Science Museum

The Science Museum is a firm school holiday favourite with our family. My niece has been visiting at least once every year since she was five - she's now 11 and still loves the place. In this day and age it's pretty tough to find a cheap day out that keeps them engaged all day. The Science Museum never fails. There are so many hands on activities and free, entertaining yet informative shows. OK, so it might not meet expectations for the real science buffs out there but as a family day out it is great - and you might just learn something too!

The bubble show is very popular with the kids and it's worth finding one of the 'explainers' when you are in the hands on area as they are great at getting the kids to really understand why the things they are playing with work or react in the way they do. It's also worth asking at one of the help desks for a show schedule so you can plan which ones you want to see and ensure you are in the right part of the museum at the right time (it's huge and navigating can be a bit confusing!). There are often free actitivy sessions too where the kids can make things like little rubber band propelled cars that they can take home with them.

We often finish with a ride on the SimEx which is always good fun - some 'missions' have been better than others. It's not too expensive (about L4 for adults) and if you search the web you can often get 2 for 1 deals.

We always take a packed lunch to keep the cost down as the cafeterias can be pricey. You can eat it in the main eating area which often has little science shows running due the school holidays.

If you have time you can always pop next door to the Natural History Museum - one of my favourite buildings in London, it's beautiful.

I would suggest getting there by public transport as it's so easily accessable from South Kensington tube and you won't have to spend ages finding somewhere to park.

Enjoy!

The Science Museum doesn't deserve it's name, it's little more than low grade mass entertainment devoid of any intellectual depth with exhibits that look they've been obtained second-hand from the Millenium Dome. There certainly isn't anything to stimulate a budding scientist.