks for the review! #KCACOLS
I’ve never been! I should though, it looks like a great day out. One day I will take the Whingelets! #KCACOLS
What a lovely day! I haven’t been to the O2 since 2007ish? I went on a school trip! Lovely pictures, bless her for falling asleep on the boat! #KCACOLS
I have only ever been to the o2 for concerts or shows. I knew there were lots of restaurants and a cinema there, as well as the rooftop walk thing. It looks like you had a brilliant day, my daughter would have loved it too.
#KCACOLS
Oh wow! That looks liks an amazing place for a day out 🙂 xxx #KCACOLS
I’ve been past the O2 on many occasions but never been inside. Sounds like there is plenty to do! #KCACOLS
I’ve only ever been to the O2 for a concert, never knew they had so much going on! Thanks for sharing #KCACOLS
What a super awesome day! I think the last time I was at the O2 was to see Prince, that was way before the kids arrived! I love the river taxi best way to travel in London. Loving your days out adventures! #KCALCOLS
Looks like an amazing place for a day out. Lovely photos as always, Franca.
#kcacols
That looks like such a fun day out! I haven’t been to the O2 for years but there is definitely more there now. I really like the bikes for the kids to try! It’s sweet your daughter fell asleep on the boat – it looked like she had been exceptionally busy. #KCACOLS
What a fun and busy day for you both! I love doing special things with just my big girls. Of course I adore my little twins but it really feels like a special little vacation when I can go on an adventure and not tote them and their gear around!
#KCACOLS
there is so much to do at the o2, looks so fun. Bella is just so cute and photogenic #KCACOLS
Aww thank you lovely! She loves the camera! Lol xx
Amazing pictures! Poor little lady got all tuckered out. So sweet. #KCACOLS
I had no idea there were so many different attractions inside the 02, it loos like a great day out!
#KCACOLS
I’m amazed at how much there is to do in the o2. I go there often but normally head straight to the food! Thanks for sharing #KCACOLS
I had no idea there was so much there. Might try our eldest there and see how he gets on. Thanks!
I have never been there but what a great day. Your daughter odviously had a full on day. Bless her socks falling asleep #KCACOLS
I like the O2 but always forget there is stuff to do there other than concerts. I never think to take the children up for a day out and it’s so easy to get to with public transport.
#KCACOLS
I had no idea there was so much for kids at the O2. I’ve never been there before at all! Definitely going to add it to my list of future days out. #kcacols
Wow it sounds like a pretty awesome day out! I haven’t been to the o2 since it was the millenium dome haha. I honestly hadn’t realised they had quite so much there now. #KCACOLS
and there was me thinking las iguanas was Mexican! I love that restaurant but haven’t been for years! pleased you had a good day 🙂 my sister used to live that side of London and they used to head down to that area quite a bit #KCACOLS
What a great day out! I never realised that there’s so much to do st the O2. I thought it was just concerts that they did there. Sounds like Bella really enjoyed herself! #KCACOLS
I had no idea there was so much to do at the O2. Looks like a really good day out. KCACOLS
This looks like great fun. I had no idea that there is so much to see and do at the O2. x #KCACOLS
Wow what a day out! Usually we’re rushing to see the tennis or concerts at O2 we don’t actually stop to look around! Love Bella’s jumpsuit – where is it from? #KCACOLS
Thank you Sunita! Her jumpsuit is from H&M! We love it too! X
I’ve been there for lots of concerts over the years but never been during the day – didn’t know there was so much there to do! Will have to give it a go during daylight! #KCACOLS
Awe this is great! We live a bit aways from London so I haven’t spent much time in the London area at all. It’s always nice to read these type of posts for when my parents visit the country and ask me where is it good to go? lol
I think they are getting tiered of me answering “eerrrr”. lol
#kcacols
It’s great getting some one on one time isn’t it? Looks like a great dat out, I had no idea there was so much there, I just always associate it concerts.
#KCACOLS
I love those shots of Bella posing outside – she looks like she’s having a ball! And the mini golf would be right up my street, I love a game of mini golf! I had no idea there was quite so much to do at the O2 – I always thought it was just concerts and restaurants! #KCACOLS
As usual being a ‘local’, I never do these things! I didn’t actually realise there was more to the O2 than concerts! Will need to check this out as mine would love it! #KCACOLS
I went when it was the millennium dome! It looks like a great day out with lots of varied activities. I didn’t realize that there was so much to do there! Bless her – falling asleep on the boat. It shows she had had a fantastic day out. #KCACOLS
Wow, I have been to the O2 before a few times (for shows, cinema, restaurants etc), but I never knew there was quite so much to do! What an amazing day! I am glad you made the boat home – I love the Thames Clipper! #KCACOLS
I love how excited Bella was! So cute. I didn’t realise there was so much to do at the O2. I thought it was just a concert venue really. Little did I know! #KCACOLS
I’ve never been to the O2 before. I live up north so had no idea about all the activities there. I will definitely keep it in mind if we’re ever nearby, looks like you had a great time! #KCACOLS
Looks like you both had so much fun that it tired your daughter out. Thanks for hosting #KCACOLS
Awww, I have really seen the inside of the O2 but looks really child friendly and great hands on experience. I love food from Las Iguana. awww bless her falling asleep it is a sign she had a good time X #kcacols
I’m not surprised Bella fell asleep on the boat – looks like you had a very busy day! The Paralympians won so many Gold medals, they must have been very busy handing out ice cream over the past few weeks 😀
x Alice
#kcacols
I literally had no idea that it was anything other than a concert venue. looks like a great day out – Bella definitely enjoyed herself anyway #kcacols
Wow I never knew that the o2 has so much to offer. Love the idea of reading the news and also being able to see Chris Froome’s bike is pretty cool, what a great day out. How lovely that you a Bella were able to spend such a lovely day together. xx #KCACOLS
Wow that looks awesome! I didn’t know there was all this stuff inside the O2 I thought it was just like a concert hall. It’s on my London ‘to do’ list now! #KCACOLS
We’ve been to the O2 for concerts and stayed in Greenwich. Its a superb venue and there is plenty to do. I’ve not been in the SKY bit, though. We must do that next time we visit. Looks like you had a great day! #KCACOLS
I’ve never thought of the O2 as a place to spend the day but there is so much there! I love las Iguanas #kcacols
Wow I had no idea there was so much to do there! Looks great x #KCACOLS
That looks fab,i didn’t know there was anything much in the O2 just though it was for concerts! #KCACOLS
This sounds like a great day away! Sorry to hear Bella was in the hospital with an asthma attack but glad to see she is feeling better! She is very lucky to have a blogging mama with so many fun opportunities available! 😀
#KCACOLS
Tori
www,themamanurse.com
I didn’t realise there was so much to do at the o2! The only time I’ve been is to see Michael Buble a few years ago!