Family Activities At The British Museum: 10 Things Families Will Love

You’ll discover that The British Museum offers incredible family adventures, from meeting real 3,000-year-old mummies to touching replica artifacts at interactive Discovery Desks. Your kids can set out on free QR code treasure hunts, borrow themed adventure backpacks, and join storytelling tours featuring the famous Rosetta Stone and mysterious Assyrian winged bulls. With special toddler programs, hands-on workshops, and explorer trails designed for different ages, there’s something magical waiting for every family member to uncover.

Discover World-Famous Treasures That Captivate Young Minds

When you step into the British Museum with your family, you’ll discover an incredible treasure trove that transforms ancient history into enthralling adventures for curious young minds. Your children will be mesmerized by real mummies, including Katebet, a 1300 BC Chantress of Amun with remarkably preserved remains. They’ll marvel at the famous Rosetta Stone, the key that *unbarred* Egyptian hieroglyphs, making ancient languages accessible to modern scholars.

The towering Winged Bulls from Assyria create mysterious encounters that spark imagination, while dramatic lion hunt reliefs showcase ancient Mesopotamian warfare. Greek and Roman marble statues bring gods, heroes, and mythological figures to life, helping kids envision Olympic athletes and temple warriors. The museum’s wheelchair-friendly galleries ensure that families of all abilities can navigate comfortably through these magnificent collections. These world-famous artifacts don’t just display history—they create unforgettable family moments through hands-on discovery and wonder.

Join Interactive Guided Tours Designed for Families

While exploring the British Museum independently offers excitement, joining an interactive guided tour transforms your family visit into an unforgettable adventure tailored specifically for young explorers. These 2-2.5 hour tours feature licensed, child-friendly guides who use enthralling stories and games to bring ancient civilizations to life.

Your kids will discover real mummies and hear fascinating tales about pharaohs while exploring Ancient Egypt. They’ll crack hieroglyphic codes at the Rosetta Stone and imagine Olympic athletes among the Parthenon sculptures.

Expert archaeologists lead treasure-hunt challenges and visual thinking activities that keep children engaged throughout the journey. Families will explore hidden corners of the museum with insider knowledge that typical visitors often miss.

Tours are customizable based on your children’s ages and interests, covering 6,000 years of human history. Available in multiple languages, these private group experiences ensure personalized attention and plenty of opportunities for family photos and discussions.

Embark on Free Museum Missions With QR Code Adventures

Why settle for simply looking at ancient artifacts when your family can become modern-day treasure hunters? The British Museum’s free QR code missions transform ordinary gallery visits into exciting adventures.

Simply grab your smartphone or tablet, connect to the museum’s free WiFi, and scan QR codes throughout the galleries to unlock treasure hunts instantly.

You’ll choose from six themed missions covering Ancient Egypt, Roman Empire, Africa, and Mexico. Each mission includes five challenges ranging from easy (find the smiling pharaoh) to expert level (spot hidden doorways disguised as bookshelves).

Your kids will search for beautiful patterns, locate Hei Tiki ornaments, and even record videos describing mysterious objects. These digital adventures typically require 30–40 minutes to complete, making them perfect for maintaining children’s attention spans.

These missions spark curiosity while promoting teamwork and critical thinking—turning museum exploration into unforgettable family bonding time.

Follow Themed Explorer Trails Throughout the Galleries

Beyond digital adventures, the British Museum offers hands-on Explorer Trails that turn your family into real-world detectives armed with printed maps and clues. You’ll choose from eight themed adventures split by age: little ones (3-5) can explore “Colour and Shape” through Africa’s vibrant patterns or practice counting on the “Time to Count” Asian journey.

Older kids (6+) can dive deeper into Ancient Egypt, Greece, Britain, or hunt for Fantastic Creatures worldwide. During your Egyptian adventure, you might encounter the famous Rosetta Stone, the key artifact that unlocked the secrets of hieroglyphic writing.

Each 30-40 minute trail sends you treasure hunting through galleries, answering questions and spotting sculptures like towering people-and-animal stacks. Grab printed copies at the Families Desk weekends and holidays, or download them at home. Staff help locate tricky objects, making every family member feel like a successful explorer.

Experience Hands-On Learning at Interactive Discovery Desks

When you’re ready to touch actual history, head straight to the Interactive Discovery Desks scattered throughout six galleries. Your family can handle real artifacts from 11:00–16:00 daily, turning museum browsing into an unforgettable tactile adventure.

Friendly volunteers guide your children through hands-on exploration, encouraging questions while your kids examine genuine historical objects. Each desk’s collection connects directly to nearby displays, so you’ll understand exactly what you’re touching and why it matters.

This free program transforms how your family experiences history. Instead of peering through glass cases, your children gain deeper understanding through actual touch.

Almost every visitor reports this hands-on interaction dramatically improves their museum visit, bringing ancient civilizations to life through sensory engagement that simply can’t be replicated any other way. For UK school groups with children aged 7-11, the museum also offers specialized tablet-guided tours featuring augmented reality experiences in the Parthenon and Sutton Hoo galleries.

Participate in Creative Workshops During School Holidays

If your kids thrive on creative challenges, book them into one of the British Museum’s inspiring holiday workshops that transform ancient stories into hands-on adventures. These 60-minute sessions bring museum collections to life through interactive experiences like “Excavation in Egypt,” where children handle replica artifacts and explore archaeological mysteries.

Workshops cater to specific age groups—7-11 year-olds enjoy hands-on activities in seminar rooms, while 11-14 year-olds attend engaging presentations in the BP Lecture Theatre. Gallery-based talks begin at the Roman rider statue and last 50 minutes.

Advance booking’s essential since spaces fill quickly. At £3 per child (adults free), these workshops offer incredible value. All holiday workshops are offered free of charge to families. Call the Box Office at +44 (0)20 7323 8181 to secure spots for your budding archaeologists and history enthusiasts.

Enjoy Special Programming for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Why should older kids have all the museum fun? The British Museum’s Little Feet programme creates magical experiences specifically for under-5s and their carers. You’ll discover special programming designed with toddlers’ attention spans in mind, offering safe environments where preschoolers can explore freely.

Download the Colour and Shape Explorer Trail before your visit to guide ages 3-5 through galleries hunting for patterns and vibrant colors. The Time to Count trail transforms Asia galleries into counting adventures filled with dance and laughter.

For hands-on creativity, book artist-led workshops where little ones explore colors throughout the collection. These sessions provide opportunities to explore objects from around the world and across different time periods.

Museum Missions add interactive excitement with QR code challenges perfectly adaptable for short attention spans. Sign up for the family newsletter to stay updated on all Little Feet programming opportunities.

Borrow Adventure Backpacks From the Family Desk

Transform your museum visit into an exciting treasure hunt by collecting one of nine themed adventure backpacks from the Families Desk in the Great Court. These free backpacks require just a £10 refundable cash deposit and come packed with hands-on activities, art materials, and discovery tools.

Choose age-appropriate themes like Egyptian Mummies for ages 5-9, where kids write hieroglyphs and handle amulets blindfolded, or Become an Archaeologist for ages 8-12, featuring compass navigation.

Little ones can grab Alfred the Explorer for under-5s or the Young Artist Backpack for ages 3-7. For children with additional needs, the Sensory support backpack offers specially designed activities for ages 3-11.

Each backpack includes activity booklets, sensory experiences, and interactive items like magnetic clothes and toy animals.

You’ll need about 90 minutes to complete activities, and kids keep their artwork as souvenirs.

Hunt for Treasures With Age-Appropriate Challenge Activities

While adventure backpacks provide structured exploration, the museum’s treasure hunt activities let you customize challenges based on your children’s ages and interests. You’ll discover the famous Rosetta Stone through kid-friendly guides who use games to explain how scholars cracked hieroglyphic codes.

In Egyptian galleries, your children will encounter real mummies while solving riddles about pharaohs and ancient burial practices.

The Mesopotamian section features impressive winged bulls called lamassus, where young detectives investigate ancient mysteries through visual storytelling.

Greek galleries showcase original Parthenon sculptures, letting kids imagine Olympic athletes and mythical heroes while solving puzzles.

Activity booklets match different age groups—under 6 and over 6—ensuring appropriate challenge levels. These treasure hunts transform ancient artifacts into engaging discoveries that capture young imaginations.

Explore Eight Million Artifacts Spanning Human History

These engaging activities represent just a fraction of what awaits your family at the British Museum. You’ll discover eight million works documenting human culture from ancient civilizations to today. While only 50,000 items are on display, that’s still an incredible treasure hunt for curious minds.

Your kids will be amazed by 140 Egyptian mummies and coffins—the largest collection outside Cairo. Wander through seven Egyptian galleries showcasing 4,000 years of history.

Marvel at over 100,000 Greek and Roman artifacts spanning from 3200 BC to 313 AD.

Don’t miss the nearly 300 medieval pieces from the Waddesdon Bequest or the impressive Benin Bronzes collection. The museum’s conservation laboratory, established in 1920, ensures these priceless artifacts remain preserved for future generations to enjoy. With objects from every continent and era, you’ll find something to captivate every family member’s imagination and curiosity.

The Sum Up

You’ll create unforgettable memories exploring the British Museum with your kids! From hunting ancient treasures to completing exciting missions, there’s something magical waiting around every corner. Don’t forget to grab those adventure backpacks and let your little explorers lead the way through history’s greatest collection. Whether you’re chasing mummies or decoding hieroglyphs, you’re giving your family an adventure they’ll treasure forever. Start planning your expedition today!