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If you’re looking for a great (and totally weatherproof) day out with kids, then exhibitions are the way to go. Let the little ones explore at their own pace and they’ll end up marvelling at amazing objects, letting their imaginations roam free, and even learning a thing or two – or if they’re a toddler, they’ll just have a grand old time jabbing any flashing buttons they can find.
It goes without saying that London’s museums and galleries have teeming permanent collections full of treasures that’ll capture the interest of kids. But there’s a lot to be said for picking a special exhibition that'll let them go deep on one topic, and will have plenty to surprise you as well as delighting them. Here are some of the best kid-friendly exhibitions in 2026, will something to suit all ages and all budgets, too.
The 7 best family-friendly London exhibitions in 2026
1. Inside Aardman at Young V&A
If you haven’t made it to the Young V&A since its big sparkly revamp two years ago, consider this your sign to get down there, pronto. Its third temporary exhibition is a dive into the wonderful world of Aardman, the stop motion animation studio that created lovable rubber-faced duo Wallace & Gromit. And because this is very much a kids' museum, there’ll be lots of stuff for little hands to do, with interactive exhibits and the chance for young visitors to create their very own stop motion animation. As Wallace would say, cracking!
Young V&A, E2 9PA. Feb 12-Nov 15 2026. £11. More details here.
2. Fairy Tales at the British Library
If your little ones are obsessed with picturebooks (or if they’re nostalgic for the days before their books stopped having pictures in) they’ll be enthralled by this story-centric exhibition. The British Library’s archives are teeming with gorgeously illustrated kids’ books. Here, they’ll unearth some treasures from the UK’s best loved authors and illustrators, and bring them to life in entertainingly interactive style. Kids can sit down at the table with the three bears, sniff a witch’s magic potion, tell a genie their heart’s desires, and try on costumes so they shall go to the ball. Meanwhile, displays of much-loved childhood faves from decades gone by will tug at the heartstrings of the adults in tow.
British Library, NW1 2DB. Mar 27-Aug 23. More details here.
3. Mundo Pixar
When the experts deliver lectures about reducing screentime, they’re probably not talking about a trip to a Pixar film. The studio behind Monsters Inc, Inside Out and Finding Nemo has perfected the art of making narratively complex, emotionally rich stories that still have enough colour and adventure to thoroughly delight young audiences. Now, a new travelling immersive exhibition lets kids step into the many wonderful worlds of Pixar, with each of its 14 rooms dedicated to a different movie. Pretend you’re the size of a doll in Toy Story, step onto the scare floor in Monsters Inc, or explore the land of the dead in Coco. There are even specially crafted scents to complete the illusion. Still, however enriching the films might be, it’s worth bearing in mind that this exhibition is more of a fun and frivolous photo opportunity, rather than a deep dive into the craft and artistry of animation.
Wembley Park, HA9 0RJ. Feb 13-Jun 28. £29 for adults, £20 for kids age 3-15. More details here.
4. Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures at Horniman Museum
The Horniman Museum is already a bit of a destination for the small-but-mighty aquarium in the basement, complete with trailing tentacled jellyfish and luminous coral reef dwellers. Now, it’s getting a whole temporary exhibition devoted to life under the sea. This travelling show hails from Australia and is inspired by the adventurous novels of Jules Verne. Kids get to take an imaginative trip under the sea in submarine Nautilus, discovering the lost world of Atlantis and meeting magical undersea inhabitants. The exhibition includes six aquarium tanks to gawp at, as well as creature reports from CBeebies favourites the Octonauts.
Horniman Museum, SE23 3PQ. Feb 13-Nov 1. £9.80, £7 child. More details here.
5. Holy Pop! at Somerset House
Okay, this one isn’t officially aimed at kids. But if you know a teen or tween who’s covered their bedroom with pics of their pop idols, they might well get some fresh ideas at this kitschy celebration of fandom at Somerset House. It’ll showcase the wild creativity of superfans all over the world, with exhibits of fan art, fan letters, memorabilia, and installations exploring what it’s like to be head-over-heels in love with a star you may never meet.
Somerset House, WC2R 1LA. May 21-Aug 9. Pay what you can. More details here.
6. REPLAY: A Limitless Recycled Playground at Southbank Centre
Southbank Centre’s REPLAY: A Limitless Recycled Playground is part art installation, part exhibition, part very fun place indeed. It was wildly popular with families last year, and now it’s back for 2026 for under 12s to have an hour-long dose of interactive, freeform creative fun. Herd Theatre has crafted a colourful wonderland for toddlers and big kids to create and play in, full of with recycled materials ready for repurposing and making. The experience is accompanied by a score made of recycled sounds, as well as prompts to encourage little ones and adults to play side by side.
Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. Jan 14-Apr 12. £5.63-£7.50. More details here.
7. The Museum of Edible Earth at Somerset House
Kids seem to be irresistibly drawn to dirt and muck. So why not capitalise on that interest with a trip to Somerset House’s free exhibition about the brown stuff? This small immersive installation will mix a chance to touch, sniff and even taste different soils with some powerful ideas about recycling and ecology. The exhibition repurposes coffee grounds and packaging from Somerset House’s own onsite cafes, which should be inspiration for any kids who want to get into cultivating soil out in the garden when spring rolls round.
Somerset House, WC2R 1LA. Mar 18-Apr 26. Free. More details here.
Looking for something a bit more grown-up? Here are 12 London art exhibitions we can't wait to see in 2026
And this once-in-a-lifetime London exhibition will be the best thing to see in the UK in 2026
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