10 Tips for Visiting Tate Modern With Kids

Arrive at Tate Modern by 10am for crowd-free exploration and take advantage of free admission across seven themed floors. Join the 30-minute family tours designed for ages 5-11, starting at 2:30pm with multisensory activities. Visit UNIQLO Tate Play in Turbine Hall for hands-on art creation, and don’t miss kid-friendly highlights like Matisse’s *The Snail* and the alien-like sound sculpture on Level 4. The museum’s pushchair-friendly access and nearby Shakespeare’s Globe make planning your perfect family cultural day even easier.

Plan Your Visit During Family-Friendly Hours and Check Special Exhibitions

When you’re planning your Tate Modern adventure with kids, timing makes all the difference between a smooth, enjoyable experience and a stressful crowd-dodging marathon. Arrive right at 10am opening for quick security checks and uncrowded galleries—your kids can explore freely without maneuvering packed rooms.

The museum operates Sunday through Thursday until 6pm, with extended Friday and Saturday hours until 10pm for quieter evening visits.

Before heading out, check the website for special exhibitions requiring separate tickets and current family events. Book exhibition tickets online or grab them at the counter. Members enjoy free exhibition access for up to six children. The museum is fully accessible with lifts and ramps throughout, making pushchair navigation seamless across all floors.

Don’t forget to snag free sketchbooks at arrival—they’ll keep little hands busy while engaging with the art across all five floors.

Take Advantage of Free General Admission and Interactive Activities

Once you’ve sorted your timing, you’ll love that Tate Modern won’t cost your family a penny to explore. You can walk straight in without tickets or pre-booking—just arrive and enter through any of the multiple entrances.

Seven floors of themed galleries await, featuring everything from surrealism to contemporary installations that’ll spark kids’ curiosity.

The massive Turbine Hall showcases specially-commissioned pieces that change regularly, offering something new each visit.

Your children can wander freely through rooms exploring abstract art, post-WWII impressionism, and theatrical pieces without any queuing hassles. Kids can make as much noise as they want while expressing themselves and talking about the artwork they discover.

While audio tours cost extra, you don’t need them—friendly staff throughout the galleries will point you toward the most engaging exhibits for families, making navigation effortless.

Join a 30-Minute Family Tour for Ages 5-11 With Multisensory Experiences

While exploring on your own gives you freedom, booking a guided family tour transforms your visit into an interactive adventure perfectly tailored for children ages 5-11. These 30-minute experiences begin at 2:30 PM on Level 2 in the Natalie Bell Building, where professional guides lead you through 2-3 carefully selected artworks.

Your kids will engage through multisensory experiences involving textures, shapes, colors, and sounds. Guides use hand gestures and interactive activities to explain abstract concepts, encouraging both verbal and non-verbal participation. Each tour varies in content and approach, keeping repeat visits fresh and exciting.

The program accommodates diverse learning styles while fostering curiosity through questioning and exploration. Tours run from December through February, giving you plenty of opportunities to book during the holiday season and winter months. You’ll need to supervise your children throughout, and wheelchair accessibility ensures everyone can participate in these engaging educational experiences.

Visit UNIQLO Tate Play for Hands-On Art Activities

If your children crave hands-on creativity beyond looking at artwork, UNIQLO Tate Play delivers the perfect solution with its free, drop-in art activities located right in the iconic Turbine Hall. You won’t need advance booking—just arrive and learn about tactile experiences where your kids can touch, explore, and create sensory sculptures using different textures to express emotions through art.

The programme connects directly with Tate’s collection, giving educational context to creative play. The Make Studio provides specialized spaces focused on emotional expression through interactive art-making activities.

Your toddlers under five can engage with shapes and colours in dedicated sensory areas, while older children explore artist-led installations featuring puppets, costumes, and handcrafted props. These seasonal installations by contemporary artists offer immersive storytelling and cosy relaxation spaces that accommodate your entire family together.

Explore Five Must-See Family Artworks and Interactive Installations

Beyond the hands-on activities, Tate Modern houses specific artworks that spark children’s imaginations and invite active participation through observation games and creative thinking.

Start with Ibrahim El-Salahi’s *Reborn Sounds of Childhood Dreams I* on Level 2, where you’ll search for hidden figures and decide if faces look friendly or fierce. Kids can have fun giving names to characters they discover in this dreamlike artwork.

Next, visit Matisse’s colorful *The Snail* collage nearby, inspiring kids to imagine creating art with cut-out shapes.

Head to Room 12 for Farah Al Qasimi’s *Woman in Leopard Print*, playing detective to uncover identity clues from clothing and poses.

On Level 4, experience the alien-like radio sculpture installation that emits mysterious sounds.

Finally, explore Monster Chetwynd’s *a Tax Haven Run by Women* on Level 3, featuring an imaginative Catbus perfect for discussing dream destinations.

Pack Snacks and Drinks for Extended Gallery Adventures

Since gallery exploration can stretch for hours and hungry children lose interest quickly, packing snacks and drinks becomes essential for maintaining energy and enthusiasm throughout your Tate Modern adventure.

You’re allowed to bring food and drinks from home, making packed lunches a smart choice. You can enjoy these on the concourses with seating or in the impressive Turbine Hall, though eating isn’t permitted inside gallery spaces. All dining areas feature seasonal, local produce that supports the gallery’s commitment to sustainability.

Packing snacks offers flexibility and avoids café queues during busy periods. However, don’t overlook on-site options if you prefer convenience. The Corner Bar, Espresso Bar, and Level 10 café all feature dedicated kids’ menus with sandwiches and snacks.

The Pick and Mix kids’ lunch at Espresso Bar and Corner Bar provides appealing choices that’ll keep young visitors satisfied.

Start Your Journey in the Iconic Turbine Hall

Where better to begin your Tate Modern adventure than in the breathtaking Turbine Hall, a cathedral-sized space that’ll immediately capture your children’s imagination? This massive 152-meter-long hall stretches before you with 35-meter-high ceilings that create an awe-inspiring first impression.

Let your kids experience the full scale by taking the ramp descent—they’ll love how the enormous space unfolds around them.

The polished concrete floors and vertical steel piers spaced every 7.2 meters create dramatic perspectives perfect for photo opportunities.

Cathedral-like windows flood the space with natural light, while any current installation becomes an instant conversation starter. The magnificent roof light above comprises 524 glass panes, creating stunning patterns of illumination throughout the day.

This architectural marvel functions as both covered street and exhibition space, giving children room to move freely while absorbing the unique atmosphere that transforms a former power station into artistic wonder.

Engage Kids by Discussing Artworks and Encouraging Questions

Transform your Tate Modern visit into an interactive adventure by turning each artwork into a conversation starter with your children. Use Tate Modern’s guided prompts to help kids identify pieces they connect with personally. Ask open-ended questions like “What do these artworks make you think about?” and “What ideas are coming up for you?” rather than seeking predetermined answers.

Encourage kids to compare two artworks in the same room, identifying similarities, differences, and themes. Try unconventional viewing methods—have them close their eyes briefly, then reopen to notice how their perception changes. Question why curators placed certain pieces together, as this placement intentionally shares ideas.

These interactive approaches help children develop critical thinking skills while making modern art accessible and engaging for young minds. Consider how educational games can enhance your visit, as specialized guides often use playful activities to spark curiosity and keep children actively involved throughout their museum experience.

Utilize Pushchair-Friendly Access and Family Amenities

When you’re steering Tate Modern with pushchairs and young children, you’ll find the gallery exceptionally well-equipped to handle your family’s needs. Every entrance accommodates pushchairs, with the main Holland Street entrance featuring a wheelchair ramp and the east riverside entrance near the café being step-free.

You can access all floors through lifts and ramps, ensuring 100% step-free navigation throughout.

If you need equipment, reserve wheelchairs or electric scooters 24 hours ahead—they’re free from the South Entrance.

Accessible toilets with grab bars are on every floor, plus there’s a Changing Places facility on Level 0 with height-adjustable benches.

Book one of 12 accessible parking spaces via Park Street, and take advantage of folding seats and benches throughout the gallery for rest breaks. The gallery welcomes guide animals for families who require additional assistance navigating the space.

Combine Your Visit With Nearby Attractions Like Shakespeare’s Globe

Since you’re already at Tate Modern, you’ll find Shakespeare’s Globe just a 0.4-mile stroll away along the Thames—making it perfect for extending your family day out without exhausting little legs.

The Millennium Footbridge sits only 50 metres from the Globe, connecting both attractions seamlessly.

Your kids will love exploring the reconstructed open-air playhouse with its timber frames and thatched roof—the first in London since 1666. Book guided tours to let children experience the pit and balconies firsthand.

If you’re using pushchairs, access the area via Sumner Street to avoid Southwark Bridge’s 40 uneven steps.

The Swan Bar & Restaurant provides family dining, while nearby Bankside offers additional eateries. The pedestrian Thames path and surrounding areas remain safe for families walking back to your accommodation after evening performances.

You’ll easily manage both attractions in one visit using the riverside footpaths.

The Sum Up

You’ve got everything you need to make Tate Modern an unforgettable adventure for your kids. Don’t worry if they don’t love every artwork – focus on what sparks their curiosity. Let them lead conversations about what they see, and you’ll discover how differently children view art. Remember, it’s about creating positive memories around creativity and exploration. Your enthusiasm will be contagious, turning this world-class gallery into their new favorite playground for imagination.