Visiting with children
What is there to do?
Start your visit at the Paul Hamlyn Library next to Room 2 where
staff will help you get the most out of the Museum.
Hamlyn Family trails free
In addition to the current trails and activities,
two new family trails are now
available to help children explore and enjoy the Museum’s
collection.
Available from the Paul Hamlyn Library. On Fridays, the library
opens at 12.00.
Suitable for ages 3–5
- Chasing Rainbows with Mama Wata: a trail about colour and
shapes
- Dancing with Shiva: a counting trail for young
children
Suitable for ages 6–11
- New Revelling round the world: a
trail about celebrations
- New Spreading the word: a trail about
writing and communication
- Exploring Britain: a journey into the past
- Travelling in time: Ancient Greece through the ages
- Sailing on the Nile: a voyage through ancient Egypt
- Hunting for dragons: a trail about fantastic creatures
The Hamlyn family trails are funded by the Helen Hamlyn
Trust.
Ford activity backpacks free
Different backpacks full of puzzles, games and other activities
to do in the galleries with the whole family.
Please note backpacks take one and a half
hours to complete and are therefore not available after 15.30. On
Fridays, backpacks are available after 12.00.
Objects to see free
Events programme free
Find out about the events
programme, including workshops, performances, storytelling
and other events.
Art materials free
Borrow crayons, coloured pencils and pads to create your own
pictures as you visit.
Hamlyn children’s library free
A wide range of books for all ages.
Ask at the Information Desk for…
Family audio tour £
Join Vid the alien for a Martian's view of the British Museum.
Available in English.
Hands On free
A unique opportunity to handle objects from the Museum’s
collection. Volunteers will help you and answer your questions
11.00–16.00 on the following days:
Daily
Room 18 has casts of the Parthenon frieze, raised line drawings
and a model of the temple to touch. Children can also touch a
wooden carving of a Native American Thunderbird in Room 24.
Facilities
Eating and drinking
You can find child-friendly food at the Gallery Café and at the
Court Cafés in the Great Court, see here for
further information. High chairs are available in all of
the cafés and the restaurant.
At weekends and during school holidays, families with children
are welcome to use the Ford Centre for Young Visitors as a
picnic-style eating area. It has high chairs, water fountains and
vending machines for treats.
Please do not eat or drink in the galleries
Hundreds of books, games, puzzles and pocket-money priced
souvenirs are available from the shops in the Great Court.
Toilets
There are toilets on every floor of the Museum. Accessible
toilets are located in the Great Court, the Ford Centre for Young
Visitors, the Clore Education Centre and to the north of Room
66.
Baby feeding and changing
There are baby feeding rooms in the Ford Centre for Young
Visitors and near the East stairs.
Baby changing facilities:
Ford Centre for Young Visitors
Great Court
East stairs
North stairs (level 0)
North stairs (level 3)
Bags and buggies
If you need to leave bags or other equipment while you visit,
there are lockers (£1 deposit) in the Ford Centre for Young
Visitors. Please note, this closes at 17.00 daily.
Access
Wheelchairs are available at both entrances. If you would like
to reserve a wheelchair for your visit, please contact us on +44
(0)20 7323 8299.
Magnifying glasses are available for loan from the Information
Desk.
For information on sign-interpreted events, a list of objects
which can be touched and further access information please ask in
the Paul Hamlyn Library, located through Room 2.