Imperial War Museum, London

The Imperial War Museum in London isn't really designed with toddlers and young children in mind, although this doesn't mean it isn't worth a visit with your little ones, especially if they have older siblings as it is a fabulous place to take an older child or teenager who is eager to learn more about the World Wars. In terms of a toddler however, you should not expect to spend the whole day there. Most of the displays are unsuitable for children of a young age with the objects telling a story that is very reliant on the accompanying text to appreciate. Throughout much of the museum the objects diplayed are not familiar to young children and have complicated stories to tell which will be difficult for a toddler to comprehend. An introduction to a few of these of objects is fine but a full day of this would not keep them engaged.

Our Little Museum Visitors however loved the Large Exhibits Gallery. This a huge, open, indoor space, filled with vehicles and large weapons from the World Wars. It includes a number of aeroplanes which fascinated Garden Boy and they were both thrilled with the opportunity to step inside part of an aeroplane and pull faces through the window. There is lots of space for them to have freedom to explore what they are drawn to in this gallery and Garden Dad was happy to wander with them, reading out amazing facts to them from the information boards.  They easily spent an hour in this gallery and would have stayed for longer had we not dragged them away to the 'Children's War' exhibition.

The Children's War exhibition is really the only other gallery that a toddler would find engaging. Despite containing some familiar objects such as toys and room settings, there is also a lot here that they will be unfamilar with such as gas masks and ration books which will raise enough questions and difficult concepts for them for one visit. It is a great place to introduce them to a difficult part of their history however. Garden Girl showed some understanding on a very basic level that it was a difficult time and food supply was short. She could identify with creating a vegetable patch and making your own clothes because things were not available in the shops. She was amused that there was no TV in the living room but liked the idea of telling stories together instead and listening to the radio and dancing. Garden Boy liked the toys, the barriers, navigating the staircase and sitting at the desks in the replica school room. The yellow brick road, leading to a short tunnel, provided much enjoyment for them both.

Even though these galleries are portrayed from the point of view of children in the war, it isn't an easy exhibition to show a toddler. There is a lot to explain and it isn't worth taking them if they are tired. They need to be willing to listen if they are not just going to run around aimlessly not looking at anything and will need some guidance. These galleries are also not easy to navigate with a pushchair. The 1940's house is on two storeys and there is no lift down that we could find so you will need two adults to juggle the children and pushchair down the steep 1940's staircase. The pushchair was also in the way a lot in the house part of the exhibit, blocking the path for other visitors while we stopped to look in the rooms. We were in the way a lot and this made us hurry around part of the exhibtion that they were both enjoying. There was no noticable place to leave pushchairs or belongings in the museum either, so we had no option really but to lug the pushchair around with us.

If you are in this part of London and have a couple of hours to fill, or a member of your family has a particular interest in the World Wars then it is worth taking your toddlers. We have friends who live close by and we take our Little Museum Visitors for a few hours whenever we visit them but I wouldn't otherwise plan a day trip there with them.

Practicalities

• Only some of the galleries are really suitable to create an enjoyable visit for toddlers. If you plan your visit to only incorporate the Large Exhibits Gallery and The Children's War you will save yourself some frustrated wandering around a maze of galleries in which your children will become increasingly bored and frustrated. (Note, The Children's War exhibit is a temporary display and ends in December 2012).
• The Large Exhibits Gallery and most of the museum is accessible with a pushchair and wheelchair but the 1940's house is difficult to navigate with a pushchair and a wheelchair user will not be able to access the upper floors at all.
• There is a cafe on the ground floor where you can buy hot food or sandwiches. As we usually eat with friends close by we haven't tried out the cafe so I can't comment on how good the food is but I did check the menu and they do offer a children's lunch box.
• There are wheelchair accessible toilets in the museum, although not on all floors and there are also baby changing facilities. 
• The main entrance to the museum has steps leading up to the doors and a further couple of steps once inside. We carried the pushchair in, but if you require wheelchair access or prefer a ramp then there is another entrance on the right of the building which is signposted.
• The museum staff are friendly and welcoming to children.
• There is no museum car park and there is only limited meter parking on the nearby roads. The museum is also located within the congestion charge zone so it is recommended that you travel by bus, tube or train. Details of the nearest bus stops and tube and rail stations can be found on the Imperial War Museum website.
• There is an onsite museum shop.

Admission Prices

• Entry into the museum is Free
• There is sometimes a charge for special exhibitions

Opening Times

• Daily, 10am till 6pm
• Closed 24th-26th December

Learn More

To find out more or to check for updated information prior to your visit, have a look at the Imperial War Museum website.

Little Museum Visitor Rating
***

The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

The Fitzwilliam Museum is a treasure trove of art and antiquities. It is a place of discovery, not just for the children but for any visitor. It is filled with curious things, beautiful things, big things, ugly things, fun things, familiar things and just more things. We started our visit in the European Pottery gallery and spent over an hour in here. One of the best things about this museum is that most of the galleries have display cases containing artefacts at toddler eye level so both our Little Museum Visitors were able to wander about the gallery peeping through the glass for things that interested them, while I was able to wander around the gallery doing the same, free from having to keep lifting them up to see. They pointed and shouted 'Look' at each other and at me, drawing attention to things I had missed and which had caught their eye.

Garden Boy loved anything that resembled an animal, in particular a tea set with all the cups and teapot shaped like his favourite animals. We ignored the slightly grumpy stares of 'quiet' visitors and made all the appropriate noises when we spotted an animal shaped vessel or an animal painting. Then Garden Girl noticed other teapots, shaped like other things and we took a closer look. When they started to run about with a bit too much energy I asked them to get their crayons and paper out of their backpacks and choose their favourite object to draw. Garden Boy chose a lion and Garden Girl a little rectangular vessel with a lid that had eyes.

A little calmer now and starting to feel hungry, we took a quick look at the armoury, where the armoured horse and rider thrilled Garden Boy. Garden Girl was less impressed with the horse and more interested in the curious weapons on display, asking what they were used for and how but it wasn't long before food became the priority and we headed to the courtyard cafe. The food, although not cheap, was delicious and the portions big. I ordered hot food from the children's menu for Garden Girl and Garden Boy and they could easily have shared one meal between them, which I will remember for our next visit. I'm not sure if they have a picnic area for summer. I will look out for one next time I visit and let you know.

After lunch we decided to try one of the toddler storybook trails. These are free and available from the entrance desks and are definitely worth doing. We borrowed the book 'I'm going on a Bear Hunt' which was to be used in one of the art galleries. The book was used as guide for looking at the paintings on display, encouraging our Little Museum Visitors to really pay attention to the paintings on the walls. We looked for a paining depicting swishy swashy grass, thick oozy mud, a swirling snowstorm and so on, each time pretending to go through the particular obstacle as we squelched, tiptoed ot stumbled around the gallery as we looked for the right painting. I have never had so much fun in an art gallery and the children loved it.

We by no means saw the whole museum. We just touched the surface but we can't wait to go back. All of us had a brilliant day out and the museum has really thought about their younger visitors. The only thing that was a little disappointing was that some of the other visitors and a few of the gallery attendents seemed to dislike the idea of noise and fun in the galleries and we were by no means unruly or running amok. We were clearly making use of the exhibits and engaging with displays so I smiled at the frowns and continued to squelch my way around the galleries.

Practicalities

• The galleries are mostly large and easy to move a pushchair or wheelchair through without feeling you are blocking access to exhibits.
• There is good visibility in most of the galleries to allow your toddler some freedom to explore themselves although some of the galleries have breakables on open display, as well as furniture with 'do not touch' signs and some of the gallery attendents visibally tensed when they saw a toddler enter a room so sometimes a closer eye was needed.
• In most of the galleries there are exhibits at toddler eye level or the exhibits are large enough to catch a toddlers eye so it is an excellent museum for self guided exploration.
• The museum has excellent story book trails for toddlers as well as trails for older children and adults. They also provide crayons and paper if you have forgotton to take your own.
• The toilets are clean and there are baby changing facilities and disabled toilets, although they are all located on the Lower Ground floor near the entrances so make sure you plan to visit them during the day if you have a newly toilet trained toddler as you might not make it from the farthest corners of the museum otherwise.
• There is a lift to access all the floors of the museum and almost all the museum is therefore accessible with a pushchair or to wheelchair users.
• If you have left your pushchair in the car, which I often do for museum visits now both our Little Museum Visitos can walk there is a place to securely leave your coats and bags so you don;t have to trundle lots of baggage around the museum with you. These are located near the toilets so is convenient to leave a changing bag and grab it when needed.
• The cafe serves food all day, closing 30 minutes before the museum and is a pleasant if slightly expensive place to eat. Children's menus are offered.
• There is no car park at the museum so if you are driving it is recommended that you use the park and ride. Details can be found on the museum website. Otherwise the museum is walkable from the city centre or buses run from the railway station. We did manage to 'pay and display' on a nearby road although this could be hit and miss and parking is not guaranteed as there are restrictions on many of the roads around the museum. 
• The museum is big so don't expect to see it all in one day. The museum also has a programme of special events and exhibitions so it is worth looking to see what is on before your visit.
• Photography is not allowed in the museum.
  

Admission Prices

• Entry to the museum is free
• Entry to many of the special events and exhibitions is also free although for some there is a charge and for most it is advisable to pre-book so give the museum a ring beforehand to find out more.

Opening Times

• Tuesdays - Saturdays 10am till 5pm
• Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays 12noon till 5pm
• Unless it is a Bank Holiday the museum is closed every Monday
• The museum is also closed on Good Friday and 24th-26th December and 31st December - 1st January

Learn More

To find out more or to check for updated information prior to your visit, have a look at the The Fitzwilliam Museum website.

Little Museum Visitor Rating
*****

National Railway Museum

The National Railway Museum provided us with one of our best afternoons this summer. Garden Girl and Garden Boy were wowed by the large exhibits, thrilling in the opportunity to get so close to the trains, peer through the windows and in some cases climb on board. Garden Boy didn't know where to look first. He stood pointing at all the trains, saying Choo Choo with a huge grin on his face. He had no understanding of the historic value of the trains but was content to run from one train to another, looking at the wheels and funnels. Garden Girl had a better understanding that some of the trains were very old and therefore very special. She was also very impressed with the idea of a train that could travel through a tunnel built under water, when we climbed onboard a Eurostar train.

An unexpected highlight for both of them was the walk underneath a train. We were effectively walking through a tunnel where the roof was the underside of a train and they both walked through with heads tilted upwards, looking at all the workings. I had no idea what we were looking at, so I pointed out the obvious bits like the wheels and explained how complicated it was to build a train and we tried to guess how many nuts and bolts were used to put it together. Does anyone know? The wonder of walking underneath a train certainly captured the interest of Garden Girl, so that when Uncle H joined us at the museum after work she insisted on walking him through this exhibit.

Garden Girl had the opportunity to dress up in Victorian clothes and climb on board a Victorian train. She loved the little dress and the chance to sit in a really really old train cabin, although she wasn't very impressed when the lady at the museum suggested she temporarily swap Garden Cow for a Victorian Teddy. There were no outfits small enough for Garden Boy but he wriggles and squirms a lot when he gets dressed so it was probably for the best.

We rounded the day off with a trip on the mini railway. Garden Girl and Garden Boy both thought this was brilliant. Garden Mum and Garden Dad were a little disappointed that it was not a round trip. Instead the train went in a straight line to a small platform where we all stoof up and turned around so we were facing forward for the return trip and to give the impression to all those waiting for their turn that the train takes a circular route. Our Little Museums Visitors did not mind though and at only 50p per person we shouldn't really complain. The only thing to bear in mind with the mini railway is that it only runs for a few hours in the afternoon and if you do not buy your ticket early enough you could miss out, because once the queue got quite long they seemed to shut down the ticket machine.

The only disappointment we experienced was that the model railway wasn't running which both Garden Boy and Garden Girl would have loved to see. However, with so much else to see and do, this in no means spoiled our day and is something to look forward to next time we visit, which we most definitely will again. We spent an afternoon at the museum but could easily have spent the whole day and best of all museum entry is free for everyone.

Practicalities

• It is easy to push a pushchair around the museum without blocking exhibits or walkways, although it wasn't possible to take them on board the trains, so you must be willing to leave them on the platforms while you look inside. 
• There are steps to climb if you want to peer through the windows of some of the older trains and you must go down steps in order to view the underside of the train which makes a number of the exhibits inaccessible to wheelchair users.
• There is lots of space to toddlers to run about and explore but you must stay very close as there are open platform edges and uneven surfaces.
• Although queuing for the mini railway can take a long time the museum have provided toys in the form of big, soft building blocks, outdoor connect four and hoop throwing to entertain the family while one of you holds your place in the queue.
• There is a cafe/Restaurant where you can get refreshments or a meal, while taking in the trains all around you but if you want to save some money there is a small indoor picnic area equipped with picnic tables.
• There are toilets at various locations in the museum so you are never too far away for a toddler who only tells you they need to go when they are desperate. There are disabled toilets and baby changing facilities at all the toilet locations and within the museum there are two rooms for feeding young babies.
• The museum is a long walk from York town centre, especially for toddlers as some of it is uphill, however there is  Road Train which runs between York Minster and the museum. We were not aware of this until we arrived at the museum and we missed the last train back afterwards as we did not want to leave the museum that early. There is a charge for this service.
• There is a car park beside the museum although charges apply. We used the city park and ride which does have a stop beside the museum which we could have used had we not been visiting the town centre as well. Alternatively if you are arriving by train the museum is very close to the railway station.
• The museum does have a programme of events, activities and exhibitions which we just ran out of time to see. There are sometimes charges for these.

Admission Prices

• Museum entry is FREE to all visitors
• The mini railway was 50p per person
• The Road Train costs £2 each way for adults and £1 each way for children
  
• Additional charges apply for some activities, temporary exhibitions and the road train

Opening Times

• Daily between 10am and 6pm
  
• Closed 24th-26th December
• The Road Train does not run all year so check with the museum before visiting if you intend to use this service 

Learn More

To find out more or to check for updated information prior to your visit, have a look at the National Railway Museum website.

Little Museum Visitor Rating
*****

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden

These beautiful gardens and woodland paths, which border a private broad, are the ideal place for exploring toddlers to run about gathering sticks and stones. Their eyes will be drawn to an array of colourful and dramatic plants and leaves. There are butterflies to chase, a variety of bird calls to listen for, ducks to feed and dragonflies to dance with.

We first took Garden Girl when she was 10 months old and she was just learning to walk unaided. The flat, wide and pushchair accessible paths allowed her to use the back of her stroller as a walking aid and she was off, toddling with pride. She stopped constantly, as she still does, to collect stones, but the tranquil setting of the gardens made the slow walk welcome, offering us the opportunity to hear the birds sing and drink in the lovely surroundings. I also remember enjoying a relaxing hour reading beside the water, when the fresh air and excitement of exploring had exhausted Garden Girl enough for her to fall asleep.

A second visit the following year was just as enjoyable, so it was only natural for us to return again this summer with both our Little Museum Visitors toddling along beside us. With Garden Girl a little bit older and Garden Boy a little less wary than his sister had been at the same age, the two explorers were quick to clamber on the felled tree trunks pretending to be statues. They ran into the undergrowth to pretend they were in little woodland houses and walked quietly on tiptoe so as not to scare the elves. We watched the leaves floating down the water channels, imagining they were tiny boats for the woodland elves and played Pooh sticks over and over again. This year we also gave ourselves a treat in the form of a boat ride on the broad. I was worried that at 15 months Garden Boy would be unable to sit still for a full 20 minutes but with lots of birds, ducks and boats for him to point at I need not have worried.

We returned to our tent at the end of day laden down with fallen leaves, acorns, sticks and stones and happy memories. There is little doubt we will return again next summer.

Practicalities 

• The paths are pushchair accessible, wide and flat
• There are tea rooms on site but if the weather is nice there are many beautiful spots to lay out your picnic rug, as well as picnic tables overlooking the broad
• There are clean toilets in the tea rooms, as well as some portaloos at the opposite end of the broads, one of which is a disabled portaloo which provides room for you to take a toddler inside
  
• There are nappy changing facilities at the tea rooms but not at the portaloos, although there are plenty of secluded spots to make a quick nappy change outdoors
• Toddlers need to be kept close on the paths which border the water channels where the water is open and the surrounding vegetation boggy
• The gardens are wheelchair accessible and they have 5 mobility scooters available to borrow for a small donation
• Hearing loops have been installed in the tea rooms, gift shop and on the boat
  
• A sensory garden has been developed with mobility and visually impaired visitors in mind but the area is also an excellent place to introduce toddlers to the sights, smells and sounds of the garden.
  

Admission Prices

• Although the leaflet says admission prices for a child is £2.50 we were not charged for either of our Little Museum Visitors due to their young age
• Admission for an adult is £5.00 
• The Concession price is £4.50 
• Boat rides are an additional fee and price depends on the length of the trip.The 20 minute trip we took was £3.50 each per adult and free for under 3's. An older child would have paid £2.50
• Dogs are welcome in the gardens if kept on a lead and there is an entry fee of 25p per dog
• There are Membership options if you visit regularly

Opening Times

• From March to November: 10am - 5pm
• From December to February: 10am - 4pm
• From May to August there are late openings on Wednesday and Thursday evenings until 9pm
• Closed Christmas Day  
  

Learn More


To find out more or to check for updated information prior to your visit, have a look at the Fairhaven Woodland and Water Gardens website.

 

Little Museum Visitor Rating:
* * * *  

What Makes a Good Day Out for a Toddler?

Before I begin to look at specific museums and heritage attractions I thought it was worthwhile detailing some of the things that determine whether a toddler is likely to enjoy their day out.

What makes a good day out for a toddler and their parent?

• Toilets that are easy to locate, large enough to fit a pushchair inside and have adequate baby changing facilities.
• Friendly staff who understand that even the very best behaved toddler will run about or make a noise and who actually welcome some fun and laughter in their galleries and corridors.
• Space, so toddlers can run about a bit, have room to look at exhibits without fighting their way through a sea of legs and so parents can easily see their children while giving them some freedom.
• Visually impressive or attractive exhibits that wow a toddler for their extraordinary qualities (eg. large aeroplanes or stunning African masks) or which can be easily recognised due to their ordinariness (eg. spoons and clothes).
• Some exhibits at toddler eye level so they have freedom to explore and find things they are drawn to, rather than what we choose to lift them up to see.
  
• Crayons and paper. We always take some in our backpacks so we can draw in the galleries but it is an added bonus when museums have provided colouring in sheets.
• Things to touch and play.
• A place to get refreshments or ideally a picnic area where toddlers can refuel without breaking the bank.
• Somewhere secure to leave your pushchair so you don't have to drag it around the museum.
• Easy pushchair access into and around the building.

Garden Girl and Garden Boy love visiting museums and heritage attractions and the big bonus for me is that I get a lot out of the visit too, especially when the place we visit has catered well for their toddler audience. A happy toddler leaves me free to browse the exhibits and learn something new. I hope that the forthcoming reviews will provide you with a varied and interesting list of places to visit with your toddler.