If you’re planning a trip to London with your family, you might be wondering how to make it an educational experience for your kids. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for educational day trips in London that the whole family will enjoy. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. The British Museum
See British Museum Family Activities
Admission cost: Free, but requires online booking to guarantee entry
For Younger Kids: Collection of backpack themes with resources for children to draw, dress up, and identify different objects, depending on what they choose.
For Older Kids: Museum mission involving 5 challenges: finding, performing, discussing, looking and posing.
The British Museum is one of the world’s largest and most famous museums, and it’s packed with interesting artefacts from all over the globe. From ancient Egyptian mummies to the Rosetta Stone, there’s something for everyone at the British Museum.
2. The Tower of London
Admission Cost: Family saver costs £50+, although prices vary (see price page)
For Younger Kids: Ideal for children over 8 interested in history (might not be ideal for children younger than 8).
For Older Kids: Yeoman Warder tours, led by former members of the royal guard, and exhibitions on the history of the crown jewels.
The Tower of London is a historic castle on the banks of the River Thames. It was once used as a royal palace, prison, and execution site, and it’s now one of the most popular tourist attractions in London. A visit to the Tower of London is a great way to learn about British history.
3. Westminster Abbey
See Westminster Abbey Family Activities
Admission Cost: £25 for Adults, £11 children aged 6-17, and free for children under 5. See price page.
For Younger Kids: Various arts & crafts workshops run throughout the year, such as crown making. Best to check on the family activity page to see what’s on before you visit.
For Older Kids: Guided tours of the abbey, which last for about an hour.
Westminster Abbey is a beautiful Gothic cathedral where many British kings and queens have been crowned. It’s also the final resting place of many famous historical figures, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Geoffrey Chaucer. A guided tour of Westminster Abbey is a great way to learn about the history of Britain.
4. Natural History Museum
See Natural History Museum Family Activities
Admission Cost: Free
For Younger Kids: Variety of activities, including a fossil hunting game, a Dino Snores sleepover, and a family trail.
For Older Kids: Interactive exhibits and galleries to keep older kids engaged.
The Natural History Museum is one of the world’s leading museums of natural history. It’s home to a vast collection of fossils, animals, and minerals, and it’s also home to the popular Darwin Centre. A visit to the Natural History Museum is a great way to learn about the natural world.
5. The Science Museum
Admission Cost: Free
For Younger Kids: Variety of child-friendly activities, including a discovery centre, and a 4D cinema.
For Older Kids: Interactive exhibits, galleries, and a chance to see rockets & other machines.
The Science Museum is one of the world’s leading museums of science and technology. It’s home to a vast collection of objects, including the world’s first steam locomotive and the Apollo 10 command module. A visit to the Science Museum is a great way to learn about the history of science and technology.
6. The V&A (Victoria & Albert) Museum
Admission Cost: Free
For Younger Kids: The V&A Museum offers a variety of child-friendly activities, including a family trail, workshops, and a treasure hunt.
For Older Kids: Plenty of interactive exhibits and galleries to keep older kids engaged.
The V&A Museum is one of the world’s leading museums of art and design. It’s home to a vast collection of objects, from ancient Egyptian statues to modern paintings. A visit to the V&A Museum is a great way to learn about the history of art and design.
7. The British Library
Visit The British Library Website
Visit The British Library’s Family Page
Admission Cost: Free, although some events & privileges require membership
For Younger Kids: The British Library offers a variety of child-friendly activities, including a family trail, story time, and workshops.
For Older Kids: There are also plenty of interactive exhibits and galleries to keep older kids engaged.
The British Library is one of the world’s largest libraries, and it’s home to a vast collection of books, manuscripts, and maps. A visit to the British Library is a great way to learn about the history of literature and the role London has played in the development of the English language.
8. The National Gallery
Visit The National Gallery Website
Admission Cost: Free
For Younger Kids: The National Gallery offers a variety of child-friendly activities, including a family trail, workshops, and a treasure hunt.
For Older Kids: There are also plenty of interactive exhibits and galleries to keep older kids engaged.
The National Gallery is one of the world’s leading art museums. It’s home to a vast collection of paintings, from the Renaissance to the present day. A visit to the National Gallery is a great way to learn about the history of art.
9. The Tate Modern
Admission Cost: Free (with charge to some exhibits)
For Younger Kids: The Tate Modern offers a variety of child-friendly activities, including a family trail, workshops, and a treasure hunt.
For Older Kids: There are also plenty of interactive exhibits and galleries to keep older kids engaged.
The Tate Modern is one of the world’s leading museums of modern art. It’s home to a vast collection of paintings, sculptures, and installations by some of the world’s most famous artists. They have a family events page on their website, detailing
A visit to the Tate Modern is a great way to learn about the history of modern art.
10. The Imperial War Museum
Visit Imperial War Museum Website
Admission Cost: Free
For Younger Kids: Central hall is full of tanks, aeroplanes and other vehicles.
For Older Kids: The museum also has a Holocaust Exhibition, and a WW1 trench exhibit; helpful if they’re studying the Power & Conflict poetry anthology for GCSE English Lit.
The Imperial War Museum is one of the world’s leading museums of military history. It’s home to a vast collection of objects, from tanks and guns to uniforms and medals. A visit to the Imperial War Museum is a great way to learn about the history of warfare.
11. The Churchill War Rooms (Part of Imperial War Museum)
Visit Churchill War Room Page (part of Imperial War Museum’s Website)
Admission Cost: Prices vary – see price page
For Younger Kids: Audio tour for kids, as well as a family activity trail.
For Older Kids: Guided tours of the war rooms offer an in-depth look at the life and work of Winston Churchill during WWII.
The Churchill War Rooms are a series of underground bunkers that were used by Winston Churchill during World War II. Today, the Churchill War Rooms are open to the public as a museum. A visit to the Churchill War Rooms is a great way to learn about British history and the role London played in World War II.
12. The London Zoo
Admission Cost: prices vary (can get expensive) see prices page
For Younger Kids: The London Zoo offers a variety of child-friendly activities, including a family trail, workshops, and a treasure hunt.
For Older Kids: There are also plenty of interactive exhibits and galleries to keep older kids engaged.
The London Zoo is one of the world’s oldest zoos, and it’s home to a vast collection of animals, from lions and tigers to gorillas and penguins. A visit to the London Zoo is a great way to learn about the natural world.
13. The London Aquarium (Sea Life)
Admission Cost: prices vary (can get expensive) see prices page
For Younger Kids: The London Aquarium offers a variety of child-friendly activities, including a family trail, workshops, and treasure hunt style activities.
For Older Kids: There are also plenty of interactive exhibits and galleries to keep older kids engaged.
The London Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in Europe, and it’s home to a vast collection of fish, from sharks and stingrays to eels and piranhas. A visit to the London Aquarium is a great way to learn about the underwater world.
