Gods, elephants and lions: British Museum activity trail
My love affair with ancient Egypt started in the heart of London. Walking around the British Museum, seeing the mummies and monuments, I was fascinated by this strange and exotic culture from long ago – sparking an interest which saw Egypt as my first trip outside Europe.
I even remember once visiting with my mum and younger brother, meeting a young Egyptologist who explained hieroglyphics to us. This was in the days when museums were far less interactive so I suspect otherwise most would have gone over my head.
There were no friendly Egyptologists roaming the galleries on my daughter’s first visit – in fact, apart from a mummified crocodile, we skipped Egypt entirely – but there are few places better than the museum to spark a love of different cultures throughout history.
I had wondered whether it was a good place to visit with a pre-schooler. The Natural History Museum has its dinosaurs, the Science Museum has plenty of chances to get hands on, so both of those were pretty much guaranteed winners. But ancient history?
As it turns out, my daughter continues to surprise me. Just as our trip to the Van Gogh museum, where she embraced the treasure hunt idea of spotting different paintings, making a bit of a game of it was the perfect approach.
For my complete set of tips on visiting London’s museums with toddlers and kids, check out my ultimate guide
The museum has various activity trails and other options for kids – check out my top tips for visiting the British Museum – and we had picked up a British Museum activity trail aimed at three to five-year-olds, called Time To Count where ‘dancing, laughing and having fun are encouraged at all times’. The other option for pre-schoolers focuses around colour.
The fact it took us on a trip around Asia was a bonus, given the fact I’m planning a trip there after Easter. Wandering around Room 33, we encountered a dancing Shiva, counting arms, legs and feet, before scampering across to find the golden twins.
Minnie’s favourite, they’re two of the many golden figures which would once have stood near the throne of the king of Burma – a perfect first introduction for her.
And if copying Shiva was tricky, even a three-year-old can make a good attempt at this pose.
Moving past Buddha (where I found myself attempting the lotus position on the museum floor) to a roaring gold snow lion (another big hit), we finished at the statue of Ganesha, dubbed the elephant with a sweet tooth, practising our own elephant impressions.
Along the way, I dredged up the facts I could remember about Hinduism and Buddhism. Having briefly stopped in other galleries along the way, and after a busy morning playing in Coram’s Fields, this was enough for my miniature culture vulture, who declared her legs were now bored.
Fortunately the thought of a mummified crocodile revived her enough to let me take a very quick glance around a few adjoining rooms, as well as eyeing up the huge Easter Island statue and a succession of lions and totem poles in the Great Court.
A success, I thought. It seems so – because the next morning, Minnie asked if we could go back to the museum. And cried when I said we couldn’t. But there’s another trail with our name on soon.
Need to know: British museum with a toddler
Entry to the British Museum is free, apart from special exhibitions which usually need to be booked in advance.
The galleries are open from 10am to 5.30pm, with late opening on Fridays. The Great Court is open from 9am, so you can get there early to pick up information (and coffee) beforehand though, and spy some of the huge statues and amazing roof.
For more tips on all the different family-friendly activities, check out my post on visiting the British Museum with kids.
For my complete set of tips on visiting London’s museums with toddlers and kids, check out my ultimate guide
Images copyright MummyTravels
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Wow, I didn’t think young kids would enjoy a museum of ancient history. Natural History with the dinosaurs I can understand, but ancient history? Glad to see Minnie being so appreciate of the exhibits! #citytripping
She always surprises me! I do love trying unexpected things though as she often loves them far more than I think she might.
I love the British Museum, we visited in September without our boys though on a very rare child-free weekend. Minnie is going to be teaching her teacher a thing or two in September when she starts big school with all the incredible museums she has visited Cathy:) I look forward to reading about your plans for Asia
Haha – I do wonder quite what goes in sometimes, although she did remember the gold twins were from Burma 🙂
Lovely review and a fab day out for you both!
You’re very brave! I’ve got 3 children (7, 6 and 1) so I find it hard to get up to town at the moment, due to the little one being an utter menace, which is a shame as my older two would love it. Maybe nanny and grandad would babysit so I could take the older two because, despite living 25 minutes from London on the train, I’ve never done the British museum and I love Ancient Egypt (as does my 7 year old) so this is now on my TO DO list! Thanks for the inspiration.x
Thanks! It must be tricky trying to keep the different ages happy – I think your older ones would absolutely love it, especially the Egypt sections, so hope you can get there!
It’s brilliant how so many London museums have activity trails etc for children. I have yet to visit the British museum with Mrs T but that could change soon after this…wanting to go back the next day is always a good sign! The mummified crocodile is pretty gross though! #citytripping
It really makes such a difference I think – was really impressed by how much the British Museum offers. The crocodile (and baby crocs) were weirdly fascinating too! 🙂
I find all of this fascinating! Love the British Museum – can’t wait for my kids to be old enough to appreciate it all!
Thanks – it’s amazing, isn’t it.
Thanks for sharing. I would never think that a museum would have activities for little ones to keep them interested, so that is great to hear. We are planning a trip to London this year with our two, so I will at this to the list. 🙂
I was really impressed by how much there was, and for different ages/interests too – makes all the difference for littler ones I think.
British museums are great at having activities for kids and it would seem the British Museum has got it right. I haven’t been for ages but used to pop in regularly as I lived near by. I think it’s absolutely great that it’s free (almost unheard of in France). It’s definitely a resounding success if your kid asks to go back. I’m looking forward to hearing about your Asia trip. I wonder where you’re planning on going?
Having free museums is wonderful – it’s incredible not to have to pay for collections like these, and I’m sure it tempts in more families like us. If it had been £15 entry, I might not have wanted to risk it… And the plan for Asia is to go to Burma (touch wood, just working out the practicalities) I’ll keep everyone updated!
Thanks for the great prompt on the British Museum. Definitely one of my faves but we haven’t taken the twins yet. History trumps dinosaurs in my opinion but I think my little boy needs convincing and the best place to do that is the British Museum!
I completely agree! Although I do like a dinosaur as well :_
I do love how museums and galleries think out of the box now to inspire little ones. This is just fabulous to read: seeing how enthralled she is, copying the statues.
We always used to play games in galleries too: my son’s favourite one was to create new names for paintings. When he was older and, with a great sense of humour, he renamed one old master in a Paris gallery as ‘Barack Obama playing the banjo’.
My legs get ‘bored’ after a while too!
Is it bad that I love that your daughter cried because she wanted to return to the museum?! That’s awesome! The first photo is super cute, too, with the very attentive pose. I think museums have different effects on everyone, but, lucky for you, it looks like your daughter is going to be in it for the long haul! #citytripping
Not at all – I did think it was very cute (the fact she couldn’t wait to go back, rather than the tears obviously!) And hopefully this will start a love of museums for her too!
I read your hints and tips post yesterday and lovely to read your review of the museum. We have never visited any of the museums in London but this looks such a great day out. Sounds as if your little girl really enjoyed it and I love your photo of the ceiling #citytripping
We’ve been working our way around over the last year or so – there are so many incredible museums in London to choose from, I’m so pleased she loved it too. And thanks!
I’ve wondered the same about the British Museum before too and not been yet for that reason. Brilliant to know there’s enough to hold a preschooler’s attention. Roo has been peering over my shoulder whilst I read this and is also fascinated by the mummified crocodile!
I think there’s a mummified cat too 🙂 But definitely, a lot more preschooler-friendly than I’d expected. I think short visits are good, although if we hadn’t already been out for the morning I think she would have been happy exploring another trail too.
Lovely photos, so nice to see little ones at museums! I’ve been to the British Museum countless times (studied and lived at UCL just up the road) but haven’t taken my little two year old there yet, we’ve only been to the Science Museum which he loved. Looking at your photos & seeing how much your little girl liked it (so cute that she cried the next day) I think I will take my son there soon. Sounds like you had a lovely time 🙂 Polly #citytripping
Thanks! We started out with the Science Museum too when she was about 2 1/2 (and Natural History museum too) but there’s so much to discover at the British Museum that I think it’s great for little ones as well. We did have a really lovely time, hope you do too.
aww how lovely! it’s great that you are getting out and enjoying the good old fashioned day trips! everyone nowadays are trying to entertain with screens! we definitely need to visit the British museum soon!
Thanks! And she is fascinated by screens, so I do try to limit them a bit (except for my daily ration of CBeebies-induced quiet time!) – definitely plenty to entertain at the museum.
I am yet to visit any of the museums in London and definitely need to make a point of it soon. It’s amazing how child take interest in different things around us
The British Museum is fascinating – so much there to discover, I’m sure you’d love it.
I have found that any museum in the world can be unmade boring by a game or two. And we’ve played some really strange ones in some really strange museums. I like the idea of striking a pose…never done that one!
I’m discovering this – tell her we’re about to play a game as we walk into a museum/gallery and she’s raring to go. The poses were a definite bonus here.
I personally love the British Museum it is a fab place to go to. I especially love the Ancient Egyptian exhibit because I am obsessed with ancient Egypt!
Same here – I never get tired of visiting it.
This looks so great, I have never been. We went to the Natural History Museum last year which was awesome. Kaz x
The Natural History Museum us amazing too but would definitely recommend this as well if you can.
I would never have thought about taking Monkey to the British Museum although we have been to the Natural History and the Science Museum. What a great idea and I am so glad she enjoyed herself. Bonus that its free too. The idea of doing a trial sounds good to keep them occupied. Will have to check this out while on Mat leave if I am brave enough to travel into London with two! xx
It’s not the most obvious one but the trails are really fun. And you can take buggies if Pip might sleep round 🙂
The treasure hunts are a great idea. Museums and Galleries are really tricky to keep little one amused. I’m off to check out if our state museum and gallery have anything like this available.
Aren’t they? If they do a highlights/don’t miss list, you could make your own if not?
Just love days out like this. Sounds like you had a fantastic family experience
It was a really lovely day out.
Your daughter is absolutely adorable! It is so great that she enjoyed the museum (and museums in general). In my opinion, more kids should be exposed to this type of cultural activities. I am surprised she didn’t freak out when she saw that mummified crocodile. She seemed very interested in it.
Ah, thank you! I definitely think it’s worth introducing them early and making it fun. She was in two minds about the crocodile and whether to be scared but decided it was more fascinating after all 🙂
I love the British Museum. I had heard how great and extensive the museum collection many years ago, so when I had the chance to go to London for a work visit in 2008, I extended my stay to do some sightseeing including a visit to the British Museum. But half a day in the museum wasn’t enough as I had to catch a flight back to Malaysia. I remember having a great time though my feet hurt like a hell with so much walking and standing in the museum because it was so big! Fingers crossed, one day, I get to return to London and will definitely visit BM again 🙂 #citytripping
I’m so glad you got to see it – there is SO much to see, but I think half a day at a time would be my limit too. Hope you do get back to see some more.
Love how you make it fun for your little one. So often these museums can be boring for them.
Thanks! Definitely, gazing into glass cases is never going to interest a 3yo for long without making it a bit fun.
Looks like you guys had a lovely day out. I love the photo of her imitating the statue lol so cute
We had a lot of fun – and it is a cute one 🙂
Love your photos! Still haven’t done the British Museum with my kids as I wasn’t sure they’d enjoy it but I will have to revisit over Easter!
Visiting from #citytripping
Thanks! When you’re visiting, there’s a lot in London which comes higher up the list, but we had a lot of fun for a few hours.
In a way I think the “slow” version of a museum can be great, where kids have to slow down and look at things that aren’t interactive, don’t have bells and whistles, but are simply interesting objects with a story behind them. It *can* be a challenge to engage them with these kind of exhibits, but when you really start to look, so much can be revealed. Lovely post. x
Absolutely – I’d rather she stopped and looked at half a dozen pieces, and we talked about them together than trying to zoom through and catch a glimpse of 50 (from experience, although the alternative is tricky with a toddler). Thanks!
Ha! We did the Time to Count trail when we went to the British Museum in the Christmas holidays, and I can attest to the fact that not only the smaller kids but my eihjt your old enjoyed having a go at the poses and such. Plus, what I like about the Asian rooms is that all the display cases come right down to the ground, so the kids can get a really good look at some really interesting things.
That’s very true – I hadn’t even thought about that but there were shelves and shelves to look at. I had a lot of fun with her, so good to know it’s great for older kids as well. Who doesn’t love standing on one leg in the middle of a museum though?
It is amazing how your daughter enjoyed her trip to the museum, but I think making it fun and turning it into a little game captures the imagination of children as well. It is pretty awesome that it is free as well.
It is amazing that London’s museums are free. We’re very lucky – but perfect that I can start to get her interested so young too.
Passed it by, but never been inside. Looks good though!
Oh definitely worth going inside next time you’re passing!