There are so many terrific things to do with kids across London. From renowned attractions to picture-perfect parks, one of our favourite family-friendly activities is checking out some of the capital’s world-class museums. Most of the major museums here in London cater to families and kids, but we’re here to break it down even further to guarantee a fantastic day out.
Whether you’re on the hunt for sensory immersion or some of the city’s best family-friendly exhibitions, keep scrolling to discover everything you need to know about London’s best museums for kids.
The best museums in London for kids:
1. Young V&A
With an exhibition and events programme specifically curated for kids and young adults, Young V&A is undisputedly one of the standout museums for kids in London. The immersive space was designed to inspire creativity, where families are encouraged to imagine, play and design their way through this interactive wonderland of learning.
Young V&A takes the whimsicalness of its sibling museum in Kensington and makes it accessible to kids of all ages. Best of all, the museum is completely free to visitadding itself to the long list of free museums in the capital for those moments when you need to look after the pennies. For more information on their current exhibitions and events, visit their website.
📍 Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9PA
🚇 Nearest stations are Bethnal Green and Cambridge Heath.
There’s an all-new museum in London that’s perfect for a family-fuelled day of fun with the kids. Paradox Museum is designed to play with the brain through a series of mind-bending illusions and paradoxes.
See the world from different perspectives, through their fabulous trail of enthralling exhibits and displays where nothing at all seems logical, yet it’s all completely real. Boasting fantastic photo opportunities, immersive spaces, and sensory play, it’s truly one of the best museums for kids in the capital, and it’s here for a limited run only. For more information and tickets, click here.
📍 90 Brompton Rd, London, UK. SW3 1JJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Knightsbridge.
3. Science Museum
Another one of London’s fabulously free museums, the Science Museum is the perfect day out for the whole family. Located on the city’s iconic Exhibition Road, there’s a whole lot of discovery to unravel across this world-class learning sector in South Kensington, especially at this beloved museum.
Explore award-winning exhibitionsfascinating objects and artefacts, as well as insightful stories of scientific achievements. The museum is famous for their interactive exhibits and impressive displays, with an array of family-friendly activities scattered throughout their jam-packed events calendar. If you’re really looking to treat the family, you can even stay the night at the Science Museum thanks to their sleepover packages. Click here for more information.
📍 Exhibition Road, London SW7 2DD
🚇 Nearest station is South Kensington.
4. Natural History Museum
This round-up would not be complete without the Natural History Museumas many consider this Kensington gem as London’s most iconic museum. From roaming with dinosaurs to learning all about the natural world, channel your inner explorers as a family by visiting this humongous archive and collection of natural history.
Whether it’s their relaxed morning visits for kids or the adorable sensory storytelling for babiesthere’s a plethora of things to do at the Natural History Museum that’s solidified it as one of the many family-friendly favourites here in London. To find out more information, click here.
📍 Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
🚇 Nearest station is South Kensington.
5. London Transport Museum
Check out the world’s leading museum of urban transportation by visiting the London Transport Museum. If your kids are forever fascinated by the tube or hopping on double-decker buses, then this is the place for you. Featuring incredible exhibitions and interactive displays, historic vehicles and beyond, discover over 200 years of London’s influential transport history, with an incredible family program of events that’s sure to spark curiosity.
Located in Covent Garden, it’s a great option if you’re planning a family outing to the West End or the area’s renowned market hall. For more information and to get your tickets for the London Transport Museum, click here.
📍 39 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7BB
🚇 Nearest stations are Covent Garden, Charing Cross, and Temple.
6. Centre of The Cell
Located in Whitechapel, The Centre of the Cell is so much more than your average museum–it’s an immersive journey into the wonders of human biology and medical science. The centre itself is located above a working biomedical research laboratory, giving visitors a glimpse into real-life science in action.
Kids can engage with various hands-on exhibits, interactive displays, and activities centred on everything from cells and DNA to the human body and cutting-edge scientific research. Perfect for budding scientists, this museum is designed and curated to spark curiosity and inspire young minds to dive deep into the wonders of biology. For more info, click here to visit their website.
📍 4 Newark St, London E1 2AT
🚇 Nearest station is Whitechapel.
7. Horniman Museum and Gardens
For a blissful retreat from the hustle and bustle of London life, be sure to visit Horniman Museum and Gardens. One of the many gems of South London, this stunning museum boasts an incredible collection of artefacts from across the globe. From natural wonders to must-see temporary exhibitions, there’s so much to see and do at this lesser-known hotspot for local museum-goers.
Even if museums aren’t your thing as a family, there’s a gorgeous garden to explore, as well as some unmissable events throughout the year. For more information, visit their website.
📍 100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ
🚇 Nearest station is Forest Hill.
The British Museum is the largest museum in London and the oldest museum in the world, boasting an unmatched collection of art, literature, and other artefacts telling the story of human history. Although this might seem daunting to some children, there’s a fantastic line-up of events and exhibitions for families and kids that’s always worth a gander. For our full Secret London guide to the British Museum, click here.
📍 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
🚇 Nearest stations are Holborn, Russell Square, and Tottenham Court Road.
9. The Victoria & Albert Museum
Featuring one of the largest collections of decorative arts in the world, the Victoria & Albert Museum has become an institutional hotspot for both locals and visitors alike. The spectacular venue plays host to endless must-see exhibitions, as well as a diverse line-up of family fun.
We suggest taking on one of their insightful trails where you can follow the clues to discover the gems of their profound collection. There’s even a Family Trail where you can learn all about family dynamics throughout history. Before leaving, stop off at the Learning Centre for some more kid-friendly activities, before a drool-worthy lunch at their impressive restaurant.
📍 Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
🚇 Nearest station is South Kensington.
10. The Postal Museum
When it comes to hidden gems for the family, it doesn’t get much better than The Postal Museum. Delve into the hidden world of Mail Rail, London’s secret underground railway, as well as a vast collection of artefacts retelling centuries of postal history. Ride the mysterious underground train and explore fascinating exhibitions at the capital’s only, totally immersive museum dedicated to the postal service. Click here to get your tickets.
📍 Phoenix Place, London WC1X 0DL
🚇 Nearest stations are Russell Square and Farringdon.
The newly-opened Moco Museum brings a fresh, contemporary twist to the art scene in London, making it a hit with both kids and adults alike. Known for its vibrant and immersive exhibits and displays, Moco specialises in both modern and contemporary art, with major artists on display like Banksy, Keith Haring, and Yayoi Kusamaamong others.
This museum is all about creativity and interaction, with exhibitions designed to encourage exploration and spark imagination. Kids will adore the digital art installations and colourful pop-art pieces. So what are you waiting for? Book your tickets, here.
📍 1-4 Marble Arch, London W2 2UH.
🚇 Nearest station is Marble Arch.
12. The Cartoon Museum
If your kids are mad for animation, be sure to take them to London’s beloved Cartoon Museum. Inspiring families to pick up a pencil and start doodling, this charming museum is dedicated to the perseverance of the absolute best British cartoons, caricatures, comics and animation. Housing a collection of over 6,000 cartoons, on top of the most impressive comic book collections in the capital, it is especially worth checking out if you have any aspiring artists or superhero fans in the family.
📍 Phoenix Place, London WC1X 0DL
🚇 Nearest stations are Russell Square and Farringdon.
13. The Royal Airforce Museum
At The Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon, aviation comes alive for kids of all ages, home to more than 100 historic aircraft vehicles. Ranging from vintage Spitfires to impressive modern jets, your young ones can learn about the history of aviation and the Royal Air Force through interactive displays, simulators, and fascinating exhibitions.
Family-friendly trails guide visitors through the galleries with exciting facts, stories, and hands-on activities. There’s even a 4D theatre providing a multi-sensory adventure in the sky. Visit their website for more information.
📍 Grahame Park Way, London, NW9 5LL
🚇 Nearest station is Colindale.
14. The Imperial War Museum
While it may not seem like an ideal place for children on first thought, the Imperial War Museum is the perfect history lesson boasting exhibitions and things to do with kids in mind. Witness real-life tanks, marvel at historic planes, and even walk through.a recreated trench from World War I.
The exhibits are dynamic and interactive, covering everything from the World Wars to modern conflicts. With special family activity trails and one-off events, the Imperial War Museum is an unforgettable way for kids to learn about the darker sides of history. For more information, click here.
📍 Lambeth Rd, London SE1 6HZ.
🚇 Nearest stations are North Lambeth and Elephant & Castle.
15. Discover Children’s Story Centre
We couldn’t conclude this round-up without a bit of playtime for the little ones, and this is exactly what this museum is famous for. Spark some imagination and creativity at Discover Children’s Story Centrean adventure play zone that focuses on wonder and storytelling. From sensory stories for babies to their immersive, exploratory play spacesit’s the perfect place for smaller kids and children aged 0-11. For more information and their full line-up of events, visit their website.
📍 383-387 High Street Stratford, London E15 4QZ
🚇 Nearest station is Stratford.
