An anthropological museum set in 16 acres of landscaped gardens, the Horniman Museum has a traditional natural history gallery – dominated by a bizarre, overstuffed walrus – where the exhibits are displayed in traditional cases with no computer touch-screens in sight. There's also a state-of-the-art aquarium, a collection of around 1,600 musical instruments and an area where visitors can play some of them, as well as a permanent gallery dedicated to African, Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian art.
Entertaining kids in London doesn’t have to cost a pretty penny, there are plenty of fun activities the whole family can enjoy for free. On sunny days, head out into the open air and explore one of the capital’s many beautiful parks, and their playgrounds, sandpits and paddling pools. There are nature trails to follow, zip wires to brave and dinosaurs to spot – yes, dinosaurs!
There are dinosaurs indoors too, at the Natural History Museum, which is free to visit – as are many of London’s other major museums and some of its quirkier, smaller institutions.
So, whether you’re looking for somewhere to take the children on a half-term day trip or you want to fill the school holidays with family-friendly culture and adventure, London is your playground. Big kids welcome, too.
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