Activities for families and kids

Find out how to get around with the Museum map. There are four zones to discover.

Do your best T. rex impression as you explore the different time periods in which dinosaurs lived, sort the facts from the myths about why they died out and what our scientific research has taught us about these prehistoric giants.

Location: Dinosaurs gallery

Waistcoat. Gizmo. Hat. Take me to the time of the dinosaurs!

Keep an eye out for Andy's clock from the CBeebies shows Andy's Dinosaur Adventures and Andy's Prehistoric Adventures.

Location: Central Cafe

Learn about the amazing natural forces that help shape our planet in the Volcanoes and Earthquakes gallery. From the casts of victims from the Mount Vesuvius eruption of AD 79 to objects melted by lava flows, the Earth's surface is laid bare in this gallery.

Don't forget to try out the earthquake simulator.

Location: Red Zone. Travel up the escalator in Earth Hall and turn left. 

You're in for the biggest welcome in London. Look up at the skeleton of the blue whale - the largest animal on Earth. This female blue whale is named Hope, as a symbol of humanity's power to shape a sustainable future.

Location: Hintze Hall

Meet our incredible dinosaur specimen, the most intact Stegosaurus fossil skeleton ever found. It's three metres tall and almost six metres long, giving you a dramatic welcome to Earth Hall.

Location: Earth Hall

Satisfy your interest in insects, crabs, centipedes and spiders, and explore all things arthropod in the Creepy Crawlies gallery. 

Location: Green Zone

Unearth minerals, gemstones and rocks in the Earth's Treasury gallery. With everything from gold nuggets to Stonehenge rock and kryptonite. Find out how diamonds are formed and cut and royal links to precious stones.

Discover an extinct dodo, our historical hummingbird cabinet and a Victorian avian anatomy display in the Birds gallery. From endangered species to native British breeds and contemporary conservation efforts.

Weave your way through original wooden cases housing glittering gems and raw minerals. Don't miss the 635-kilogramme iron meteorite and 9,381-carat flawless blue topaz gemstone - the largest of its kind.

Roaming the galleries can be exhausting stuff, so why not rest and refuel in one of our cafes? There's a selection of fresh food and hot and cold drinks available. Browse the shops for dinosaur- and other nature-inspired gifts. 

Round up your family and take a  tour  to see some of our biggest sights⁠ including dinosaurs, whales and volcanoes.

Even if you've visited us before there's still plenty to discover. This tour guides you through some of our lesser-known treasures and is great for all ages.

Uncover some of our most fascinating stories with this tour aimed at adults and solo travellers. From the Ostro stone to Sophie the Stegosaurus.

Find calm in the Museum with our list of five quiet galleries and spaces with mindful activities to help your wellbeing. 

A hard copy of this guide can be picked up from the two information desks at either of our entrances. It includes a Museum map and drawing activities.