Natural History Museum London With Kids: Is It Worth Visiting?

If you’re planning a trip to London with kids, the Natural History Museum should be on your list. Not only is it one of the most beautiful museums we visited in London, but it’s FREE!

We originally added the Natural History Museum to our London itinerary for the dinosaur gallery because my 5-year-old loves dinosaurs. I expected him to enjoy it, but I was surprised by how much our entire family loved exploring the museum.

Between the dinosaurs, enormous blue whale skeleton, incredible architecture and endless galleries, there really is something for everyone here.

If you’re visiting the Natural History Museum London with kids, here’s everything I’d recommend knowing before you go.

Is the Natural History Museum in London Good for Kids?

Absolutely!

Our youngest was especially excited about the dinosaurs, but our whole family enjoyed walking around the different galleries and learning so much. There are a lot of interactive games and activities for older kids too.

The museum is huge, so you definitely don’t need to see everything in one visit. I would recommend picking up a map when you enter and picking a few galleries the whole family will enjoy. It can get tiring walking all over this huge museum but there are benches along the way in different galleries to rest.

Is the Natural History Museum London Free?

Yes! One of the best things about visiting the Natural History Museum in London is that general admission to the museum’s galleries is FREE.

There are some special exhibitions and experiences that require a separate paid ticket, but there is more than enough included with free admission to fill several hours with kids.

Even though admission is free, I highly recommend reserving a free timed-entry ticket online before your visit. London’s museums can get incredibly busy, especially during weekends and peak summer months. We booked our timed tickets the morning of and had no problem getting a time spot that afternoon, but if you plan on visiting a specific day or time you’ll want to book a week or two in advance.

Reserve your tickets here: Natural History Museum London

TIP: Always check the Natural History Museum’s official website before your visit for current opening hours, ticket information and any gallery closures.

Best Things to See at the Natural History Museum London With Kids

There is SO much to see, and what you prioritize will depend on the ages and interests of your kids.

A few family favorites include:

• The Dinosaur Gallery
• Hope, the enormous blue whale skeleton hanging in Hintze Hall
• The Stegosaurus skeleton
• The volcanos gallery
• The earthquake simulator
• Mammals and other animal exhibits
• The museum’s gardens

Don’t Miss the Dinosaur Gallery

The Dinosaur Gallery was the main reason we visited, thanks to my dino-loving 5-year-old, and it was definitely a highlight.

You’ll find dinosaur fossils and skeletons while learning about how dinosaurs lived and what scientists have discovered about them.

There are a lot of interactive games for older kids too! And the T-rex was a hit with all my kids.

If your kids love dinosaurs too, I’d recommend making this gallery your very first stop. There’s also a cute gift shop just outside the gallery with everything dinosaur themed.

And if you have a dinosaur lover in your family and want to see the gallery before the museum opens, you can check out this paid event:

Early Riser Jurassic Tours: These morning tours take place on select dates from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The Group sizes are kept small so if you want to do this tour I would recommend booking your tickets 1-2 months in advance.

How Long Do You Need at the Natural History Museum London?

I would plan on spending around 2–3 hours at the Natural History Museum with kids, as it does get tiring walking all over the museum. I would pick a few galleries everyone can enjoy and focus on seeing those.

You could easily make it a full day at the museum if you wanted to as there are cafes on site or you could bring a lunch. This would be a perfect family activity on a rainy day!

Tips for Visiting the Natural History Museum London With Kids

Here are a few things I would keep in mind when planning your visit:

Reserve your free ticket ahead of time.
General admission is free, but booking a timed ticket ahead of time can make your visit much easier, especially during busy travel periods. Book any special event tickets at least a month in advance.

Don’t try to see everything.
This museum is enormous! Look at the museum map beforehand and choose a few must-see exhibits for your family.

Prioritize your kids’ favorite exhibit.
If you’re coming specifically for the dinosaurs like we were, head there first while everyone is excited to explore.

You can bring your own food.
If you want to save a little money, you can enjoy a picnic outside in the museum gardens. There are also several cafe’s and restaurants onsite.

Check for gallery closures.
Exhibits and galleries occasionally close for maintenance, so take a quick look at the museum website before you go.

Where to Eat at the Natural History Museum With Kids

There are several family-friendly restaurants and cafes onsite including a T. Rex restaurant and a few cafes throughout to grab a quick snack.

You can also bring your own food into the museum and use the designated picnic area. During nice weather, you can take your food outside and enjoy the museum gardens and have a family picnic.

If you prefer to eat outside of the museum Honest Burgers, South Kensington is a great option with a kids menu and gluten-free options.

Things to Do Near the Natural History Museum With Kids

There is so much to see in this part of London, you an easily turn this area into a full day of exploring.

South Kensington has several other popular London attractions nearby.

The Science Museum is right next door and is another fantastic free London museum for families. Both of these museums are nice rainy day options.

The Victoria and Albert Museum is also nearby, while Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park and Kensington Palace can all be worked into a day in this part of London.

Natural History Museum London With Kids: FAQ

What age is best for the Natural History Museum London?

The Natural History Museum is fun for kids of all ages. Younger kids may especially enjoy the dinosaurs and animals, while older kids can dive deeper into exhibits about the Earth, evolution and science.

We visited with our three kids, including our 5-year-old, and there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Do you need tickets for the Natural History Museum London?

General admission is free, but I recommend reserving a free timed-entry ticket before your visit, especially during busy times.

Some temporary exhibitions and special experiences require paid tickets.

What is the closest Tube station to the Natural History Museum?

The closest Tube station is South Kensington, served by the Circle, District and Piccadilly lines.

Can you bring food into the Natural History Museum?

Yes. You can bring food, and the museum has a picnic area as well as outdoor gardens where you can enjoy a picnic.

How much time should families spend at the Natural History Museum?

I would allow around 2–3 hours with kids. You can certainly spend longer, but I don’t think you need to see every gallery to have a great visit.

Is the Natural History Museum London Worth Visiting With Kids?

For us, absolutely.

We went because my 5-year-old wanted to see the dinosaurs, but it ended up being a museum our entire family enjoyed.

If you’re looking for free things to do in London with kids, I would definitely add the Natural History Museum to your family itinerary.