London travel with 4 year old. Do they need a card even though they are free?

[JaffaSnaffle]

I am planning to take my daughter to the Natural History Museum and Science Museum this weekend. We will be arriving at Kings Cross.

I was hoping to take her on the tube, although she is a bit scared of escalators. Lifts and steps are fine. Am I best going for Circle Line as opposed to the Piccadilly line? I'm hoping for lifts in Kings Cross and steps at South Kensington.

I know she can travel for free but do we need a special card in advance?

Nope, just take her through the wider barriers

No, no card at all.

South Kensington def. has steps from the platform to the exit. You can then choose to go via the tunnels or on the road.

Be there as early as you can, it gets busy, the NH one more than the Science, especially if you are desperate to see the dinosaurs.

Take a lunch with you, the cafes are very expensive, so may keep it as a treat for later.

If there are long queues to get into the NHM, walk to theback and go in via the Earth Galleries, which look impressive to wander through even if child not interested.

There are lifts to the Picc at KX, and at SK, but it's 3 lifts at KX so not any quicker really. If it's a nice day, can take picnic and eat in the V&A courtyard round the corner, which has a huge fountain paddling pool. Or NHM basement picnic area - the investigation zone is there which is fab for small biologists - they let ds stand on the benches so could see down microscopes, etc.

Thank you very much for these helpful replies! I am getting excited. Will take a picnic.

Just wanted to say thanks and that we had a great day