The best London museums for toddlers and kids

It always amazes me when people think kids won’t enjoy museums. With interactive and even virtual reality exhibits, child-friendly activities, hands-on experiences, and a chance to answer some of the endless questions they have, so many are perfect for a family day out – especially in London.

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Because if you’re visiting London museums with toddlers and kids, you are spoiled for choice. Even better there are so many free museums in London for kids – fortunately, as my home city is not the cheapest.

Whether you’re looking for something interactive, a museum for animal-lovers, a taste of history – focused on London itself or the world – or one of the many special collections the UK capital has, these are my top tips on the best London museums for toddlers and kids before you visit.

For more ideas of the best things to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers, check out this post

The Natural History Museum, London

Famously one of London’s most popular museums for toddlers and children, not to mention plenty of teens and adults, the Natural History museum’s collection is much bigger than most visitors might guess.

If you’re counting, there are around 80 million items (although not all on display) covering zoology, paleontology, botany, entomology and mineralogy, in one of London’s most eye-catching museum buildings.

But it’s the dinosaurs which draw most of the visitors, at least on the first occasion. My daughter was a toddler when we made our first visits, already fascinated by the Dippy the diplodocus (now replaced by a blue whale skeleton called Hope).

We’ve been back countless times exploring new areas and checking out some of the special exhibitions, including one on mammoths and another linked to Harry Potter.

Tips for visiting the Natural History Museum

Whatever age your kids are, it pays to get to the museum early – and ideally on weekdays or outside school holidays. Do prebook tickets to skip the queues at peak times as well.

The museum is always popular, so be prepared for some queues (though you can sometimes skip the worst of the Natural History Museum queue by taking the side entrance in Exhibition Road, which is also buggy-friendly) but once you’re inside, there’s so much to see that only the dinosaur section is likely to feel busy.

Check out my full set of tips here for visiting the Natural History Museum with young kids, including what’s best in the Natural History Museum for toddlers

There’s far more than just dinosaurs too, with galleries on mammals and sea creatures, which is a great option with littler ones who don’t fancy an encounter with a moving T-Rex or the earth sciences of the Red Zone, with volcano locator and earthquake simulator.

The rumbles and flashes of red light coming from the top of the escalator up to this section can be distinctly off-putting for younger kids (or thoroughly thrilling!)

Can you take buggies in?

You can take pushchairs and strollers in to the museum, or there’s the opportunity to store buggies in the cloakroom for £4 (although they must fold flat), as well as coats and other items for a fee.

You can also store child scooters for £2, or wheel/carry them around the museum (though you can’t scoot around on them).

Other tips

It’s also just a few minutes from the Science Museum and the Victoria & Albert museum if you want to combine two in one day.

Natural History Museum: Need to know

Opening times: The museum is open every day except December 24-26, from 10am to 5.50pm, with last entry at 5.30pm.

Where: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD. Closest tube station: South Kensington.

Prices: Free entry although there are charges for temporary exhibitions (and you may need to book these in advance).

Where to stay: If you’re looking for family-friendly hotels near the Natural History Museum, the choice is between the budget chains, such as the Ibis Styles on Gloucester Road, and Premier Inn at Earl’s Court (a short journey from South Kensington) or high-end and stylish hotels nearby, including The Ampersand.

Booking.com also has a list of hotels near the Natural History Museum to compare prices.

There’s also a YHA youth hostel in Earl’s Court with family rooms sleeping between three and six (though book ahead) if you’re visiting London on a budget.

For more suggestions on what to do in London with kids who love animals, check out my top picks from zoos and aquariums to museums.

The Science Museum, London

Another of London’s most popular museums with younger kids, the Science Museum is ideal if you have children who like to get hands on.

And with collections covering science and technology from the oldest surviving steam locomotive to the model of DNA and the forerunners of computers, this is a museum that you could revisit over and over again.

Along with the space and flight galleries, you can follow humanity’s technological advances, medical history, more interactive displays and also the IMAX 3 cinema showing documentaries.

Only a few areas are aimed at toddlers and preschoolers, in particular The Garden which is focused on under-fives at the Science Museum – although with exhibits that make noise, a mini puppet theatre, areas to climb and play and the water feature (always a big favourite), this area alone can entertain younger kids for quite some time.

The Pattern Pod is aimed at ages five to eight, but preschoolers will find plenty to enjoy here as well, and by the time they’re approaching school age, there are galleries galore for different interests, especially space and different vehicles through history.

The popular Wonderlab also has science shows and demonstrations (entry is extra) which will appeal most to school age children and older – worth every penny, my daughter could spend hours here.

There are regular temporary exhibitions too, including Power Up (which will appeal to gamers) and Turn It Up on the science of sound and music.

Tips for visiting the Science Museum

Like most museums, it’s quietest early or late, but as most under-fives will be focused on a few different areas, it really pays to turn up when there aren’t crowds of preschoolers all trying to access the same things.

The museum also has occasional ‘early birds’ opening for families with children who need a quieter environment.

Check out my full set of tips here on visiting the Science Museum with toddlers.

There’s also the option to search the museum’s what’s on section by age, so you can look for specific options to suit under fives or six to 11-year-olds for example

Can you take buggies in?

You can take buggies into the museum, although they aren’t allowed inside some areas for space reasons.

There are buggy parks dotted around too, including opposite The Garden, by the Pattern Pod and inside Wonderlab – these are unmanned though, so don’t leave valuables in the pushchair. You can find coin-return pushchair locks in the Spare Room opposite The Garden but these need a £1 coin.

The cloakroom is not currently accepting buggies, only smaller items.

Any possessions in the buggies are left at your own risk though. If you want to leave bags somewhere secure, there are also lockers on level -1, which cost from £3 for small lockers (big enough for coats). These are card payment only.

Other tips

It’s worth having spare clothes if you’re visiting The Garden and its water activity: waterproof cover-ups are no longer provided, but even with one, my daughter has never once emerged from this area without getting wet!

The Science Museum is also just a few minutes from the Natural History Museum and the Victoria & Albert museum if you want to combine two in one day.

Science Museum: Need to know

Opening times: Open daily from 10am to 6pm, with last entry at 5.15pm (except December 24-26). Galleries begin to close at 5.30pm. There are usually longer opening hours during school holidays, to 7pm during October and February half-term, and to 6.30pm during other school holidays. Check the museum website for precise details and dates.

Where: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD. Closest tube station: South Kensington.

Prices: Free entry although there are charges for temporary exhibitions (and you may need to book popular temporary exhibitions in advance).

Where to stay: If you’re looking for family-friendly hotels near the Science Museum, the choice is between the budget chains, such as the Ibis Styles on Gloucester Road, and Premier Inn at Earl’s Court (a short journey from South Kensington) or high-end and stylish hotels nearby, including The Ampersand.

Booking.com also has a list of hotels near the Science Museum to compare prices.

There’s also a YHA youth hostel in Earl’s Court with family rooms sleeping between three and six (though book ahead) if you’re visiting London on a budget.

The Victoria & Albert Museum, London

The world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design is not the most obviously family friendly museum in South Kensington, but there’s a lot more to the Victoria & Albert museum for kids than you might expect.

Better with older preschoolers than toddlers, there are family events during school holidays and some weekends, as well as digital and physical trails to follow (the family backpacks are currently unavailable).

As you might expect from a museum focused on ‘decorative and applied arts’, there are plenty of creative activities as well – the chance to draw and let imaginations be inspired by the exhibits as well as opportunities to dress up. 

And with collections spanning 5,000 years of art, as well as cultures from around the world (not to mention temporary exhibitions which have featured Winnie the Pooh or 60s art and music), there’s an endless source of inspiration.

Tips for visiting the V&A

If you’ve arrived to face huge queues at the Natural History and Science Museums, there’s less chance of standing in line here – there’s also a side entrance from the tunnel leading from South Kensington tube.

Check out my full set of tips for visiting the V&A with kids here

It’s easy to get distracted en route but head straight to the Learning Centre if you want to pick up activities before you explore. The museum also has activities on for different age groups every day – check out the details here.

This is also a good museum to save for afternoons, as it tends to be quieter from 2pm onwards.

Can you take buggies in?

You can take pushchairs around the museum, and there are lifts between floors. A buggy park is available near the Exhibition Road entrance and Cromwell Road Entrance.

There’s also a cloakroom available where you can leave child scooters for £3, as well as coats and small bags. (Larger items cost more)

There’s also a Quiet Room with baby changing and bottle warmer

Other tips

It’s also just a few minutes from the Natural History Museum and Science Museum if you want to combine two in one day.

The Young V&A, its sister museum, is based in east London – formerly the Museum of Childhood, it reopened in 2023 under the new name. Also free, you can spot toys, dolls, games and more, dating back to the 17^th century, as well as lots of interactive fun.

The V&A: Need to know

Opening times: The V&A is open daily from 10am to 5.45pm, and until 10pm on Fridays (reduced gallery opening after 5.30pm). Closed on December 24-26.

Where: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2RL. Closest tube station: South Kensington.

Prices: Free entry although there are charges for temporary exhibitions (and you may need to book popular temporary exhibitions in advance).

Where to stay: If you’re looking for family-friendly hotels near the V&A, the choice is between the budget chains, such as the Ibis Styles on Gloucester Road, and Premier Inn at Earl’s Court (a short journey from South Kensington) or high-end and stylish hotels nearby, including The Ampersand.

Booking.com also has a list of hotels near the V&A to compare prices.

There’s also a YHA youth hostel in Earl’s Court with family rooms sleeping between three and six (though book ahead) if you’re visiting London on a budget.

The Young V&A

The sister museum to the V&A in South Kensington, the former London Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green reopened in summer 2023 with a new look and a new name – the Young V&A.

With its displays of toys and games, it has been a family favourite for years (not least for the nostalgia value), and the much-loved highlights are also back – look out for one of the original Paddington Bear toys.

However while the building is the same grand hall (known as the Town Square), kids have been involved in coming up with the redesigned look, now themed around three galleries: Play, Imagine and Design.

Best of all there are plenty of chances to get hands on, whether that’s creating your own board game, listening to storytelling, or hitting the sandpit, as well as new items going on display, with a total of 2,000 items to enjoy.

Tips for visiting the Young V&A

Free to enter, it does get very busy at weekends, so arrive early if you can.

If you’re planning to visit one of the temporary exhibitions, try to book your timeslot after you’ve had chance to look around the main museum – with limited numbers in the exhibitions, that won’t get too busy later in the day.

Allow plenty of time as well – there is simply so much to get hands on with, so many opportunities to get creative, as well as looking at the fun displays, that this isn’t somewhere you can whizz round in an hour (or not without major annoyance as you drag the kids out again).

The Design gallery is the best area for older kids, as well as some of the temporary exhibitions, but a lot is focused on the under-10s if you’re visiting with tweens and teens.

Can you take buggies in?

You can take buggies in but with so many kids around, and not always a lot of space between displays, it’s better to leave it in the buggy park if you can.

​Buggy parking is available in the Welcome Area near the main entrance, and if needed, there’s an overflow buggy park during peak times (both unmanned so don’t leave anything valuable).

There are also 24 free storage lockers located on the lower-ground floor, but I’d aim to get there early to guarantee finding one free.

Other tips

There is a cafe serving hot and cold meals and snacks, including lunchtime meal boxes, highchairs and bottle-warming facilities.

You’re welcome to bring your own cold food and drink from home, and you can also eat packed lunches in the Common Room at weekends and during school holidays, or in the museum gardens.

As well as the museum gardens and Bethnal Green gardens, you’re also not far from Victoria Park for a chance to get outside and burn off some more energy.

The Young V&A: Need to know

Opening times: The V&A is open daily from 10am to 5.45pm. Closed on December 24-26.

Where: Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA. Closest tube station: Bethnal Green

Prices: Free entry although there are charges for temporary exhibitions (and you may need to book popular temporary exhibitions in advance).

Where to stay: As Bethnal Green is slightly outside the centre of London, you’ll have a reduced choice of hotels nearby. However, Yotel Shoreditch is very close by and kids aged 3-12 may stay free (as long as you don’t have more than the maximum occupancy allowed).

Or Town Hall Hotel has family packages for its rooms and apartments. Alternatively Liverpool Street is only a stop away on the Central Line and has a bigger choice of places to stay.

The British Museum, London

One of the world’s greatest collections covering human history, art and culture, the British Museum has around eight million artefacts (only a tenth are ever on display) in almost 100 galleries.

I’ve been visiting the museum since I was a child myself, fascinated by the Egyptian galleries – and the sheer scale of items on display, the variety and the fascinating stories behind so many artefacts mean that kids are likely to be just as enthralled, whether it’s by the mummified crocodile, the Easter Island Moai or something else.

This is one I’d personally avoid during the early toddler years: preschoolers are old enough to be interested, babies young enough to snooze around, but chasing after enthusiastic 18-month-olds in a gallery of priceless artefacts makes me shiver.

And the museum is also one of the best at providing activities for kids from free trails and backpacks to a highlights guide (helpful if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the 80,000 potential things to see), as well as crayons, pencils and pads to borrow for budding artists.

The British Museum children’s activities include eight Museum Explorer trails, including two aimed at age 3+ focused around numbers and colours, or there are more themed trails for 6+ and object handling sessions. Check the museum’s website for the details.

If you’re short of time or want to ensure you see some of the highlights, there’s also a Twelve Objects to see with Children trail. The Families Desk is only open at weekends and local school holidays, but you can pick up the trails from the information desk outside these times.

Tips for visiting the British museum

Unless you plan to follow one of the trails or highlights, it pays to do your research in advance. Don’t even consider trying to see everything in one go, there’s simply too much.

One big bonus of free entry is that you can spend a fun hour then leave, but museum fatigue sets in quickly for preschoolers if you plan a long visit. Be aware that even if you’ve prebooked free tickets, you’ll still have to queue to enter – the rear entrance on Montague Place can be quieter.

Check out my full set of tips for visiting the British Museum with kids 

Can you take buggies in?

You can take buggies into the museum, and there are lifts between floors – be prepared for some manoeuvring in the busier galleries though.

You can also leave folded pushchairs in the cloakroom for free (space is limited, you’ll find it to the left once you’ve entered through the main entrance).

There is also locker storage for families in the Ford Centre for Young Visitors at weekends

Other tips

Keep an eye out for toilets as you walk around the museum: there are some on every floor, but the ones in the Great Court always seem have a huge queue – not ideal when kids have to go urgently.

There are baby changing facilities by the North Stairs (level 0 and level 3) as well as in the Great Court and the Ford Centre for Young Visitors.

There’s also a cafe and family-friendly pizzeria at the museum but if you’re visiting at a weekend or during school holidays, families can also eat their own food in the Ford Centre for Young Visitors – head down the stairs near the Information Desk (or lifts by the Great Russell Street entrance). You can’t eat in the galleries though.

Breastfeeding and bottle feeding is permitted anywhere but the museum does also have two feeding rooms.

If you need some fresh air after visiting the museum, Coram’s Fields is a short walk away, a park and play area which you can only enter with kids.

British Museum: Need to know

Opening times: The museum is open every day from 10am-5pm, and until 8.30pm on Fridays. Last entry is 15 minutes before closing. The museum is closed on December 24-26.

Where: Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG. Closest tube stations: Russell Square, Tottenham Court Road, Holborn and Goodge Street

Prices: Free entry except for temporary exhibitions

Where to stay: Not far from Bloomsbury, Holborn and Covent Garden, there’s plenty of choice for places to stay near the British Museum.

If you’re on a budget, it’s worth checking out the YHA youth hostel in St Pancras, which has private en-suite family rooms sleeping up to four (book ahead!) as well as rooms sleeping up to five or six.

Or the Radisson Blu Edwardian Kenilworth and Doubletree by Hilton London West End could both hardly be closer to the museum.

For more suggestions on what to do in London with kids who love history, check out my top picks from castles and palaces to centuries-old traditions.

The Museum of London

EDIT: The museum is now temporarily closed until reopening in its new site at Smithfield in 2026

London’s own museum about London itself, right from prehistoric times through to more modern eras.

The Museum of London explores the people who lived on the site over the centuries and how their influence endures – Romans, Saxons (including a chance to pop inside a recreated Saxon house), medieval London and the plague, the Great Fire and more.

Well, where better to discover London’s history than a museum dedicated to it?

Even after decades living in and visiting the capital, I hadn’t realised that hippos once roamed what’s now Trafalgar Square. Laid out in chronological order, there was a choice of activity trails for kids to follow, plus some opportunities to get hands on and occasional videos dotted along the route.

Kids were welcomed with a stand at the entrance for families to get more information, but this is one museum which is best for five-year-olds and up, or older preschoolers rather than toddlers – although there are special backpacks for under-fives too, and getting to touch sharp flints and eye up gleaming helmets and shields will capture any age’s imagination, at least briefly.

Tips for visiting the Museum of London

Previously set in the City of London, on London Wall itself (part of the old Roman Wall), the museum is expected to open on its new Smithfield site in 2026.

Its location does mean it tends to be quieter at weekends, and even on a cloudy bank holiday weekend in the summer holidays, it’s less busy than the more high-profile trio in South Kensington. Ideal if you’re a bit fed up of crowds.

Can you take buggies in?

Buggies were previously welcome anywhere in the museum, which was fully accessible if you are bringing younger kids, and had lockers for bags at £1. 

Other tips

There were previously early ‘Morning Explorers’ events for families with children on the autistic spectrum, as well as child-sized ear defenders at the Information Desk.

There was also a separate area which families can eat picnics in, set in the next-door building – only during school holidays though, as it’s reserved for school groups otherwise. There are also several cafes with a museum commitment to provide high chairs, colouring and activities and healthy children’s food.

As well as activity sheets which you can download and print or pick up when you arrive, under-fives backpacks with toys and puzzles were available from the front desk for a £5 refundable deposit, plus hands-on displays with members of staff.

There’s also a sister museum, the Museum of London Docklands, following life on London’s river from Roman times to the present – another interesting option (check out what we thought when we visited).

Museum of London: Need to know

Opening times: tbc

Where: Previously the Museum of London was located at 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN. (The museum is due to move to Smithfield into its new home near Farrington, which will be double the size).

Prices: Free, with charges for some temporary exhibitions.

Where to stay: A lot of the places to stay near the Museum of London are geared towards business travellers – but that does mean you can sometimes pick up great deals at weekends. For extra space, Citadines Barbican have apartments which can sleep up to four.

Or for a stay in style, The Montcalm at the Brewery is also a short walk away, while for a real splurge, The Ned is one of the city’s most exciting luxury hotels, set in a converted bank building.

The Horniman Museum, London

The Horniman Museum is somewhere which often gets overlooked by visitors to London, as it’s further out of the centre, but is actually a great museum with toddlers and kids.

If your kids get overwhelmed by the bigger museums, it’s a more manageable size and has a mix of different exhibits – part natural history museum, part aquarium, a few mummies and other exhibits which might not be out of place at the British Museum.

Edit: the Natural History gallery is closed for refurbishment until 2026

Look out for the Nature Base too, where kids can get hands on – the stuffed fox is convincing enough that my daughter, then three, had to be persuaded that it wasn’t just curled up asleep.

There are more interactive options in the Hands On Base, as well as trails follow indoors and out.

There are also 16 acres of grounds with a nature trail, a sound garden, butterfly house and some small animals in a mini zoo, including alpacas, goats, sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens.

And while many of the sections are small, including the compact aquarium, it makes it one of the best for toddlers who’ll be as fascinated and happy to gaze for ages.

Plus the regularly temporary exhibitions have family friendly themes including dinosaurs and animals, among others.

Tips for visiting the Horniman Museum

Although the museum isn’t as big as some of the other better-known spots, it’s very easy to spend hours here – and because there’s such variety, even toddlers and younger preschoolers tend not to feel overwhelmed or get museum fatigue.

It’s quietest after 2.30pm on weekdays during term time, although with many visitors spreading out into the grounds on sunny days, it often won’t seem as crowded as on rainy ones.

Exhibitions do book up fast, as numbers are limited, so it’s worth prebooking tickets for these, as well as to the aquarium and butterfly house.

Can you take buggies in?

You can take pushchairs throughout the museum and gardens – there is also a free buggy park in Gallery Square and next to the Butterfly House, with strollers left at your own risk.

You can also find self-service lockers available via the Café, which need a £1 coin (refundable). There are limited cloakroom and locker facilities, so the museum asks visitors to only bring coats and bags that you can carry.

Other tips

There is a cafe at the museum, although you can also bring your own packed lunches and picnics to eat in the gardens (in good weather) and the Dutch Barn opposite the bandstand if the weather is bad.

If you want to make the most of your time in the area, several buses from the museum also go to Crystal Palace Park with its dinosaur statues, old favourites which will still appeal to younger kids.

The Horniman Museum: Need to know

Opening times: The museum is open daily from 10am-5.30pm, although the butterfly house closes at 4pm (last entry 3.30pm). The aquarium opens at 10.30am until 5.30pm (last entry 4.30pm).

The nature trail opens at 9am and is open until 4pm from February to October, and until 3pm from late October to early February. The gardens have separate opening hours, usually from 7.15am until 6pm (or from 8am on Sundays and bank holidays. Check the museum’s website for precise details.

Where: 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London, SE23 3PQ. Closest rail station: Forest Hill – there are no tube stations in this part of London, although the London Overground goes to Forest Hill, as well as trains from London Bridge and Victoria, which take 20-30 minutes. Bus routes 176, 185, 197, 356, P4 stop outside the Museum and Gardens on London Road.

Prices: Entry to the permanent galleries and gardens is free. There’s a charge for the Butterfly House, the Aquarium, temporary family exhibitions, and some events, but you can book online (including on the day of your visit) which also lets you skip the queues at the ticket desk.

Where to stay: As Forest Hill is a residential area, there’s far less choice of places to stay near the Horniman Museum – and unless you have a particular reason for wanting to be in this specific area, it’s better to stay more centrally and take the train out to visit, as you’ll also then be closer to London’s other family attractions.

Around Victoria, you’ll find budget options such as the Premier Inn London Victoria, as well as the Victoria Park Plaza which often has deals for families, and the Doubletree by Hilton London Victoria, which are all a good base to discover Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park. Or splurge on The Goring for some five-star luxury with some very family-friendly touches, such as a bedtime story library, stamps to collect and a fluffy toy for little ones.

Or close to London Bridge, you can stay in the Ibis Styles Southwark for a funkier budget break as well as the Novotel London City South. For sheer style and a stay to remember, the Shangri-La hotel at the Shard has various rooms for families and some of the best views in London.

Read more: Check out our review of our day at the Horniman Museum, including one of their temporary exhibitions – the museum’s website has more details of current events and extra activities too.

The London Transport Museum, London

The collection at the London Transport Museum is almost 100 years old, having grown out of a decision in the 1920s to preserve two Victorian horse buses.

But the highlight here, apart from being able to see changing designs for London’s transport and the development of the famous tube map and signs, is being able to pretend to drive a bus and get behind the controls of a tube train simulator.

With lots of quirky facts, including the eye-watering amount of dung scooped off London’s streets during the days of horse-drawn vehicles, and lots of displays where you can get hands on, there’s lots to entertain kids – and for vehicle-obsessed toddlers, it’s heaven.

There’s also the special All Aboard play area for kids aged under seven, including the chance to dress up and play with building blocks, plus the Baby DLR area if there are even younger siblings to entertain.

Keep an eye out for the regular family activities which take place throughout the year, including workshops for older kids and drop-in crafts and storytelling for younger ones. Santa usually makes an appearance at Christmas as well.

Tips for visiting the London Transport Museum

As there’s an entry fee for adults, the museum does tend to be quieter than some of the other popular ones, although expect to see school groups here too on weekdays in term time.

Whenever you visit, you’ll almost certainly have to queue for some of the most popular options, like driving the bus and tube.

Pick up the stamp trail when you arrive as well, as an added way to keep kids engaged as they explore.

Can you take buggies in?

The whole museum is accessible for pushchairs, although there’s also buggy parking opposite the cloakroom.

You can also leave coats and bags at the cloakroom for free.

Other tips

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the things to see and do (or are short of time), there’s a list of the top 10 things for families at the London Transport Museum.

The museum also runs SEN Early Morning Explorer sessions, which need to be booked in advance.

There are cafes at the London Transport Museum and you can eat picnics/packed lunches at the Lower Deck cafe bar on the ground floor during school holidays and at weekends.

Keep an eye out for regular pop-up events taking place in Covent Garden too, which are easy to combine with a visit. There are always street performers to watch as well.

London Transport Museum: Need to know

Opening times: Open daily from 10am to 6pm, with last entry at 5pm. Closed December 24-26.

Where: Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 7BB. Nearest tubes: Covent Garden, Temple and Embankment.

Prices: Entry is free for children under 17, and costs £24 for adults – which gives you unlimited entry for 12 months. There’s also an off-peak annual pass for £22.

You can get a discount on annual tickets if you book via tiqets using my code, MUMMYTRAVELS6.

Where to stay: Set in Covent Garden, this isn’t a great place to stay with younger kids – there are fewer hotels in Theatreland than elsewhere and they’re pricy plus you can expect it to be busy late into the night.

But Covent Garden is very accessible from most places in central London, so consider some of the hotels close to the British Museum (above) which is only a couple of stops away on the tube, such as the Radisson Blu Edwardian Kenilworth and Doubletree by Hilton London West End .

Other London museums for kids

The Postal Museum

One of the newer museums to open in London, the Postal Museum covers the history of the Royal Mail. But before you dismiss it as rather dry and dusty, it’s been designed to be very appealing to kids as well as stamp collectors including a special play space for under 8s, plus the Mail Rail train to ride. 

Entry costs from £16 for adults, from £9 for kids with unlimited access for 12 months, including one ride on Mail Rail on your first visit. A 45-minute session in the Sorted! play space costs from £4 if you prebook online, from £5 on the day.

Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, at 15-20 Phoenix Place, London, WC1X 0DA (near Russell Square tube).

Museum of London Docklands

The Museum of London Docklands – sister museum to the currently closed Museum of London – focuses on another slice of the capital’s history, on its once thriving docks and maritime industry.

Set in a converted warehouse on West India Quay, galleries are set out in chronological order, so visitors travel from late Tudor times through to the modern day, when London’s financial district took over the area, with trails to help explore.

As well as interactive sections, such as walking through a recreation of Sailortown and looking inside an air raid shelter, there are displays on slaver, as well as on the Great Stink and the Great Dock Strike, so some harder-hitting topics covered here. For younger kids, there’s the Mudlarks play area.

Entry is free, although there’s a charge for the Mudlarks play area (prebooking strongly advised)

Open daily 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.

National Maritime Museum

The free National Maritime museum traces Britain’s maritime history, with a fascinating collection that ranges from artworks and maps to model ships and even the coat Nelson was wearing when he died – not to mention stories of adventure and piracy in Tudor times, the challenges of the Polar adventures, and tales of exploring the Pacific.

There are also family trails, including ones for mini mariners, while the giant map right at the heart of the museum is perfect for any age, as well as plenty of family fun activities aimed at younger visitors.

Don’t miss the Ahoy Gallery for under sevens; the immersive play space lets you do everything from stoking the boiler of a steamship to selling fish in the marketplace, as well as discovering more about pirates, polar stories and adventures galore. Plus The Cove playground is just around the corner.

Entry is free. The Ahoy gallery has a small charge at weekends and school holidays, but is free on weekdays (prebooking advised)

Open daily 10am-5pm. National Maritime Museum, Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF. Closest stations: Cutty Sark DLR and Cutty Sark pier for the river boat service.

For ideas of more of the best things to do in Greenwich with kids, check out my top picks

National Gallery

The National Gallery has regular events for families during school holidays as well as a new immersive app to help kids explore the main collection.

And stopping to colour and draw is positively encouraged. 

Entry is free. Activities may have a charge, although some are free and drop-in sessions.

Open daily except for December 24-26 and January 1, from 10am–6pm and until 9pm on Fridays. Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN. Closest tube stations: Charing Cross, Embankment and Leicester Square.

For more things to do around Leicester Square with kids, check out my top picks

The Grant Museum of Zoology

Britain’s oldest natural history museum is one with a difference – the 67,000 different specimens at the Grant Museum of Zoology include some distinctly quirky items such as a jar of moles and brain collection.

More squeamish little ones are unlikely to feel at home, but endlessly curious preschoolers could find more than a few fascinating items. Newly reopened in 2024 after a year’s refurbishment, it looks at human impact on biodiversity.

There are also regular events, including family sessions on selected Saturday – previously kids had the chance to feel how sharp a shark’s tooth is or how heavy an elephant’s tusk, while there’s also a chance to use VR technology to transport you to a coral reef.

Entry is free – you can’t book so you may need to wait if it’s busy, although it’s rare to have to hang around long on weekdays.

Open from 1-5pm Tuesday to Friday, from 11am-5pm on Saturdays. Rockefeller Building, University College London, 21 University Street, London, WC1E 6DE. Nearest tube stations: Warren Street and Goodge Street.

Tate Modern

This contemporary art museum is very welcoming to kids, with plenty for families at Tate Modern.

Along with regular activities and events (some are more suitable for older kids), you can start with a pick of the five artworks to see with your family and the Start Display focused on some of the most famous works, helping to get younger visitors thinking about art.

There are also suggested games, along with activity packs, and you’re reminded it’s OK to make some noise!

Entry is free – adults have to pay for special exhibitions, but under-12s can enter free for those as well.

Open from 10-6pm. Closed December 24-26. Bankside, London SE1 9TG. Nearest tube stations: Blackfriars and Southwark

For my top 49 free things to do in London with kids, check out this post

The National Army Museum

With five galleries looking at everything from life as a soldier to the impact the army has had on the world, the National Army Museum in Chelsea is a great options for kids who love history (or playing soldiers).

There are sections on the English Civil War, as well as later conflicts, plus artefacts linked to everyone from Napoleon to Lawrence of Arabia.

But one of the most popular areas for younger kids is the museum’s Play Base, aimed at kids aged one to eight, with a soft play assault course, and play trucks and cookhouses.

Entry is free. There is a charge of £6.25 for adults for Play Base and timed sessions, so prebooking is recommended.

Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5.30pm. National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HT. Closest tube Sloane Square.

Day trips from London – other family-friendly museums

Roald Dahl Museum

The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre is set in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, where the author lived and was inspired to write many of his famous children’s stories.

A mix of exhibits on the author, including his writing shed, and on the books themselves is just the start – there are storytelling sessions and a whole area to inspire kids to get creative, not to mention copies of his books dotted around.

Entry cost £9.95 for adults and kids aged five to 18, free for under-fives. No need to prebook but it’s recommended at busy times.

Open from Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm. During Buckinghamshire school holidays, the museum is usually open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as well, sometimes Mondays. Check the full opening hours here. 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16 0AL. Trains run from London Marylebone to Great Missenden twice an hour, taking around 45 minutes, and the station is a short walk away.

Check out my review of our day visiting the Roald Dahl Museum and following one of the trails around the village.

Oxford Museum of Natural History

Just an hour from London, there’s plenty to do on a day trip to Oxford (or a longer stay) but the Oxford University Museum of Natural History – aka Oxford’s dinosaur museum if you’re a toddler – is a great place to spend a few hours.

As well as dinosaurs, there are animals galore including a dodo, other dramatic skeletons, several stuffed exhibits which you can touch and stroke, along with ancient rocks which are also out to touch and family trails to follow.

The Pitt Rivers Museum, with its crammed cabinets of artefacts from around the world, is in the building too.

If your kids love history and culture, head to the Ashmolean Museum, which has some great trails for all ages, as well as the Story Centre

Entry is free

Open from 10am to 5pm every day, except December 24-26. Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3PW. It’s around a 20-minute walk through Oxford from the railway station, or there are buses. Trains run regularly from Paddington station in London (where you can also spot the Paddington statues on your way)

For more of the best things to do in London with kids, check out my top picks

*first published 2018, last updated 2024*

PIN FOR LATER: TIPS FOR LONDON MUSEUMS WITH TODDLERS AND KIDS

Disclosure: Contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions are my own, and based on my own experience of exploring London’s museums with toddlers and kids.

Images: Main image/British Museum/London Transport Museum images/Science Museum transport gallery/Tate Modern courtesy Depositphotos; All others copyright MummyTravels

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