Best Art Galleries to Visit with Kids in London

So many of London’s galleries are great for kids to visit. We’re lucky in London to have so many brilliant art galleries, many of them are free and all of them have some great historical exhibitions that are also good for kids! Exploring art with children is a rewarding experience that can boost their creativity and imagination. It is also an easy way to expose kids to different cultures, histories, and perspectives. However, introducing your children to the wonders of art at a young age can feel a bit daunting! But don’t worry! London, with its rich history and cultural diversity, houses a range of art galleries that are both kid-friendly and engaging. Read on for our favourite art galleries in London to visit with kids.

National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery is great for kids, during half term holidays they often have special exhibits. Admission to the gallery is free for under 12s and they have plenty of contemporary work to view. There’s a diverse collection of portraits meaning there’s something that will appeal to everyone. It’s not an overly large art gallery (unless you are viewing the paid exhibitions too) so you can team it with a trip to Trafalgar Square or Covent Garden for a day out! There aren’t as many hands-on activities as there are in some of the other art galleries in our list but there are family trail worksheets you can complete around the gallery – be prepared for lots of questions from the kids about who is so and so! My kids weren’t sure who all the famous people were so it makes for some interesting discussions!

Best Art Galleries to Visit with Kids of all ages in London

The National Gallery

For an immersive journey through art history, the National Gallery is an ideal choice and it has free entry. This renowned gallery boasts an impressive collection of more than 2,300 works of art, spanning the mid-13th century to the 20th century – kids will enjoy seeing artists they’ve probably heard of like Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Monet that are covered in the primary curriculum. But don’t be daunted by its size or vast collection, it has plenty of art that is accessible and appealing to younger audiences. Particularly in school holidays, the gallery hosts workshops and storytelling sessions, crafted to make the art world more digestible and enjoyable for young people. One notable programme is the Magic Carpet Storytelling. This unique experience takes young visitors on an enchanting voyage around the gallery, introducing them to different artworks in an engaging manner. Plus the National Gallery has it’s own app ‘The Keeper of Paintings’ which is great for older kids aged 7+. Kids can use the app to view the art and learn more about it – it’s set out like a treasure hunt with clues to help guide kids around the gallery. A top tip is to download the app before you travel so it’s ready for you to play when you arrive.

Frameless

FRAMELESS is a brilliantly immersive and interactive art experience. It’s known as Britain’s biggest immersive art experience, “where art breaks free”. It’s free of frames making it the most inclusive Art Gallery and a great one for kids to experience. It’s the most fun way for kids to learn about Art in London. There are four separate, immersive galleries, featuring iconic masterpieces from some of the world’s greatest artists; Cezanne, Kandinsky, Monet, Dali, Van Gogh etc…. It’s a unique experience where you become the art that the young and old will love! It will suit kids of all ages – it’s a feast of colour and a sensory experience for any age! Check out their inclusive programme of activities including the Lates session for over 18s, Multi-Sensory Tots classes for parents and toddlers, Chilled Sessions for those with SEND created for those that might feel more at ease in less busy public spaces and emerging artists’ residencies, there is something for everyone. Find Frameless here: 6 Marble Arch, London W1H 7AP.

The Victoria and Albert Museum: A Fusion of Art and Design

The Victoria and Albert Museum, often referred to as the V&A, offers a wonderful amalgamation of art and design, presenting an engaging and informative platform for children. Named in honour of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the museum boasts an enormous collection of art and design pieces.The V&A makes the museum experience more interactive and enjoyable for children through their special family backpacks. Aimed at children between the ages of 5-12, these backpacks are filled with a variety of games, stories, and sketchbooks that serve as a guide to the different galleries within the museum. These backpacks can be borrowed for free, enhancing the educational value of a family’s visit without adding any extra cost. The V&A is thus a captivating blend of learning and fun, offering children a unique and memorable exploration of art and design. Don’t forget to check out the Young V&A which is a great place to explore for young children, although doesn’t have as many art exhibits so I haven’t included it as a full review here.

Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, SE21 7AD

The Dulwich Picture Gallery was the world’s first public art gallery in the 1800s and is free for kids but adults need to pay. It’s a great location to visit and you can make a whole day of it by also visiting Dulwich Park and the market at North Cross Road. It’s also not too far from The Horniman Museum if you fancy two cultural experiences in one day! Dulwich Picture Gallery often has lots of special exhibitions but it has less interactive exhibits than our other choices. That said, it has hands-on Art Sunday sessions held weekly on Sundays (free with gallery admission). There are also lots of weekend and after-school workshops, storytelling sessions and Mini Masterpiece sessions for children 6-24 months (booking required) making it an all round family friendly art gallery. 

Best Art Galleries for Older Kids: tweens and teens

The Saatchi Gallery: Encouraging Young Artists

The Saatchi Gallery is renowned for its display of contemporary artworks and interactive exhibitions making it a great place to visit for art lovers. Rather than simply exhibiting well-known artists, this gallery provides a platform for emerging talents and offers numerous opportunities for children to engage with the artworks. However, it’s best to check what’s on, as sometimes this art gallery is better for teens and tweens. Last year, we visited ‘Beyond the Streets’, an art exhibition about street art and hip hop. It was perfect for my teens but wouldn’t have worked as well for younger children. The Saatchi gallery organises workshops specifically designed for kids, helping them to understand the nuances of art and inspiring them to create their own pieces. A highlight of their educational programmes is the ‘Saatchi Gallery Art Prize for Schools’, a commendable initiative aimed at identifying and rewarding young talents. Click on the website here to check what’s on and to plan your visit. You need to pay for the Saatchi Gallery tickets to their exhibitions.

The Cartoon Museum: Celebrating British Cartoon and Comic Art

Whilst the Cartoon Museum may not be your traditional art gallery, it is undeniably a crowd-pleaser amongst young visitors and is great for tweens and teens. This unique institution proudly showcases a colourful array of British cartoon and comic art, ranging from the 18th century right through to modern times. Look out for their cartooning workshops, where young ones can learn the art of cartoon and comic creation. The museum even provides opportunities for kids to craft their own comic strips, fostering their creativity whilst also providing a fun-filled day out. 

Read here for Museums that are great for older kids to visit!

Camden Arts Centre

We had to include a North London family friendly art gallery in the mix! It very much depends what this gallery has on as to whether it’s suitable for children at any particular time but it does host brilliant art workshops for teens. ‘Transformative Futures’ is a series of free artist-led workshops for teenagers aged 15-25 that offers an opportunity to learn new art skills and approaches to art-making including drawing, performance, sculpture.

Best Art Galleries for Toddlers

Whitechapel Art Gallery

Whitechapel Art Gallery has some of the best exhibitions and workshops for children of all ages. It’s definitely worth a family trip. They have ‘crib notes’ which are specially designed curator led tours for families with toddlers. There are also under 5s family workshops as well as ‘Family Days’ where artists create workshops for families based on the latest exhibitions. They strive to make contemporary art accessible to all and have lots of special events to attract people from all walks of life – there’s always something interesting to explore there.

The Tate Modern

The Tate Modern is not only one of London’s most famous art galleries but also an ideal family-friendly destination. It’s known for its extensive collection of modern and contemporary art and for its family friendly activities. It offers a multitude of intriguing installations and exhibits, specifically curated to appeal to the younger audience. The Tate Modern is well known for the turbine hall, a big space in the centre of the gallery where they have family activities and spaces for kids to interact with the art. It’s huge so it can house large-scale installations and is great if you have a toddler because they can crawl around and you can’t lose them! One of the best things about the Tate Modern has been the Turbine Hall. In the past, there have been chances for kids to build their own structures or cover the place with colourful dots! The gallery also has a dedicated website section for children, named Tate Kids. Here, children can let their creativity run wild and make their own online art pieces while gaining insights into various art movements. An additional benefit is that entry to the gallery is completely free of charge (although there are some paid for exhibitions), making it a cost-effective day out for families. Therefore, if you are looking for an art gallery that is engaging, educational, and budget-friendly, the Tate Modern is the perfect choice. Oooh and don’t forget to check out the shop, the children’s section is exceptional, stocking a large, well-chosen selection of contemporary picture books, toys and accessories. It’s perfect for picking up Christmas presents!

Best Art Galleries for Older Kids

Hayward Gallery

The Hayward Gallery is one of the best Art Galleries for Kids in London with it’s large collection of visual arts pop up installations and more permanent pieces too. It’s well known as art museums go, for having interactive displays that kids will love with quirky elements. It’s great for family trails – they often put out new trails around different exhibitions and permanent collections in the school holidays. It’s also a great place to pop into whilst exploring the South Bank, The London Eye or the Barbican Centre which is a hub for art, theatre and film. Kids will also love marvelling at the giant plants if you visit the conservatory area. The conservatory is free to visit but you do need to book a ticket. 

Royal Academy of Arts

The Royal Academy of Arts is a great place for a family outing not least because kids under 16 go FREE! Also check out their website for lots of arty activities that you can do at home with kids. The RAA has monthly workshops for kids including workshops for children with SEND. The workshops focus on learning new craft skills such as binding, printing and sculpture. The highlight is their summer exhibition, they have an adult one and a young adult exhibition every year showcasing the best decorative arts in all forms from regular people. Anyone can enter! The Young Artists’ Summer Show is a free, open submission exhibition for students aged 4–19. Artworks are judged by a panel of artists and arts professionals, with selected artworks displayed online and on-site at the Royal Academy of Arts. It’s a brilliant day out to see art from the present day made by young people.

Top Tips for Visiting an Art Gallery with Kids

• Art Galleries can be very large and it can take a lot of walking to visit everything, so wear comfy shoes and bring plenty of snacks and water.
• Plan to visit when the museum is less likely to be crowded. Weekday mornings or early afternoons tend to be the best options. 
• For older kids, audio guides can be great for them to appreciate the history around particular pieces of art.
• Make sure you take a notebook for kids to sketch their favourite art piece, this can keep kids engaged and interested in the art they’re viewing.
• Don’t try to see everything! Don’t expect kids to admire every piece of art – it’s fine for them to whizz passed some but then find a few choice pieces they enjoy to spend longer at.
• Lay down expectations before you visit, for example – what art you can touch or not before you visit.
• If there is an outdoor area, take a break for a run around during your time at the gallery.
• If you’re heading out to see some classical art, try reading a book about the artists before you visit. Try this kids book of famous artists and this book of Famous Art movements Kids should know.