Stop 1: The Mill Engine in Energy Hall
The first stop on our tour is right as you enter the museum in the Energy Hall, where you can trace the remarkable story of steam and how it shaped the world we live in today. Made in 1903, this large stationary steam engine was used to power a cotton mill in Burnley, Lancashire.
See it in action in the video below – or during one of your visits to the Science Museum in London.
Stop 2: Pattern Pod
Stop by Pattern Pod and let your little ones chase water ripples without getting their feet wet, create symmetrical images on touch screens, follow robot trails and much more.
Fun, interactive exhibits encourage them to recognise and copy patterns—or create entirely new ones of their own.
Stop 3: Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries
Our next stop is Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries. Here you can explore our relationship with medicine and health through interactive displays and step inside Gibson’s Victorian pharmacy, brought back to life through an immersive digital experience.
One of our family favourites and a must-visit for 3–6-year-olds and their parents/guardians. Discover science through play in 4 exciting interactive areas – construction, water, light and sound. Plus, our friendly Explainers are on hand to answer any questions. Simply head down to level -1, the gallery is just opposite the Basement Café.
Stop 5: Flight
Love planes? We do too. Head up to the Flight gallery and discover the absorbing story of flight, from mankind’s earliest dreams of flight to the wide-body aeroplanes of today.
Where to eat
Cool off at the Shake Bar, where you can treat yourself to delicious made-to-order ice cream milkshakes or design your own ice cream tubs.
Try at home
Continue the fun at home with Wonderlab+ , the Science Museum Group’s free learning website for children that brings science to life through creative and fun experiments and games. Solve a mysterious power cut in Total Darkness, an adventure game which encourages children to use their science skills, discover make-and-do activities you can try at home, or watch videos where Science Museum explainers break down the science behind space rockets.
The Science Museum is open 10.00-18.00, seven days a week (last entry 17.15). Head to our website to pre-book your free tickets.
Free WiFi is available throughout the museum.