Free Museums and Low-Cost Learning Days Out for Curious Kids This Summer

Educational days out, free museums and fun learning activities for families

The summer holidays are a brilliant time for children to explore the world outside the classroom.

Some children love dinosaurs.

Some want to know how rockets work.

Some are fascinated by animals, trains, ancient history, art, space, science, castles or the sea.

Some simply ask “why?” about everything.

For curious kids, a learning day out can be just as exciting as a theme park or soft play session.

And for parents, museums and educational attractions can be one of the most useful summer holiday options because they are often free, low-cost, indoors, weather-proof and packed with things children can see, touch, question and remember.

This guide is here to help parents plan free and affordable learning days out that still feel fun, relaxed and family-friendly.

How to make a museum trip fun for kids

Museum days work best when children feel involved. Before you go, ask them to choose a mission.

Their mission could be:

• find the biggest object
• find the oldest object
• find something scary
• find something tiny
• find something colourful
• find an animal
• find a dinosaur
• find something from space
• find something that makes them laugh
• choose one thing to tell someone about later

You can also give them a simple challenge sheet.

Add questions like:

1. What was your favourite thing?
2. What surprised you?
3. What would you like to learn more about?
4. What did you see that was bigger than you?
5. What did you see that was older than your grandparents?
6. What would you draw from memory?
7. What would you put in your own museum?

Choose a museum by your child’s interests

A learning day out is always easier when it matches what your child already enjoys.

Instead of choosing a museum only because it is nearby, think about what your child is curious about.

For kids who love science

Science museums and discovery centres are perfect for children who like experiments, buttons, machines, space, inventions and hands-on learning.

Look for:

• interactive exhibits
• experiment zones
• science shows
• engineering displays
• light and sound activities
• space galleries
• body and health exhibitions
• technology displays
• family workshops
• school holiday events

Good ideas include:

1. Science Museum, London
2. Science and Industry Museum, Manchester
3. Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum
4. Life Science Centre, Newcastle
5. We The Curious, Bristol
6. Eureka! Science + Discovery, Wirral
7. Glasgow Science Centre
8. W5, Belfast
9. local discovery centres

Science days out are especially useful for children who like to press, test, build and ask questions.

Kids Pass offers may be available for selected science and discovery attractions, so check before booking.

For kids who love dinosaurs, animals and nature

Natural history museums are brilliant for children who love fossils, animals, bones, rocks, insects and the natural world.

Look for:

• dinosaur displays
• animal galleries
• fossils
• rocks and minerals
• wildlife exhibits
• nature trails
• hands-on family activities
• animal skeletons
• bug displays
• family discovery sessions

Good ideas include:

1. Natural History Museum, London
2. National Museum Cardiff
3. World Museum, Liverpool
4. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
5. Manchester Museum
6. local natural history museums
7. wildlife centres
8. aquariums
9. farm parks

For children who prefer real animals to museum displays, aquariums, farm parks and wildlife parks can also make great learning days out.

Kids Pass may help families save on selected aquariums, zoos, farm parks and wildlife attractions where offers are available.

For kids who love history

History days out are ideal for children who enjoy stories, battles, kings and queens, ancient worlds, local legends or “what life was like before.”

Look for:

• castles
• historic houses
• Roman sites
• Viking exhibitions
• ancient Egypt displays
• local history museums
• wartime museums
• archaeology galleries
• heritage trails
• hands-on dressing up
• family activity sheets

Good ideas include:

1. British Museum, London
2. Museum of London Docklands
3. National Museum Cardiff
4. National Museum of Scotland
5. Museum of Liverpool
6. Leeds City Museum
7. Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds
8. local history museums
9. castles and heritage sites

To make history fun, focus on stories rather than dates.

Ask:

• Who lived here?
• What did children do then?
• What would you eat?
• What would you wear?
• What would be different from today?
• What would you miss most from home?

For kids who love transport

Transport museums are brilliant for children who love trains, buses, cars, planes, boats or anything that moves.

Look for:

• old trains
• model railways
• buses and trams
• aviation displays
• engines
• driving simulators
• transport trails
• interactive exhibits
• city transport history
• family activity zones

Good ideas include:

1. London Transport Museum
2. National Railway Museum, York
3. Riverside Museum, Glasgow
4. Science and Industry Museum, Manchester
5. Coventry Transport Museum
6. Brooklands Museum
7. local railway museums
8. heritage railways

Transport museums can work especially well for younger children because the objects are big, visual and easy to understand.

For kids who love art and creativity

Art galleries can be great for children, especially if you make the visit playful. You do not need to walk around quietly for hours. Instead, turn it into a game.

Ask children to find:

• their favourite colour
• the biggest painting
• the funniest face
• an animal
• a pattern
• a painting they would put in their bedroom
• something that looks peaceful
• something that looks dramatic

Good ideas include:

1. Tate Modern, London
2. V&A South Kensington
3. National Gallery, London
4. Manchester Art Gallery
5. Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
6. Leeds Art Gallery
7. Ikon Gallery, Birmingham
8. National Galleries of Scotland
9. local galleries with family trails

Many galleries offer free family activities, creative workshops or children’s trails during school holidays.

For kids who love space

Space-themed days out are perfect for children who ask about planets, rockets, stars, astronauts and the moon.

Look for:

• planetariums
• space galleries
• rocket displays
• astronomy workshops
• science centres
• night sky events
• hands-on space exhibits
• space-themed museum trails

Good ideas include:

1. Science Museum, London
2. National Space Centre, Leicester
3. Winchester Science Centre
4. Life Science Centre, Newcastle
5. Glasgow Science Centre
6. local planetariums
7. observatory events
8. science museum space exhibitions

Space days out are a good mix of learning and imagination, especially for children who enjoy big questions.

Free museums to visit with kids in the UK

Free museums are one of the best ways to plan low-cost family days out during the summer holidays.

They are especially useful when you want a proper day out without spending the full budget on tickets.

Before travelling, always check opening times, booking rules and whether special exhibitions or events have a charge.

London free museums for families

London has some of the best free museums for children in the UK. Free family-friendly options include:

• Natural History Museum
• Science Museum
• British Museum
• V&A South Kensington
• Tate Modern
• Museum of London Docklands
• National Maritime Museum
• National Gallery
• Imperial War Museum London
• Wellcome Collection
• local libraries and family workshops

A good London learning day could be:

Morning: free museum

Lunch: packed lunch or budget café stop

Afternoon: Kids Pass cinema, dining or attraction offer nearby where available

Manchester free museums for families

Manchester has strong free museum and learning options for curious kids.

Ideas include:

• Science and Industry Museum
• Manchester Museum
• People’s History Museum
• Manchester Art Gallery
• Central Library
• local library activities
• museum family trails
• free city events where available

The Science and Industry Museum offers free museum admission and explores Manchester’s role in innovation, industry and ideas.

Manchester Museum is also a useful choice for children interested in animals, nature, ancient worlds and discovery.

Birmingham free museums and learning ideas

Birmingham is useful for families looking for free or low-cost indoor learning activities.

Ideas include:

• Library of Birmingham
• Ikon Gallery
• Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery when open
• Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum for a paid learning day
• local libraries
• free craft and story sessions where available
• city-centre family events
• local parks and trails

Libraries are especially useful for younger children because they often offer story sessions, craft activities and calm indoor space.

Liverpool free museums for curious kids

Liverpool is one of the strongest UK cities for free museum days out.

Ideas include:

• World Museum
• Museum of Liverpool
• Merseyside Maritime Museum
• International Slavery Museum
• Walker Art Gallery
• Central Library
• Royal Albert Dock walks
• free family trails and museum events where available

A simple Liverpool learning day could include a free museum, waterfront walk and packed lunch.

Leeds and York free learning days out

Leeds and York both offer strong learning days for families.

Ideas include:

• Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds
• Leeds City Museum
• Leeds Art Gallery
• Leeds Central Library
• National Railway Museum, York
• York city walls walk
• local history trails

These options are especially good for children interested in transport, history, armour, art and city stories.

Cardiff free museums and family learning

Cardiff is a great city for a free or low-cost learning day out.

Ideas include:

• National Museum Cardiff
• Cardiff Central Library
• Bute Park
• Cardiff Bay Barrage walk
• local family events
• free museum trails and activity sessions where available

National Museum Cardiff is useful for families because children can explore art, natural history and museum galleries without paying for general admission.

Edinburgh free museums and galleries

Edinburgh has lots of free family-friendly cultural options.

Ideas include:

• National Museum of Scotland
• National Galleries of Scotland
• Museum of Childhood
• Museum of Edinburgh
• Princes Street Gardens
• Royal Mile walking route
• free gallery activities where available

The National Museum of Scotland is especially strong for families because it includes hands-on galleries, science, animals and natural history.

Glasgow free museums and learning spaces

Glasgow has several free options for family learning days.

Ideas include:

• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
• Riverside Museum
• Gallery of Modern Art
• Glasgow Botanic Gardens
• Pollok Country Park
• local libraries
• family events where available

A Glasgow museum day can work well for curious kids because there is a strong mix of art, transport, nature and history.

Bristol free museums for families

Bristol has great free museum options for families.

Ideas include:

• Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
• M Shed
• Blaise Museum
• The Georgian House Museum
• The Red Lodge Museum
• Bristol libraries
• harbourside walks
• museum family events where available

Bristol works well for a low-cost learning day because families can combine a museum with a harbourside walk or city trail.

Belfast free museums and indoor learning

Belfast has useful free options for curious kids.

Ideas include:

• Ulster Museum
• Botanic Gardens
• Belfast City Hall visitor exhibition
• Linen Hall Library
• local libraries
• family trails and workshops where available

The Ulster Museum is a good rainy-day option because families can explore art, history and science in one indoor visit.

Low-cost learning days out with Kids Pass

Free museums are brilliant, but some paid educational days out can also be worth planning, especially if they offer hands-on activities, interactive exhibits or a full day of discovery.

Kids Pass may help families save on selected educational attractions, museums, aquariums, discovery centres and family days out.

Kids Pass learning-style days out may include:

• Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
• Eureka! Science + Discovery
• Blue Planet Aquarium
• Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay
• Bristol Aquarium
• Oceanarium Bournemouth
• Showtown Blackpool
• Museum of Illusions London
• Paradox Museum
• Twist Museum
• Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition
• The Paddington Bear Experience
• Wookey Hole

These can be useful when families want something more interactive than a free museum or need a bigger rainy-day plan during the school holidays.

Offers and participating venues can vary, so always check the latest Kids Pass offers before booking.

How to keep learning days out low-cost

Educational days out can stay affordable with a little planning.

Try:

• choose free museums first
• check if booking is required
• look for free family trails
• take packed lunches
• bring reusable water bottles
• check parking costs
• use public transport where cheaper
• avoid paid exhibitions if they do not fit the budget
• check free library events
• look for museum workshops during school holidays
• use Kids Pass offers for paid attractions
• combine one paid activity with one free stop
• set a gift shop budget before you go

Learning days out do not need to feel like school. They can be fun, curious, hands-on and full of little discoveries.

Kids Pass can help families find educational days out and learning activities across the UK. Free museums and low-cost learning attractions give families a way to keep children entertained, inspired and curious without overspending.

Not a Kids Pass member yet? Start your £1 Kids Pass trial today and discover family days out, cinema savings, dining offers, museums, aquariums, indoor activities and low-cost learning days out across the UK.