Museums can be magical places for children, opening their minds to art, science, history, and culture in ways that books alone cannot. However, not all museums are created with young visitors in mind. The best child-friendly museums understand that children learn differently – they need to touch, interact, play, and experience exhibits with all their senses.
Across Europe, there's a wonderful trend of museums that cater specifically to children or have developed outstanding children's programs within traditional museum settings. These institutions have reimagined the museum experience to engage young minds while still delivering educational content.
Here's our carefully curated list of the top 10 child-friendly museums across Europe that your family will love exploring:
1. CosmoCaixa Science Museum - Barcelona, Spain
This interactive science museum is a paradise for curious minds. The highlight is the "Flooded Forest" – a massive recreation of an Amazonian rainforest ecosystem where children can observe wildlife from above and below the water line. The museum also features a "Touch and Play" area designed specifically for children under 8, interactive experiments, and planetarium shows.
Child-friendly features: Hands-on exhibits, specially designed areas for different age groups, and engaging demonstrations throughout the day.
2. NEMO Science Museum - Amsterdam, Netherlands
Housed in a striking boat-shaped building, NEMO is five floors of hands-on science fun. Children can generate electricity, create giant soap bubbles, learn about chain reactions, and experiment with light and sound. The rooftop offers spectacular views of Amsterdam along with water-based exhibits in summer.
Child-friendly features: Interactive exhibits designed specifically for children, demonstrations and workshops, and a dedicated space for children under 6.
3. Natural History Museum - London, UK
The dinosaur gallery alone makes this museum worth a visit, with its animatronic T-Rex that delights (and sometimes frightens!) young visitors. The museum's "Investigate Centre" allows children to become scientists for the day, examining specimens with microscopes and scientific tools.
Child-friendly features: Interactive science stations, specimen handling opportunities, explorer backpacks available to borrow, and regular family events.
4. Junibacken - Stockholm, Sweden
This magical museum celebrates Swedish children's literature, particularly the works of Astrid Lindgren (creator of Pippi Longstocking). Children can ride the Story Train through scenes from beloved books, play in Pippi's Villa Villekulla, or climb aboard a full-sized storybook ship.
Child-friendly features: Immersive play environments, story sessions, theatrical performances, and costumes for dress-up.
5. Deutsches Museum Kinder Reich - Munich, Germany
This children's section of the larger Deutsches Museum is designed specifically for young visitors aged 3-8. Children can build water dams, experiment with sound in the music room, construct buildings in the architecture area, or climb through a giant guitar to learn about sound waves.
Child-friendly features: Completely hands-on environment, simplified scientific concepts presented at child-height, and areas designed for collaborative play.
6. Cité des Enfants at Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie - Paris, France
This dedicated children's section within Europe's largest science museum offers two separate areas – one for ages 2-7 and another for ages 5-12. Young children can explore water dynamics, construction, and the human body, while older children engage with more complex scientific principles through games and challenges.
Child-friendly features: Age-appropriate zones, bilingual exhibits (French/English), and timed entry to prevent overcrowding.
7. The Viking Ship Museum - Oslo, Norway
Housing remarkably preserved Viking ships from the 9th century, this museum brings history alive for children. The museum offers Viking-themed activity sheets, and during summer months, children can participate in Viking craft workshops and see boat-building demonstrations.
Child-friendly features: Interactive activity stations, hands-on historical crafts, and engaging storytelling about Viking life.
8. ZOOM Children's Museum - Vienna, Austria
Created exclusively for children, ZOOM offers four different areas: a hands-on exhibition space with changing themes, an art studio, an animation studio, and an exploratory area for children under 6. The museum's philosophy centers on learning through play and using all senses.
Child-friendly features: Programs designed by educational experts, small-group workshops, and exhibits that encourage touching and exploration.
9. Experimentarium - Copenhagen, Denmark
Recently renovated, this science center features over 300 interactive exhibits across 16 different sections. Children can test their reaction times against a race car driver, create massive soap bubbles, navigate a laser maze, or experience what it's like to be in the middle of a hurricane.
Child-friendly features: Fully interactive exhibits, "Bubblearium" shows, and the Tunnel of Senses where children navigate through complete darkness using non-visual senses.
10. Miniatur Wunderland - Hamburg, Germany
While not designed exclusively for children, this incredible miniature world captivates visitors of all ages. Housing the world's largest model railway, the museum features meticulously crafted miniature landscapes of countries and cities, with thousands of tiny scenes to discover. Children are delighted by the day-to-night cycle, when the exhibits light up with 400,000 tiny LEDs.
Child-friendly features: Step stools throughout the exhibit, interactive buttons that control aspects of the display, and a scavenger hunt sheet for children.
Tips for Visiting Museums with Children
- Plan ahead: Check the museum's website for child-friendly programs, workshops, or guided tours designed for families.
- Time it right: Visit during off-peak hours if possible, and plan around your child's energy levels.
- Set expectations: Before your visit, talk to your children about what they'll see and establish basic museum behavior guidelines.
- Focus on quality over quantity: Don't try to see everything in one visit. It's better to thoroughly enjoy a few exhibits than rush through many.
- Follow your child's lead: If they're particularly interested in one exhibit, allow them time to explore it fully.
- Take breaks: Use the café or outdoor spaces for rest periods during your visit.
These museums demonstrate that cultural institutions can be engaging, educational, and entertaining for children. By designing exhibits with young visitors in mind, they're creating the next generation of museum-lovers and lifelong learners.
Have you visited any of these museums with your children? What was their favorite exhibit? Or do you have other recommendations for child-friendly museums in Europe? We'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
