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FREE ENTRY Docklands open Monday-Sunday, 10am-5pm Plan your visit For families For schools Collections
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Museum of London Docklands

Families fun and learning for all

Discover London's river, port and people on a perfect family day out at the Museum of London Docklands.

Christmas events
In this section
Family visits to the Museum of London Docklands
Fun learning at home
Mudlarks family gallery
Birthday parties

Family highlights

Father Christmas in his grotto at Museum of London Docklands

1/5 Family highlights

Christmas activities for families

Boogie to festive favourites in our silent disco, sing and clap along to soul and Motown hits in our baby-friendly concert and experience the magic of frost fairs in our immersive play area.
Two children playing with the train table at Museum of London Docklands

2/5 Family highlights

Top 10 things to do with kids

Calling all sailors! Discover the docks through a wide range of activities for our youngest visitors.
Children playing in the Mudlarks family gallery

3/5 Family highlights

Discover Mudlarks

Take on challenges and get hands on in our interactive Mudlarks gallery for children. Become a builder, diver or a stevedore and learn about the history of the docks through play.

Family favourites Sailortown

4/5 Family highlights

Ahoy there!

Wind your way through the dark streets of dockside Victorian London in our recreated Sailortown. Peep into the Animal Emporium and chandlers’ shops and pop into the Three Mariners pub for a tipple! But hold your nose and listen out: these streets have smells and sounds as well as sights…
The exterior of Museum of London Docklands

5/5 Family highlights

Plan your trip to the docks

We're housed in a wonderful old warehouse building right on the docks and an easy walk from lots of transport options. When the weather's good, enjoy your picnic on the waterfront, or snuggle into our family-friendly cafe with books, colouring and special lunchtime deals for little ones.
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Event highlights

See all family events

Things to do during your visit

  • a family group looking at a stuffed toy rat in costume in the Sailortown gallery

    Tail trail map

    Pick up a blank family tree and map from the Family Desk when you arrive and find Riley Ratcliffe's relatives on a visit the museum.

    PDF
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    Family highlights map

    Use this map to find your way around the museum and see the displays, activities and areas especially for families.

    PDF
  • The cast of Dodger, a BBC TV series.

    Dodger: A family adventure

    Explore the museum’s collections by taking part in our brand new trail for families based on the BAFTA-winning BBC TV series, Dodger.

    PDF
  • Children during a supplementary schools visit playing an object game.

    Yes or no?

    Choose a favourite object and see if others can guess it by asking only questions answered ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

    Tricky…

  • Children studying a case during a supplementary school visit to the Museum of London.

    Remember, remember...

    Study a single case of objects during your visit, and then turn around and see how many objects within it you can name.

    Peep at the end to see what you forgot!

  • A girl viewing an object during a supplementary schools visit to the Museum of London.

    Colour hunt!

    Everyone chooses a colour or material (remember that modern materials like plastic haven’t been around long!). Search galleries for objects the same colour or material.

    Younger children might like to look for shapes as well as colours.

Family facilities

Lockers

Lockers are available, just ask a member of staff for directions

Café

Our café is open for snacks, drinks and hot beverages between 10am-4.30pm

Picnic area

Our Lee Boo Room has seating for those wanting to bring their own food at weekends and in school holidays

Baby changing

We have baby changing facilities to help keep all our visitors happy – even the littlest!

Family accessibility

The museum is fully accessible to our buggy and wheelchair users

Mudlarks family gallery

You will need to book a ticket to access Mudlarks

ace.jpg We love Kids in Museums Two cartoon eyes above the words 'Fantastic For Families' The words Cultural Inclusion Manifesto are beside two intersecting green squares.