The Natural History Museum

Cromwell Rd, SW7 5BD
Tel 020 7942 5000
Scott’s Last Expedition (until Sept 2) tells the story of Captain Scott’s ill-fated venture to the South Pole 100 years ago, and Animals Inside Out (from April 6) is presented by the team behind the Body Worlds show - including Gunther von Hagens. Over 100 plastinated animal specimens allow you to see ‘under the skin’ of real animals.
www.nhm.ac.uk

Kids in Museums Awards

The shortlist for the 2012 Family Friendly Museum Award is announced in April, with the winner chosen in May. It recognises museums around the country offering innovative and welcoming experiences for families.
www.kidsinmuseums.org.uk

Imperial War Museum

Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ
Tel 020 7416 5320
‘A Family in Wartime’ is a new exhibition (opening April 5) which helps translate the experience of war for children, in a family-friendly way. Primary school children often study this area as part of Key Stage 2 history.
www.iwm.org.uk

V&A Museum of Childhood

Cambridge Heath Rd, E2
Tel 020 8983 5200
The Beautiful Games exhibition (March 31-Sept 9) explores how technology enhances sporting perfor-mance - but is it cheating?
www.vam.ac.uk

Innovation Station

The O2, SE10 0DX
Tel 0844 856 0202
A free exhibition where children can try out simulators for funky electric cars and explore other interactive tasks.
www.theo2.co.uk

Kensington Palace

The Broadwalk, W8 4PX
Tel 0844 482 7799
To mark the opening of the refurbished Kensington Palace there is a weekend of family activities and dancing (July 7 and 8). A new exhibition explores the life of former Palace resident, - Queen Victoria.
www.hrp.org.uk

Museum of London

London Wall, EC2Y 5HN
Tel 020 7001 9844
In May half term (June 2-10) there is a distinctly Olympic theme to free family activities, including a chance to take part in an Olympics board game and design a poster for the 2012 Games. The Museum of London Docklands also has a wealth of summer half term activities including creating your own pop-up book.
www.museumoflondon.org.uk

Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, SW1W 1QH
Tel 020 7766 7300
Carriages and cars used for official royal duties are on display, including the gleaming Gold State Coach. It is a working stable so it’s worth checking ahead to see if the horses will be there. Every Saturday and Sunday 5-11 year olds can use the art trolley. Under-5s free.
www.royalcollection.org.uk

National Army Museum

Royal Hospital Rd, SW3
Tel 020 7881 6606
At this fascinating, free museum (open daily), throughout 2012 there is a display of costumes and props from the film of ‘War Horse’. Visitors can also see also items from the stage production and there are related historical pieces from the museum’s own collec-tion. The museum also has a new hands-on Kids Zone.
www.nam.ac.uk

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