Our 2.5-year-old is deep in his dinosaur era — so where better to go than the iconic Natural History Museum in London? This was our first visit this year where we explored more than just the dinosaurs, and it ended up being one of our favourite family outings yet.
From awe-inspiring exhibits to surprising toddler-friendly moments, here’s what made it so great — plus our top tips for visiting the Natural History Museum with toddlers.
Why We Love the Natural History Museum for Toddlers
We’ve been several times, but this trip was a turning point:
- Our toddler was old enough to explore more independently and engaged with the interactive exhibits
- He asked (so many!) questions. There’s a wonderful kids guide book you can buy (which we’ll be bringing with us next time too!) which means you can continue the learning on the way home.
- He has so much more
- And yes — he is still absolutely obsessed with dinosaurs 🦖
As members of the Natural History Museum, we also avoided long queues and got free access to special exhibits like the Space exhibit – both big wins with a toddler in tow!
🦕 Our Top Tips for Visiting the Natural History Museum with a Toddler
🎟️ 1. Book Tickets or Get a Membership in Advance
If you’re visiting during weekends or school holidays, queues can be intense. Booking online or becoming a member helps you skip the wait — and gives you access to all temporary exhibitions.
🗺️ 2. Plan Your Route Before You Arrive
The museum is huge and can feel overwhelming. With a toddler, it helps to choose 2–3 key zones you want to visit. Our go-to route is:
- East Entrance
- Through the centre of the earth and experience an earthquake!
- Back down to the east entrance and through a cafe
- A snack break
- A featured exhibit (this time it was Space!)
- Dinosaurs
- Then back out through Hintze Hall and the main entrance.
This really only takes about 2-3 hours which is enough for a small child!
🪙 3. Try the Coin Presses for Budget-Friendly Souvenirs
Throughout the museum — especially in the dinosaur section — you’ll find coin pressing machines. For just a few pence, your toddler gets a memorable (and interactive!) keepsake.
🥙 4. Plan Your Lunch Strategically
The on-site cafes aren’t always great for special dietary needs (like dairy-free), and nearby restaurants get busy from 12pm.
Our tip: Visit the museum in the morning, then hop back to Victoria for a wider range of lunch spots with toddler-friendly menus.
🦖 5. Prepare for the T. Rex Encounter
The animatronic T. rex is spectacular but can be overwhelming, especially for a first-time visitor. It’s tucked around a corner, so it can come as a surprise.
We like to talk it up beforehand to build excitement — and it’s worked every time so far!
🚽 6. Know the Best Toilets
Toilet breaks with a toddler are never optional. The quietest and most convenient toilets we’ve found are in the picnic area under Hintze Hall — bonus: they’re near the dinosaurs.
Final Thoughts: Is the Natural History Museum Worth It with a Toddler?
Absolutely. Watching our toddler explore the Natural History Museum with curiosity, excitement, and a million questions made the day incredibly rewarding.
We love it so much we’re members there, even though it takes us about 90 mins to travel from home.
It’s a wonderful place to nurture a love of science, history, and discovery in little ones.
📍Planning a Trip Soon?
Let us know where you’re heading!
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