Museums provide a fun yet educational day out for the whole family and London has some of the biggest and best around. With this in mind, I’ve put together a list of my top five child-friendly London based museums to help keep boredom at bay.
Where to Stay
London is home to some fantastic family friendly days out but if you don’t live locally, you will need to find a suitable base from which to explore. Staying in London can get expensive but there are affordable options if you know where to look. For budget family friendly houses from £35 a night try Airbnb. Alternatively, if you need a little more space, Owners Direct have some spacious properties to rent close to the city centre. If you have older children and you are happy to splash the cash, The Halkin hotel is conveniently located close to London’s best museums and offers connecting rooms complete with a Nintendo Wii and welcome milk and cookies.
Natural History Museum
With exciting events all year round, the Natural History Museum is packed to the brim with fun activities. With everything from storytelling to workshops, this is perhaps the most interactive of all of the museums. Kids can be a scientist for the day and spend their time examining ancient fossils or learn about volcanoes and earthquakes.
Science Museum
For an interactive experience, the Science Museum is a superb choice for a family day out. Learn all about the history of the space rocket or experience what it’s like in space in a 3D simulator. With a range of quality exhibits, learning about science has never been more fun. Tickets are free for both adults and children.
Horniman Museum and Gardens
Horniman Museum is a great choice for the summer months as you can take the opportunity to explore the surrounding gardens and even enjoy a picnic. What’s more the museum boasts an aquarium and a café. This free attraction provides hours of fun for children and adults of all ages.
London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum is fun for both children and adults alike. This museum takes you back in time to discover some of the earliest forms of transport as well as the first underground steam powered engine and best of all kids go free. You can expect to pay around £17 for a single adult ticket. Children under seven will love the family play area while the older ones will adore the Northern line simulator.
Bank of England Museum
For something a little bit more unique, look no further than the Bank of England Museum. You can get up close and personal with authentic gold bars as well as all kinds of different currency. This free attraction involves lots of games that make learning about historic financial matters fun. With lots of interactive elements that children will love, this museum is a great choice for a couple of hours of entertainment.
Keeping the kids amused isn’t always easy especially during the holidays, but these five museums are guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained.
I’ve never even heard of the Bank of England Museum, there’s one to add to our list!
Two museums I’ve not ever been to and I wrote a post super similar to this the other day. Some of the same choices so in good company! 🙂
I hope to visit the Natural History and Science Museum soon but the other suggestions are great new museums to add the to the list. I also appreciate the suggestions for accommodations. We live close enough to London for day trips but love ideas for friends visiting from out of the country.