The Best Galleries and Museums in London for Kids
London is one of the world’s greatest cities for introducing children to art, science, history and creativity. Better still, many of its finest museums are completely free, making them ideal for families whether you’re visiting for a weekend or live nearby.
Here’s our ranking of the very best galleries and museums for children.
1. Natural History Museum – South Kensington ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best for: Dinosaurs, animals and natural wonders
For many children, this is the museum they’ll remember forever.
From the enormous blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling to roaring dinosaur skeletons, volcanoes, gemstones and fascinating wildlife displays, every room feels like an adventure.
Why it’s number one:
- Iconic dinosaur gallery
- Fantastic for ages 3–14
- Beautiful Victorian building
- Mostly free
- Excellent family facilities
Neighbourhood: South Kensington
Getting there: South Kensington Underground (District, Circle & Piccadilly lines) – around 5 minutes’ walk.
Website: Natural History Museum
2. Science Museum – South Kensington ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If your children enjoy pressing buttons, experimenting and discovering how things work, they’ll love the Science Museum.
Highlights include:
- Wonderlab
-
Space exploration
- Flight galleries
- Interactive engineering exhibits
- Gaming exhibitions
It’s right next door to the Natural History Museum, making it easy to combine both into one fantastic day.
Neighbourhood: South Kensington
Nearest Tube: South Kensington
Website: Science Museum
3. Young V&A – Bethnal Green ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Purpose-built for children, Young V&A is where art, imagination and play come together.
Children are encouraged to touch, build, invent and create rather than simply look.
Perfect for:
- Design lovers
- Creative children
- Under 12s
- Family workshops
Neighbourhood: Bethnal Green (East London)
Nearest Tube: Bethnal Green (Central Line)
A brilliant choice if you’re exploring East London.
Website: Young V&A
4. London Transport Museum – Covent Garden ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Children absolutely love climbing aboard historic buses, Tube trains and trams.
Interactive play areas allow younger visitors to become bus drivers, station managers and engineers.
A fantastic choice for transport-loving children.
Neighbourhood: Covent Garden
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
Perfect afterwards for street performers and lunch around Covent Garden Piazza.
Website: London Transport Museum
5. Horniman Museum & Gardens – Forest Hill ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
A hidden South London gem.
Children can enjoy:
- Natural history
- Musical instruments
- Aquarium
- Butterfly House
- Animal walk
- Running around in the Beautiful gardens
Note: take your own lunch the cafe gets really busy and the options are not great
The outdoor space makes this ideal during warmer months.
Neighbourhood: Forest Hill
Nearest station: Forest Hill Overground
Website: Horniman Museum & Gardens
6. Tate Modern – Bankside ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
One of the world’s greatest modern art galleries can also be surprisingly child-friendly.
Children often enjoy:
- Huge installations
- Colourful contemporary artworks
- Family drawing activities
- The Turbine Hall
- Exploring the different spaces
Outside, the Thames riverside offers plenty to explore.
Neighbourhood: Bankside
Nearest stations: Blackfriars or Southwark
Website: Tate Modern
7. Postal Museum – Clerkenwell ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
The star attraction is riding the underground Mail Rail, once used to transport London’s post beneath the streets.
Children love:
- Mail Rail train ride
- Interactive exhibits
- Sorting activities
- Play areas
A unique museum unlike anywhere else.
Neighbourhood: Clerkenwell
Nearest Tube: Farringdon or Russell Square
Website: The Postal Museum
8. National Maritime Museum – Greenwich ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
A wonderful museum for adventurous children.
Expect:
- Ships
- Exploration
- Pirates
- Navigation
- Hands-on family galleries
Combine your visit with Greenwich Park, the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory.
Neighbourhood: Greenwich
Nearest stations: Cutty Sark DLR or Greenwich
Website: National Maritime Museum
9. British Museum – Bloomsbury ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Although not designed specifically for children, older kids are often fascinated by:
- Egyptian mummies
- The Rosetta Stone
- Samurai armour
- Ancient Greece
- The amazing architecture of the building
Family trails make exploring easier.
NOTE: Great for teenagers, they can even go by themselves!
Neighbourhood: Bloomsbury
Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road or Holborn
Website: British Museum
10. London Museum Docklands – Canary Wharf ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
This museum brings London’s history to life through stories of the River Thames and the city’s docks.
Young children particularly enjoy the popular Mudlarks interactive gallery.
Afterwards, families can explore Canary Wharf’s waterside walks and restaurants.
Neighbourhood: Canary Wharf
Nearest DLR: West India Quay
Website: London Museum Docklands
Our overall ranking
|
Rank |
Museum/Gallery |
Best for |
|
1 |
Natural History Museum |
Dinosaurs & nature |
|
2 |
Science Museum |
Interactive learning |
|
3 |
Young V&A |
Creativity & design |
|
4 |
London Transport Museum |
Vehicles & role play |
|
5 |
Horniman Museum |
Gardens & discovery |
|
6 |
Tate Modern |
Inspiring art |
|
7 |
Postal Museum |
Mail Rail adventure |
|
8 |
National Maritime Museum |
Ships & explorers |
|
9 |
British Museum |
Ancient history |
|
10 |
London Museum Docklands |
London’s story |
Many of London’s biggest museums are clustered in South Kensington, allowing families to visit both the Natural History Museum and Science Museum on the same day. East London offers the excellent Young V&A, while Greenwich and Bankside combine cultural attractions with riverside walks, making them ideal for a full family day out. Most of these museums are easy to reach by Underground or DLR and several are completely free to enter.
