Mummy mad? – Best Places to learn about Ancient Egypt in London

My three boys are utterly captivated by Ancient Egypt. Like most primary school kids, they can’t get enough of the shimmering gold, powerful pharaohs, and mysterious mummies that have invaded their history lessons. It’s a far cry from their daily London life, but luckily, Ancient Egypt has never seemed so near. In 2025 London is home to a plethora of new exhibitions and experiences for the budding Egyptologist. Want to support their learning? Here’s where to go in London to bring this exotic civilisation to life.

New ‘Ancient Egypt’ Exhibitions for 2025

Making Egypt

The Young V&A’s new exhibition ‘Making Egypt’ is a fantastic, kid-focused exploration of Ancient Egyptian culture. We loved the curation of artefacts, interactive displays, and activity stations – everything is easy to read, at a child’s eye level, and hands-on. Focusing on creativity and storytelling, the exhibition perfectly balances rich content and playfulness, blurring the lines between education and fun. It’s a meaty exhibition, yet designed with kids in mind, proving the V&A has perfected the art of engaging young minds.

My boys particularly liked the Minecraft section, touch screen quizzes, and the Egyptian hieroglyphs – the emojis of Ancient Egypt! Jam-packed with things to do and learn, this is just one more reason to visit the already fabulous Young V&A. Aimed at ages 5+ but will be enjoyed by younger children also.

Tutankhamun

It’s not quite here yet, but we are waiting with baited breath for this immersive journey to the Nile Valley! “Tutankhamun: The Immersive Experience” is coming to London at the end of March for two weeks only, promising a spectacular journey into the pharaoh’s tomb. Witness his treasures come to life through stunning visuals, immersive technology, and captivating storytelling. Discover more immersive experiences.

Permanent London Exhibitions

British Museum

The British Museum is a world class resource on Ancient Egyptian History (as well as the Romans FYI)

At the British Museum, children can step into a world of pharaohs, gods, and everyday life in ancient Egypt, encountering colossal statues that once guarded temple entrances, marvelling at real mummies and their ornate sarcophagi, and deciphering hieroglyphs, the picture-like writing that adorned tombs and monuments. They can explore the fascinating artifects of daily life, from toys and games to jewellery and tools, giving them a glimpse into how children their age lived thousands of years ago.

The real showstopper however is the Rosetta Stone, a stone slab inscribed with the same text in hieroglyphs, Demotic, and ancient Greek, which was crucial to deciphering hieroglyphs and our understanding of ancient languages. The Rosetta Stone attracts visitors from all over the globe and has a permanent huddle of admirers.

The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology

The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, part of University College London (UCL), is a hidden gem for anyone fascinated by ancient Egyptian and Sudanese archaeology. Unlike museums that primarily focus on grand artefacts from tombs, the Petrie Museum offers a unique glimpse into the everyday lives of ancient people. With over 80,000 objects, it’s one of the largest and greatest collections of its kind in the world, and it’s particularly renowned for its focus on archaeological discoveries from various sites in Egypt.

At first glance the Petrie Museum is a studious and serious place but they absolutely love visits from families and children. The staff are so friendly and passionate and eagerly generous with their knowledge on Ancient Egypt. There is also a table full of children’s books on the subject which delighted my three children.

Cleopatra’s Needle

Cleopatra’s Needle is actually one of three ancient Egyptian obelisks located in London, Paris, and New York City, none of which have any direct connection to Cleopatra herself. This particular obelisk, standing on the Victoria Embankment, is a striking monument of ancient Egyptian engineering and artistry, carved from a single piece of red granite. Despite its name, it was originally erected in Heliopolis, Egypt, around 1450 BC during the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III, before cleopatra’s time!

Today, the towering obelisk and guarding sphinxes make great viewing for kids especially against the backdrop of the river Thames, London Eye and city skyscrapers. Combine with a trip to nearby Somerset House’s iconic Summer Splash Pad.

Horniman Museum and Gardens

While the Horniman Museum offers a wealth of attractions, its Ancient Egyptian collection is one that often gets overlooked. Among its many treasures, you’ll find intriguing artefacts that offer insights into daily life such as funerary and religious practices, including the unique sight of a mummified cat! Be sure to check out Museum’s other offerings – the aquarium, Butterfly House and petting zoo as well as the brilliant instrument gallery are all great for kids.

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