London is renowned all over the world for its museums, but don’t be fooled into thinking they’re for adults only — there are plenty of London museums for toddlers and the whole family.
While most of the museums are aimed at older children and adults, many of them have areas dedicated to the education and interest of toddlers and pre-schoolers. Some even have dedicated sessions for under-5s, as well as workshops and special events.
We’ve chosen our favourite museums in London to visit with toddlers, as well as a guide on price and location. Plan a perfect educational adventure for your day out in the capital!
Let us know if we’ve missed your favourites…
Best London Museums for Toddlers
London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum is undoubtedly one of the best museums for toddlers in London, if not the entire UK.
Many toddlers absolutely love transport — whether it be buses, trains, cars, planes, you name it — so the very essence of the museum will already be interesting to them. Based in Covent Garden, there’s a huge amount here for the little ones, including the incredible All Aboard playzone that’s full of mini vehicles to play on as well as dressing up. There are plenty of events held in term time specifically for the under 5s, as well as singing and story sessions every week.
It’s not only for toddlers though — there’s a huge amount to see and explore here for the whole family.
- Price: £18.50 (adults), free for children under 17
- Nearest tube: Covent Garden
Science Museum
The Science Museum is one of the many jewels in London’s crown and is another great spot to take toddlers and young kids.
As you’d expect from such a prestigious institution, there’s a huge amount to do here and plenty of interactive and child-friendly exhibits to enjoy and explore. The best part for under 5s is undoubtedly The Garden — an interactive space where young children can learn and get passionate about science through play. There’s also an IMAX cinema with plenty of screenings of age-appropriate science films.
- Price: Free
- Nearest tube: South Kensington
Horniman Museum and Gardens
Slightly outside of central London is the brilliant Horniman Museum, which has plenty of things to see and do for toddlers all the way up to adults.
It’s a really wide reaching museum, covering such subjects as natural history, musical instruments and many more. There’s also an aquarium and butterfly house to explore within the beautiful gardens. The exhibitions and galleries are very hands on and interactive, perfectly designed to capture the attention of young children.
- Price: Free (charges apply to enter the aquarium, butterfly house and some special exhibitions – children under 3 are free)
- Nearest station: Forest Hill
British Museum
‘Toddler friendly’ may not immediately spring to mind when you think of the home of the Elgin Marbles, the British Museum, but there’s actually plenty on here to occupy young minds.
They actually have a Families Desk in the middle of the Great Court where you can go to chat with a family facilitator about what to see and do during your visit, as well as collect one of their Museum Explorer Trails — a great way to experience the place through young eyes. There are lots of children’s workshops and events held throughout the school year and even a ‘Little Feet’ programme for the under 5s.
If you and your little one need a time out, head over to the Ford Centre for Young Visitors — there’s lockers, toilets and space for picnicking for families during school holidays and weekends.
- Price: Free
- Nearest tube: Russell Square
HMS Belfast
For an even more hands-on museum experience that young children will love, you should definitely check out HMS Belfast.
The former Royal Navy warship from the Second World War has been transformed into an incredibly educational and entertaining museum aboard the River Thames. There are nine different decks to explore and plenty of interactive displays to help kids and the whole family experience what life was really like on board. Kids will love climbing the ladders, sitting in the Captain’s chair and even steering the ship!
- Price: From £22.50 (adults), free for under 5s
- Nearest tube: London Bridge
Museum of London
The Museum of London is a wonderful museum that explores the history of London through the stories of the Londoners who have lived there, past and present. It’s a great place to take the kids and the whole family to help them understand this incredible city.
Toddlers will especially love the recreated Victorian street, the many activities, and even the brilliant Tail Trail — finding the friendly rats around the museum! There’s a recreated Saxon house to make yourself at home in and you can even explore the amazing Olympic cauldron. This is definitely the place to take any budding history buffs.
- Price: Free
- Nearest tube: Barbican or St Paul’s
Museum of London Docklands
This is another branch of the brilliant Museum of London, this time focused on life on and around the docks and how it shaped the city.
Young kids will absolutely love the Mudlarks Gallery — an interactive space complete with soft play and games — that gives a great introduction to life in the docklands. Just like in the original Museum of London, there are plenty of trails and activities for children to get involved in, as well as the Tail Trail and some great trails specifically for visitors under 5.
- Price: Free
- Nearest tube: Canary Wharf or West India Quay (DLR)
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is another world-famous museum that’s got plenty to entertain toddlers as well as the rest of the family.
The main draw here for young kids is definitely their dinosaur collection, including the incredible Dippy — the first Diplodocus on display anywhere in the world — the huge blue whale model, Andy’s clock from Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures on CBeebies, and the huge escalator ride into the earth’s core. There’s also the earthquake simulator, the beautiful Wildlife Garden, and even baby sensory classes!
- Price: free
- Nearest tube: South Kensington
The Postal Museum
If you’ve got a toddler at home who’s obsessed with the postman and posting letters, then the Postal Museum could be a great option for a London museum trip.
Kids will love riding on the Mail Rail train and exploring the brilliant Sorted! Postal Play Space — an indoor play area designed for kids aged 8 and under. It’s an immersive mini city that’s perfect for role play. There’s also a Jolly Postman trail that fans of the books will get a real kick out of, young and old! Check out their website for seasonal events and workshops.
- Price: £16 (adults) £9 (children aged 3-15) £11 (child’s ticket plus entry into Sorted!)
- Nearest tube: Farringdon or Russell Square
Tate Modern
Tate Modern is the only dedicated art gallery on this list and that’s because we think it’s the best one for toddlers in London.
Firstly they welcome buggies and prams around the galleries and don’t expect silence from their visitors — a non-negotiable when you’re out with a toddler 🤪 Plus they have plenty of workshops and sessions throughout the year that are perfect for families. These are changed and updated all the time, but at the time of writing, for instance, there were collage making sessions and surrealist art making, all for young kids!
Additionally there is a baby care room for changing and feeding (although you’re welcome to breastfeed wherever you feel comfortable), cafés, toilets and buggy-accessible entrances.
- Price: Free
- Nearest tube: Southwark
Young V&A
The Young V&A hasn’t actually opened yet but we’re really excited to visit with our toddlers when it does. It’ll be dedicated exclusively to children from early years to teens and promises to be ‘a space to imagine, play and design’. Sounds intriguing!
It’s a do-over of the original V&A Museum of Childhood which was located at the same site in Bethnal Green, updated to reflect the lives of children in a post-pandemic world. There will be interactive displays, workshops and spaces to develop your little one’s creative skills.
We can’t wait to visit!
- Price: Unknown at this juncture (although it is free to attend the original V&A so hopefully this will translate across here)
- Nearest tube: Bethnal Green
What is the best museum for toddlers in London? Let us know your favourites!
Looking for alternatives? Make sure to check out our activities section for more ideas.
