London for toddlers: the 5 best museums to visit
Exploring London with a toddler is a modern-day adventure, seeking out the wealth of exciting opportunities that the city holds for both learning and play.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the top 5 London museums that I believe cater best to the needs and interests of toddlers. From interactive exhibits to dedicated play spaces, these institutions provide all kinds of fun and engagement for little ones and parents alike.
London Museum Docklands
No. 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL
The London Museum Docklands opened in 2003 and is my top pick for toddlers. It is located in a beautiful setting adjacent to Canary Wharf in a 200-year-old converted warehouse. The museum offers free entry, a child-friendly cafe, easily accessible baby changing facilities and a lovely gift shop.
The highlight for toddlers is the Mudlarks session: an interactive play space for children up to 8 years old. With soft play, water play, construction, and dressing up areas, my son absolutely loves it here. Slots are 45 minutes long, bookable in advance and cost £3 per person (for babies over 9 months old).
Young V&A
Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9PA
The Young V&A (founded 1872 as the Museum of Childhood) houses one of the largest collections of childhood objects, dating back to the 1600s. After 150 years, the site underwent a major refurbishment, reopening in July 2023 as an even more exciting destination. Free to enter and open until 17:45, it’s perfect for an afternoon outing in London with your toddler. The large cafe in the central atrium provides ample seating, with buggy parking nearby.
My son loves to run around and explore the various exhibits that exist across the mezzanine and first floors. The Play Gallery, specifically designed for babies and toddlers, is also a big hit, primed for exploration with different colours, materials, textures, shapes, lights and objects. The museum is fully accessible, with baby change facilities in the basement. Exhibits are also fairly central, so you’re never too far from your buggy if you need anything in a pinch.
Science Museum
Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
The iconic Science Museum, founded in 1857, is home to over 300,000 objects, including the Apollo 10 command module and the first jet engine. More importantly, however, it’s a must-visit London destination for curious toddlers!
Free to enter, this huge museum features two excellent areas for young children: the Pattern Pod, a multi-sensory area for under 9s, and The Garden, a play area designed for children aged 3-6 (but welcoming younger children as well). The latter, located in the basement, invites inquisitive toddlers to explore construction, water, light, and sound. My son had a fantastic time here. I would recommend getting here early though, as this museum is always busy!
Postal Museum
15-20 Phoenix Place, London WC1X 0DA
The Postal Museum, which opened in 2017, is a hidden gem that I discovered through a friend’s recommendation. Notably, tickets cost £17.60 per adult, £10 per child (3-10) and are free for under-3s. However, while this price may seem high, tickets remain valid for a year of unlimited visits. Furthermore, they entitle you to a free ride on the special Mail Rail train upon your first visit. The site, comprising two buildings across the road from each other, has a great cafe with highchairs and is a breastfeeding-friendly environment.
Toddlers will love the Mail Rail: a 15-minute underground train ride through the original tunnels used to transport mail across London. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something a bit more interactive and imaginative, then Sorted! The Postal Play Space (a role play room for under-8s) will be for you. Post and Play facilitated sessions also run during term time and are designed for under-5s.
Horniman Museum
100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ
The Horniman Museum, established in 1901, is a fantastic place to explore global cultures and the wonders of nature with your toddler. The museum and gardens are free to visit, and include activities like interactive displays, nature trails, musical sculptures and even an animal walk.
Visitors are encouraged to bring packed lunches and picnics, although there is a cafe with kids lunches available. There is also a fun outdoor market that pops up every Sunday from 10am-3pm. Breastfeeding is welcome everywhere, but there is a separate feeding room available too.
Honestly, there is no shortage of things for little ones to see and do in the beautiful 16-acre grounds, which offer stunning views of London’s skyline. However, this makes for a rather steep and hilly area, which can be a bit tricky to manage with a buggy. Additionally, there is a separate charge for the Aquarium, the Butterfly House and some of the other events and exhibitions. So it can end up being quite an expensive day out if you plan on seeing everything in one go.
Conclusion
Most of London’s museums are excellent places for children to learn, explore and have fun in stimulating environments. Not all are necessarily suitable for toddlers, though. In future posts, as my son and I continue our adventure into London, I am sure that we will discover more of these. You can count on plenty of future updates!
In the meantime, I hope that the 5 museums I have recommended here will give you a better idea of what this city has to offer. So, whether you’re looking for immersive role play, sensory stimulation, outdoor relaxation, soft play, animal encounters or just a fun day out on a budget to somewhere new and educational, be sure to check out one of these fantastic museums.
P.S. If you enjoyed this post, you might want to read Taking a baby to the Natural History Museum, where we give an honest account of taking our 15-month-old son on a visit.
