Backpacks
Key information
Visit the Families Desk, Great Court.
Family Desk opening times
Weekends and school holidays: 10.00–12.30 and 13.15–16.30
See additional Families Desk closures.
See London Borough of Camden school holiday dates.
Free
£10 deposit required
Limited availability
Explore the Museum galleries with a themed backpack filled with intriguing items and fun activities.
There's a dedicated backpack for our under 5s visitors with tools and tips to help you make the most out of your Museum visit. Visitors aged six and over can explore different cultures through a series of hands-on activities. Art materials are available to borrow and all drawings can go home with you to make an instant art display. Please allow 90 minutes to complete your backpack.
Backpacks are only available when the Families Desk, located in the Great Court, is open.
Information is available to support visits for families with additional sensory needs. Please download the Gallery backpack guide – sensory guide.
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There are nine backpack themes available for collection
Little feet: Alfred the explorer
A backpack for under 5s and their families, for use in any area of the Museum.
Under 5s
Young artist backpack
Be inspired by Museum objects to practice your mark-making, then take your drawings home with you.
Ages: 3–7
Sensory support backpack
Resources and ideas to support young visitors with additional sensory needs in our busy Museum environment.
Ages: 3–11
African adventure
Spot and match the animals, make an animal mask and identify pot designs while blindfolded.
Ages: 5–9
Egyptian mummies
Identify amulets blindfolded, write your name in hieroglyphs and examine mummification materials.
Ages: 7–11
Jobs in Roman Britain
Match modern objects with ancient objects, write on a wax tablet and make a mosaic.
Ages: 7–11
Become an archaeologist
Record a skeleton, see cylinder seals, arrange ancient friezes and build a winged-lion.
Ages: 8–12
Art backpack
Enjoy an opportunity to sketch in Museum galleries and take your drawings home with you.
Ages: 8–16
Marvellous Mexico
Learn about Aztec gods, spin the Aztec calendar and make a turquoise mosaic.
Ages: 9–12
