Science Museum Vs Natural History Museum

[LG]

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.

For that age group I'd recommend Science. . .go to the so-called "garden" in the basement for all the hands-on stuff. It might be crowded though!

V&A tends to have art trolleys and craft projects over half terms, so that's another possibility.

Much as I love going to London I really love leaving it and coming home even more.

V and A far more civilised than either. their activity packs are great and the place is half empty. my two - 5 and 3 love it. and I do too.

Personally prefer National History Museum. We did a trip to the Science Museum last 1/2 term and we had a horrible day. The basement bit was probably the only bit worth seeing and it was so packed you could hardly breathe! IMO it is really badly laid out and very few lifts. (Had baby in a pram so had to use lifts) and we felt like we spent the whole day queuing for the blasted things - which I add - were very small and some lifts didn't go to all floors - be warned!!

poppies - I agree with you re Sc Museum. I keep meaning to fill in a feedback form but everytime we go, it's busy and I never remember. The layout is incredibly confusing and the fact that every bank of lifts appears to serve different floors makes it even worse. At least it is more of an open space than the NH Musuem so it doesn't feel as claustrophobic but it is very confusing and I imagine tourists find it even more so.

took ds1 to NH for his 3rd birthday last year and he loved it - especially the dinosaurs and the earthquake bit. You can get explorer packs for kids - they get a hat / binoculars and a rucksack which he loved, they have things to do in them but he was too young for that and just liked the dressing up bit! you have to pay a deposit on your credit card that you get back to make sure that you don't walkout with the hat!

Went to NH yesterdayit was busy, but didn't seem too overcrowded: however we didn't make it as far as the dinosaurs, which I suspect is the most popular areapoor DS developed a raging temperature after lunch and we had to come home again! I would suggest paying a quick visit to either NHM or SM, and if either are really too crowded for comfort, call into the V&A. Be warned, if your 2 year-old is in a buggy, there are LOTS of stairs at NHM and there will be lots of people queuing to use them.

V&A will be quietest, activities are well organised. Mine love the Sci Museum but the only way to do it in half term is to be first through the door. Food in Nat Hist best I think. (sorry, not very helpful!) London is on half term this week btw for those planning jaunts next - it will be quieter everywhere then.

The NH has fewer interactive exhibits which didn't impress 2.0 (4, science buff). 2.0 who's 2 didn't care either way.

The launchpad in the basement of the science is 2.0's current favourite place in the world, just don't try at half term.

Although they like dinosaurs and have a generally favourable view of all animals, they don't move, and at this age neither thought bones to be that cool.

just to let you know, we went to the Science musuem on 17 Feb and it was great altho crowded. We were nearly first thru the door and that made a difference. I would go again, there was so much to see. Thanks for all your comments.