Best art galleries in London for kids: A family day out guide
October half term starts on Monday 26 October for most UK schools, and with the clocks going back the day before, it is a week of shorter afternoons and almost certainly a wet day or two. London's art galleries are the best answer we know. Most are free, all of them are under cover, and the major collections now run holiday workshops, family trails and drop-in studios that work for toddlers, primary-age children and teenagers alike.
Below is our edit of the best London art galleries for a rainy half-term day out: who each one suits, the trail or activity worth planning around, and where to refuel nearby.
Tate Modern: The Best All-Rounder for Toddlers to Teens
Tate Modern remains the gold standard for family-friendly art in London. UNIQLO Tate Play is the gallery's free programme of art, activities and play for families, and over the school holidays it runs drop-in Holiday Make Studios where children create their own work inspired by the collection. Little ones will happily spend an hour in the Turbine Hall alone, while teenagers tend to get more from the free collection displays, which are big, bold and rarely feel like a lesson.
Best for: ages 3 to teens
Half-term tip: Holiday sessions are drop-in and fill up by late morning, so aim to arrive close to opening.
Nearby café: Borough Market is a ten-minute walk along the river for lunch. Before you leave, head up to the Level 10 viewing terrace for a panoramic view over the Thames.
See more here
The National Gallery: The Best for Family Trails and Classic Art
The National Gallery's dedicated family spaces come into their own over the school holidays. The Welcome Space has a range of self-guided activities inspired by the collection, while The Social Space is the place to retreat from the crowds for storytelling sessions and a packed lunch. The standout is The Keeper of Paintings, an immersive digital trail that lets children explore the gallery through an app that is free to use on a phone or tablet, and one that older children and teens will happily lead themselves.
Best for: ages 5 to teens
Half-term tip: Download the app before you arrive and charge the tablet, then pair your visit with the National Portrait Gallery next door, which runs its own family trails.
Nearby café: The Café in the Crypt at St Martin-in-the-Fields, just across Trafalgar Square, is a dry and spacious spot for lunch.
See more here
Young V&A: The Best Rainy-Day Gallery for Toddlers and Under-8s
Formerly the V&A Museum of Childhood, Young V&A in Bethnal Green was reimagined as a dedicated children's museum spanning design, imagination and play. It is the single best gallery in London for under-8s, with hands-on exhibits, open play spaces and free drop-in activities across the holidays. Older siblings are well catered for too: the Inside Aardman exhibition goes behind the scenes on how Wallace & Gromit and friends were brought to life.
Best for: ages 0 to 8, with plenty for older siblings
Half-term tip: Go on a weekday morning to avoid the busiest weekend crowds, and check whether the exhibition needs a timed ticket.
Nearby café: The museum's own café is buggy-friendly, or take a short walk to E. Pellicci on Bethnal Green Road for a classic East End lunch.
See more here
Dulwich Picture Gallery: The Best for a Calmer Half-Term Day
England's oldest public art gallery runs a strong family programme, including free trails, holiday workshops and the ArtPlay Pavilion, which gives children space to explore through sensory activities. It is smaller and calmer than the central London galleries, which suits toddlers, children and parents who tire quickly of busy spaces, and it makes an easy first gallery for little ones.
Best for: ages 3+
Half-term tip: Holiday workshops are popular with local families, so book ahead rather than turning up on the day.
Nearby café: The gallery café is a lovely spot for lunch, and neighbouring Dulwich Park has a playground and its own café for a full half-day out when the rain eases.
See more here
Design Museum: The Best for Tweens and Teens
The Design Museum in Kensington runs family workshops covering everything from fashion to architecture and product design, and its ground-floor displays are engaging even for children who are not natural gallery-goers. The half-term Design Camps are the main draw, giving children aged 7 to 14 the chance to try their hand at the likes of clay making and stage design. It is the pick of this list for older children, and the building itself, with its striking roof, is worth the visit alone.
Best for: ages 7 to 14
Half-term tip: Design Camps and weekend workshops are ticketed and book up quickly during school holidays, so reserve places now.
Nearby café: Holland Park is right next door for a run around between showers, with a café in the park.
See more here
Serpentine Galleries: The Best for a Dry Spell
Set inside Kensington Gardens, the Serpentine Galleries pair free contemporary art with one of London's best parks on the doorstep. Save this one for the driest day of the week. It is buggy-friendly with two galleries to explore, and the annual Serpentine Pavilion, a temporary architectural commission, is a real highlight for children who like to explore structures. Older children and teens tend to enjoy the contemporary shows more than they expect to.
Best for: ages 4+
Half-term tip: Bring a scooter or bike, as the surrounding paths in Kensington Gardens are wide and largely traffic-free.
Nearby café: There is a café with a dedicated children's menu for when tired legs need a rest.
See more here
Our top tips for visiting London Art Galleries with kids this half term
Book the free things too: Entry may be free, but holiday workshops and camps are often ticketed and sell out before half term begins.
Go early or go late: The first hour after opening and the last hour before closing are the quietest, which matters more than usual in the holidays.
Plan around the clocks change: The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, so little ones may be up earlier than usual on the first Monday. Use it to be first through the door.
Keep visits short: Aim for 45 to 60 minutes with young children rather than attempting the whole collection in one go. Teens will often happily stay longer if they have chosen what to see.
Pick a trail: A family trail or app gives children a mission, and most galleries publish their holiday schedules online a few weeks ahead.
Pack snacks: Most of the galleries above sit next to a park, so pack a picnic for a dry moment and some outdoor play afterwards.