Kids

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Ragged School Museum

Bank of England Museum
Located within the historic Bank of England building in Threadneedle Street, right in the heart of the City, the museum is only open on weekdays. New attractions include a display commemorating the 250th anniversary of the death of the composer George Frederick Handel who held accounts at the bank, and another to mark the 250th anniversary of the tenner. The latter includes the first version of the note, printed in black and white on one side (a forger’s life must have been somewhat easier back then). The museum has storytellers and workshops for kids, check website for details.
Bank of England Museum, Threadneedle St (entrance in Bartholomew St), EC2R 8AH (7601 5491/www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum). Bank tube. 10am-5pm Mon-Fri. Feature continues

Cartoon Museum
For a more productive artistic outlet than scribbling on the wallpaper, try taking your budding Tony Millionaires to this Bloomsbury museum. The first-floor gallery is the most engaging for children, and includes original artwork loaned by publications like the Beano and the Dandy. There’s a cartoonist in residence and lots to make and do. Visit the museum’s website for details of cartooning and animation workshops.
Cartoon Museum, 35 Little Russell St, WC1 (7580 8155/www.cartooncentre.com). Holborn tube.

Firepower
Gung-ho children will find plenty to keep them entertained at Firepower, a museum dedicated to the soldiers of the Royal Artillery. The Real Weapons gallery allows the firing of (mini) cannons and the whey-faced youth can join a drill class run by a fearsome sergeant major. Then get the free Woolwich Ferry to the north shore. Here you’ll find the North Woolwich Old Station Museum, (Pier Rd, E16; 7474 7244/www.newham.gov.uk) where kids can climb all over the Coffee Pot, a Victorian commuter train, and ride Dudley the Diesel.
Firepower, Royal Arsenal, SE18 (8855 7755/www.firepower.org.uk). Woolwich Arsenal rail.

Geffrye Museum
This east London museum maybe isn’t that obvious as a family destination – its permanent collection is a series of room sets that chart the changes in (mostly middle-class) life from the start of the seventeenth century onwards. But it offers excellent free workshops designed to interpret the themes of its shows for young audiences. As well as the more structured sessions there are drop-in craft workshops between 2pm and 4pm each day for children of all ages. See website for full details.
Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Rd, E2 8EA (7739 9893/www.geffrye-museum.org.uk). Liverpool St/Old St tube/rail then 243, 149, 242 bus. 10am-5pm Tue-Sat, noon-5pm Sun.

London International Gallery of Children's Art
Struggling to get the bairns to appreciate the merits of the National Gallery? You might have better luck with the London International Gallery of Children’s Art, with its far-reaching exhibitions ranging from the young talent showcase of Tokyo’s Artscape competition to photographs taken by children from ethnic minorities. There are always art materials on-hand if your kids are feeling creative.
London International Gallery of Children’s Art, Waterlow Park Centre, Dartmouth Park Hill, London N19 5JF (7281 1111/www.ligca.org). Archway tube. 10am-4pm Fri-Sun, other times by appointment.

National Army Museum
This Chelsea museum is a good alternative for those experiencing South Ken fatigue. The displays concentrate more on telling the story of the individual soldier's life than on chronicling campaigns and battles. Among the exhibits is the pencil-written scrap of paper that launched the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854, sending more than 600 men charging in the wrong direction to attack the Russian Army. Uniformed presenters in role as soldiers from the past bring the museum's galleries to life at weekends.
National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 (7730 0717/www.national-army-museum.ac.uk). Sloane Square tube.