The best family days out in London and beyond rated by kids and teens
Average K-Rating based
on 40 K-Rating reviews
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich offers a treasure trove of maritime history, packed with interactive exhibits that will captivate both children and teens.
First off, kids will be thrilled by the Cove Playground. This fantastic outdoor play area is designed like a pirate ship, where children can climb, slide, and let their imaginations run wild as they embark on their own sea adventures.
Inside the museum, there’s plenty more to explore. The Family Trails are a great way to discover the exhibits. Pick up a trail map and follow the clues to uncover hidden treasures and learn fun facts about maritime history. These trails make exploring the museum a fun and engaging experience for kids of all ages.
Also, don’t miss Discover Sundays. These special family-friendly sessions include hands-on activities, workshops, and storytelling. Whether it’s crafting maritime-themed art or hearing tales of daring sea explorers, Discover Sundays offer something exciting every week.
Moreover, the museum’s interactive exhibits are a big hit. Kids can steer a ship, learn how sailors navigated the seas, and even experience what life was like aboard a historic vessel. The engaging displays and hands-on activities make learning about maritime history both fun and memorable.
And while you’re there, take a stroll through the beautiful Greenwich Park, or visit the nearby Royal Observatory or Cutty Sark. To plan a full day, see our KidRated approved Top 10 Things to do in Greenwich
I went here with my family for a day out and it was definitely worth it. Even as a teen, I found it really interesting exploring maritime history. It’s something we don’t learn a lot about in school so I really appreciated the chance to look into it in more detail. I would say that this is a good museum for teens within families as I’m not sure it would entertain just teens by themselves. As a history lover, I would recommend this to anyone with a particular interest in the sea and the adventures that have taken place on it.
You can find loads more information by Laura Porter at aboutlondonlaura.com
The Ahoy Children’s Gallery is fun for kids, but not always free. It’s £3 on weekends, holidays, and out of school term time. You get a 45 minute time slot. It does keep it from being excessively overcrowded and the kids will like playing on the steam ship. The play area is geared for 0-7 year-olds. Otherwise, the museum is a bit more sparse than others in central london and while interesting for adults, might not be for kids. That is, outside of the Children’s Gallery. It’s at the bottom of Greenwich Park and just a hop and skip from the Cutty Sark and Greenwich Market. You could definitely make a day of a visit.