Best Museums For Kids In London

From Dippy the dinosaur to scientific sleepovers to star-gazing at The Royal Observatory, London’s plethora of museums provide tonnes of engaging and educational fun for all the family. If you’re looking for some child-friendly fun this spring, here’s our pick of the best museums for kids in London.

Best Museums For Kids In London 2025

© Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Young V&A

As the UK’s first and only free museum designed for children and families, the very best London museum for kids has to be the Young V&A, which reopened in 2023 after a three year refurbishment. Hidden in Bethnal Green, away from the bustle of South Kensington’s museumland, the Young V&A aims to inspire the next generation of young artists, performers and practitioners through special displays, interactive spaces, exciting exhibitions and playscapes. It’s all arranged across three galleries: Play, Imagine and Design. This May half term, families can enjoy the current exhibition, Making Egypt, which explores Egypt’s creativity, impact and relevance from the ancient past right up to the present day. vam.ac.uk/young

Address: Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA

MORE: Here’s What’s On at The V&A Right Now

The Natural History Museum, photo: Adam Matieu, Unsplash

Natural History Museum

Full of dinosaurs (cue Dippy the dinosaur at 26 metres long) as well as a whole host of creatures from over the years, the Natural History Museum will wow the little ones. There’s a range of activities designed for kids, both free and paid for, from the outdoor Wildlife Garden to the volcano and earthquake gallery, and of course, lots of dinosaur related to-dos, including the Dino Snores event – a sleepover for kids aged seven to 11 that gives the opportunity to explore the museum at night by torchlight. nhm.ac.uk

Address: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD

(© The Trustees of The British Museum)

British Museum

Families with children of all ages can enjoy a range of free gallery activities at the British Museum. At the weekends, there is a museum explorer trail, and during school holidays, there’s a range of playful and educational workshops to keep the kids entertained. The exhibition programme is free for children under 16, when accompanied by a paying adult. britishmuseum.org

Address: Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG

(© Science Museum Group)

Science Museum

As the museum says, this is the home of human ingenuity. Think iconic objects and stories of incredible scientific achievement. Even better, it’s all for free. There’s a variety of exhibitions designed to keep the kids engaged and stimulated, from intriguing exhibitions to SENsory Astronights, a sleepover event that’s designed for children with special educational needs or disabilities. Campers can enter the museum after it has closed to the general public, explore the galleries and take part in a selection of fun activities, including workshops and shows. sciencemuseum.org.uk

Address: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD

London Transport Museum

History of London transport from horse power onwards, with loads of contraptions for the kids to clamber on, it’s a great day out for the little ones. It’ll bring to life the history of London’s public transport network — its buses, trains, tubes and taxis, from the 19th century right through to current times. There’s also a focus on interactivity, and so, the exhibits, which explore 200 years of history, range from grand historic vehicles to striking examples of the transport network’s famous poster art and graphic design. ltmuseum.co.uk

Address: The Piazza, London WC2E 7BB

The Cartoon Museum

A hub for British cartoons, caricatures and comic strips, The Cartoon Museum is owned and operated by the Cartoon Art Trust. Impressively, there’s a library of over 5,000 books and 4,000 comics from the eighteenth century to the present day. Check out the school holiday workshops which are for children aged 8-14 and cost £12 per person. cartoonmuseum.org

Address: 63 Wells St, London W1A 3AE

Royal Observatory Greenwich

Calling all stargazers: there’s hours of space-themed fun to be had at The Royal Observatory Greenwich. It’ll answer all the big questions about space, time and the universe – and all free of charge. There’s a range of family activities from the Starstruck Planetarium Show to learn all about stars, Ted’s Space Adventure for under 7s, and the immersive Meet The Neighbours show that’s packed with facts about the solar system. rmg.co.uk

Address: Blackheath Avenue, London SE10 8XJ

Imperial War Museum

Introduce your kids to the most important moments in history at Imperial War Museum London. It offers a chance for them to learn about the impact of the First World War and Second World War, and stories of bravery with the world’s largest collection of Victoria Crosses. There is also a free kids stamper trail, along with exhibitions, events and family-friendly educational activities. iwm.org.uk

Address: Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ