Science museums for kids: free days out in London, Manchester and Edinburgh
The best science museums for kids in the UK are free to enter, packed with hands-on exhibits and perfect for a wet February half-term day. London, Manchester and Edinburgh all have world-class museums where children can see dinosaurs, rockets, steam engines and the human body up close. Half-term in most of England runs from 17 to 21 February 2025. Here is what's on, which ages each museum suits, and how to make the day easy.
What's on: free science museums this half-term
General entry is free at the big national museums, with a small charge for some special exhibitions and interactive galleries. Most museums run extra family activities during half-term, such as trails, shows and drop-in workshops.
Book free timed entry where it's offered, and check opening hours and any charges on the official website before you go.
| Museum | City | Best for | Ages | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Science Museum | London | space, flight, inventions | 3+ | free (some paid areas) |
| Natural History Museum | London | dinosaurs, animals, earth | 2+ | free |
| Young V&A | London | play, design, toys | 0–14 | free |
| Royal Museums Greenwich | London | ships, time, stars | 4+ | free (some paid) |
| Horniman Museum and Gardens | London | nature, music, gardens | 2+ | free (aquarium paid) |
| Science and Industry Museum | Manchester | engines, industry, science | 4+ | free |
| Manchester Museum | Manchester | dinosaurs, nature, cultures | 2+ | free |
| National Museum of Scotland | Edinburgh | science, nature, history | 2+ | free |
| Dynamic Earth | Edinburgh | planet earth, climate | 5+ | ££ |
Price per person: free = no charge, £ = under about £10, ££ = about £10–£20, £££ = over £20. Rough guide only, prices change.
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What's in it for kids by age
Toddlers love big animals and play spaces; school-age children get the most from interactive science galleries.
- Under fives: Young V&A, the Natural History Museum's dinosaurs and the National Museum of Scotland's animal galleries.
- Ages five to eight: space and flight at the Science Museum, machines and inventions in Manchester and hands-on science in Edinburgh.
- Ages nine and up: interactive galleries, planetarium shows and experiments that explain how things work.
Top science museums for kids in London, Manchester and Edinburgh
London has the biggest choice, but Manchester and Edinburgh offer brilliant free days out too.
London. The Science Museum has rockets, planes and the paid Wonderlab gallery full of experiments. Next door, the Natural History Museum is home to dinosaurs, a blue whale skeleton and an earthquake room. Young V&A in Bethnal Green is designed for children, with play, design and imagination zones. In Greenwich, Royal Museums Greenwich covers ships, time and the stars, and the Horniman Museum and Gardens mixes natural history with gardens and animals.
Manchester. The Science and Industry Museum tells the story of the city's inventions and machines. Manchester Museum has dinosaurs, live animals and galleries about cultures from around the world.
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Edinburgh. The National Museum of Scotland is free and full of science, technology and natural history, with interactive galleries for children. Dynamic Earth is a paid science centre about our planet, and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is free for a breath of fresh air.
Practical: parking, prams and baby change
Use public transport where you can, arrive at opening time and bring a light pushchair.
- Getting there: South Kensington, Bethnal Green and Greenwich are well served by Tube, DLR and buses. In Manchester and Edinburgh, the museums are a walk from the main stations.
- Prams: all the big museums are step-free, but busy galleries are easier with a carrier.
- Baby change: available on several floors.
- Bags: pack light, as some museums have bag checks and limited cloakrooms.
Where to eat nearby
Museum cafés are convenient but busy; a packed lunch in a picnic area saves money. Several museums have picnic spaces for families. Around South Kensington, Bethnal Green, central Manchester and Edinburgh's Old Town, you'll find plenty of family-friendly cafés.
Our guide to kids eat free deals has more budget tips, and you can find cafés on the Kid.ooo map.
Alternatives if it's busy
If the queues are long, head to a smaller museum or a soft play nearby, and come back to the big museum after lunch. Late afternoons are often quieter. For more indoor ideas, see our ranking of indoor play for autumn, and for trips beyond the city, our literary days out for kids.
For twin-mum family life and days out, take a look at @girl_twin_mum_plus_one on Instagram.
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Kid.ooo is a free family days out map where parents share museums, attractions, playgrounds and cafés. Use it to find things to do with kids near me this half-term, and save free days out for the next rainy weekend.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Science Museum in London free?
Yes, general entry to the Science Museum is free, though some exhibitions and the Wonderlab interactive gallery charge. Booking a free timed ticket is recommended in the school holidays.
When is February half-term 2025?
In most of England, February half-term 2025 runs from Monday 17 to Friday 21 February. Scottish schools usually have a shorter mid-term break around the same time, so check local dates.
Which science museum is best for toddlers?
Young V&A in London, the Natural History Museum and the National Museum of Scotland all have spaces for under-fives. Go early in the day and plan just one or two galleries.
Are there free science museums in Manchester?
Yes, the Science and Industry Museum and Manchester Museum both have free general entry. Some special exhibitions may charge, so check before you go.
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