It's free, it's fun, it's BIG and it's got something different each time you visit.
For those still traumatised by school trips or learning, or simply think that their child is too young for museums... time to push those thoughts away and head for the Science Museum in South Kensington.
For your baby or toddler, get yourselves to the basement for 'The Garden' and the 3rd floor for 'the launchpad'.
The Garden is specifically aimed at the under 5's. There's areas with different textured items to play with, lots of funny sounds, places to climb in, a mini water rapid (with raincoats provided - okay they just put their hands in, but we all know this means that the whole body can still get wet), and an area with big soft blocks, mini hard hats and wheelbarrows (a firm favourite with Lily).
It's a nice fairly enclosed area, with brilliant staff on-hand to monitor/help the children.
The launchpad is aimed at older children, but this is really an area for all ages (parents - this is great for us too!). There are big bubble blowers, pumps that push balls through tubes, the 'big machine' that is too hard to describe - try and imagine a mix of pulleys, buckets, levers, slides, plus a hell of a lot of confetti! It's mesmerising! There's so much more too - lots of the littlies love the magnet block - it's just a few big magnets with teaspoons. What more could you need?The surprising thing about the museum is its practicalities. They make it easy for you. Ramps, lifts, pram parks & babychange. Music to one's ears.
And... it's in a big building with lots of open space. If it's a wet weather day, this is a great location just to let your toddler have a run around the long hallways, and play peekaboo in the exhibition areas that erm... well that no-one tends to go into.
One last tip - avoid the weekend rush and go during the week if possible or early on a weekend. Otherwise... let's just say that the 'big machine' gets the kids pretty excited.. and we know how loud a room of excited kids can be!!
Practicalities -
Pram Access: Excellent. Ramps and Lifts throughout the museum. Secure pram park on ground floor (costs). Non secure on all floors.
Cost: it's FREE
Cafes: there are a few dotted throughout the museum. The ground floor one is the best (and has high chairs). The prices ARE a bit steep (the no-cost entry justifies this to me though), but 'picnic' areas are also throughout the museum if you want to BYO.
Babychange: yes. on all floors
Where: Exhibition Road in South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD.
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How to get there: South Kensington tube has a lift (from piccadilly line only) and a few stairs. Plenty of buses run nearby.
Enjoy!
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