With the school holidays coming in full swing, you may have started to think about what to do with the kids (or you may not be!). Kids are easily bored and want fun and exciting things to do all the time! But maybe you want them to do something educational once in a while, but how can you make that fun…by going to one of the many children’s museums in London!!
Many of London’s museums offer amazing activities for children and families – which makes it the perfect day out! Here are some ideas:
Young V&A
Spark your creativity at Young V&A – the free museum where children, young people and families can imagine, play and design. Designed with and for 0–14-year-olds, Young V&A’s mission is to inspire the next generation of artists, designers, performers, and practitioners.
The three new permanent galleries, Imagine, Play and Design, are designed with different age groups in mind from babies to teens, but open for all to explore. Each features new interactives and activities inspired by the collections, where children and their families can have fun together expressing their creativity, with immersive optical illusions, a performance area and stage, a marble run, a self-portrait maker and an open design studio – plus much more.
You can follow the story and get updates on upcoming summer events through Young V&A newsletters here!
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Natural History Museum – Dinotours
One of London’s popular museums is The Natural History Museum is packed full of fascinating exhibits from dinosaurs right through to space exploration! One of its most popular attractions is the dinosaur exhibit. Where visitors can crane their heads up to gaze at the giant dinos that walked this earth. Learn fascinating facts about how they lived on earth, adapted to their changing environment, what led to their demise and why they’re so important today.
For the kids who are fascinated by dinosaurs and love everything about them, there are Dinotours that will be held at the museum throughout March. Where you can learn everything about them, witness a dinosaur with a chewing mechanism (something you haven’t seen before!) and so much more.
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London Film Museum
For those witches and wizards that love Harry Potter, this is something they’d want to swoop on their brooms too.
Venture behind the cameras to capture the magic that created the Wizarding World. With hundreds of behind-the-scenes images taken throughout the Harry Potter series and rarely seen production photographs! From iconic scenes such as Harry Potter’s first trip from Platform 9 3/4 and the Battle of Hogwarts, and so many more.
Take a selfie in front of an oversized Acceptance Letter or within a phonebox stationed outside of the Ministry of Magic! And gain more insight into how the magic was made offscreen.
A magically memorable museum for kids (and Potterheads!). All at the London Film Musuem!
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Science Museum
The most visited science and technology museum in Europe…so you know it will be brilliant for kids! This museum tells the stories of extraordinary humans and their achievements and technological advancements that have shaped the world we see today. What challenges they faced throughout history and how it was overcome.
One of the marvellous exhibitions is the Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery – an unmissable, amazing interactive experience. Be prepared for your kid’s imaginations and curiosity to go w i l d. Watch how they find new things to inspire them about the world they live in.
There are many different zones to explore: Matter, Forces, Light, Electricity, Maths, Space – each with interactive exhibits. Watch lightning flash before your eyes, get hands-on at the Chemistry bar and so much more.
It’s educational, it’s immersive and best of all…it’s just simply fun.
An impressive children’s museum in London that will keep them coming back for more!
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The Horniman Museum and Gardens
Sometimes kids just want space to run around it and let loose, well at Horniman Museum and Gardens they can get just that – but with an educational aspect!
With 16 acres of lush gardens, beautiful flowers and meadows, the kids will have plenty of space to run around and admire the natural beauty surrounding them. There’s also a Sound Garden, where they have the opportunity to place giant instruments from around the world! A Bee garden is also a must-see – with 6 hexagonal raised beds planted with flora that attracts the bees!
But there’s so much more than the gardens, like the Cat and Dog exhibit. See how your furry friends see the world and enjoy games and simulations that puts yourself in the paws.
A family-friendly and fascinating museum for children to enjoy!
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Royal Museum’s Greenwich – Royal Observatory
Are you kids interested in all things outer space? Are they in awe of the world above and invested in knowing about stars and planets? Then a trip to the Royal Observatory will be a treasured treat for them.
They can join Ted on his Space Adventure as he explores the solar system, learning everything about outer space, with his companion Plant!
A planetarium show perfect for ages between 3-7 – the start of the love for the world above. Educational, engaging and fun!
There are other museums for children alongside the observatory too, so there’s plenty for your kids to engage with.
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London Transport Museum
Known as the world’s leading museum of urban transport, the London Transport Museum is a children’s favourite, especially the All Aboard exhibition! Try out the hands-on play zone for little ones from 0-7. Here they can play with an array of mini vehicles, including trains, boats and an Emirates Air Line cable car! Dress them up in uniforms to transform them into drivers, mechanics, riverboat captains and more!
An interactive children’s museum that will spark their curious minds.
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The Household Cavalry Museum
Are you kids interested in the Cavalrymen and their job? Well, at this museum they can explore all there is to know. They even have the lucky opportunity to dress in a uniform fit for a cavalryman! Engage in the story of their history, find hidden messages on their helmets and why some wear red and some wear blue. There are also some arts and crafts activities the kids can get involved in too!
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National Army Museum
A museum for younger and older kids! Full of cool events and workshops fit for the whole family – with an activity book brimming with fun activities, on a mission for 2-7-year-olds to learn about the day-to-day life of a soldier.
There are also museum film crew backpacks that contain everything you need to make your own museum-inspired film (including a Hollywood clapper board, directors hat and another activity book!).
Venture to the Play Base for an immersive experience and engaging activities – like the soft play assault course, climbing aboard the command liaison truck and exploring themes of mobility, driving and mechanical repair. Learn about the cookhouse and ensure the army is full of…beans and dress in the right gear and learn some fieldcraft skills. All in a day’s work at the Army Museum!
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Royal Air Force Museum
How about venturing to a museum that offers an entertaining day of family fun! It’s THE place to take the kids who love planes and vehicles. After a couple of hours exploring what the RAF museum has to offer, with a variety of different planes from various years – like the mighty Hurricane or the Spitfire Mk1 – have your kids let some steam off on the outdoor playground!
With climbing walls, slides, plane wings, cockpits, helicopters with a parachute slide and so many more climbing frames that are RAF themed – your kids won’t want to leave!
A museum for children that is full of sky adventure that will get them soaring with excitement and thirst for knowledge!
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Discover Children’s Story Centre
Explore the UK’s first Story Centre – here to support the love of language, literature and most of all, stories.
A museum that has formed creative play spaces designed to inspire the curiosity, creativity and imagination of children. To also help improve their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in a fun and innovative ways – what could be better? With interactive and immersive activities that encourage families to enter the world of their favourite authors and illustrations.
With 2 floors of magical Story Worlds and a Story Garden, your children can let their imaginations roam and explore. Fom sensory light displays to hidden caves and a place for older kids to write their own stories.
A truly remarkable place for kids to just be kids and let their imagination run wild.
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The Cartoon Museum
In need of a family day filled with laughter? We think you should head down to The Cartoon Museum!!
Where you’ll enter a world FULL of whimsy and creativity. Where you can celebrate all the British comics from decades back! From classic comic strips like “Beano” and “Dandy” to contemporary graphic novels. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Discover original cartoons and original artwork to dedicated areas for beloved children’s characters like “The Beano” and “The Bash Street Kids.” The Cartoon Museum offers a delightful journey down memory lane for parents and grandparents while introducing younger generations to the timeless humour of these comics.
You can even head behind the scenes of never-seen-before screenshots of the films made, set pieces and models and original artwork too. This year is special because The Cartoon Museum is celebrating Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers turning 30 this year! With a brand-new, never-seen-before exhibit featuring the iconic animated duo – Wallace and Gromit. You can even make your own piece of plasticine history!
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FAQs
Why are children’s museums important?
Museums for children are so important, as it helps them grow an understanding of the world around them, past, present and future. It will encourage them to learn the historical events that have impacted the world, technological advancements that have changed the way we live and the iconic people who have made a difference.
Children will learn how things work, whether it’s science, technology, or whatever else – museums hold the key to enlightening and educating children in a way that is innovative and engaging.
What are the best places for children’s museums in London?
Some of the best places for children’s museums in London are:
How much are children’s museums?
Most museums are free in London, but some may ask for donations or have exhibits that require purchasing tickets. It’s best to check on the museum’s website before you go.
With the holidays coming up, it’s ideal to have a list of the best children’s museums you can visit in the capital – and here it is! We hope you find some absolute treasures here and maybe find your kid’s new favourite museum.
Whether they like to explore space, become captains of ships or planes or like to use their imagination to create wonderful tales and stories. Museums for kids or the best museums in London the capital has it all!