8 Kid-friendly museums across Europe

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One of the worst things to be told as a kid, or curious adult, is “Do Not Touch.” Luckily, kid-friendly museums allow for a more interactive experience, and Europe has quit a few. Most European museums will offer an English version or explanation of their exhibits and you can check with the information desk for free handouts as well as kids activity sheets. There are numerous children’s museums to discover in Europe, here is a small sampling of what is out there:

a child’s hands touching hundreds of red sticks poking out of the wall

Child playing with science exhibit (Sydney- Adobe Stock)

Explorado | Troisdorf, Germany

This museum is all about the mind, heart and hand connection. Children are encouraged to touch and interact with everything in the museum to learn about their own environment through play and adventure. Kids can get their Explorado Driver’s License and drive wooden cars that they steer with their feet. They can also try active gaming with a giant trackball as their controller.

Eureka! | Halifax, U.K.

The Museum for Children in Halifax, West Yorkshire is designed specially for kids 11 and under. Feel more than 400 must-touch exhibits in six zones and participate in fun events and activities. At the new Eureka Science+Discovery section of the museum, kids can learn all about their bodies by walking through a giant pair of lungs or learn about how homes work with a cool bathroom DJ display.

The National Gallery | London, U.K.

The National Gallery is a lovely place for families to enjoy activities. There are plenty of creative and hands-on workshops for all ages. For kids ages 7–11, the gallery offers an immersive experience called “The Keeper of Paintings” where they can have a hide and seek adventure or collect gems on a free app while they explore the museum.

Explora il Museo dei Bambini | Rome, Italy

This play-focused museum in the heart of Rome challenges kids to unfold the mystery of how things like architecture, the human body and sound function. Children can conduct experiments and make observations with the help of facilitators in various installations.

Interactive Museum of Music Malaga | Malaga, Spain

Se ruega tocar means “please touch” and is a sign posted throughout this music museum in Spain. In areas with the sign, kids and adults are invited to play instruments like classic violins, pianos and guitars, or try more unique ones like a eucalyptus pipe didgeridoo. There is also a “Laboratory” where you can conduct unique sound experiments.

Le Musée des Enfants | Brussels, Belgium

This museum is known for being ‘a museum like no other.’ Children can learn about themselves in an interactive way. Balance is one of the themes where emotional and physical balance is put to the test. Kids pile into a uniquely designed attic where they can try out stilts, balance blocks and learn about the gravity of the pyramids along with other interactive activities.

Van Gogh Museum |Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Van Gogh Museum offers a children’s audio tour enabling kids to discover Vincent van Gogh’s art in a fun way. Families can also get a free copy of a treasure hunt at the information desk intended for children 6-10 years old. You can return the completed questions afterward to check their answers and collect a little present. Another option is an English-language workshop, available on request. Starting with an interactive tour, children will discover the works of art and tap into their inner creativity in the museum’s studio.

Zoom Kindermuseum | Vienna, Austria

Kids ages 8–14 can get creative and collaborate in the ZOOM Lab to produce animated films and sounds. If you like working with your hands, head to the Zoom Studio where kids ages 3–12 can learn woodworking. For younger creatives under the age of four, Zoom Ocean is the perfect colorful and interactive space to learn fine motor skills.

Keep your children entertained while they learn with these amazing kid-friendly museums throughout Europe!