The British Museum
Open today from 1000 until 0500
I was a bit apprehensive about a family trip with our daughter and her cousins, ages 2, 3 and 5 to the British Museum. Out of all the museums in London I was worried about if there was enough to keep them engaged for a few minutes as they are all quite young. Had I done a little information gathering on their website I would have known there was no need. Luckily, I spotted the families desk as soon as we got there and saw that they had trails and you could, for a small deposit or handing in a photo ID, borrow a gallery backpack. The Under 5s gallery backpack contained Alfred the Explorer (a little furry puppet friend) to lead the kids on their adventure, torches, a magnifying glass, glasses with interchangeable colour lenses, a mirror, a story book, rain maker and flash cards with suggested activities and things to look out for around the museum. Perfect to help parents/carers to engage their children with the environment. There are also different themed backpacks for children between the ages 5-9, 7-11 and 8-12, more information can be found on the museum website. They are available from the Families desk 10.30-15.00 every weekend and during school holidays, and during the week in term time you can pick one up from the Ford Centre for Young Visitors..
When we picked up the backpack we were offered one of the Free Open Futures family trails. These are again available from the Families desk during weekends and holidays but can also be downloaded from their website. The age 3-5 trail explores colours and shapes. It created a little adventure to mix in facts and activities and prompting children to find certain artifacts, shapes, patterns and colours. It was great to see the children focused on the trail as they found staying calm and engaged in the other galleries a bit overwhelming and just wanted to run around as kids do!
There are toilets on every floor and baby changing facilities in several areas of the museum. Pushchairs can be checked in to the cloakroom for free, though the galleries are accessible it can be quite busy and the quickest routes between galleries do involve small staircases. There is a Pizzeria and cafes on the ground floor and The Court Restaurant on the upper floor. The Pizzeria and restaurant both have children's menus and there are high chairs available to use. At weekends and school holiday the Ford Centre for Young Visitors offers an area for families to enjoy their picnics.
Next time before going we will definitely check out the events calendar. Having a browse now and I have found different workshops for under 5's that explore different themes, creativity and sensory play. There are a range of events that cover different age groups and they all appear to be free though booking is essential for some events.
Entry to the museum is free. There is a price for special exhibition for anyone over the age of 16, concessions available. Under 16 years accompanied by a paying adult are free.
Recommended by Theresa Ho with children ages 3 - Tue Jan 09 2018
Details
- Address:
- Great Russell Street
Bloomsbury
London
Greater London
England
United Kingdom
WC1B 3DG
- Contact:
- 020 7323 8299
- Price:
- Free
- Website:
- http://www.britishmuseum.org/
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