This guide reveals the best museums for kids in London. We reviewed over 50 museums to find your best options for free entry, interactive exhibitions, unusual settings and more.
Updated 12 August 2026
In 1759, the British Museum became the world’s first of its kind: a free museum open to the public. (1) The city has since added nearly 200 more museums. (2)
But which of these London museums are the best for kids? We looked at over 50 to give you an answer.
Of course that answer depends on how much you’re willing to spend, how old your little one is and what they like. So we split our guide into three categories (click below if you’d like to jump ahead).
- Best free museums for kids in London
- Best interactive museums in London
- What are the best quirky and unusual museums in London?
- Common questions about museums for kids in London
In each section we share our top pick for each age group, from toddlers to teens. Plus one for the whole family.
We based these picks on in-depth research of 50+ museums. We also sifted through the Loopla team’s log of over 2,000 family events from the last year.
This is something we built while writing our newsletter for parents in London. If you want to sign up for that, click here.
Doing so gets you a heads-up on deals and discounts, free activities and popular events we think will sell out fast.
But to find out the best museums in London for kids, keep reading.
Best free museums for kids in London
| Best for? | Loopla’s pick | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Toddlers | Young V&A | The only London museum we found with a free play area specifically for under-3s. |
| Kids | Natural History Museum | It drew more visitors in 2025 than any UK attraction, and has 20+ galleries covering dinosaurs, space and nature. |
| The whole family | National Maritime Museum | It has permanent free spaces for both under-5s and 6–12s, plus seafaring history and Bridgerton filming locations for grown-ups. |
Young V&A: the best free museum for toddlers
Bethnal Green, E2
Young V&A ran 38 family events between August 2025 and July 2026, more than any other museum in our research. This wasn’t much of a surprise, as the whole museum is built for kids. Its permanent galleries were designed with and for ages 0–14.
They were designed so well, in fact, that Young V&A also won the Council of Europe Museum Prize 2026.
The museum is particularly great for younger kids, arguably even the best free museum in London for toddlers. The Play Gallery has sand, building blocks and a marble run, while Mini Museum is a sensory space just for under-3s. It was the only free play area designed specially for under-3s we found in our London museum research.
Is Young V&A buggy friendly?
The museum has buggy parking, free lockers and a cafe with a bottle warmer. The only problem is getting there. Bethnal Green station has no lift, and the nearest step-free station is Whitechapel, around an 18-minute walk away.
Young V&A visitor info
Where: Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA
Days open: Daily, 10am–5.45pm. Last entry 5.15pm.
Prices: Free
Step-free? Yes inside the museum, with lifts between floors.
Nearest station: Bethnal Green (not step-free)
Plan your visit to Young V&A.
Natural History Museum: our top free museum for kids
South Kensington, SW7
The Natural History Museum is London’s most popular museum, based on footfall. It welcomed 7.1 million people in 2025, more than any UK attraction. (3)
We have to assume many of these were families. Its 20+ galleries feature many things kids love: dinosaurs, animals, space, geology and the natural world.
For us, the wow moments on offer at the Natural History Museum make it the best free London museum for primary-school kids. You can see a roaring T. rex, walk beneath the blue whale in Hintze Hall and explore the museum’s outdoor gardens.
Is the Natural History Museum buggy friendly?
Buggies are allowed inside. The Exhibition Road entrance is usually easier to use if you’re travelling with one. It’s also quieter than the main Cromwell Road entrance.
The bigger problem is the journey, as South Kensington station isn’t step-free.
Natural History Museum visitor info
Where: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
Days open: Daily, 10am–5.50pm. Last entry 5.30pm.
Prices: Free
Step-free? Yes inside the museum.
Nearest station: South Kensington (not step-free)
Plan your visit to the Natural History Museum.
National Maritime Museum: our top free museum for the whole family
Greenwich, SE10
With free spaces for both younger and older kids, the National Maritime Museum is our favourite free London museum for keeping the whole family happy. Its All Hands play area is made for ages 6–12, with a ship to steer, cargo to load, Morse code and even a cannon. There’s also a Small Hands soft play space next door for under-5s.
Compared to places like the Young V&A, the National Maritime Museum also has more to interest grown-ups. The museum covers centuries of seafaring history, while the Old Royal Naval College next door is one of Britain’s best-known filming locations. Bridgerton fans may recognise several of its buildings.
There is also AHOY!, the museum’s larger play gallery for under-7s. Just be aware that while it’s free on term-time weekdays, it costs £4.50 at weekends and during school holidays.
Is the National Maritime Museum buggy friendly?
The National Maritime Museum allows buggies. There are also lifts to the museum and a buggy park beside AHOY!. Cutty Sark DLR, the nearest station, is also step-free.
National Maritime Museum visitor info
Where: Romney Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF
Days open: Daily, 10am–5pm.
Prices: Museum free / AHOY! free on term-time weekdays, £4.50 at weekends and during school holidays.
Step-free? Yes
Nearest station: Cutty Sark DLR (step-free)
Plan your visit to the National Maritime Museum.
British Museum: London’s biggest museum
Bloomsbury, WC1
The British Museum is London’s biggest museum when it comes to sheer size. (4)
Its Egyptian and ancient-world galleries make it such a memorable visit for school-age kids. As well as sleepovers, they often run themed workshops for little ones during holidays and family trails on weekends.
The only criticism we have is that there’s not much in the way of permanent features designed especially for kids.
Is the British Museum buggy friendly?
Pushchairs are allowed throughout the museum and there are lifts between floors. Fold-up buggies can also be left in the cloakroom when space allows.
There are baby-changing facilities and two feeding rooms for families with younger kids.
British Museum visitor info
Where: Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
Days open: Daily, 10am–5pm. Open until 8.30pm on Fridays.
Prices: Free
Step-free? Partial, with accessible routes and lifts between floors.
Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road
Plan your visit to the British Museum.
Horniman Museum: our favourite free museum for outdoor play
Forest Hill, SE23
The Horniman is one of London’s best free museums for kids who love animals and nature. It has gardens with a free nature play area for ages 0–11 and an Animal Walk with alpacas, goats, sheep and rabbits.
Inside, the museum collection covers music, nature and cultures from around the world. Its Music Gallery alone contains around 1,600 instruments, with interactive displays where kids can hear some of them being played.
If you’re reading this in 2026, there is one important thing to know before visiting. The Natural History Gallery is closed for refurbishment until early 2027, so you can’t see the famous Horniman walrus until then.
The museum and gardens are free, but the Aquarium, Butterfly House and some exhibitions cost extra.
Is the Horniman Museum buggy friendly?
The museum is wheelchair and buggy friendly, with lifts to the exhibition spaces. There is a separate buggy park outside the Butterfly House, as buggies cannot go inside.
Forest Hill station is also step-free.
Horniman Museum visitor info
Where: 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ
Days open: Museum daily, 10am–5.30pm. Gardens open from early morning until 8.30pm in summer.
Prices: Museum and gardens free / Aquarium, Butterfly House and some exhibitions charged separately.
Step-free? Yes
Nearest station: Forest Hill (step-free)
Plan your visit to the Horniman Museum.
National Gallery: our top free museum for creative kids
Trafalgar Square, WC2
The National Gallery is one of the world’s greatest collections of paintings. And in early 2025, they made it even better for families by opening a three-floor learning centre.
At weekends and during school holidays, the Roden Centre becomes a free drop-in space for kids. Budding creators can have fun with artist-made playboxes, dress up and make their own art. Kids aged 7+ can also play Canvas Quest, a free augmented-reality hide-and-seek game inspired by the paintings.
Is the National Gallery buggy friendly?
Buggies are welcome throughout the gallery. The Roden Centre also has its own buggy park and a step-free entrance on Orange Street.
There are baby-changing facilities and a Changing Places toilet inside the Roden Centre.
National Gallery visitor info
Where: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Days open: Daily, 10am–6pm. Open until 9pm on Fridays.
Prices: Free
Step-free? Yes
Nearest station: Charing Cross (not step-free)
Plan your visit to the National Gallery.
Best interactive museums in London
| Best for? | Loopla’s pick | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Toddlers | London Transport Museum | An award-winning, step-free museum with a soft play, a fleet of tiny vehicles and even a mini Lost Property office. |
| Kids | MathsWorld | The closest thing to a maths museum in London, with 40+ hands-on exhibits covering puzzles, coding, shapes and AI. |
| The whole family | Science Museum | The widest age range of interactive galleries we found, from preschool play to gaming and teen-focused activities. |
London Transport Museum: our top interactive museum for toddlers
Covent Garden, WC2
Of all the museums we looked at, the London Transport Museum has the most to offer when it comes to interactive fun for toddlers. In All Aboard, ages 0–7 can climb into tiny vehicles, drive a real bus and repair a Tube train with toy spanners. There is also a baby soft play area, a mini Lost Property office and chances to play station announcer.
Adult tickets are expensive compared with many other museums in our research. But everyone under 18 gets in free, and each adult ticket includes unlimited return visits for 12 months.
Is London Transport Museum buggy friendly?
The museum is step-free throughout and has buggy parking. Covent Garden station is not step-free, so families with a buggy may prefer another nearby station.
London Transport Museum visitor info
Where: Covent Garden Piazza, London WC2E 7BB
Days open: Daily. Closed 24–26 December.
Prices: Adults £27 / Under-18s free. Adult tickets include 12 months of return visits.
Step-free? Yes
Nearest station: Covent Garden (not step-free)
Plan your visit to London Transport Museum.
MathsWorld: the closest thing to a maths museum in London
South Bank, SE1
MathsWorld is the closest thing to a maths museum in London. Its 40+ hands-on exhibits turn subjects like coding and algorithms into games kids can play. On top of this, they can climb inside a giant bubble, try mirrors that turn their head upside down and test a mind-reading machine. There are also code-breaking challenges and puzzles in a separate Under-8s Zone.
MathsWorld opened in 2025 and is technically a discovery centre rather than a traditional museum. But for primary-school kids who enjoy puzzles and problem-solving, we found nowhere in London with more hands-on maths to explore.
Tickets are annual passes, so after paying once you get unlimited visits for a year. Some term-time weekdays are reserved for school groups, though, so check before travelling.
Is MathsWorld buggy friendly?
MathsWorld is wheelchair accessible and spread across two floors. There’s also an accessible toilet.
Southwark, the nearest Tube station, is step-free.
MathsWorld visitor info
Where: South Bank, London SE1 0UN, beneath a railway arch
Days open: Tuesday–Friday, 10am–4pm; Saturday–Sunday, 10am–5pm. Some term-time weekdays are reserved for schools.
Prices: Adults £14.50 / Children aged 3–17 £13 / Under-3s free / Family of four £50. All tickets include unlimited visits for 12 months.
Step-free? Yes
Nearest station: Southwark (step-free)
Plan your visit to MathsWorld.
Science Museum: our top interactive museum for the whole family
South Kensington, SW7
The Science Museum had the widest age range of interactive galleries we found. Preschoolers can play with water, light and build things in The Garden, while Pattern Pod is made for under-9s.
Older kids have even more options. Wonderlab has more than 50 hands-on exhibits and Power Up is built for gamers. The Technicians gallery is aimed at teens thinking about a future career in STEM. This all explains why we recommend the Science Museum for the whole family. The wider galleries also cover space, transport, medicine, maths and technology, so grown-ups have plenty to explore too.
General admission is free, but Wonderlab and Power Up cost extra.
Is the Science Museum buggy friendly?
Buggies are allowed inside and there is a buggy park on Level -1. Empty pushchairs must be parked in the Spare Room opposite The Garden.
The bigger problem is the journey, as South Kensington station isn’t step-free.
Science Museum visitor info
Where: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
Days open: Daily, 10am–6pm.
Prices: General admission free / Wonderlab and Power Up charged separately.
Step-free? Yes inside the museum.
Nearest station: South Kensington (not step-free)
Plan your visit to the Science Museum.
Twist Museum: Explore the science behind illusions
Oxford Circus, W1
Twist Museum gets great reviews for its interactive exhibitions exploring tricks of the mind. At the time of writing, it’s one of Tripadvisor’s top 100 things to do in London. It also won a 2025 Travellers’ Choice award.
Its 80+ interactive illusions explore how your brain handles colour, sound, space and perspective. The kaleidoscope-style displays and Infinity Forest, in particular, went down well with the family who reviewed it for us.
It was also nice to see the scientific explanations behind the illusions get more of a spotlight. You can read more in our Twist Museum review.
Is Twist Museum buggy friendly?
Pushchairs aren’t allowed inside the exhibition and must be left in the buggy park. The museum itself is wheelchair accessible.
Twist Museum visitor info
Where: 248 Oxford Street, London W1C 1DH
Days open: Daily, with longer hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
Prices: From £24.50 adult / £20 child, plus booking fee / Ages 0–2 free.
Step-free? Yes, although pushchairs are not allowed in the exhibition.
Nearest station: Oxford Circus (not step-free); Bond Street is the nearest step-free alternative.
Plan your visit to Twist Museum.
Bank of England Museum: one of London’s best free interactive museums
City of London, EC2
The Bank of England Museum has some unique (and free) interactive displays. Kids can lift a real gold bar, crack a safe and try to keep inflation under control.
There are also money-based challenges and little prizes for completing free activity sheets. It turns a grown-up subject that no other museum we found covers into something engaging for kids.
The big limitation is opening times, though. The museum only opens Monday to Friday, so it isn’t an option for weekend family days out.
Is the Bank of England Museum buggy friendly?
Pushchairs are allowed, but there’s no cloakroom to store them in. The museum is in a historic building and has steps at the entrance, with ramp access available.
Bank station is around a minute away and is step-free.
Bank of England Museum visitor info
Where: Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R 8AH
Days open: Monday–Friday, 10am–5pm. Closed weekends and bank holidays.
Prices: Free
Step-free? Yes, with ramp access at the entrance.
Nearest station: Bank (step-free)
Plan your visit to the Bank of England Museum.
National Army Museum: free hands-on history
Chelsea, SW3
The National Army Museum has a popular paid play area as well as hands-on activities throughout its free permanent galleries.
Kids can crawl under a Dingo Scout Car, climb inside a replica Churchill tank and lead troops at a strategy table. There’s also a virtual drill sergeant and a battle drum where you try to beat the right battlefield command. For under-8s, Play Base is an assault course with other military-themed soft play. This costs extra, though.
Is the National Army Museum buggy friendly?
Yes. The main entrance has level access and lifts reach every floor. Folded pushchairs can also be left in the cloakroom when there is space.
Sloane Square is the nearest Tube station, but it isn’t step-free.
National Army Museum visitor info
Where: Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HT
Days open: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5.30pm. Closed Mondays.
Prices: Museum free / Play Base £7.50.
Step-free? Yes
Nearest station: Sloane Square (not step-free)
Plan your visit to the National Army Museum.
What are the best quirky and unusual museums in London?
| Best for? | Loopla’s pick | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Toddlers | London Museum of Water & Steam | Toddlers can splash around and see some of the world’s biggest working steam engines, with nappies and spare clothes on hand for any accidents. |
| Kids | Ragged School Museum | Kids can experience a Victorian school lesson inside Dr Barnardo’s former East End ragged school. |
| The whole family | Postal Museum | Your ticket includes a ride on London’s old underground postal railway, plus hands-on exhibits for kids. |
London Museum of Water & Steam: our top unusual museum for toddlers
Brentford, TW8
The London Museum of Water & Steam might be the most thoughtful museum we found, because of how they keep spare nappies and clothes for families.
This may give you peace of mind watching the little one splash around with pumps, pipes and water wheels in the outdoor Splash Zone. Inside, the Waterworks Gallery has more hands-on play, while the museum itself holds the world’s largest collection of stationary steam engines. On certain days they do train rides on a little locomotive, too.
Is the London Museum of Water & Steam buggy friendly?
Buggies are welcome and there is a small buggy park. A step-free route covers most of the museum.
Gunnersbury is the nearest Tube and Overground station, but it isn’t step-free.
London Museum of Water & Steam visitor info
Where: Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, London TW8 0EN
Days open: Thursday–Sunday, 10am–4pm. Open daily during the 2026 summer holidays.
Prices: Adults £12 / Children aged 5–16 £4 / Under-5s free. Tickets are valid for 12 months.
Step-free? Mostly
Nearest station: Gunnersbury (not step-free)
Plan your visit to the London Museum of Water & Steam.
Ragged School Museum: Find out what Victorian classrooms were like
Mile End, E3
The Ragged School Museum is housed in what was once London’s largest free school for poor Victorian children.
Its recreated classroom has old desks, slate boards, chalk and even dunce hats. On the first Sunday of each month, a costumed teacher runs a 45-minute Victorian lesson there. Kids can experience the sort of school day children had in the 1800s.
Is the Ragged School Museum buggy friendly?
The museum has step-free access throughout, with lifts between floors.
Ragged School Museum visitor info
Where: 46–50 Copperfield Road, Mile End, London E3 4RR
Days open: Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm.
Prices: Adults £5 / Children £2.50 / Family ticket £10
Step-free? Yes
Nearest station: Mile End
Plan your visit to the Ragged School Museum.
Postal Museum: a hidden railway ride under London
Clerkenwell, WC1
The Postal Museum may not sound thrilling, but a standard ticket includes a ride through a hidden railway under London.
This Mail Rail ride takes you through original tunnels once used to carry post beneath the city. The museum itself across the road has plenty for kids, too, including Morse code, stamp-making and postal games. You can also pay extra for entry to Sorted!, a play area for under-8s with a postal town, slides, trolleys and chutes.
Be aware that the museum and Mail Rail are in separate buildings.
Is the Postal Museum buggy friendly?
Buggies are allowed in the main museum and there’s a buggy park at Mail Rail.
Farringdon is the nearest station and is step-free.
Postal Museum visitor info
Where: 15–20 Phoenix Place, London WC1X 0DA
Days open: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm.
Prices: Adult £17.60 / Child £10 / Under-2s free. Admission includes one Mail Rail ride and becomes a 12-month pass. Sorted! costs extra.
Step-free? Yes
Nearest station: Farringdon (step-free)
Plan your visit to the Postal Museum.
Museum of the Home: a family-friendly hidden gem
Hoxton, E2
The Museum of the Home was shortlisted for the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award in both 2024 and 2025.
Its Rooms Through Time paint a picture of how London homes have changed over hundreds of years. Kids can also borrow free Explorer Backpacks with a play camera, magnifying glass and LED writing board.
The Mini Playhouse is another highlight. It was designed with local primary-school children and on special occasions becomes anything from a puppet theatre to a recording studio.
Is the Museum of the Home buggy friendly?
The museum is step-free throughout and has a buggy park near the entrance. There are lifts between floors and baby-changing facilities in the accessible toilets.
Hoxton station is also step-free.
Museum of the Home visitor info
Where: 136 Kingsland Road, Hoxton, London E2 8EA
Days open: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm. Open on Bank Holiday Mondays.
Prices: Free
Step-free? Yes
Nearest station: Hoxton (step-free)
Plan your visit to the Museum of the Home.
Old Operating Theatre: Gruesome history for older kids
London Bridge, SE1
Hidden in the attic of a 320-year-old church, the Old Operating Theatre is Europe’s oldest surviving surgical theatre.
Given the gruesome history it covers, the museum is best suited to older kids. Displays include old surgical instruments, pharmacy objects and human remains. This may not sound family friendly but during school holidays they run workshops aimed at under-16s.
Is the Old Operating Theatre buggy friendly?
To access the museum you have to climb a narrow 52-step spiral staircase with no public lift. Buggies have to stay downstairs.
There are also no public toilets on site.
Old Operating Theatre visitor info
Where: 9a St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY
Days open: Thursday–Sunday, 10.30am–5pm. Last entry 4.15pm.
Prices: Adults £10 / Children 16 and under £6.50 / Under-5s free / Family ticket £22
Step-free? No
Nearest station: London Bridge
Plan your visit to the Old Operating Theatre.
Common questions about museums for kids in London
Which museum in London is best for kids?
The best museum in London for kids is the Young V&A in Bethnal Green. It’s free, designed for under-14s, and won the Council of Europe Museum Prize 2026. It also ran more special family events last year than any other museum, based on the 2,000+ events we logged for our weekly newsletter.
For hands-on, interactive play, though, the Science Museum is the better museum for kids. The Garden is a water, light and sound space for under-8s. For under-9s there is also Pattern Pod, where kids explore patterns through touchscreens and robots.
Is there a maths museum in London?
The closest thing to a maths museum in London is MathsWorld. The discovery centre opened on the South Bank in autumn 2025. It has over 40 hands-on exhibits, including a bubble you can climb inside and a mind-reading machine. Tickets are annual passes, so you can go back all year. The Science Museum’s free Mathematics: The Winton Gallery is another close option for those looking for a maths museum.
Are London museums free?
Of the 50+ museums we reviewed, 21 are free to enter. The most popular are the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, British Museum, V&A, Tate Modern and National Maritime Museum.
Several paid museums let children in free, too. These include the London Transport Museum and Dulwich Picture Gallery. Keep in mind that some free London museums charge for special exhibitions or play areas, though.
What is the best age to start taking kids to museums?
There is no minimum age when it comes to taking kids to museums, because some options in London have activities designed for babies. Young V&A has a sensory space for under-3s. Several venues run sessions for the under-5s, like Dulwich’s ArtPlay and the Science Museum’s Garden.
From around three years olds, children can start to enjoy trails and hands-on, interactive galleries. The main thing is to pick a museum that matches what stage your child is at.
Which London museum is best for toddlers?
The London Transport Museum is one of the best London museums for toddlers. It is an award-winning, step-free museum in the heart of Covent Garden with buggy parking. Its All Aboard area features a soft play, a fleet of tiny vehicles and even a mini Lost Property office.
The RAF Museum is another strong choice. It has the best buggy access we found and a soft play for the under-8s. For water play, Water & Steam has a Splash Zone, child-height toilets and spare nappies and clothes on hand.
What are the best London museums for 10 year olds?
To those looking for the best London museums for 10 year olds we recommend the Tower of London. Kids this age tend to start learning about the Tudors at school. The Tower brings history to life through its Yeoman Warder tours. 10 year olds will be at a good age to manage the steps and cobbled ground.
References
- The Museum’s story: History – The British Museum
- Mapping Museum Lab data incorporated into ONS report on UK museums – Mapping Museums Lab, Birkbeck, University of London
- Natural History Museum’s record-breaking 7.1m visitors make it the UK’s most-visited attraction – Natural History Museum
- What Is London’s Biggest Museum? – Londonist
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