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Enfants

Seven Of London's Best Museums To Visit With Children

Museums and galleries offer a wonderful day out, and these are some of London’s best museums to visit with children. 

The weather might still be chilly and grey, but winter is the perfect time to soak up some culture indoors. Museums and galleries are a great way to get kids off screens and learning about the world first-hand; a day spent exploring the halls of a child-friendly museum is both fun and educational. Step out of the cold and be transported to other civilisations, discover the past, learn about the present, and uncover the future in some of the best cultural institutions in the world – right here on our doorstep. 

From the famous British Museum and Young V&A to some lesser known – but equally fantastic – spots like the Cartoon Museum and The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, these are some of Citizen Enfants’ favourite museums to visit in the capital.

The British Museum

One of the most famous museums in the world, this huge, grand building opened its doors in 1759 and today The British Museum is home to eight million objects from all over the globe. But don’t let the scale of the place put you off – it’s a very easy museum to navigate with kids, not least because of the clever, accessible family-friendly features that have been introduced. To make it less overwhelming for visitors, there are several object trails that guide you to key items of interest: choose from the one-hour tour taking in the likes of the Rosetta Stone and the Bust of Ramses II, or a longer three-hour itinerary. Or download one of the fantastic activity trails with topics including ‘colour and shape’ (aimed at three to five year olds) and ‘Ancient Britain’ (for those aged six and upwards) – they come with facts, colouring in and a map showing where to find the relevant artefacts and it takes about 30 to 40 minutes to complete these trails. The Museum Missions are mini adventures that guide you through galleries, solving clues and completing tasks along the way to decipher fascinating facts about the Museum’s incredible collection. Buggies are welcome across the museum, and there are plenty of baby changing areas and a great family-friendly cafe. 

The Young V&A

One of the most exciting recent cultural developments for children in London, the £13 million makeover of the former Museum of Childhood was revealed in July 2023 and has been an instant hit with young visitors. The bright, colourful space has been created with children in mind and houses a diverse collection of childhood-related objects: games, toys and clothing from the 16th century to the present day, interactive displays, digital installations, and hands-on activities designed to encourage learning through play and exploration. There are three big galleries to explore. ‘Play’ features a huge selection of historic and contemporary toys, considering how play influences learning and development. Under-threes will love the soft-play style sensory area that’s just for them, while older kids can get to grips with interactive toys such as a large scale marble run. In ‘Imagine’ there are storytelling areas and performance spaces where kids can try on costumes. Finally, in ‘Design’ there’s more immersive action that will particularly appeal to older kids as the exhibits focus on children’s products and the design process. As well as the permanent installations, the museum also hosts many temporary exhibitions; Making Egypt arrives in February and examines ancient Egypt’s creativity and how it continues to influence art, design and popular culture today. There’s a cafe, baby changing facilities and plenty of space for kids to run around. It’s not hard to see why The Young V&A won the prestigious Art Fund Museum of the Year award in 2024.

The Cartoon Museum

Cartoons are such an integral part of childhood and this museum celebrates that. But far from being simply a display of animation and its history, The Cartoon Museum looks at the important cultural role this medium plays in society through a diverse selection of exhibitions, events, education programmes and competitions that encourage visitors to really consider comic art. The space houses a collection of over 6,000 original cartoons and comics plus a library of over 8,000 comics and books, documenting the history of British comics from the 18th century to the present day. Also on offer is their learning programme which offers a range of creative, unique workshops where children can explore their own creativity and be inspired by the wide variety of material as they learn to draw superheroes and devise comic strips. Workshops can be tailored to suit all ages and levels of ability, and are taught by professional artists in the purpose-built new Clore Learning Studio. In spring the new Cats exhibition arrives showcasing Garfield, Bagpuss and friends, while collating cat comics, newspapers and magazines to explore why people love cats. 

The Tate Modern

If there’s one thing that the Tate Modern teaches visitors young and old, it’s that art galleries do not need to be stuffy: children can wander freely and chat as they take in all that’s on display. Packed with cool, contemporary and modern art, this is a child-friendly space, with bright images and installations everywhere you look. You’ll find the work of famous artists from all over the world such as Pablo Picasso, Yayoi Kusama and Henri Matisse. Take kids to see the enormous and iconic Turbine Hall, and pick up (or download) a map to easily navigate the various galleries throughout. UNIQLO Tate Play is the Tate Modern’s free programme of art, activities and play for families of all ages, taking inspiration from the art on display at Tate Modern; check their website to find workshops and events, with more timetabled during school holidays. And, if that all sounds exciting, be sure to check out the museum’s very own website dedicated to children, Tate Kids packed with age-appropriate info and activities, games and quizzes. 

The Wimbledon Tennis Museum

We are all familiar with the famous championship, but did you know Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club is also home to the world’s largest tennis museum? With a collection of over 50,000 objects – from McEnroe’s rackets to Martina Navratilova’s kit – plus interactive exhibits, this fascinating display is housed on the same site as the courts and is a super place to take kids who want to find out more about the sport. There are behind-the-scenes tours of the famous courts, while inside the museum you can find out what it takes to be a Ball Boy or Ball Girl; travel back in time to learn the history of broadcasting at Wimbledon; test your skills on the interactive Batak wall; and get a close up view of the glistening trophy cabinet. Recently added multimedia games allow you to create a signature Wimbledon ice cream, virtually mow the Centre Court grass, or search for two-time Wimbledon Champion Sir Andy Murray. Download activity packs and colouring sheets to enjoy before or after your visit on the club’s website, and while there, pop into Wingfield Café which uses leftover Championship strawberries to create the jam used in its Victoria Sponge. 

The National Army Museum

Soft play areas are not what springs to mind when you think of a museum, but at the National Army Museum they have turned the concept into a way of helping children understand more about the day-to-day life of a soldier. Opened in 2024, following a £23.75 million museum-wide refurbishment, Play Base is aimed at under-eights and includes an assault course, an interactive liaison vehicle, a camp kitchen and a well-stocked quartermaster’s store – from climbing through tunnels to driving pretend trucks, it’s a ton of fun for little ones. Located in Chelsea, just a short walk from Sloane Square, this museum is perfect for kids. While it takes a very serious look at the history and workings of the British Army – including conflicts right up to the present day – there’s plenty that’s been created with a younger audience in mind: take on a series of engaging challenges, try on uniforms, take your turn in the sentry box, or lead your troops into action on an interactive touch screen. One of the most interesting activities is the chance to see history come to life with storytelling sessions performed by actors: meet characters, both real and imagined, from the Army’s past and hear their tales.

The Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum in South Kensington is one of the most famous museums in the world and has been wowing visitors since 1818. But, just because you’ve been once – as lots of families have – don’t think that you’ve ticked that box. The joy of this outstanding place is that it’s ever evolving, with temporary exhibitions that bring exciting fresh spectacles to view. The latest is Visions of Nature, a new mixed-reality experience that imagines a possible future 100 years from now. Equipped with a VR headset, you’ll be transported a century into the future, travelling the globe to explore what could lie ahead for the planet. From the Arctic to the rainforests, this is a magical journey full of sights and sounds. Or see the world through a lens at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit and the Nature in Focus display that runs alongside it, taking a look at the role photography has played in advancing the science of natural history. Of course there are also the resident dinosaurs and the show stopping blue whale skeleton in the stunning Hintze Hall to admire, along with thousands of artefacts and objects from the natural world throughout the centuries. Book a family-friendly guided Museum Highlights tour or simply follow the map to find exactly what you want to see. 


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