It all the time amazes me when folks assume children gained’t take pleasure in museums. With interactive and even digital actuality displays, child-friendly actions, hands-on experiences, and an opportunity to reply among the infinite questions they’ve, so many are good for a household day trip – particularly in London.
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As a result of if you happen to’re visiting London museums with toddlers and youngsters, you might be spoiled for selection. Even higher there are such a lot of free museums in London for teenagers – happily, as my dwelling metropolis shouldn’t be the most affordable.
Whether or not you’re searching for one thing interactive, a museum for animal-lovers, a style of historical past – targeted on London itself or the world – or one of many many particular collections the UK capital has, these are my prime recommendations on the very best London museums for toddlers and youngsters earlier than you go to.
For extra concepts of the very best issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers, try this put up
The Pure Historical past Museum, London
Famously considered one of London’s hottest museums for toddlers and kids, to not point out loads of teenagers and adults, the Pure Historical past museum’s assortment is far greater than most guests may guess.
If you happen to’re counting, there are round 80 million gadgets (though not all on show) overlaying zoology, paleontology, botany, entomology and mineralogy, in considered one of London’s most eye-catching museum buildings.
However it’s the dinosaurs which draw a lot of the guests, not less than on the primary event. My daughter was a toddler after we made our first visits, already fascinated by the Dippy the diplodocus (now changed by a blue whale skeleton known as Hope).
We’ve been again numerous instances exploring new areas and trying out among the particular exhibitions, together with one on mammoths and one other linked to Harry Potter.
Suggestions for visiting the Pure Historical past Museum
No matter age your children are, it pays to get to the museum early – and ideally on weekdays or exterior faculty holidays. Do prebook tickets to skip the queues at peak instances as properly.
The museum is all the time common, so be ready for some queues (although you’ll be able to typically skip the worst of the Pure Historical past Museum queue by taking the aspect entrance in Exhibition Street, which can be buggy-friendly) however when you’re inside, there’s a lot to see that solely the dinosaur part is prone to really feel busy.
Try my full set of suggestions right here for visiting the Pure Historical past Museum with younger children, together with what’s greatest within the Pure Historical past Museum for toddlers
There’s excess of simply dinosaurs too, with galleries on mammals and sea creatures, which is a superb choice with littler ones who don’t fancy an encounter with a shifting T-Rex or the earth sciences of the Purple Zone, with volcano locator and earthquake simulator.
The rumbles and flashes of purple gentle coming from the highest of the escalator as much as this part will be distinctly off-putting for youthful children (or totally thrilling!)
Can you’re taking buggies in?
You’ll be able to take pushchairs and strollers in to the museum, or there’s the chance to retailer buggies within the cloakroom for £4 (though they need to fold flat), in addition to coats and different gadgets for a price.
You may as well retailer baby scooters for £2, or wheel/carry them across the museum (although you’ll be able to’t scoot round on them).
Different suggestions
It’s additionally just some minutes from the Science Museum and the Victoria & Albert museum if you wish to mix two in in the future.
Pure Historical past Museum: Have to know
Opening instances: The museum is open on daily basis besides December 24-26, from 10am to five.50pm, with final entry at 5.30pm.
The place: Cromwell Street, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD. Closest tube station: South Kensington.
Costs: Free entry though there are prices for short-term exhibitions (and you might have to ebook these prematurely).
The place to remain: If you happen to’re searching for family-friendly motels close to the Pure Historical past Museum, the selection is between the price range chains, such because the Ibis Kinds on Gloucester Street, and Premier Inn at Earl’s Courtroom (a brief journey from South Kensington) or high-end and classy motels close by, together with The Ampersand.
Reserving.com additionally has a listing of motels close to the Pure Historical past Museum to check costs.
There’s additionally a YHA youth hostel in Earl’s Courtroom with household rooms sleeping between three and 6 (although ebook forward) if you happen to’re visiting London on a price range.
For extra ideas on what to do in London with children who love animals, try my prime picks from zoos and aquariums to museums.
The Science Museum, London
One other of London’s hottest museums with youthful children, the Science Museum is good when you have youngsters who prefer to get fingers on.
And with collections overlaying science and expertise from the oldest surviving steam locomotive to the mannequin of DNA and the forerunners of computer systems, it is a museum that you may revisit over and over.
Together with the house and flight galleries, you’ll be able to comply with humanity’s technological advances, medical historical past, extra interactive shows and in addition the IMAX 3 cinema exhibiting documentaries.
Only some areas are aimed toward toddlers and preschoolers, specifically The Backyard which is concentrated on under-fives on the Science Museum – though with displays that make noise, a mini puppet theatre, areas to climb and play and the water characteristic (all the time an enormous favorite), this space alone can entertain youthful children for fairly a while.
The Sample Pod is aimed toward ages 5 to eight, however preschoolers will discover loads to take pleasure in right here as properly, and by the point they’re approaching faculty age, there are galleries galore for various pursuits, particularly house and completely different automobiles by way of historical past.
The favored Wonderlab additionally has science reveals and demonstrations (entry is further) which is able to enchantment most to highschool age youngsters and older – value each penny, my daughter may spend hours right here.
There are common short-term exhibitions too, together with Energy Up (which is able to enchantment to avid gamers) and Flip It Up on the science of sound and music.
Suggestions for visiting the Science Museum
Like most museums, it’s quietest early or late, however as most under-fives shall be targeted on a number of completely different areas, it actually pays to show up when there aren’t crowds of preschoolers all making an attempt to entry the identical issues.
The museum additionally has occasional ‘early birds’ opening for households with youngsters who want a quieter setting.
Try my full set of suggestions right here on visiting the Science Museum with toddlers.
There’s additionally the choice to search the museum’s what’s on part by age, so you’ll be able to search for particular choices to go well with underneath fives or six to 11-year-olds for instance
Can you’re taking buggies in?
You’ll be able to take buggies into the museum, though they aren’t allowed inside some areas for house causes.
There are buggy parks dotted round too, together with reverse The Backyard, by the Sample Pod and inside Wonderlab – these are unmanned although, so don’t depart valuables within the pushchair. Yow will discover coin-return pushchair locks within the Spare Room reverse The Backyard however these want a £1 coin.
The cloakroom shouldn’t be at present accepting buggies, solely smaller gadgets.
Any possessions within the buggies are left at your personal threat although. If you wish to depart baggage someplace safe, there are additionally lockers on degree -1, which value from £3 for small lockers (large enough for coats). These are card cost solely.
Different suggestions
It’s value having spare garments if you happen to’re visiting The Backyard and its water exercise: waterproof cover-ups are now not offered, however even with one, my daughter has by no means as soon as emerged from this space with out getting moist!
The Science Museum can be just some minutes from the Pure Historical past Museum and the Victoria & Albert museum if you wish to mix two in in the future.
Science Museum: Have to know
Opening instances: Open day by day from 10am to 6pm, with final entry at 5.15pm (besides December 24-26). Galleries start to shut at 5.30pm. There are normally longer opening hours throughout faculty holidays, to 7pm throughout October and February half-term, and to six.30pm throughout different faculty holidays. Test the museum web site for exact particulars and dates.
The place: Exhibition Street, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD. Closest tube station: South Kensington.
Costs: Free entry though there are prices for short-term exhibitions (and you might have to ebook common short-term exhibitions prematurely).
The place to remain: If you happen to’re searching for family-friendly motels close to the Science Museum, the selection is between the price range chains, such because the Ibis Kinds on Gloucester Street, and Premier Inn at Earl’s Courtroom (a brief journey from South Kensington) or high-end and classy motels close by, together with The Ampersand.
Reserving.com additionally has a listing of motels close to the Science Museum to check costs.
There’s additionally a YHA youth hostel in Earl’s Courtroom with household rooms sleeping between three and 6 (although ebook forward) if you happen to’re visiting London on a price range.
The Victoria & Albert Museum, London
The world’s largest museum of ornamental arts and design shouldn’t be essentially the most clearly household pleasant museum in South Kensington, however there’s much more to the Victoria & Albert museum for teenagers than you may count on.
Higher with older preschoolers than toddlers, there are household occasions throughout faculty holidays and a few weekends, in addition to digital and bodily trails to comply with (the household backpacks are at present unavailable).
As you may count on from a museum targeted on ‘ornamental and utilized arts’, there are many inventive actions as properly – the possibility to attract and let imaginations be impressed by the displays in addition to alternatives to decorate up.
And with collections spanning 5,000 years of artwork, in addition to cultures from all over the world (to not point out short-term exhibitions which have featured Winnie the Pooh or 60s artwork and music), there’s an infinite supply of inspiration.
Suggestions for visiting the V&A
If you happen to’ve arrived to face large queues on the Pure Historical past and Science Museums, there’s much less likelihood of standing in line right here – there’s additionally a aspect entrance from the tunnel main from South Kensington tube.
Try my full set of suggestions for visiting the V&A with children right here
It’s simple to get distracted en route however head straight to the Studying Centre if you wish to choose up actions earlier than you discover. The museum additionally has actions on for various age teams on daily basis – try the main points right here.
That is additionally a great museum to avoid wasting for afternoons, because it tends to be quieter from 2pm onwards.
Can you’re taking buggies in?
You’ll be able to take pushchairs across the museum, and there are lifts between flooring. A buggy park is obtainable close to the Exhibition Street entrance and Cromwell Street Entrance.
There’s additionally a cloakroom obtainable the place you’ll be able to depart baby scooters for £3, in addition to coats and small baggage. (Bigger gadgets value extra)
There’s additionally a Quiet Room with child altering and bottle hotter
Different suggestions
It’s additionally just some minutes from the Pure Historical past Museum and Science Museum if you wish to mix two in in the future.
The Younger V&A, its sister museum, is predicated in east London – previously the Museum of Childhood, it reopened in 2023 underneath the brand new identify. Additionally free, you’ll be able to spot toys, dolls, video games and extra, relationship again to the 17th century, in addition to a lot of interactive enjoyable.
The V&A: Have to know
Opening instances: The V&A is open day by day from 10am to five.45pm, and till 10pm on Fridays (decreased gallery opening after 5.30pm). Closed on December 24-26.
The place: Cromwell Street, South Kensington, London, SW7 2RL. Closest tube station: South Kensington.
Costs: Free entry though there are prices for short-term exhibitions (and you might have to ebook common short-term exhibitions prematurely).
The place to remain: If you happen to’re searching for family-friendly motels close to the V&A, the selection is between the price range chains, such because the Ibis Kinds on Gloucester Street, and Premier Inn at Earl’s Courtroom (a brief journey from South Kensington) or high-end and classy motels close by, together with The Ampersand.
Reserving.com additionally has a listing of motels close to the V&A to check costs.
There’s additionally a YHA youth hostel in Earl’s Courtroom with household rooms sleeping between three and 6 (although ebook forward) if you happen to’re visiting London on a price range.
The Younger V&A
The sister museum to the V&A in South Kensington, the previous London Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Inexperienced reopened in summer time 2023 with a brand new look and a brand new identify – the Younger V&A.
With its shows of toys and video games, it has been a household favorite for years (not least for the nostalgia worth), and the much-loved highlights are additionally again – look out for one of many authentic Paddington Bear toys.
Nonetheless whereas the constructing is identical grand corridor (referred to as the City Sq.), children have been concerned in developing with the redesigned look, now themed round three galleries: Play, Think about and Design.
Better of all there are many possibilities to get fingers on, whether or not that’s creating your personal board recreation, listening to storytelling, or hitting the sandpit, in addition to new gadgets occurring show, with a complete of two,000 gadgets to take pleasure in.
Suggestions for visiting the Younger V&A
Free to enter, it does get very busy at weekends, so arrive early if you happen to can.
If you happen to’re planning to go to one of many short-term exhibitions, attempt to ebook your timeslot after you’ve had likelihood to go searching the primary museum – with restricted numbers within the exhibitions, that gained’t get too busy later within the day.
Enable loads of time as properly – there’s merely a lot to get fingers on with, so many alternatives to get inventive, in addition to trying on the enjoyable shows, that this isn’t someplace you’ll be able to whizz spherical in an hour (or not with out main annoyance as you drag the children out once more).
The Design gallery is the very best space for older children, in addition to among the short-term exhibitions, however lots is concentrated on the under-10s if you happen to’re visiting with tweens and teenagers.
Can you’re taking buggies in?
You’ll be able to take buggies in however with so many children round, and never all the time lots of house between shows, it’s higher to depart it within the buggy park if you happen to can.
Buggy parking is obtainable within the Welcome Space close to the primary entrance, and if wanted, there’s an overflow buggy park throughout peak instances (each unmanned so don’t depart something invaluable).
There are additionally 24 free storage lockers positioned on the lower-ground flooring, however I’d purpose to get there early to ensure discovering one free.
Different suggestions
There’s a cafe serving cold and warm meals and snacks, together with lunchtime meal containers, highchairs and bottle-warming services.
You’re welcome to convey your personal chilly food and drinks from dwelling, and you too can eat packed lunches within the Frequent Room at weekends and through faculty holidays, or within the museum gardens.
In addition to the museum gardens and Bethnal Inexperienced gardens, you’re additionally not removed from Victoria Park for an opportunity to get exterior and burn off some extra power.
The Younger V&A: Have to know
Opening instances: The V&A is open day by day from 10am to five.45pm. Closed on December 24-26.
The place: Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Inexperienced, London E2 9PA. Closest tube station: Bethnal Inexperienced
Costs: Free entry though there are prices for short-term exhibitions (and you might have to ebook common short-term exhibitions prematurely).
The place to remain: As Bethnal Inexperienced is barely exterior the centre of London, you’ll have a decreased selection of motels close by. Nonetheless, Yotel Shoreditch may be very shut by and youngsters aged 3-12 could keep free (so long as you don’t have greater than the utmost occupancy allowed).
Or City Corridor Lodge has household packages for its rooms and flats. Alternatively Liverpool Avenue is simply a cease away on the Central Line and has a much bigger selection of locations to remain.
The British Museum, London
One of many world’s biggest collections overlaying human historical past, artwork and tradition, the British Museum has round eight million artefacts (solely a tenth are ever on show) in nearly 100 galleries.
I’ve been visiting the museum since I used to be a toddler myself, fascinated by the Egyptian galleries – and the sheer scale of things on show, the range and the fascinating tales behind so many artefacts imply that youngsters are prone to be simply as enthralled, whether or not it’s by the mummified crocodile, the Easter Island Moai or one thing else.
That is one I’d personally keep away from throughout the early toddler years: preschoolers are sufficiently old to have an interest, infants younger sufficient to snooze round, however chasing after enthusiastic 18-month-olds in a gallery of priceless artefacts makes me shiver.
And the museum can be the most effective at offering actions for teenagers from free trails and backpacks to a highlights information (useful if you happen to’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the 80,000 potential issues to see), in addition to crayons, pencils and pads to borrow for budding artists.
The British Museum youngsters’s actions embrace eight Museum Explorer trails, together with two aimed toward age 3+ targeted round numbers and hues, or there are extra themed trails for six+ and object dealing with periods. Test the museum’s web site for the main points.
If you happen to’re wanting time or need to make sure you see among the highlights, there’s additionally a Twelve Objects to see with Kids path. The Households Desk is simply open at weekends and native faculty holidays, however you’ll be able to choose up the paths from the data desk exterior these instances.
Suggestions for visiting the British museum
Until you intend to comply with one of many trails or highlights, it pays to do your analysis prematurely. Don’t even take into account making an attempt to see every little thing in a single go, there’s merely an excessive amount of.
One massive bonus of free entry is you could spend a enjoyable hour then depart, however museum fatigue units in rapidly for preschoolers if you happen to plan a protracted go to. Bear in mind that even if you happen to’ve prebooked free tickets, you’ll nonetheless should queue to enter – the rear entrance on Montague Place will be quieter.
Try my full set of suggestions for visiting the British Museum with children
Can you’re taking buggies in?
You’ll be able to take buggies into the museum, and there are lifts between flooring – be ready for some manoeuvring within the busier galleries although.
You may as well depart folded pushchairs within the cloakroom without cost (house is proscribed, you’ll discover it to the left when you’ve entered by way of the primary entrance).
There’s additionally locker storage for households within the Ford Centre for Younger Guests at weekends
Different suggestions
Maintain a watch out for bathrooms as you stroll across the museum: there are some on each flooring, however the ones within the Nice Courtroom all the time appear have an enormous queue – not very best when children should go urgently.
There are child altering services by the North Stairs (degree 0 and degree 3) in addition to within the Nice Courtroom and the Ford Centre for Younger Guests.
There’s additionally a restaurant and family-friendly pizzeria on the museum however if you happen to’re visiting at a weekend or throughout faculty holidays, households may eat their very own meals within the Ford Centre for Younger Guests – head down the steps close to the Data Desk (or lifts by the Nice Russell Avenue entrance). You’ll be able to’t eat within the galleries although.
Breastfeeding and bottle feeding is permitted anyplace however the museum does even have two feeding rooms.
If you happen to want some recent air after visiting the museum, Coram’s Fields is a brief stroll away, a park and play space which you’ll solely enter with children.
British Museum: Have to know
Opening instances: The museum is open on daily basis from 10am-5pm, and till 8.30pm on Fridays. Final entry is quarter-hour earlier than closing. The museum is closed on December 24-26.
The place: Nice Russell Avenue, London, WC1B 3DG. Closest tube stations: Russell Sq., Tottenham Courtroom Street, Holborn and Goodge Avenue
Costs: Free entry aside from short-term exhibitions
The place to remain: Not removed from Bloomsbury, Holborn and Covent Backyard, there’s loads of selection for locations to remain close to the British Museum.
If you happen to’re on a price range, it’s value trying out the YHA youth hostel in St Pancras, which has non-public en-suite household rooms sleeping as much as 4 (ebook forward!) in addition to rooms sleeping as much as 5 – 6.
Or the Radisson Blu Edwardian Kenilworth and Doubletree by Hilton London West Finish may each hardly be nearer to the museum.
For extra ideas on what to do in London with children who love historical past, try my prime picks from castles and palaces to centuries-old traditions.
The Museum of London
EDIT: The museum is now quickly closed till reopening in its new web site at Smithfield in 2026
London’s personal museum about London itself, proper from prehistoric instances by way of to extra fashionable eras.
The Museum of London explores the individuals who lived on the positioning over the centuries and the way their affect endures – Romans, Saxons (together with an opportunity to pop inside a recreated Saxon home), medieval London and the plague, the Nice Fireplace and extra.
Nicely, the place higher to find London’s historical past than a museum devoted to it?
Even after many years residing in and visiting the capital, I hadn’t realised that hippos as soon as roamed what’s now Trafalgar Sq.. Specified by chronological order, there was a selection of exercise trails for teenagers to comply with, plus some alternatives to get fingers on and occasional movies dotted alongside the route.
Children had been welcomed with a stand on the entrance for households to get extra data, however that is one museum which is greatest for five-year-olds and up, or older preschoolers somewhat than toddlers – though there are particular backpacks for under-fives too, and getting to the touch sharp flints and eye up gleaming helmets and shields will seize any age’s creativeness, not less than briefly.
Suggestions for visiting the Museum of London
Beforehand set within the Metropolis of London, on London Wall itself (a part of the outdated Roman Wall), the museum is predicted to open on its new Smithfield web site in 2026.
Its location does imply it tends to be quieter at weekends, and even on a cloudy financial institution vacation weekend in the summertime holidays, it’s much less busy than the extra high-profile trio in South Kensington. Best if you happen to’re a bit fed up of crowds.
Can you’re taking buggies in?
Buggies had been beforehand welcome anyplace within the museum, which was totally accessible if you’re bringing youthful children, and had lockers for luggage at £1.
Different suggestions
There have been beforehand early ‘Morning Explorers’ occasions for households with youngsters on the autistic spectrum, in addition to child-sized ear defenders on the Data Desk.
There was additionally a separate space which households can eat picnics in, set within the next-door constructing – solely throughout faculty holidays although, because it’s reserved for college teams in any other case. There are additionally a number of cafes with a museum dedication to supply excessive chairs, colouring and actions and wholesome youngsters’s meals.
In addition to exercise sheets which you’ll obtain and print or choose up while you arrive, under-fives backpacks with toys and puzzles had been obtainable from the entrance desk for a £5 refundable deposit, plus hands-on shows with members of employees.
There’s additionally a sister museum, the Museum of London Docklands, following life on London’s river from Roman instances to the current – one other attention-grabbing choice (try what we thought after we visited).
Museum of London: Have to know
Opening instances: tbc
The place: Beforehand the Museum of London was positioned at 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN. (The museum is because of transfer to Smithfield into its new dwelling close to Farrington, which shall be double the dimensions).
Costs: Free, with prices for some short-term exhibitions.
The place to remain: A variety of the locations to remain close to the Museum of London are geared in direction of enterprise travellers – however that does imply you’ll be able to typically choose up nice offers at weekends. For further house, Citadines Barbican have flats which might sleep as much as 4.
Or for a keep in type, The Montcalm on the Brewery can be a brief stroll away, whereas for an actual splurge, The Ned is without doubt one of the metropolis’s most enjoyable luxurious motels, set in a transformed financial institution constructing.
The Horniman Museum, London
The Horniman Museum is someplace which regularly will get ignored by guests to London, because it’s additional out of the centre, however is definitely an amazing museum with toddlers and youngsters.
In case your children get overwhelmed by the larger museums, it’s a extra manageable measurement and has a mixture of completely different displays – half pure historical past museum, half aquarium, a number of mummies and different displays which could not be misplaced on the British Museum.
Edit: the Pure Historical past gallery is closed for refurbishment till 2026
Look out for the Nature Base too, the place children can get fingers on – the stuffed fox is convincing sufficient that my daughter, then three, needed to be persuaded that it wasn’t simply curled up asleep.
There are extra interactive choices within the Arms On Base, in addition to trails comply with indoors and out.
There are additionally 16 acres of grounds with a nature path, a sound backyard, butterfly home and a few small animals in a mini zoo, together with alpacas, goats, sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens.
And whereas lots of the sections are small, together with the compact aquarium, it makes it the most effective for toddlers who’ll be as fascinated and comfortable to gaze for ages.
Plus the commonly short-term exhibitions have household pleasant themes together with dinosaurs and animals, amongst others.
Suggestions for visiting the Horniman Museum
Though the museum isn’t as massive as among the different better-known spots, it’s very simple to spend hours right here – and since there’s such selection, even toddlers and youthful preschoolers have a tendency to not really feel overwhelmed or get museum fatigue.
It’s quietest after 2.30pm on weekdays throughout time period time, though with many guests spreading out into the grounds on sunny days, it usually gained’t appear as crowded as on wet ones.
Exhibitions do ebook up quick, as numbers are restricted, so it’s value prebooking tickets for these, in addition to to the aquarium and butterfly home.
Can you’re taking buggies in?
You’ll be able to take pushchairs all through the museum and gardens – there’s additionally a free buggy park in Gallery Sq. and subsequent to the Butterfly Home, with strollers left at your personal threat.
You may as well discover self-service lockers obtainable by way of the Café, which want a £1 coin (refundable). There are restricted cloakroom and locker services, so the museum asks guests to solely convey coats and baggage you could carry.
Different suggestions
There’s a cafe on the museum, though you too can convey your personal packed lunches and picnics to eat within the gardens (in good climate) and the Dutch Barn reverse the bandstand if the climate is unhealthy.
If you wish to take advantage of your time within the space, a number of buses from the museum additionally go to Crystal Palace Park with its dinosaur statues, outdated favourites which is able to nonetheless enchantment to youthful children.
The Horniman Museum: Have to know
Opening instances: The museum is open day by day from 10am-5.30pm, though the butterfly home closes at 4pm (final entry 3.30pm). The aquarium opens at 10.30am till 5.30pm (final entry 4.30pm).
The character path opens at 9am and is open till 4pm from February to October, and till 3pm from late October to early February. The gardens have separate opening hours, normally from 7.15am till 6pm (or from 8am on Sundays and financial institution holidays. Test the museum’s web site for exact particulars.
The place: 100 London Street, Forest Hill, London, SE23 3PQ. Closest rail station: Forest Hill – there are not any tube stations on this a part of London, though the London Overground goes to Forest Hill, in addition to trains from London Bridge and Victoria, which take 20-Half-hour. Bus routes 176, 185, 197, 356, P4 cease exterior the Museum and Gardens on London Street.
Costs: Entry to the everlasting galleries and gardens is free. There’s a cost for the Butterfly Home, the Aquarium, short-term household exhibitions, and a few occasions, however you’ll be able to ebook on-line (together with on the day of your go to) which additionally enables you to skip the queues on the ticket desk.
The place to remain: As Forest Hill is a residential space, there’s far much less selection of locations to remain close to the Horniman Museum – and except you’ve got a specific motive for eager to be on this particular space, it’s higher to remain extra centrally and take the practice out to go to, as you’ll additionally then be nearer to London’s different household points of interest.
Round Victoria, you’ll discover price range choices such because the Premier Inn London Victoria, in addition to the Victoria Park Plaza which regularly has offers for households, and the Doubletree by Hilton London Victoria, that are all a great base to find Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park. Or splurge on The Goring for some five-star luxurious with some very family-friendly touches, reminiscent of a bedtime story library, stamps to gather and a fluffy toy for little ones.
Or near London Bridge, you’ll be able to keep within the Ibis Kinds Southwark for a funkier price range break in addition to the Novotel London Metropolis South. For sheer type and a keep to recollect, the Shangri-La lodge on the Shard has numerous rooms for households and among the greatest views in London.
Learn extra: Try our evaluation of our day on the Horniman Museum, together with considered one of their short-term exhibitions – the museum’s web site has extra particulars of present occasions and further actions too.
The London Transport Museum, London
The gathering on the London Transport Museum is sort of 100 years outdated, having grown out of a call within the Twenties to protect two Victorian horse buses.
However the spotlight right here, aside from having the ability to see altering designs for London’s transport and the event of the well-known tube map and indicators, is having the ability to fake to drive a bus and get behind the controls of a tube practice simulator.
With a lot of quirky information, together with the eye-watering quantity of dung scooped off London’s streets throughout the days of horse-drawn automobiles, and plenty of shows the place you may get fingers on, there’s tons to entertain children – and for vehicle-obsessed toddlers, it’s heaven.
There’s additionally the particular All Aboard play space for teenagers aged underneath seven, together with the possibility to decorate up and play with constructing blocks, plus the Child DLR space if there are even youthful siblings to entertain.
Maintain a watch out for the common household actions which occur all year long, together with workshops for older children and drop-in crafts and storytelling for youthful ones. Santa normally makes an look at Christmas as properly.
Suggestions for visiting the London Transport Museum
As there’s an entry price for adults, the museum does are usually quieter than among the different common ones, though count on to see faculty teams right here too on weekdays in time period time.
Everytime you go to, you’ll nearly definitely should queue for among the hottest choices, like driving the bus and tube.
Decide up the stamp path while you arrive as properly, as an added option to preserve children engaged as they discover.
Can you’re taking buggies in?
The entire museum is accessible for pushchairs, though there’s additionally buggy parking reverse the cloakroom.
You may as well depart coats and baggage on the cloakroom without cost.
Different suggestions
If you happen to’re feeling overwhelmed by all of the issues to see and do (or are wanting time), there’s a listing of the prime 10 issues for households on the London Transport Museum.
The museum additionally runs SEN Early Morning Explorer periods, which must be booked prematurely.
There are cafes on the London Transport Museum and you’ll eat picnics/packed lunches on the Decrease Deck cafe bar on the bottom flooring throughout faculty holidays and at weekends.
Maintain a watch out for normal pop-up occasions happening in Covent Backyard too, that are simple to mix with a go to. There are all the time road performers to look at as properly.
London Transport Museum: Have to know
Opening instances: Open day by day from 10am to 6pm, with final entry at 5pm. Closed December 24-26.
The place: Covent Backyard Piazza, London WC2E 7BB. Nearest tubes: Covent Backyard, Temple and Embankment.
Costs: Entry is free for youngsters underneath 17, and prices £24 for adults – which provides you limitless entry for 12 months. There’s additionally an off-peak annual cross for £22.
You may get a reduction on annual tickets if you happen to ebook by way of tiqets utilizing my code, MUMMYTRAVELS6.
The place to remain: Set in Covent Backyard, this isn’t an amazing place to stick with youthful children – there are fewer motels in Theatreland than elsewhere and so they’re pricy plus you’ll be able to count on it to be busy late into the night time.
However Covent Backyard may be very accessible from most locations in central London, so take into account among the motels near the British Museum (above) which is simply a few stops away on the tube, such because the Radisson Blu Edwardian Kenilworth and Doubletree by Hilton London West Finish .
Different London museums for teenagers
The Postal Museum
One of many newer museums to open in London, the Postal Museum covers the historical past of the Royal Mail. However earlier than you dismiss it as somewhat dry and dusty, it’s been designed to be very interesting to children in addition to stamp collectors together with a particular play house for underneath 8s, plus the Mail Rail practice to trip.
Entry prices from £16 for adults, from £9 for teenagers with limitless entry for 12 months, together with one trip on Mail Rail in your first go to. A forty five-minute session within the Sorted! play house prices from £4 if you happen to prebook on-line, from £5 on the day.
Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, at 15-20 Phoenix Place, London, WC1X 0DA (close to Russell Sq. tube).
Museum of London Docklands
The Museum of London Docklands – sister museum to the at present closed Museum of London – focuses on one other slice of the capital’s historical past, on its as soon as thriving docks and maritime trade.
Set in a transformed warehouse on West India Quay, galleries are set out in chronological order, so guests journey from late Tudor instances by way of to the fashionable day, when London’s monetary district took over the world, with trails to assist discover.
In addition to interactive sections, reminiscent of strolling by way of a recreation of Sailortown and looking out inside an air raid shelter, there are shows on slaver, in addition to on the Nice Stink and the Nice Dock Strike, so some harder-hitting subjects lined right here. For youthful children, there’s the Mudlarks play space.
Entry is free, though there’s a cost for the Mudlarks play space (prebooking strongly suggested)
Open day by day from 10am to 5pm. Museum of London Docklands, No.1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL. Closest stations: West India Quay DLR or Canary Wharf tube and Elizabeth line stations.
Nationwide Maritime Museum
The free Nationwide Maritime museum traces Britain’s maritime historical past, with an interesting assortment that ranges from artworks and maps to mannequin ships and even the coat Nelson was carrying when he died – to not point out tales of journey and piracy in Tudor instances, the challenges of the Polar adventures, and tales of exploring the Pacific.
There are additionally household trails, together with ones for mini mariners, whereas the large map proper on the coronary heart of the museum is ideal for any age, in addition to loads of household enjoyable actions aimed toward youthful guests.
Don’t miss the Ahoy Gallery for underneath sevens; the immersive play house enables you to do every little thing from stoking the boiler of a steamship to promoting fish within the market, in addition to discovering extra about pirates, polar tales and adventures galore. Plus The Cove playground is simply across the nook.
Entry is free. The Ahoy gallery has a small cost at weekends and faculty holidays, however is free on weekdays (prebooking suggested)
Open day by day 10am-5pm. Nationwide Maritime Museum, Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF. Closest stations: Cutty Sark DLR and Cutty Sark pier for the river boat service.
For concepts of extra of the very best issues to do in Greenwich with children, try my prime picks
Nationwide Gallery
The Nationwide Gallery has common occasions for households throughout faculty holidays in addition to a brand new immersive app to assist children discover the primary assortment.
And stopping to color and draw is positively inspired.
Entry is free. Actions could have a cost, though some are free and drop-in periods.
Open day by day aside from December 24-26 and January 1, from 10am–6pm and till 9pm on Fridays. Trafalgar Sq., London, WC2N 5DN. Closest tube stations: Charing Cross, Embankment and Leicester Sq..
For extra issues to do round Leicester Sq. with children, try my prime picks
The Grant Museum of Zoology
Britain’s oldest pure historical past museum is one with a distinction – the 67,000 completely different specimens on the Grant Museum of Zoology embrace some distinctly quirky gadgets reminiscent of a jar of moles and mind assortment.
Extra squeamish little ones are unlikely to really feel at dwelling, however endlessly curious preschoolers may discover quite a lot of fascinating gadgets. Newly reopened in 2024 after a 12 months’s refurbishment, it seems to be at human impression on biodiversity.
There are additionally common occasions, together with household periods on chosen Saturday – beforehand children had the possibility to really feel how sharp a shark’s tooth is or how heavy an elephant’s tusk, whereas there’s additionally an opportunity to make use of VR expertise to move you to a coral reef.
Entry is free – you’ll be able to’t ebook so you might want to attend if it’s busy, though it’s uncommon to have to hold round lengthy on weekdays.
Open from 1-5pm Tuesday to Friday, from 11am-5pm on Saturdays. Rockefeller Constructing, College School London, 21 College Avenue, London, WC1E 6DE. Nearest tube stations: Warren Avenue and Goodge Avenue.
Tate Fashionable
This up to date artwork museum may be very welcoming to children, with loads for households at Tate Fashionable.
Together with common actions and occasions (some are extra appropriate for older children), you can begin with a choose of the 5 artworks to see with your loved ones and the Begin Show targeted on among the most well-known works, serving to to get youthful guests fascinated about artwork.
There are additionally steered video games, together with exercise packs, and also you’re reminded it’s OK to make some noise!
Entry is free – adults should pay for particular exhibitions, however under-12s can enter free for these as properly.
Open from 10-6pm. Closed December 24-26. Bankside, London SE1 9TG. Nearest tube stations: Blackfriars and Southwark
For my prime 49 free issues to do in London with children, try this put up
The Nationwide Military Museum
With 5 galleries every little thing from life as a soldier to the impression the military has had on the world, the Nationwide Military Museum in Chelsea is a superb choices for teenagers who love historical past (or taking part in troopers).
There are sections on the English Civil Warfare, in addition to later conflicts, plus artefacts linked to everybody from Napoleon to Lawrence of Arabia.
However some of the common areas for youthful children is the museum’s Play Base, aimed toward children aged one to eight, with a smooth play assault course, and play vehicles and cookhouses.
Entry is free. There’s a cost of £6.25 for adults for Play Base and timed periods, so prebooking is really helpful.
Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5.30pm. Nationwide Military Museum, Royal Hospital Street, London, SW3 4HT. Closest tube Sloane Sq..
Day journeys from London – different family-friendly museums
Roald Dahl Museum
The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre is ready in Nice Missenden, Buckinghamshire, the place the creator lived and was impressed to write down a lot of his well-known youngsters’s tales.
A mixture of displays on the creator, together with his writing shed, and on the books themselves is simply the beginning – there are storytelling periods and an entire space to encourage children to get inventive, to not point out copies of his books dotted round.
Entry value £9.95 for adults and youngsters aged 5 to 18, free for under-fives. No have to prebook however it’s really helpful at busy instances.
Open from Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm. Throughout Buckinghamshire faculty holidays, the museum is normally open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as properly, typically Mondays. Test the complete opening hours right here. 81-83 Excessive Avenue, Nice Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16 0AL. Trains run from London Marylebone to Nice Missenden twice an hour, taking round 45 minutes, and the station is a brief stroll away.
Try my evaluation of our day visiting the Roald Dahl Museum and following one of many trails across the village.
Oxford Museum of Pure Historical past
Simply an hour from London, there’s loads to do on a day journey to Oxford (or an extended keep) however the Oxford College Museum of Pure Historical past – aka Oxford’s dinosaur museum if you happen to’re a toddler – is a superb place to spend a number of hours.
In addition to dinosaurs, there are animals galore together with a dodo, different dramatic skeletons, a number of stuffed displays which you’ll contact and stroke, together with historic rocks that are additionally out to the touch and household trails to comply with.
The Pitt Rivers Museum, with its crammed cupboards of artefacts from all over the world, is within the constructing too.
In case your children love historical past and tradition, head to the Ashmolean Museum, which has some nice trails for all ages, in addition to the Story Centre
Entry is free
Open from 10am to 5pm on daily basis, besides December 24-26. Oxford College Museum of Pure Historical past, Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3PW. It’s round a 20-minute stroll by way of Oxford from the railway station, or there are buses. Trains run commonly from Paddington station in London (the place you too can spot the Paddington statues in your method)
For extra of the greatest issues to do in London with children, try my prime picks
*first printed 2018, final up to date 2024*
PIN FOR LATER: TIPS FOR LONDON MUSEUMS WITH TODDLERS AND KIDS
Disclosure: Comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own, and based mostly alone expertise of exploring London’s museums with toddlers and youngsters.
Pictures: Most important picture/British Museum/London Transport Museum photos/Science Museum transport gallery/Tate Fashionable courtesy Depositphotos; All others copyright MummyTravels
