The Best Indoor Play Areas in London Museums for Kids

The Top 6 Museums for Kids in London to Explore!

Looking for the best indoor play areas in London museums for kids? Whether you’re escaping a rainy day or planning an educational outing, London is packed with family-friendly museums that offer more than just exhibits. London has many great museums for families but some actually have specially dedicated areas for kids ot play in.

From hands-on science fun to themed soft play zones, these museums combine learning with active play, perfect for toddlers and young children. In this guide, I’m sharing six amazing London museums with brilliant play spaces both you and your kids will love!

To make them even better, they’re mainly inexpensive. One is even free! Combining the play space with the rest of the museum can turn in to a full, budget-friendly day out with kids in London!

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6 London Museums for Kids with Great Play Spaces

Below, I’ve listed all 6 of the best indoor play areas in London museums that kids will love! I’ve also included a bit of useful information about each one, including the location, price and what to expect!

I’ve written a full guide on each of these. Just click the heading to read it!

1. MUDLARKS AT THE MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS

You may think that Canary Wharf is just for bankers and businessmen, but would you guess there’s a hidden soft play in central London? You’ll find it inside Mudlarks at the Museum of London Docklands. This soft play isn’t huge, but it is perfect for toddlers and young children. There’s also a lovely soft play area for babies.

In addition to the soft play, there are large building blocks, a docklands-themed activity table, giant balance scales and a water table (tip: bring spare clothes or at least socks as kids take their shoes off for the soft play and then run in the spilt water).

AGE: Designed for ages 8 and under. However, I would say best for 5 and under.

COST: The Museum of London Docklands is free entry and Mudlarks is £3 per person (under 9m go free) for a 45-minute session. Unfortunately, you do need to pay for adults as well. BOOK HERE.

CLOSEST STATION: Canary Wharf Train Station (also on Jubelle and Elizabethe Tube Lines) or West India Quay DLR station

Playing at a dock-themed interactive table at the Mudlarks gallery in the Museum of London Docklands.

Kids enjoying hands-on learning at the water play station in the Docklands Museum’s Mudlarks area.

2. PLAY BASE AT THE NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM

This is a London museum that surprisingly few people have heard of and it has an amzing indoor play area for kids. It is located in the beautiful area of Chelsea, I love wandering this area after our play session!

Plat Base at the National Army museum has an assault course style soft play which is perfect for older kids, my 4-year-old said this one was his favourite. They also have a small soft area for babies as well as a role play kitchen and dress up areas. Finally, a modle army truck kids can pretend to drive in.

AGE: Playbase is for ages 8 and under.

COST: Entry to the National Army Museum is free. The Play Base costs £6.50 per child + a £1 booking fee if booked online, and you get an hour-long play session. BOOK HERE.

CLOSEST STATION: Sloane Square Tube on the Circle & District line is a 10-minute walk and London Victoria train station is a 20-minute walk

NOTE: they only allow one adult with two children or two adults with 3-4 children. I would think they would be flexible if they were not fully booked.

Children exploring a military-themed soft play zone at Play Base, National Army Museum London

Toddler-friendly climbing wall with army-style decor at the National Army Museum’s Play Base.

3. SORTED! AT THE POSTAL MUSEUM

This is quite possibly my favourite indoor play area in London. It is a beautifully designed role-play area with a small-town theme. With a post office, sorting office, post van and post carts kids can push around to deliver the mail to the little houses.

There is no soft play but there is a ‘sorting area’ with a fun slide.

AGE: For ages 8 and under. Although I think this one is best for toddlers who can walk independantly!

COST: For the museum, adult tickets are £18.60, children are £10 with ages under 3 go free. Sorted! costs an extra £4.50 per child (adults are free) however, you can book this space without going into the rest of the museum. This is for a 45-minute session. BOOK HERE.

CLOSEST STATION: You’ll find this museum a short walk from either Farringdon or Kings Cross stations.

If you have a child under 5, I have a great money-saving tip. READ IT IN MY FULL GUIDE LINKED HERE.

The role play room at the Postal Museum’s Sorted! area.

Child pushing a mail delivery cart during imaginative play at the Postal Museum.

4. AHOY AT THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM

**Unfortunately, Ahoy and other parts of the National Maritime Museum have been closed for renovations until summer 2025**

This is an adorable, maritime-themed role-play area. Children can climb aboard a giant ship and hoist the flag, fire ping pong balls out of a cannon, shovel coal in a furnace, shop in the fishmongers’ or cafe and so much more.

The National Maritime Museum is located in Greenwich, South East London.

AGE: suitable for up to age 8.

COST: general museum entry is free for everyone and so is Ahoy during the week! On weekends and during school holidays, it costs £3 per child over 6 months. BOOK HERE.

CLOSEST STATION: The closest station is Cutty Sark DLR stop. Or it is a short walk from either Greenwich or Maze Hill train stations.

Nautical-themed children’s role play area inside Ahoy! at the National Maritime Museum.

Kids engaging in pretend play at a fishmonger stall inside the Ahoy! play zone.

5. THE GARDEN AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM

The Science Museum is one of London’s most famous museums. It also has a kid’s discovery play area located on the lower level. This area is designed for ages 3-6 but also allows younger ages.

It has lots of sensory activities that focus mainly on construction, light, and sound. They also have a water table.

NOTE: They don’t provide aprons; your children will get wet, so take spare clothes!

It gets very crowded; if you can, avoid visiting on weekends and school holidays.

AGE: Aimed for ages 0-6 but they allow younger children to enter, my little one loved it!

COST: Both the museum and The Garden are free. You need to book an entry time for the museum, but you can just turn up for The Garden. You may need to wait on busy days.

CLOSEST STATIONS: The closest tube station is South Kensington, which is on the Victoria, Circle, and District lines. London Victoria Train station is a 40 minute walk.

Large foam building blocks for creative play in The Garden at the Science Museum.

Children playing with water flow features at the interactive water table.

6. ALL ABOARD AT THE LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM

The final London museum with a great indoor play area is at The Transport Museum. This is a small but fun transport-themed role-play area.

This is a really popular museum and gets very crowded. I would recommend getting there as soon as it opens!

AGE: aimed at ages 0-7, but I’d say it’s best for under 5s.

COST: All Aboard is free, and you can just turn up however, adults do need to buy a ticket to the museum. These cost £24.50 per adult and allow you to return to the museum anytime for a year.

CLOSEST STATION: Covent Garden Tube on the Piccadilly Line is only two minutes away. Charing Cross train Station is also a short walk.

Thank you for reading our guide to the best museums for kids in London that have amazing indoor play areas. I hope we’ve helped you to plan a fun family day in London!

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ALL OUR LONDON MUSEUM REVIEWS & TIPS HERE

Happy Exploring,