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Museum of London Docklands

Families fun and learning for all

The Museum of London and the Museum of London Docklands are now closed, but there are still plenty of free family museum activities and games that you can take on at home - click on the Fun learning at home tab below to find out more.
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Family visits to the Museum of London
Family visits to the Museum of London Docklands
Fun learning at home
Lunar New Year virtual festival

Family favourites

An outside view of the Museum of London Docklands with families in view.

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A welcoming warehouse

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.
Family favourites Sailortown

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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…
Family favourites festivals

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Family fiesta!

We run a large dedicated programme of festivals especially for families – we’ve won awards for our family events. We’re experts at giving you creative, playful learning opportunities designed to let young imaginations run wild, and all at a friendly local venue.
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Event highlights

Stand up comedy workshops

Set sail for storytelling

See all family events

Things to do during your visit

  • 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.

  • A parent and small child using an activity trail in a gallery.

    Under 5s explorers

    Unfortunately these backpacks are temporarily unavailable.

    Become a museum explorer with one of our under 5s backpacks filled with games, toys and puzzles to help you delve into our galleries. Pick one up for free from the front desk when you arrive (£5 refundable deposit).

  • Image of a mat to support you and your baby in exploring the museum galleries.

    Baby mat

    Unfortunately these mats are temporarily unavailable.

    Explore the museum galleries with your baby and play with a range of colourful, noisy and sensory items together. Pick one up for free from the front desk when you arrive (£10 refundable deposit).

  • A child doing a hands-on activity during a families session.

    Ahoy there!

    Unfortunately these activities are temporarily unavailable.

    Set sail on an adventure through our galleries. Tell stories of travelling the seven seas, test your skills as a sailor and discover treasures from all around the world with our free adventure bags! Suitable for ages 7+ - just ask at our front desk on arrival (£5 refundable deposit).

Family facilities

Lockers

Lockers will not be in use until further notice

Cafe and restaurants

Our café will relocate to our restaurant Rum & Sugar, which can be found to the side of the museum. This space will be open from 11.30am-3pm Monday to Friday, and 10am-5.30pm Saturday and Sunday, where you will be able to purchase coffee, a selection of beverages and a limited cafe menu offer

Picnic area

The indoor lunch spaces at the Museum of London Docklands will remain closed, but there will be seating outside where you can enjoy your own food

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 interactive gallery

This gallery will remain closed until further notice

ace.jpg We love Kids in Museums Family Arts Standards logo The words Cultural Inclusion Manifesto are beside two intersecting green squares.