It all the time amazes me when individuals suppose children gained’t get pleasure from museums. With interactive and even digital actuality reveals, child-friendly actions, hands-on experiences, and an opportunity to reply a few of the limitless questions they’ve, so many are excellent for a household time out – particularly in London.
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As a result of for those who’re visiting London museums with toddlers and youngsters, you’re spoiled for alternative. Even higher there are such a lot of free museums in London for teenagers – fortuitously, as my residence metropolis isn’t the most cost effective.
Whether or not you’re on the lookout 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 high tips about the most effective London museums for toddlers and youngsters earlier than you go to.
For extra concepts of the most effective issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers, take a look at this publish
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 way larger than most guests would possibly guess.
In case you’re counting, there are round 80 million gadgets (though not all on show) masking zoology, paleontology, botany, entomology and mineralogy, in considered one of London’s most eye-catching museum buildings.
Nevertheless it’s the dinosaurs which draw a lot of the guests, at the least 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 a few of 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 college holidays. Do prebook tickets to skip the queues at peak instances as properly.
The museum is all the time standard, so be ready for some queues (although you’ll be able to generally 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 finest within the Pure Historical past Museum for toddlers
There’s way over simply dinosaurs too, with galleries on mammals and sea creatures, which is a good choice with littler ones who don’t fancy an encounter with a transferring T-Rex or the earth sciences of the Pink Zone, with volcano locator and earthquake simulator.
The rumbles and flashes of pink gentle coming from the highest of the escalator as much as this part could be distinctly off-putting for youthful children (or completely thrilling!)
Can you are taking buggies in?
You possibly can 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 payment.
You can too retailer little one 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 only a few minutes from the Science Museum and the Victoria & Albert museum if you wish to mix two in sooner or later.
Pure Historical past Museum: Must know
Opening instances: The museum is open every single day 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 expenses for momentary exhibitions (and you might must ebook these prematurely).
The place to remain: In case you’re on the lookout for family-friendly resorts close to the Pure Historical past Museum, the selection is between the funds chains, such because the Ibis Kinds on Gloucester Street, and Premier Inn at Earl’s Court docket (a brief journey from South Kensington) or high-end and trendy resorts close by, together with The Ampersand.
Reserving.com additionally has an inventory of resorts close to the Pure Historical past Museum to match costs.
There’s additionally a YHA youth hostel in Earl’s Court docket with household rooms sleeping between three and 6 (although ebook forward) for those who’re visiting London on a funds.
For extra solutions on what to do in London with children who love animals, take a look at my high 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 right you probably have youngsters who prefer to get palms on.
And with collections masking 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 can revisit again and again.
Together with the area and flight galleries, you’ll be able to observe humanity’s technological advances, medical historical past, extra interactive shows and likewise the IMAX 3 cinema displaying documentaries.
Just a few areas are geared toward toddlers and preschoolers, specifically The Backyard which is targeted on under-fives on the Science Museum – though with reveals that make noise, a mini puppet theatre, areas to climb and play and the water function (all the time an enormous favorite), this space alone can entertain youthful children for fairly a while.
The Sample Pod is geared toward ages 5 to eight, however preschoolers will discover a lot to get pleasure from right here as properly, and by the point they’re approaching college age, there are galleries galore for various pursuits, particularly area and totally different autos by way of historical past.
The favored Wonderlab additionally has science reveals and demonstrations (entry is further) which can enchantment most to highschool age youngsters and older – value each penny, my daughter might spend hours right here.
There are common momentary exhibitions too, together with Energy Up (which can 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 will likely be targeted on just a few totally different areas, it actually pays to show up when there aren’t crowds of preschoolers all attempting to entry the identical issues.
The museum additionally has occasional ‘early birds’ opening for households with youngsters who want a quieter surroundings.
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 below fives or six to 11-year-olds for instance
Can you are taking buggies in?
You possibly can take buggies into the museum, though they aren’t allowed inside some areas for area 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 go away valuables within the pushchair. You could find coin-return pushchair locks within the Spare Room reverse The Backyard however these want a £1 coin.
The cloakroom isn’t presently accepting buggies, solely smaller gadgets.
Any possessions within the buggies are left at your individual danger although. If you wish to go away luggage someplace safe, there are additionally lockers on degree -1, which value from £3 for small lockers (sufficiently big for coats). These are card fee solely.
Different suggestions
It’s value having spare garments for those who’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 only a few minutes from the Pure Historical past Museum and the Victoria & Albert museum if you wish to mix two in sooner or later.
Science Museum: Must know
Opening instances: Open each 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 college holidays, to 7pm throughout October and February half-term, and to six.30pm throughout different college holidays. Examine 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 expenses for momentary exhibitions (and you might must ebook standard momentary exhibitions prematurely).
The place to remain: In case you’re on the lookout for family-friendly resorts close to the Science Museum, the selection is between the funds chains, such because the Ibis Kinds on Gloucester Street, and Premier Inn at Earl’s Court docket (a brief journey from South Kensington) or high-end and trendy resorts close by, together with The Ampersand.
Reserving.com additionally has an inventory of resorts close to the Science Museum to match costs.
There’s additionally a YHA youth hostel in Earl’s Court docket with household rooms sleeping between three and 6 (although ebook forward) for those who’re visiting London on a funds.
The Victoria & Albert Museum, London
The world’s largest museum of ornamental arts and design isn’t probably the most clearly household pleasant museum in South Kensington, however there’s much more to the Victoria & Albert museum for teenagers than you would possibly count on.
Higher with older preschoolers than toddlers, there are household occasions throughout college holidays and a few weekends, in addition to digital and bodily trails to observe (the household backpacks are presently unavailable).
As you would possibly count on from a museum targeted on ‘ornamental and utilized arts’, there are many artistic actions as properly – the prospect to attract and let imaginations be impressed by the reveals in addition to alternatives to decorate up.
And with collections spanning 5,000 years of artwork, in addition to cultures from around the globe (to not point out momentary exhibitions which have featured Winnie the Pooh or 60s artwork and music), there’s an limitless supply of inspiration.
Suggestions for visiting the V&A
In case you’ve arrived to face big queues on the Pure Historical past and Science Museums, there’s much less probability 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 straightforward to get distracted en route however head straight to the Studying Centre if you wish to decide up actions earlier than you discover. The museum additionally has actions on for various age teams every single day – take a look at the small print right here.
That is additionally an excellent museum to avoid wasting for afternoons, because it tends to be quieter from 2pm onwards.
Can you are taking buggies in?
You possibly can take pushchairs across the museum, and there are lifts between flooring. A buggy park is offered close to the Exhibition Street entrance and Cromwell Street Entrance.
There’s additionally a cloakroom out there the place you’ll be able to go away little one scooters for £3, in addition to coats and small luggage. (Bigger gadgets value extra)
There’s additionally a Quiet Room with child altering and bottle hotter
Different suggestions
It’s additionally only a few minutes from the Pure Historical past Museum and Science Museum if you wish to mix two in sooner or later.
The Younger V&A, its sister museum, relies in east London – previously the Museum of Childhood, it reopened in 2023 below 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 plenty of interactive enjoyable.
The V&A: Must know
Opening instances: The V&A is open each 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 expenses for momentary exhibitions (and you might must ebook standard momentary exhibitions prematurely).
The place to remain: In case you’re on the lookout for family-friendly resorts close to the V&A, the selection is between the funds chains, such because the Ibis Kinds on Gloucester Street, and Premier Inn at Earl’s Court docket (a brief journey from South Kensington) or high-end and trendy resorts close by, together with The Ampersand.
Reserving.com additionally has an inventory of resorts close to the V&A to match costs.
There’s additionally a YHA youth hostel in Earl’s Court docket with household rooms sleeping between three and 6 (although ebook forward) for those who’re visiting London on a funds.
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.
Nevertheless whereas the constructing is similar grand corridor (generally known 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 palms on, whether or not that’s creating your individual board recreation, listening to storytelling, or hitting the sandpit, in addition to new gadgets occurring show, with a complete of two,000 gadgets to get pleasure from.
Suggestions for visiting the Younger V&A
Free to enter, it does get very busy at weekends, so arrive early for those who can.
In case you’re planning to go to one of many momentary exhibitions, attempt to ebook your timeslot after you’ve had probability to go searching the primary museum – with restricted numbers within the exhibitions, that gained’t get too busy later within the day.
Permit loads of time as properly – there’s merely a lot to get palms on with, so many alternatives to get artistic, in addition to wanting 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 most effective space for older children, in addition to a few of the momentary exhibitions, however lots is targeted on the under-10s for those who’re visiting with tweens and youths.
Can you are taking buggies in?
You possibly can take buggies in however with so many children round, and never all the time a number of area between shows, it’s higher to go away it within the buggy park for those who can.
Buggy parking is offered 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 go away something worthwhile).
There are additionally 24 free storage lockers situated on the lower-ground ground, 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 carry your individual chilly foods and drinks from residence, and you may as well eat packed lunches within the Widespread Room at weekends and through college 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: Must know
Opening instances: The V&A is open each 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 expenses for momentary exhibitions (and you might must ebook standard momentary exhibitions prematurely).
The place to remain: As Bethnal Inexperienced is barely exterior the centre of London, you’ll have a decreased alternative of resorts close by. Nevertheless, Yotel Shoreditch could 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 barely a cease away on the Central Line and has an even bigger alternative of locations to remain.
The British Museum, London
One of many world’s best collections masking human historical past, artwork and tradition, the British Museum has round eight million artefacts (solely a tenth are ever on show) in virtually 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 variability and the fascinating tales behind so many artefacts imply that children 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 probably the greatest at offering actions for teenagers from free trails and backpacks to a highlights information (useful for those who’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 embody eight Museum Explorer trails, together with two geared toward age 3+ targeted round numbers and colors, or there are extra themed trails for six+ and object dealing with periods. Examine the museum’s web site for the small print.
In case you’re wanting time or need to make sure you see a few of the highlights, there’s additionally a Twelve Objects to see with Youngsters path. The Households Desk is barely open at weekends and native college holidays, however you’ll be able to decide up the paths from the data desk exterior these instances.
Suggestions for visiting the British museum
Except you intend to observe one of many trails or highlights, it pays to do your analysis prematurely. Don’t even take into account attempting to see every thing in a single go, there’s merely an excessive amount of.
One large bonus of free entry is that you could spend a enjoyable hour then go away, however museum fatigue units in shortly for preschoolers for those who plan a protracted go to. Remember that even for those who’ve prebooked free tickets, you’ll nonetheless should queue to enter – the rear entrance on Montague Place could be quieter.
Try my full set of suggestions for visiting the British Museum with children
Can you are taking buggies in?
You possibly can take buggies into the museum, and there are lifts between flooring – be ready for some manoeuvring within the busier galleries although.
You can too go away folded pushchairs within the cloakroom at no cost (area is restricted, 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
Hold an eye fixed out for bathrooms as you stroll across the museum: there are some on each ground, however the ones within the Nice Court docket 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 Court docket and the Ford Centre for Younger Guests.
There’s additionally a restaurant and family-friendly pizzeria on the museum however for those who’re visiting at a weekend or throughout college holidays, households may eat their very own meals within the Ford Centre for Younger Guests – head down the steps close to the Info Desk (or lifts by the Nice Russell Avenue entrance). You possibly can’t eat within the galleries although.
Breastfeeding and bottle feeding is permitted anyplace however the museum does even have two feeding rooms.
In case you want some recent air after visiting the museum, Coram’s Fields is a brief stroll away, a park and play space which you’ll be able to solely enter with children.
British Museum: Must know
Opening instances: The museum is open every single day 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 Court docket Street, Holborn and Goodge Avenue
Costs: Free entry aside from momentary exhibitions
The place to remain: Not removed from Bloomsbury, Holborn and Covent Backyard, there’s loads of alternative for locations to remain close to the British Museum.
In case you’re on a funds, 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 or 6.
Or the Radisson Blu Edwardian Kenilworth and Doubletree by Hilton London West Finish might each hardly be nearer to the museum.
For extra solutions on what to do in London with children who love historical past, take a look at my high picks from castles and palaces to centuries-old traditions.
The Museum of London
EDIT: The museum is now briefly 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 trendy 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 Hearth and extra.
Effectively, the place higher to find London’s historical past than a museum devoted to it?
Even after a long time dwelling 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 alternative of exercise trails for teenagers to observe, plus some alternatives to get palms on and occasional movies dotted alongside the route.
Youngsters have been welcomed with a stand on the entrance for households to get extra data, however that is one museum which is finest for five-year-olds and up, or older preschoolers moderately 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, at the least briefly.
Suggestions for visiting the Museum of London
Beforehand set within the Metropolis of London, on London Wall itself (a part of the previous Roman Wall), the museum is anticipated 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. Very best for those who’re a bit fed up of crowds.
Can you are taking buggies in?
Buggies have been beforehand welcome anyplace within the museum, which was totally accessible in case you are bringing youthful children, and had lockers for baggage 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 Info Desk.
There was additionally a separate space which households can eat picnics in, set within the next-door constructing – solely throughout college holidays although, because it’s reserved for varsity 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 be able to obtain and print or decide up once you arrive, under-fives backpacks with toys and puzzles have been out there 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 (take a look at what we thought after we visited).
Museum of London: Must know
Opening instances: tbc
The place: Beforehand the Museum of London was situated at 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN. (The museum is because of transfer to Smithfield into its new residence close to Farrington, which will likely be double the scale).
Costs: Free, with expenses for some momentary exhibitions.
The place to remain: Loads 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 generally decide up nice offers at weekends. For further area, Citadines Barbican have flats which might sleep as much as 4.
Or for a keep in model, 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 resorts, set in a transformed financial institution constructing.
The Horniman Museum, London
The Horniman Museum is someplace which regularly will get neglected 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 totally different reveals – half pure historical past museum, half aquarium, just a few mummies and different reveals 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 palms 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 observe 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 probably the greatest for toddlers who’ll be as fascinated and glad to gaze for ages.
Plus the commonly momentary exhibitions have household pleasant themes together with dinosaurs and animals, amongst others.
Suggestions for visiting the Horniman Museum
Though the museum isn’t as large as a few of the different better-known spots, it’s very straightforward 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 are taking buggies in?
You possibly can 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 individual danger.
You can too discover self-service lockers out there 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 carry coats and luggage that you could carry.
Different suggestions
There’s a cafe on the museum, though you may as well carry your individual packed lunches and picnics to eat within the gardens (in good climate) and the Dutch Barn reverse the bandstand if the climate is dangerous.
If you wish to profit from your time within the space, a number of buses from the museum additionally go to Crystal Palace Park with its dinosaur statues, previous favourites which can nonetheless enchantment to youthful children.
The Horniman Museum: Must know
Opening instances: The museum is open each 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. Examine 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, momentary 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 allows 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 alternative of locations to remain close to the Horniman Museum – and except you could have 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 funds 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 an excellent 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, akin to 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 funds break in addition to the Novotel London Metropolis South. For sheer model and a keep to recollect, the Shangri-La resort on the Shard has numerous rooms for households and a few of the finest views in London.
Learn extra: Try our overview of our day on the Horniman Museum, together with considered one of their momentary 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 nearly 100 years previous, having grown out of a call within the Nineteen Twenties to protect two Victorian horse buses.
However the spotlight right here, aside from with the ability to see altering designs for London’s transport and the event of the well-known tube map and indicators, is with the ability to faux to drive a bus and get behind the controls of a tube practice simulator.
With plenty of quirky information, together with the eye-watering quantity of dung scooped off London’s streets throughout the days of horse-drawn autos, and plenty of shows the place you will get palms 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 below seven, together with the prospect to decorate up and play with constructing blocks, plus the Child DLR space if there are even youthful siblings to entertain.
Hold an eye fixed out for the common household actions which happen 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 payment for adults, the museum does are usually quieter than a few of the different standard ones, though count on to see college teams right here too on weekdays in time period time.
Everytime you go to, you’ll virtually actually should queue for a few of the hottest choices, like driving the bus and tube.
Decide up the stamp path once you arrive as properly, as an added method to hold children engaged as they discover.
Can you are taking buggies in?
The entire museum is accessible for pushchairs, though there’s additionally buggy parking reverse the cloakroom.
You can too go away coats and luggage on the cloakroom at no cost.
Different suggestions
In case you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of the issues to see and do (or are wanting time), there’s an inventory of the high 10 issues for households on the London Transport Museum.
The museum additionally runs SEN Early Morning Explorer periods, which should 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 ground throughout college holidays and at weekends.
Hold an eye fixed out for normal pop-up occasions happening in Covent Backyard too, that are straightforward to mix with a go to. There are all the time avenue performers to observe as properly.
London Transport Museum: Must know
Opening instances: Open each 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 kids below 17, and prices £24 for adults – which provides you limitless entry for 12 months. There’s additionally an off-peak annual go for £22.
You will get a reduction on annual tickets for those who 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 resorts in Theatreland than elsewhere and so they’re pricy plus you’ll be able to count on it to be busy late into the evening.
However Covent Backyard could be very accessible from most locations in central London, so take into account a few of the resorts near the British Museum (above) which is barely 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 moderately dry and dusty, it’s been designed to be very interesting to children in addition to stamp collectors together with a particular play area for below 8s, plus the Mail Rail practice to journey.
Entry prices from £16 for adults, from £9 for teenagers with limitless entry for 12 months, together with one journey on Mail Rail in your first go to. A forty five-minute session within the Sorted! play area prices from £4 for those who 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 presently closed Museum of London – focuses on one other slice of the capital’s historical past, on its as soon as thriving docks and maritime business.
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 trendy day, when London’s monetary district took over the world, with trails to assist discover.
In addition to interactive sections, akin to 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 each 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 enchanting assortment that ranges from artworks and maps to mannequin ships and even the coat Nelson was sporting 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 geared toward youthful guests.
Don’t miss the Ahoy Gallery for below sevens; the immersive play area allows you to do every 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 each 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 most effective issues to do in Greenwich with children, take a look at my high picks
Nationwide Gallery
The Nationwide Gallery has common occasions for households throughout college 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 each 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, take a look at my high picks
The Grant Museum of Zoology
Britain’s oldest pure historical past museum is one with a distinction – the 67,000 totally different specimens on the Grant Museum of Zoology embody some distinctly quirky gadgets akin to a jar of moles and mind assortment.
Extra squeamish little ones are unlikely to really feel at residence, however endlessly curious preschoolers might discover various fascinating gadgets. Newly reopened in 2024 after a 12 months’s refurbishment, it appears to be like at human influence on biodiversity.
There are additionally common occasions, together with household periods on chosen Saturday – beforehand children had the prospect 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 Trendy
This modern artwork museum could be very welcoming to children, with a lot for households at Tate Trendy.
Together with common actions and occasions (some are extra appropriate for older children), you can begin with a decide of the 5 artworks to see with your loved ones and the Begin Show targeted on a few of the most well-known works, serving to to get youthful guests interested by artwork.
There are additionally urged 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 high 49 free issues to do in London with children, take a look at this publish
The Nationwide Military Museum
With 5 galleries every thing from life as a soldier to the influence the military has had on the world, the Nationwide Military Museum in Chelsea is a good choices for teenagers who love historical past (or enjoying troopers).
There are sections on the English Civil Battle, in addition to later conflicts, plus artefacts linked to everybody from Napoleon to Lawrence of Arabia.
However one of the vital standard areas for youthful children is the museum’s Play Base, geared toward children aged one to eight, with a smooth play assault course, and play vans 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 writer lived and was impressed to jot down lots of his well-known youngsters’s tales.
A mixture of reveals on the writer, together with his writing shed, and on the books themselves is simply the beginning – there are storytelling periods and a complete space to encourage children to get artistic, 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 must prebook nevertheless it’s really helpful at busy instances.
Open from Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm. Throughout Buckinghamshire college holidays, the museum is normally open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as properly, generally Mondays. Examine 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 overview 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 a lot 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 for those who’re a toddler – is a good place to spend just a few hours.
In addition to dinosaurs, there are animals galore together with a dodo, different dramatic skeletons, a number of stuffed reveals which you’ll be able to contact and stroke, together with historical rocks that are additionally out to the touch and household trails to observe.
The Pitt Rivers Museum, with its crammed cupboards of artefacts from around the globe, 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 every single day, 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 may as well spot the Paddington statues in your manner)
For extra of the finest issues to do in London with children, take a look at my high picks
*first revealed 2018, final up to date 2024*
PIN FOR LATER: TIPS FOR LONDON MUSEUMS WITH TODDLERS AND KIDS
Disclosure: Incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own, and primarily based alone expertise of exploring London’s museums with toddlers and youngsters.
Photographs: Principal picture/British Museum/London Transport Museum photographs/Science Museum transport gallery/Tate Trendy courtesy Depositphotos; All others copyright MummyTravels
