Some of the best museums in the world can be found in London and most of them offer some form of free entry.
The best London museums for kids all offer a plethora of things for kids to do including babies and toddlers, right the way up to your hard to please teenager.
Our guide to the best museums in London for kids are as follows:
North London
WELLCOME COLLECTION | 183 EUSTON RD | LONDON NW1 2BE
A free museum and library for the ‘incurably curious’ that aims to challenge how we think and feel about health.
They have explorer packs for younger kids and hold collections containing human remains and images of surgical procedures – fun for the non-squeamish.
BEN URI GALLERY + MUSEUM | 108A BOUNDARY ROAD, OFF ABBEY ROAD, LONDON NW8 0RH – online only
Ben Uri is a family friendly gallery with a programme of events for children and adults to explore exhibitions together.
THE BRITISH LIBRARY | 96 EUSTON RD, KINGS CROSS, LONDON NW1 2DB
The British Library is the national library of the UK and the second-largest library in the world by the number of items catalogued.
Enjoy free, interactive workshops, discovery days and activity trails that support families to learn together in a fun and relaxed way.
There’s no need to book, everyone is welcome and you’ll never be asked to keep the noise down.
BRUCE CASTLE MUSEUM | LORDSHIP LANE, LONDON N17 8NU
The museum is a 16th-century manor house in a parkland setting with art and exhibits tracing Haringey’s local history.
Families can enjoy free art and craft activities, story sessions and special events during school holidays.
CAMDEN ARTS CENTRE | ARKWRIGHT ROAD, LONDON NW3 6DG
Famous for its world-class contemporary art exhibitions and education, the centre offers free, creative and fun entry points to the exhibitions for families.
Each exhibition has a Family Artist-in-Residence who creates a Family Activity Box to be used in the galleries.
Twice a year they invite families to take over the Centre with artist-led workshops and courses for children aged 5 – 14 years with a focus on process.
QUENTIN BLAKE CENTRE OF ILLUSTRATION (new centre opening 2024)
A public art gallery in London devoted to illustration, it used to be called ‘House of Illustration’ and is newish on the London scene.
Founded by Sir Quentin Blake, until the new site opens, they’re holding touring exhibitions and working with illustrators, schools and community groups.
KENWOOD HOUSE | HAMPSTEAD LANE, HAMPSTEAD, NW3 7JR
An English Heritage property, Kenwood is situated on the edge of Hampstead Heath.
Families can enjoy craft-making, sing-alongs and storytelling sessions.
There’s also a great café for mum and dad.
english-heritage.org.uk/kenwood/
ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM | GRAHAME PARK WAY, LONDON NW9 5LL
Commonly known as the RAF Museum, kids can enjoy flight simulators and 4D theatre.
Museums in East London
MUSEUM OF THE HOME | 136 KINGSLAND ROAD LONDON E2 8EA
Housed in beautiful 18th-century alms houses and gardens, directly opposite Hoxton station in East London, the newly renovated Museum of the Home examines the way we live and our perceptions of home.
Along with a dynamic programme of exhibitions and events, the museum’s permanent offer includes Rooms Through Time where visitors can travel through the centuries to see how people lived from 1600 to the present day.
There’s also the Gardens Through Time, which offers year-round access to urban gardens from a Tudor Knot garden to an Edwardian garden and a contemporary living green roof garden.
Families can also explore a multi-artwork installation created by children’s poet Valerie Bloom, Rhymes Through Time, which explores the role of children in the home.
Visit the Domestic Game Changers and see items like early TV sets or an Amazon Alexa which have impacted the way in which we spend time or behave in the home.
After your visit, pop into the newly opened Molly’s Café for coffee and cake, or bring a picnic to have on their lawns on Kingsland Road.
YOUNG V&A
A branch of the V&A in SW London, the museum has lots of free fun things to do for all ages, from exhibitions and displays to activities for children, groups and schools.
MUSEUM OF LONDON (closed until 2026)
MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS | NO.1 WAREHOUSE, WEST INDIA QUAY, LONDON E14 4AL
Telling the story of London from prehistoric to modern times, you can visit the Docklands site and discover how London became the best city in the world.
Worth a visit for the (mainly free) workshops alone.
museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london-docklands
Museums in South London
DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY | GALLERY ROAD, LONDON, SE21 7AD
Dulwich Picture Gallery is the world’s first purpose-built public art gallery.
Regular events include Family Sundays (a drop-in session where you can make anything from bunting to block prints) and Mini Masterpieces (a hands-on session for babies to get arty – and messy!)
THE FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM | ST THOMAS’ HOSPITAL, 2 LAMBETH PALACE ROAD, LONDON SE1 7EW
The Florence Nightingale Museum celebrates the life and work of the world’s most famous nurse.
Family-friendly events include craft-making workshops and the chance to meet Miss Nightingale herself.
CENTRE FOR BRITISH PHOTOGRAPHY | 49 JERMYN STREET, LONDON, SW1Y 6LX
The Centre for British Photography, opened in January 2023 and is a significant new space for British photography.
A charitable initiative with free entry, it hosts exhibitions, public events, an archive, and a shop.
It aims to provide a dedicated home for British Photography in all its diversity.
HORNIMAN MUSEUM + GARDENS | 100 LONDON RD, FOREST HILL, LONDON SE23 3PQ
Quite possibly the most hands-on museum in London, Horniman’s also has a fabulous garden for families to enjoy.
Choose from art and craft workshops, exhibitions (where you are encouraged to touch the displays) and nature walks.
NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM | PARK ROW, GREENWICH, LONDON SE10 9NF
The National Maritime Museum is the leading maritime museum of the UK and may be the largest museum of its kind in the world.
The historic buildings form part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, made up of the Royal Observatory and 17th-century Queen’s House.
There’s plenty happening to keep pirates and explorers happy.
This museum for toddlers in London offers interactive and educational exhibits designed specifically for young children.
rmg.co.uk/national-maritime-museum
Museums in West London
NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM | ROYAL HOSPITAL ROAD | LONDON SW3 4HT
Lots for kids to do here including a soft play assault course, preparing scoff in the cookhouse and interactive galleries.
Theyu’ll enjoy climbing aboard the Churchill Mk VII to experience life as a tank crew in Normandy during the Second World War and falling in for some Army-style training.
VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM | CROMWELL ROAD, KNIGHTSBRIDGE, LONDON SW7 2RL
The world famous museum is situated in an area that has known as “Albertopolis” because of its association with Prince Albert (the Albert Memorial, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the Royal Albert Hall).
Every Saturday and school holiday, the V&A offers interactive pop-up performances for families in the Museum including theatre, music, dance, storytelling and puppetry.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM | CROMWELL ROAD, KENSINGTON, LONDON SW7 5BD
The Natural History Museum is considered one of the best museums for kids in London and no visit to the capital is complete without a visit to the world-famous institution.
SAATCHI GALLERY | DUKE OF YORK’S HQ, KING’S ROAD, CHELSEA, LONDON SW3 4RY
Certain areas in the Saatchi Gallery are specifically geared towards introducing a younger audience of artists and enthusiasts to contemporary art.
It’s not as busy as other London galleries so the kids can easily sit on the floor (bring your own pencil and paper) and try their hand at copying some of the art on display.
SCIENCE MUSEUM | EXHIBITION ROAD, KENSINGTON, LONDON SW7 2DD
Attracting over 3 million people a year, it’s never not busy here but it’s worth a visit.
It’s one of the best science museums in the world with plenty of activities to keep the kids busy.
There’s always a variety of excellent exhibitions for kids on offer here.
Keep the learning going with Wonderlab AR, a free app created to help kids discover the extraordinary science behind ordinary objects using augmented reality and geospatial technologies.
You can also visit the learning website Wonderlab+ which brings science to life through creative experiments, demonstrations, games, quizzes and more.
DESIGN MUSEUM | 224-238 KENSINGTON HIGH ST, KENSINGTON, LONDON W8 6AG
Newly relocated to Kensington, the museum is devoted to contemporary design in every form including architecture, fashion and graphics.
Children can enjoy creating and making workshops and gallery experiences.
HUNTERIAN MUSEUM
Curious kids will love the weird and wonderful things on display here.
The Museum holds unrivalled collections of human and non-human anatomical and pathological specimens, models, instruments, paintings and sculptures.
Think skeletons and tumours!
HAMPTON COURT PALACE | MOLESEY, EAST MOLESEY KT8 9AU
One of only two surviving palaces out of the many owned by King Henry VIII, the Palace is chock full of stuff for kids to do.
Get lost in the famous maze, go on a family trail, explore the magic garden, experience the sights and smells of a real Tudor kitchen or become a Time Explorer.
hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/families
LONDON MUSEUM OF WATER + STEAM | GREEN DRAGON LANE, BRENTFORD, LONDON TW8 0EN
Home of the world’s largest collection of working Cornish engines, including the Grand Junction 90 inch.
Wannabe engineers can splash about and experiment in new water play features and enjoy interactive exhibits that tell the story of London and its water supply.
Museums in Central London
TATE BRITAIN | MILLBANK, WESTMINSTER, LONDON SW1P 4RG
TATE MODERN | BANKSIDE, LONDON SE1 9TG
As the name suggests, Tate Modern displays international and modern contemporary art while Tate Britain looks at British art from 1500 to the present day.
Both offer family-friendly art workshops and events.
Tate Britain also has artist-led workshops for students from all special educational needs, disabilities settings and pupil referral units.
BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM | THREADNEEDLE STREET, LONDON, EC2R 8AH
The Bank of England is responsible for maintaining monetary and financial stability but the Museum is about much more than money.
Children can learn the history of the Bank, its buildings, and the people who have shaped it over more than 300 years.
They’ll enjoy the events taking place in the Museum during school holidays, from treasure hunts to storytelling.
THE BARBICAN CENTRE | SILK STREET LONDON, EC2Y 8DS
The Barbican Centre is a world-class arts and learning organisation that pushes the boundaries of all major art forms including dance, film, music, theatre and visual arts.
Budding musicians, directors, thespians, dancers and poets can develop their skills via a wide range of collectives, Saturday and summer courses.
THE CARTOON MUSEUM | 35 LITTLE RUSSELL ST, BLOOMSBURY, LONDON WC1A 2HH
Relatively new to London – it opened in 2006 – the museum has a library of over 5,000 books and 4,000 comics.
They run drawing classes for children and school holiday workshops.
CHARLES DICKENS MUSEUM | 48 DOUGHTY STREET, LONDON WC1N 2LX
Visit the home (now a museum) where Dickens wrote Oliver Twist, The Pickwick Papers and Nicholas Nickleby.
A visit to the Museum includes a free family trail for each child (best suited to children between 4 and 12 years) which takes them on a journey of discovery through No. 48 Doughty Street.
This is where Dickens once lived with his wife and young family.
Kids can explore the basement and its Victorian kitchen, full of period and replica items they can interact with, dress up and experience life in the kitchen and attic.
Get them to try their hand at grinding coffee and putting on their own play in a beautiful Victorian toy theatre.
LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM | COVENT GARDEN PIAZZA, LONDON WC2E 7BB
London Transport Museum explores the story of London and its transport system over the last 200 years.
Parents, carers and children can make and take in craft workshops every school holiday, and join their storytime tales.
NATIONAL GALLERY | TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON WC2N 5DN
The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world and offers free entrance 361 days a year.
Families can participate in art workshops, storytime, songs, walk and talk events, craft sessions and more.
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY | ST. MARTIN’S PLACE, LONDON WC2H 0HE
The National Portrait Gallery, one of the best art galleries in London, was the first portrait gallery in the world when it opened in 1856.
There’s plenty for families to do including free weekend and school holiday events for kids aged 3 and over and their Family Activity Base and Sunday drop-in sessions.
ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS | BURLINGTON HOUSE, MAYFAIR, LONDON W1J 0BD
The Royal Academy of Arts is uniquely positioned as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects.
Its purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education and debate.
Families can take part in free drop-in workshops, engaging Art Detective trails, and enjoy galleries full of colourful paintings and sculptures. Kids under 16 go free to all exhibitions.
ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN | 21 ALBEMARLE STREET, LONDON W1S 4BS
The Royal Institution is an independent charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science.
It’s also home to the Faraday Museum (entry is free) where you can explore over 200 years of history-making science.
The RI holds family fun days, summer schools, theatre events, workshops and offers special membership to kids to encourage their love of STEM.
Which do you think are the best museums for kids in London?