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

Original poster

Natural History Museum

11 replies

evansmummy · 03/04/2010 16:41

Planning a trip here with some visiting French friends in two weeks time, with our 5yo. Is it a whole day job, or will he get bored? What else is there nearby, apart from the Science museum? Would the science one be a beeter bet for his age? Would it be possible to do both? And are they both free? Sorry, lots of questions!

OP posts:
Tootiredforgodtyping · 03/04/2010 16:50

Both are free apart from the temporary exhibitions. Go to see the dinosaurs as soon as you get there, as the queues are horrendous in the afternoon. The science museum as two children's floors in the basement and on 2 ( i think ) that your 5 year old will love.
Myy DD loves the earthquake exhibit in the NHM as well.

gettingout · 03/04/2010 16:57

Yes both are free and you can flit between the two as they are really close. Both have enough for a 5 year old. SM has a great playing place with water, climbing etc and the dinosaurs in NH are amazing. You will have a great day out.

Original poster
evansmummy · 03/04/2010 18:29

Thanks. Looking forward to it, but hoping there will be enough to amuse everyone. It's the first time our visitors have been to the UK.

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Earlybird · 03/04/2010 18:32

A tip: we always take snacks/drinks in a rucksack (as do many other families) so we can have a 'picnic' on one of the museum benches, rather than fighting crowds for over-priced, mediocre food.

Earlybird · 03/04/2010 18:34

Also - are you planning on going on a weekday or weekend? Weekdays can be a bit better/less crowded.

Also might be worth checking to see if there are any craft activities available. There often are over holiday breaks, and they can be great fun.

Original poster
evansmummy · 03/04/2010 18:34

Earlybird, oh definitely! I take a packed lunch everywhere! I refuse to pay the prices for museum / park food, and ds loves a picnic style lunch anyway!

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Original poster
evansmummy · 03/04/2010 18:35

xposts, we are planning on a Friday. Will check out the websites to see if anything is on. Thank you.

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pigsinmud · 05/04/2010 13:37

We're thinking of going, but website says it is a very busy period and there are long queues for the dinosaurs. I'm not sure I can face train & tube journey with 4 children to then queue for ages. Is it really that busy? Is it much better in the morning?

alarkaspree · 05/04/2010 13:52

We went to NHM in the summer holidays, the queue for the dinosaurs was long in length but moved quickly. Ds (3) was fine with it. Dd (5) is scared of the dinosaurs and slept for the whole time it took to go round them.

If you plan to go to the science museum, the basement play area is fantastic but there's lots of water - you might want to take spare clothes!

Original poster
evansmummy · 05/04/2010 18:33

I'm absolutely queue phobic, ds is the most impatient person in the world. As it's free i guess we could always pop in and see what the queues are like?

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mummytime · 15/04/2010 20:25

I wouldn't both if its school holidays. Last two times we tried we gave up as the queues were horrid. But I would recommend it during term time.

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