Maybe it’s as a result of its neighbours are so clearly family-friendly that I didn’t consider visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum with children at first. Whereas we visited the Pure Historical past Museum, the Science Museum and the British Museum whereas my daughter was toddling, it took over 4 years to find if the V&A is child-friendly.
Nicely, extra idiot me. As a result of though the world’s largest museum of ornamental and utilized arts doesn’t immediately shout ‘excellent with small children’, they’ve such a superb and interesting vary, to not point out some very child-friendly actions, that we had large enjoyable visiting.
So whether or not you fancy seeing the world’s most vital Persian carpet, sixteenth century English knightly artefacts, golden Buddhas, the costumes from the Lion King, historic court docket attire or artwork and sculpture from the Nice Masters, listed here are my recommendations on visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum with children.
For my full set of recommendations on visiting London’s museums with toddlers and children, try my final information in addition to the very best issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers
1. Go within the facet door
It’s often simpler to enter by the smaller Exhibition Highway entrance or from the tunnel connected to the tube at South Kensington, moderately than the Grand Entrance on Cromwell Highway.
There’s a cloakroom right here too, the place coats, small luggage and baby scooters price £3, as do coats and small luggage, and in addition maps as you are available. You’ll discover one other cloakroom on the Cromwell Highway entrance.
There’s additionally a buggy park close to each the Exhibition Highway entrance and Cromwell Highway Entrance. Don’t miss seeing the spectacular important entrance although: after you exit, gaze again up the steps, earlier than strolling a brief approach in direction of the Pure Historical past Museum and the doorway again into the underground.
2. Head straight to the Studying Centre
With an entire array of actions for 5 to 12-year-olds on totally different themes, it’s no shock they’ve received awards. The free household actions do range and there are digital trails to observe as effectively.
Hold a watch out for occasions the place youthful children can borrow backpacks – my daughter liked the particular ‘Agent Animal’ backpack for under-fives, with six animals to trace down in a number of of the museum galleries. Together with a jigsaw to finish for every, there have been six little devices making the noise of the animal as effectively.
You want ID to go away as a deposit (a bank card or driver’s licence for instance) with a map to assist dad and mom work out on the place to search out them, so that you needn’t wander each single gallery, in addition to photographs of the six animals in case you occur to stumble throughout a number of elephants.
Throughout our visits, my daughter has additionally tried out the explorer and adventurer trails with their exercise sheets – all the pieces from the problem of designing her personal improbable beast to sitting on the sofas imagining the place she’d fly her magic carpet, as we surveyed the spectacular Persian rug.
3. Play costume up
Across the nook from the Studying Centre, head to the Theatre Assortment. In addition to some fascinating costumes and miniature stage units, with spectacular element – don’t miss the fantastic costumes from the Lion King, that are assured to attraction to all ages
You’ll usually discover outfits for youths to decorate up in as effectively. Most have been gigantic on my petite four-year-old however that was half the enjoyable, and he or she strolled regally round carrying one cloak earlier than reinventing herself and providing me three needs.
4. Try the picnic spot
When you’ve introduced your individual meals, there are additionally tables on this a part of the museum for lunch – these could solely be obtainable exterior faculty hours although – together with some seats exterior in good climate, together with the Exhibition Highway Courtyard and John Madejski Backyard, as you’re not allowed to eat within the galleries themselves.
If not, the cafe has youngsters’s meal offers (a mini baguette with veg pot, fruit and drink) in addition to some pretty choices for adults. They’re pricy although when you simply desire a snack. Excessive chairs are supplied in the primary cafe and Backyard Café (solely open at weekends throughout the winter interval).
5. Get outdoor
When you want a break and a few contemporary air, there’s a backyard within the centre to stroll (run) round. It’s price noting that the shallow water, with its gently effervescent fountains, would even be very simple to run straight into when you’ve bought an inquisitive toddler but it surely’s a beautiful house on a sunny day.
The backyard cafe is on different facet, so it’s simple to mix lunch or a snack break with a while exterior the galleries.
6. Make a noise (effectively, some noise)
You’re inspired to not stand in reverent silence earlier than the displays however to debate, debate, take pleasure in, and a few seats are dotted round to take a seat as you eye all the pieces up, reminiscent of that priceless (presumably flying) carpet.
Minnie examined that tacit noise approval to its restrict within the Theatre Assortment as a preschooler however workers are very welcoming and approving of children within the museum.
7. Discover the interactive components
Some galleries have extra that’s arms on than others – throughout one go to, the gathering from England 1500-1600 included a carved piece of wooden you could possibly contact, a ruff and mailed gauntlet to put on, plus you could possibly design your individual coat of arms and e-mail it to your self.
My daughter needed to be coaxed away after designing three. Different galleries provide the probability to make a brass rubbing or do a large puzzle of reproduction medieval tiles, plus we’ve additionally designed a formidable wig.
It’s also possible to play varied video games in your telephone or a pill whilst you’re there – the museum has free WiFi so that you don’t must obtain something.
8. Take advantage of the amenities
There are lifts throughout the museum when you have a buggy, in addition to some spectacular sweeping stairs tucked away close to two of the short-term exhibitions.
You’ll additionally discover bogs there that are so much quieter – and larger – than these than the doorway. There are bogs on all ranges, in addition to child altering on 0, 1, 2 and 4.
9. Save your pennies
Though entrance is free, the exhibitions every have a separate price (until you’re a member) however 11-year-olds and beneath go free.
However there’s SO a lot to see, you don’t must go in until you actually need to. Now a teen, my Okay-Pop fan daughter has been tempted by an exhibition on Korea, whereas others have featured Alice in Wonderland and Peter Rabbit.
One thing just like the Opus Anglicanum: masterpieces of English Medieval embroidery displaying on one in all our earliest visits, are nearly definitely extra fascinating to adults nevertheless.
For extra methods to see London with out spending a penny, I’ve bought 52 of the very best free issues to do in London with children
10. Hold an open thoughts
However by no means underestimate what catches a small baby’s consideration. As we walked by means of the sculpture gallery, I used to be quizzed about Greek legendary heroes, Samson wielding the jawbone of an ass and a male nude by Rodin.
About the one factor I wasn’t requested about was why none of those disparate statues had any garments on…
11. Set your creativeness free
Hold a watch out for actions going down throughout the faculty holidays, often targeted round one thing inventive, whether or not that’s design, illustration, collage, draw and play, or storytelling.
For a lot of actions you don’t must e-book, simply drop in with actions for all ages together with concepts for under-fives, though some have restricted numbers and are ticketed.
12. Depart loads of time
On our first go to, I’d assumed we would whereas away an hour of the varsity holidays earlier than heading again dwelling – ultimately, we solely ran out of steam (and time) after 4 hours.
Whereas we’ve been again a number of occasions over time, I’d by no means declare that we’ve seen and achieved all the pieces although.
Because it’s quieter than different close by museums – each fewer youngsters (though we definitely weren’t the one household), and fewer guests in complete – you’ll be able to often pack much more in with out battling the crowds too.
For extra issues to do in South Kensington with children, try my choose of the very best
*First posted 2016, final up to date 2026*
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