London museums for children: Best kid-friendly exhibits and hands-on experiences

When it comes to London museums for children, family-friendly cultural spaces designed to spark curiosity through play and interaction. Also known as kid-friendly museums London, these aren't the quiet, hushed halls of old—they’re loud, messy, and full of kids touching everything they’re supposed to. Forget the idea that museums are just for adults with headphones. The best ones in London let toddlers climb on dinosaur bones, press buttons to make robots move, and paint virtual rainbows on walls. They’re built for the way kids actually learn: by doing, not just looking.

What makes a museum work for kids? It’s not the size or the fame—it’s the interactive exhibits, hands-on installations that invite participation rather than observation. Also known as hands-on science museums, these are the ones where your five-year-old can steer a virtual submarine, build a bridge out of foam blocks, or listen to a live sound lab that turns their voice into a dragon’s roar. Then there’s the family attractions London, venues that combine education with play, designed specifically for multi-generational visits. Also known as children’s science museums, these spots give parents a break from the usual playgrounds and give kids a reason to ask questions instead of just asking for snacks. You’ll find these in places like the Science Museum, where kids can race mini rockets down a track, or the Natural History Museum, where they can dig for fake fossils in a sandpit that feels like a beach day indoors.

Some of the best spots don’t even feel like museums. The Design Museum has a whole floor where kids build cities with giant blocks and test how structures hold up under wind and weight. The Museum of London Docklands lets them hop aboard a recreated 1800s cargo ship and pretend to be sailors hauling tea and spices. Even the Victoria and Albert Museum has a room where children can dress up in giant costumes and take photos with projected backdrops of royal palaces. These aren’t afterthoughts—they’re the core of the experience.

And here’s the thing: these places aren’t just for tourists. Locals bring their kids every weekend. Rainy Saturday? Try the Science Museum’s Wonderlab. School holiday? The Natural History Museum’s dinosaur trail runs all year. Most of these spots are free to enter—yes, really. You pay for special exhibits, but the main floors? Open to everyone. No tickets, no lines, just pure, unfiltered discovery.

What you’ll find below are real, tested picks—places where kids don’t just survive the visit, they beg to go back. No fluff. No overpriced gift shops masquerading as education. Just the spots where curiosity wins.