These museums all have the thumbs up from children and their parents, who voted them winners of our annual Family Friendly Museum Award – the only museum award decided by families!
Whether you like science, art, sport or history, there’s something for everyone at these hands-on, educational venues.
With winners all over the UK, scroll on to find the best museums for kids near you. Don’t forget to check each museum’s website for full visiting information.
Horniman Museum and Gardens
London
The Horniman Museum Aquarium. Photo by Joel Knight.
A firm favourite with families in London, the Horniman Museum celebrates global cultures and the natural environment.
Stroll around the Gardens, learn about marine life in the Aquarium and explore the Butterfly House.
Don’t miss: The museum’s popular Animal Walk.
National Emergency Services Museum
Sheffield
Photo by Msc1 photography for Kids in Museums.
This small museum champions the work of the emergency services and won the Family Friendly Museum Award 2022. With interactive galleries, climbing walls and driving simulators, there are plenty of things for children to get hands on with.
Keep an eye out for fun family events, from sensory play for the littlest visitors to STEM workshops with a real Forensic Anthropologist.
One family said: “This was a fabulous museum for families, so many hands on and interactive exhibits and vehicles to get on and see and interact with. My three old son loved the museum and he was so engaged running around wanting to see all the different vehicles.”
Craven Museum | Skipton Town Hall
Skipton
Photo by Stephen Garrett for Kids in Museums.
Winner of the Family Friendly Museum Award 2023, this local museum is a treasure trove of local history and stood out for its super friendly staff and great accessibility. You can get hands on with interactives in the galleries, which cover everything from rocks to the Romans, furniture to Shakespeare’s First Folio.
Pick up a free family trail and enjoy a varied programme of events for all ages in the school holidays.
One family judge said: “This is one of the most accessible, family-friendly and welcoming museums I have visited across Britain.”
Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery
Alnwick
Image: Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery
Winner of the Family Friendly Museum Award 2021, this small volunteer-run museum in Northumberland shares the history of the local area and blew our family judges away with its welcoming volunteers.
Families loved the Viking camp, being encouraged to get hands-on throughout, seeing information displayed at child height and the practical family facilities.
Don’t miss: The popular Museum Mouse trail – keep an eye out for the cute critters as you make your way around the museum!
National Maritime Museum
London
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London.
Set sail back in time on a fun family adventure and discover the great expeditions and explorers that have shaped our world. Pick up a family trail or backpack to help you explore the galleries, from Seafarers and maritime battles to Polar Worlds and expeditions.
Don’t miss: The AHOY! Children’s Gallery designed specifically for under 7s. Kids can captain a ship, stoke the boiler of a steamship, buy and sell fish in the marketplace, and make new friends in the interactive boatyard.
The Beaney
Canterbury
Image: The Beaney
At The Beaney you can see everything from ancient Egyptian objects to contemporary art. Keep an eye out for explorer points and activities to help you explore together as a family.
With an award-winning wellbeing programme, the museum is a calm and welcoming space with lots to do for all ages, including dressing up, mummifying toy animals, sensory backpacks and much more!
One family said: “People there are friendly and we feel like at home. We can spend hours with activities in every room and always finding something new.”
Royal Cornwall Museum
Truro
Image: Royal Cornwall Museum
Discover Cornish history and art at this museum in the county town of Cornwall. Families loved the helpful staff, relaxed atmosphere and annual tickets. The museum aims to be an inclusive space for all; the museum is part of Pride, displays young people’s work and highlights environmental issues, like beach pollution.
Don’t miss: The Bonython Gallery is a dedicated family space with garden style games, toddler toys, books and bean bags, plus lots of interactives.
Museum of Making
Derby
Photo by Kate Lowe Photography.
The Museum of Making opened in 2021 to inspire the next generation of engineers and problem solvers! Designed with families in Derby, the museum has great facilities, in particular the family friendly River Kitchen café, and friendly volunteers.
Enjoy a range of hands-on activities throughout, as well as regular family workshops, trails and crafts. You can even make your own bespoke digital trail.
One family judge, aged 10, said: “Best museum ever that we ever went to!”
London Transport Museum
London
© The London Transport Museum
Explore the history of London and its transport system over the last 200 years at this interactive, family friendly museum.
Climb aboard vintage buses, trains, taxis and, of course, the world’s first underground railway. Try your hand at driving or fixing a modern tube train and learn how to signal a train.
Don’t miss: The museum’s dedicated play zone for children under 7s, All Aboard.
Museum of Liverpool
Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool © Gareth Jones
This city history museum tells the story of Liverpool from prehistoric times to the present day.
Families named it Best Large Museum in 2019 for its excellent accessibility and facilities, interactive displays and friendly staff who were happy to answer all kinds of questions.
Families loved: The museum backpacks which encouraged conversation across generations.
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