Got Young Kids? This Free Museum Space Is Your New Best Friend

M@
By M@ Last edited 75 months ago
Got Young Kids? This Free Museum Space Is Your New Best Friend

The National Maritime Museum is many wonderful things to many people, but for those with small kids it is an absolute treasure chest.

The museum's AHOY! gallery is aimed at children aged seven and under. It's packed to the gunwales with nautically themed play activities.

Along with the usual mix of soft play and dressing-up, the gallery includes many more imaginative activities. For instance, we never realised our toddler could have so much fun pretending to be a fishmonger...

...or captaining an ice-breaker through the Arctic...

Or even shovelling coal into the ship's engine (don't worry, it's not real fire... or coal).

Elsewhere, kids can load a pretend cargo ship, try rockpool fishing without getting their feet wet, explore the prow of a ship, or host a tea party in one of the chalets. If it all gets too much, there's always a comfortable cabin bed for the weary.

Our two-year old was occupied for well over an hour, but there's plenty here for older children too.

Unlike similar galleries at other museums, AHOY! is totally free and you don't need to pre-book a ticket. Just turn up (though check the website first for any planned closures).

The only downside to the place is that your children will be making pirate 'Yargh!' noises for weeks afterwards.

AHOY! is open daily from 10am-5pm at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Nearest station: Cutty Sark DLR.

Last Updated 19 December 2017