Mumsnet Talk

My 5 year old is fascinated by Egypt at the moment. Other than the obvious trip to the British Museum, do you know of any other good exhibitions in the SE (London, Surrey, Kent)?

Hornimans museum in Forest Hill, South London used to have a few mummies, and a varied collection of other stuff. I often went there as a kid.
try googling it.

Hi WiganKebab:

I'd say the British Museum (easy to get to by tube).

Link here about Mummy exhibits (also have mummies of animals - like cats): www.mummytombs.com/museums/uk.london.british.highlights.htm

HTH

Maidstone has one, you can see the body and the stone case, not worth a big trip, but there are other interesting rooms and it is near Primark and Poundland, so something for all the family! British Museum has to be the best half term treat though. Our Egypt obessed dd loved it, might go again at half term. Currently planning her Egyptian party, just been plaiting Cleopatra braids!

Yes, we love the Horniman - great spot for kids. Sounds like a trip to London might be just the ticket!

It wasn't too bad logistically. I went with a 2, 4 and 6yr old on my own. At times it was a bit tricky navigating with a pushchair, but the staff were helpful, we were able to take a picnic and dd2 couldn't believe her eyes!

The British Museum have a lovely little part of their website about Ancient Egypt, aimed at kids here

Two things for anyone else interested in London and Ancient Egypt, though possibly not quite right for a five year old.

Cleopatra's Needle- a 3500 year old Egyptian Obelisk by the Thames, isn't that barmy?
Seti I's sarcophagus at the Sir John Soane's Museum- really beautiful and you can get very close up to admire the painting but the mummy is missing. A really very crowded tiny museum often with a queue to get in so worth it only if you have a preternaturally well behaved child and definitely no push chair!

Oh, and a recent little feature on Egyptian London from the Londonist- here- just for fun really. In case your DS wants to pat a sphinx while out and about.

Come to our house! There's plenty here.

If you go to the science museum, right at the very top they have a history of medicine bit. It's always been pretty quiet when we've gone. It's a very small section but with a mummified human and cats and things. Then when they are bored there's the rest of the museum.

Thanks - brilliant suggestions as always! Where did you eat your picnic "birthday"?

There was a 'family' room in the basement - you can only use it on weekends and I think holidays as it is used for school trips the rest of the time and looked like it it was utilitarian but suited our needs. It was underneath the main entrance part of the museum.

If you ask at the information desk they were helpful, they also gave out children's guides to different topics - Egypt, Greece etc, but you could only get one at a time. There is LOADS there so do get a map and identify where you want to go. If I recall correctly the mummies were upstairs in the building opposite the main entrance (the museum is a big square with a covered courtyard in the middle with a circular building which has shops, lifts, toilets etc).

There were some other impressive and very heavy egyptian statues, mummy cases etc in the building to your left as you walk into the couryard from the main entrance, head towards the rosetta stone and turn right - having first admired the 4square cm you can glimpse between the tourists! We also enjoyed the Elgin Marbles (sorry to any Greek MNeters). There was loads we didn't see, you do need to be focused in your quest.

There was a 'family' room in the basement - you can only use it on weekends and I think holidays as it is used for school trips the rest of the time and looked like it it was utilitarian but suited our needs. It was underneath the main entrance part of the museum.

If you ask at the information desk they were helpful, they also gave out children's guides to different topics - Egypt, Greece etc, but you could only get one at a time. There is LOADS there so do get a map and identify where you want to go. If I recall correctly the mummies were upstairs in the building opposite the main entrance (the museum is a big square with a covered courtyard in the middle with a circular building which has shops, lifts, toilets etc).

There were some other impressive and very heavy egyptian statues, mummy cases etc in the building to your left as you walk into the couryard from the main entrance, head towards the rosetta stone and turn right - having first admired the 4square cm you can glimpse between the tourists! We also enjoyed the Elgin Marbles (sorry to any Greek MNeters). There was loads we didn't see, you do need to be focused in your quest.

So good I posted it twice!

Fantastic! Thanks so much for your help and for taking the time. DD is going to love it.