The best family days out in London and beyond rated by kids and teens
Average K-Rating based
on 18 K-Rating reviews
From dinosaurs to butterflies, it is possible to view specimens from a vast historical range at South Kensington’s Natural History Museum. There are five main collections and 70 million items. Some were even collected by Charles Darwin!
While the dinosaur gallery used to be the most popular area of the museum, KidRated has noticed that kids these days are more likely to be excited about the giant life-size blue whale. Saying that, a huge moving T-Rex is still pretty cool and won’t exactly leave the kids feeling bored.
In the Human Biology gallery, you can test your memory with interactive games. The brave can enter the Red Zone to be shaken up by the magnitude earthquake machine. Wildlife lovers can enter the Orange Zone, which encompasses the Darwin Zone and even has it’s very own Wildlife Garden open April to November.
During the winter, the National Geographic Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is an alternative must-see. Whereas in the summer, the Sensational Butterflies exhibit pops up at the Natural History Museum – click here to see what our K-Raters thought of it.
Dino Snores for kids events are incredibly popular – book well in advance. Click here for other fun events for kids.
If you are a parent of a child between 5 and 11 who has an autism spectrum condition you should definitely check out Dawnosaurs – an early opening event where kids and their families can enjoy the museum without the hustle and bustle of all the usual crowds. There will even be some great activities and workshops on offer. Plus it is totally FREE!
Register your interest here.
I absolutely love the Natural History Museum. I’ve been a few times and I always enjoy myself. The building itself is really cool but when you get inside it’s insane. The immense size of some of the bones they have is crazy. I’ve always been fascinated by archaeology and fossils so being able to learn about it all in one place is so great. The interactive parts of the museum are also really fun and I never miss the blue whale!
You can find loads more information by Laura Porter at aboutlondonlaura.com
Dinosaur heaven for kids! There are, of course, exhibits about animals, the ocean, space, evolution, and more, but, the dinosaurs are hugely popular (and crowded) for good reason. Go and see the animatronic t-rex that roars and sways. It might be scary for very young children. There are a couple of animatronic velociraptors along the way. There are fossils and taxidermied / preserved animals galore -think dodos and even chickens. The massive blue whale skeleton dangles over the main hall. Check out the earthquake simulator before you leave. It’s an absolute blast for kids and adults!
My kids absolutely love this place. My 5 year old says it’s his favourite place in the world and we have taken him at least 5 times since he turned 3. Now my 3 year old has had their first trip and also adored it, so we will be back as regularly as we can (albeit outside of school holidays as much as possible!!!). Also incredibly Covid safe. We love it.
This museum is at the top of the list every time we visit London with our 4 & 5 year old boys – beautiful building, so much to see… only downside is queue for the dinosaurs now both kids are in school and we can’t visit in term time!
Science museum handily situated just round the corner – also completely brilliant!