The best museums in London for kids at a price you can deal with

London is a great destination for families.  But one detractor is the cost – a trip to this city isn’t necessarily all that cheap.  Hotels and restaurants can be quite dear – as can many of the most popular attractions.  But you can have a fabulous time and save a few dollars by heading to London’s museums.  They are fun, fabulous and best of all, FREE.

When James Smithson decided that the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC should be free of charge to the public, he was taking a page from London’s book.  In this old city on the Thames, you’ll find several great museums that only ask you to show up and enjoy.  Talk about a serious travel value.

1. The Science Museum

This is, by far, my favorite.  At London’s Science Museum, you can check out planes, trains and automobiles, learn more about the human body and even play with photography.  It has lots of kid-friendly exhibits and you’ll feel like a bit of a kid yourself as you run through the myriad of exhibits.

2. The National Gallery

Like DC’s version, this is an art museum that will impress.  The museum has over 2,300 masterpieces you and your family can enjoy for free including works by Seurat, Monet, Rubens and Holbein.

3.  The Natural History Museum

Who doesn’t love dinosaurs?  Take a wander around London’s expansive Natural History Museum to check out fossils, ancient Man, butterflies and more.

4. The Victoria and Albert Museum

Kids who appreciate aesthetics will love the V&A – from the beautiful exterior of the building to the incredible stuff inside, you’ll be overwhelmed by the pretty.  Here you’ll find a huge collection of decorative objects including ceramics, jewelry, sculpture and textiles – and enough kid-related exhibits to keep them happy, too.

5.  The British Museum

This is the next best thing to a trip around the world.  The British Museum houses artifacts from Egypt, Rome and Ancient Greece.  Your kids can check out the Rosetta Stones, Renaissance Drawings and a few crispy mummies.  What’s not fun about that?

July 29th, 2010 | by Kayt Sukel Comment