Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Science Museum Vs Natural History Museum

35 replies

LG · 01/02/2006 14:13

Does anyone have an opinion about which of these is the best for a morning out? I have a 5 and a half year old boy and a 2 year old girl and am thinking of a having a family day out over half term.

OP posts:

Enid · 01/02/2006 14:14

I havent been with kids before but we have decided on the science museum as I suspect dd2 will become mildly hysterical over the huge dinosaurs. (mine are 6 and 3 btw)

lucy5 · 01/02/2006 14:17

I havent been for years but there used to be a really good kids area in the basement of the science museum. Lots of buttons to push.

Mud · 01/02/2006 14:18

science it is more fun downstaris

almostanangel · 01/02/2006 14:22

how much time have you got ? do both they are round the corner from eachother

almostanangel · 01/02/2006 14:24

ooh and in the natural history ,,,take a look at stone work inside ,i never noticed as a child that there are monkeys etc carved into the walls etc

stripey · 01/02/2006 14:25

We went to the Natural History museum last weekend. I personally prefer the Science Museum, I think it is better for younger children and more spacious. They will both be quite busy at half term I would think.

Bink · 01/02/2006 14:27

Both will be doing special half-term events (eg here is what's on at the Natural History Museum for week starting Mon 13th Feb ) - suggest you have a look through both websites & see what particular events appeal most.

Other things being equal, Science Museum basement hands-on place would probably be what your 2yo would most enjoy (splashy water play etc.), but it gets incredibly busy so I wouldn't rely on that being the one thing to go for.

foxinsocks · 01/02/2006 14:28

you could probably manage both - the science museum has a good kid's bit in the basement with things to press and a big water thing (like a small river that the kids can put little boats on and watch them float down). If you intend on going there, I would bring an extra top for the 2 yr old because even with aprons on, they still get a bit wet!

I imagine they are both likely to be very busy in half term so I would prepare yourself! Mine love the natural history museum but that is mainly because of the dinosaurs. They liked the science museum but I thought the interactive kids bit in the basement would be bigger and when it's crowded, it can be quite difficult for them to get a proper go on anything.

unorganised · 14/02/2006 10:23

We have been to both when the girls were 6 and 3 and both loved the Natural History Museam because they love the Dinasours and all the other animals.

The science museam was good but it was too busy for them to get on most of the hands on stuff which was a shame

love LJ

saadia · 14/02/2006 10:32

ds1 (aged 4) loved the Science Museum because he loves aeroplanes and rockets, but it wasn't that interesting for ds2 (nearly 2),so I would suggest the NHM (also prefer the eateries there).

shrub · 14/02/2006 10:34

natural history museum- went to both with my ds1 and ds2 (5 and 2)

Enid · 14/02/2006 10:34

I went on Sunday morning (science museum)

and it was HELLISH. Dd1 hated it so much she had a panic attack

Would never go again unless in the week on a school day

spacedonkey · 14/02/2006 10:37

I went to the V&A yesterday and science and nat hist museums looked hellish (London Fashion Week is being set up outside, adding to the chaos).

They're next door to each other - you could sample both!

Lots of kids in the V&A making masks, which looked fun. Do all three!

Caff in V&A is good too.

mummytosteven · 14/02/2006 10:40

science museum will have more to interest the 2 year old IMHO, as it has the good downstairs section complete with waterways toy! there is also a good bit for young children on the ground floor of science museum to do with spotting patterns

Enid · 14/02/2006 10:42

yes all that is good

but it is horribly horribly busy

mummytosteven · 14/02/2006 10:44

free stuff is all going to be horrendously busy at half term, except maybe for outdoor stuff like Kew?

Enid · 14/02/2006 10:45

wagamamas was nice though

foxinsocks · 14/02/2006 10:46

are you better enid?

cupcakes · 14/02/2006 10:48

Was really disappointed in the Natural History Museum when we went last month. You are herded along a set out route across a walk way and then down past their giant moving roaring t-rex which really scared my dinosaur loving 5yr old ds and completely terrified 2yr old dd. There seemed to be no way to move through the exhibition without going past it. You couldn't follow your own route in your own time and it was really claustrophobic.
Science Museum much better but then last time we went it was in term time (before ds had started school). The Garden in the basement was excellent.

Enid · 14/02/2006 10:48

better than I was thank you so much for asking

still deaf and sore ears though - bad cough still which makes me sick (and, erm, wet myself as i am now 30 wks pg)

cupcakes · 14/02/2006 10:49

Enid - sorry to hear you had such a rotten experience. Feel responsible as I suggested it.
Did your dd's enjoy Wagamammas? What did they eat? (I want to take mine).
Did you get to Harrods?

mummytosteven · 14/02/2006 10:50

blimey you should have been in bed or somewhere nice and comfortable selling lots of coffee and cake yesterday, not traipsing round the museums of central London, Enid!

flutterbee · 14/02/2006 10:50

God I love both of them forget about the kids do both just for you, also the V&A is beautifull must go back up very soon.

Enid · 14/02/2006 10:52

ah cupcakes worry not, bless you

It could have been fab, and in fact dd2 really enjoyed the space bit and had to go and say goodbye to the space man before we left

We underestimated dd1's weirdness though (). The sensory overload in the Garden really really freaked her out. She ended up in a heap crying 'too noisy too many shapes'. Poor thing

It didnt help that I was almost completely deaf! Still we had to go up and its alllllll over now thank god.

foxinsocks · 14/02/2006 10:53

cupcakes - I hate places that herd you round a set route, especially when it's like walking in a sea of people. Those sort of things make anyone desperate to get out!

enid - oh the joys of pregnancy you poor thing. That cough sounds so horrid - hope you feel better soon.

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread