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Museum of London Docklands

Families fun and learning for all

From specially-designed interactive children’s galleries, free activity bags and stimulating online games, as well as all-important details like high chairs and baby-changing spaces, we’re a perfect fun family visit.

In this section
Family visits to the Museum of London
Family visits to the Museum of London Docklands
Fun learning at home
Family enews

Family favourites

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

1/5 Family favourites

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 Mudlarks

2/5 Family favourites

Get mudlarking!

Mudlarks is just for you! Created for under 5s and their carers, this gallery is an interactive play area split into zones. Experiment with floating and sinking in the water play area, load some cargo or dig for treasure in this fun, safe space to learn and let off steam (advance booking advised).
Family favourites festivals

3/5 Family favourites

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.
Family favourites interventions

4/5 Family favourites

Hands-on fun

We’ve placed specially designed playful opportunities for children and families to have fun all through our galleries. From a miniature Sainsbury’s shop in our Sainsbury gallery to a tool bench for shipbuilding in First Port of Empire, get hands-on!
Family favourites Sailortown

5/5 Family favourites

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…
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Looking for a party with a difference? Celebrate your birthday with us

Event highlights

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.

  • People browse the Sainsbury Study Centre displays.

    Sainsbury's activity sheet

    Learn about keeping shop with these fun activities to do in the Sainsbury Study Centre area of the museum during your visit.

    PDF
  • A parent and small child using a family trail around a Museum of London Docklands gallery.

    Shapes trail for under 5s

    Explore the galleries to find shapes in this simple, accessible trail for little ones.

    PDF
  • Explore our Museum of London Docklands with this gallery trail for families.

    Welcome to the warehouse!

    Use this fun trail for 5+ years to structure your visit around our galleries.

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

    Under 5s explorers

    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

    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!

    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 for all your bits and pieces for £1 per use

Cafe and restaurants

Our café has kids’ menus, highchairs, buggy-parking, bottle-warming and books and colouring for little ones. Our restaurant has kids’ menus, highchairs and a kids eat free offer!

Picnic area

We have indoor spaces for you to eat your own picnics at weekends and during school holidays from 10am – 5.50pm

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

Our children’s gallery brings London’s docks to life with hands-on activities, moving models, soft play and a watery zone!

ace.jpg We love Kids in Museums Logo showing the museum as a winner of the Best Family Event from the Family Arts Festival.