Tips To Visit The British Museum with Kids: A Family-Friendly Guide
We were only going to be in London for a weekend and it was just me and my kiddo traversing the city. We had a number of things we wanted to see after reading some books on British history and the sights, but I wanted to make sure we were efficient. Not to mention, I know my little lady won’t walk for ages and ages happily, and we wanted to be budget-friendly too. How to line it all up?
With all of my specs in mind and searching up free things to do in London, I came upon the British Museum which not only drew me in thanks to its vast collection of over 8 million artifacts, but on top of that, we could also have a high tea set at the British Museum. A two-for-one for tourists to London if there ever was on.
Keeping a kid motivated in such a large museum can seem daunting, but add a perfect break with scones and tea and we can have two great London experiences in one go.
Get ready to visit the British Museum with kids and enjoy it to the max:
- Basic Info
- Is the British Museum Free?
- Planning Your Visit
- Highlights and Trails for Kids
- Take a Break with High Tea
- Must-See Exhibits
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Basic Info
Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom
Hours: Saturday – Thursday: 10:00am ~ 5:00pm; Friday: 10:00am ~ 8:30pm
Audio App: Audio guides are available for a rental fee in English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and British Sign Language.
Family-friendly Facilities: From baby-changing facilities on every floor to kid-friendly menus in the cafes, they’ve got you covered. For those visiting with infants, breastfeeding is welcome anywhere, and there are private feeding rooms available for a quieter space.
The museum is stroller accessible, and you can store it in the cloakroom if needed.
Website: www.britishmuseum.org
Is the British Museum Free?
Yes! The British Museum is free to enter, making it an accessible option for everyone. If you have more time, plan several short visits to see everything. Less time, go and see what you can.
Planning Your Visit
Attempting to see everything on display at the British Museum would be overwhelming. Instead, utilize the museum’s online resources to pinpoint must-see exhibits. If you’re headed to the museum with kids, I suggest considering what they’ve been learning about in school or with you and visit exhibits in line with that so they’re more interested and already knowledgeable on various aspects of what they’re seeing.
Some exhibits are more popular than others, and your children are likely more or less interested in different parts of history as well so don’t feel like you have to see the most popular things if that’s not what your group is into.
For instance, the Egyptian mummies are a hit but can get crowded, so timing your visit can make all the difference if you want to see the most popular exhibits. We’ve studied mummies and seen various exhibitions with them so we were more interested in some other things.
In 2020, the museum introduced a one-way route to navigate through the ground floor galleries, including ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and more, making it easier to explore without missing the highlights though if that’s what you’re there for.
Highlights and Trails for Kids
Some museums just know how to engage children better than others. The British Museum shines when it comes to making the experience engaging for children.
Sensory Backpacks
Ages: Under 5s – 16
Leave a £10 deposit and you can pick up a backpack with different themes like “Little feet: Alfred the Explorer” for the youngest of visitors, “Young Artist Backpack”, “Egyptian Mummies” all the way up to “Marvelous Mexico” and “Art Backpack” for the older kids in your family.
Check their website to see what backpack themes are available so you know what to ask for when you arrive.
British Museum Explorer Trails
Ages: 3 – 6+
There are also free Museum explorer trails tailored to different age groups. These trails, like the color-focused one for toddlers or the Ancient Egypt trail for older children, turn the visit into an exciting adventure.
What to know about the British Museum Explorer Trails:
- Download and print the explorer trails at home so you can bring them in and complete them in your own time.
- Limited paper copies of the Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt explorer trails are available at the Families Desk located in the Great Court.
- You can also download trails on your smartphone or device, or at the Museum by scanning the QR codes at the Families Desk.
- Museum explorer trails take 30–40 minutes to complete.
Take a Break with High Tea
One of the experiences my daughter absolutely wanted to have while in London, England was high tea and after scouring the internet for the best high tea in London and reading numerous articles, I was thrilled when I found out we could have high tea right in the British Museum atrium.
Rather than hopping all over the city, this was a great way for us as tourists to London to have two great experiences in one stop, which is much more kid-friendly.
The perfect way to take a break from the numerous exhibitions and artifacts is with a snack. There’s a cafe on the first floor where you can pick up quick eats if you didn’t bring your own. But, if you want to amp up the experience or are short of time in your London itinerary, make a reservation at the Great Court Restaurant upstairs. Their high tea was so good.
- Hours: Lunch: 11:30am ~ 3:00pm; Afternoon Tea: 11:30am ~ 5:00pm
- Booking: Advanced booking is essential because it’s a very busy museum. We walked right in at our reservation time and found our table, however we saw numerous people sent away while we were enjoying our tea. You can book right on the museum website.
Must-See Exhibits
Back out to the museum exhibits after a stop off for high tea and there are a myriad of artifacts to find. There are a number of more popular things to see including a Rosetta Stone replica, the bust of Ramesses the Great, and the mysterious Hoa Hakananai’a from Easter Island. The rooms that house these tend to be busier than others because they are promoted.
The Ife head, Aztec serpent, and the Sloane Astrolabe offer glimpses into diverse cultures and histories, while the upper floors house the mummy of Katebet and the mummified bull, showcasing ancient Egyptian rituals.
For those interested in more contemporary history, the samurai armor and the Sutton Hoo ship burial offer fascinating insights into the lives of warriors and kings. And for a touch of adventure, the Royal Game of Ur and pieces of eight evoke tales of ancient games and pirate treasure.
Of course, don’t overlook spaces and places that I haven’t mentioned. As we are a American and Korean family, we also wanted to check out the Korean exhibit and this space was very quiet and without the crowds. The quieter less-touted halls can be a wonderful and quieter respite with kids with just as much to explore.
There is a lot to enjoy about the British Museum in London, England whether you have a lot of time or a little or just want one place to spend the day rather than traipsing around the city. Get ready to learn, experience, and have fun with your kids in tow.
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