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

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Original poster

V&A museum - good for 4 and 7yo?

11 replies

MamOfTwo · 29/05/2015 20:25

Have done the Natural History and Science Museum to death so planning to take DCs (age 4 and 7) to V&A - a good plan or not? Just had a look at website and it doesn't look particularly child-friendly... but happy to be proved wrong!

OP posts:

Chchchchangeabout · 29/05/2015 20:28

I wouldn't. What about princess Diana memorial playground instead of nice weather

Seriouslyffs · 29/05/2015 20:31

Go for it. It's not mega child friendly but there's a lot to see- really well curated and densely laid out so there should be lots to interest them. The café is beautiful too.
As an aside, I was very disappointed with the refurbishment of the Imperial War Museum. Dark confused and they've completely lost the wow factor of the big entrance full of tanks and boats.

noramum · 30/05/2015 21:32

It depends on the child. We went when DD was just 5 and she thoroughly enjoyed it.

They do little bag pack challenges relating to one or several galleries and it kept her amused for over one hour.

We went again with DH and also did a trail through another gallery.

Saying that DD is obsessed with history so everything relating to this will keep her interested.

There is a small courtyard with a water feature, I was glad we had a spare set of socks.

Another interesting one for this age is the Museum of London or Museum of Docklands. They do weekend and holiday activities as well.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 30/05/2015 21:34

My dcs found it surprisingly fascinating - 5yo ds, not particularly arty, was mesmerised by the jewellery gallery.

glenthebattleostrich · 30/05/2015 21:38

My DD loved it when we went last summer. She was 4

iamadaftcoo · 30/05/2015 21:39

I think it's one of the most boring places known to mankind but my attention span is shockingly low :)

iamadaftcoo · 30/05/2015 21:40

London transport museum is really fun for kids (I know it doesn't sound it). Or Horniman museum.

MinimumPayment · 30/05/2015 21:45

At that age My Dcs loved the Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green - and DH and I spent the days saying "I had one of those" even though we had so few toys in those days

zgaze · 30/05/2015 21:50

I've taken my two (5 & 3) a lot, we always find some random stuff to look at and the courtyard has a brilliant big pool in it which they can spend hours paddling in and playing around (it's very safe). Take spare clothes / socks (I usually go the whole hog and take swimming shorts and a little travel towel). Nice coffee stand in the courtyard and a good restaurant. And the shop is awesome.

Frankly the best thing about the V&A is that it is almost entirely devoid of other people's annoying children.

honeyandfizz · 30/05/2015 21:55

Agree with zgaze if you go on a warm day the pool area is brilliant. We took our dc when they were 9 & 10 a couple of summers ago. The dc loved paddling for ages. We also loved looking round the museum too. Go for it

Original poster

MamOfTwo · 01/06/2015 22:59

Well, we went and... they loved it! Admittedly, our visit consisted of them doing a backpack trail and then spending a lot of time in the pool in the courtyard but, still, they had fun! Oh, and they watched a pop-up show too. May have to go back by myself for a proper visit, though!

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