Need a contemporary art fix that the whole family will enjoy? Here is our carefully curated list of the best London art exhibitions for kids. These exhibitions have been handpicked for their relevancy, vibrancy and manageability for families. Perfect for short attention spans and the most critical of mini art fans.
David Bowie Centre
V&A East Storehouse, a groundbreaking new addition to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, is ready to open its doors. More than a traditional museum, this state-of-the-art facility invites you to go behind the scenes of a working collection with over half a million objects. You can even arrange a private viewing of items from the V&A’s extensive archives.
The centerpiece of the new hub is the David Bowie Centre, a free and permanent home for more than 90,000 items from the legendary artist’s life. Launching on September 13th, the center will initially display around 200 objects, including handwritten lyrics, iconic stage costumes (like Ziggy Stardust’s), and rare props. Visitors can also explore exclusive displays curated by guest artists, with Nile Rodgers and The Last Dinner Party offering fresh insights into Bowie’s creative world. This is a truly unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the legacy of a pop culture icon.
Making Egypt
The Young V&A in Bethnal Green opens its second major exhibition just in time for February Half Term. ‘Making Egypt’ is a deep dive into Ancient Egypt’s creativity and its influence on art, design and popular culture today.
Frieze Sculpture
Tickets: Free
Discover an incredible, open-air gallery at Regent’s Park this September with the free Frieze Sculpture exhibition. The park’s English Gardens have been transformed to display striking, large-scale works by top international artists, all curated around the theme of “In the Shadows.” It’s an ideal and stress-free way for families to engage with contemporary art, allowing children to interact and play around the sculptures in a beautiful, natural setting.
Theatre Picasso
Tickets: Adults £14 Child £5 Under 12s Free
For kids, few artists are more memorable than Pablo Picasso, whose distorted faces and playful, child-like perspectives are both familiar and wonderfully weird. From September 2025, Tate Modern is bringing his unique vision to life with “Theatre Picasso,” a major new exhibition.
This isn’t your typical retrospective. The show transforms the gallery into a theatrical stage, exploring how performance and public personas influenced Picasso’s work. It’s a fantastic opportunity for families to see iconic masterpieces like The Weeping Woman alongside other dramatic and lesser-known pieces, offering a fresh and immersive way to experience the world of this twentieth-century master.
Danielle Braithwaite -Shirley: ‘The Delusion’
Tickets: Free
Got a gamer at home? This is for them! Prepare to step into a new world at Serpentine North Gallery with The Delusion, a pioneering exhibition from artist Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley. This isn’t a traditional show; it’s an immersive video game and installation that uses satire and participatory theatre to explore societal division and censorship.
Monster Chetwynd: Thunder, Crackle and magic
Tickets: FREE
Gracing the Turbine Hall this summer as part of the ongoing Uniqlo Play collaborations, is Monster Chetwynd’s Thunder, Crackle and Magic. Wonderfully weird and whimsical this mini exhibit features performance art and interaction drawing on the artist’s fascination with Bergman’s The Magic Flute. Expect to be chased by a smoke breathing dragon,dress up like a woodland creature and make some noise with instruments before retreating to wicker dens with head phones to watch the Bergman classic. Great for kids of all ages.
Flowers – Flora in contemporary art and Culture
Tickets: Adults £18 Kids £10 Under 6s FREE
A visual feast of floral art descends on the Saatchi gallery with large scale immersive displays, photography, fashion and objects exploring the influence of flowers on human creativity.
Moco Museum
New to London in 2024, the Moco Museum is a three floor art gallery celebrating contemporary, immersive and digital art right in the heart of Marble Arch and a welcome respite from the shopping Mecca of neighbouring Oxford Street.
The gallery features some big commercial names and giants of the art world including KAWS, Koons and Basquiat as well as usual suspects Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin. Young art lovers will be drawn to the instantly recognisable work of Banksy, Warhol and Yayoi Kusama. There is even a Picasso to admire.
The upper floors are light and spacious and filled with fun and colour before the basement draws you into the dark world of digital. here you will find a compelling infinity room and Jake Chapman’s disturbing hybrid child mannequins (some caution for very young children).
OUTERNET
Outernet London is a relatively new entertainment and cultural district located in the heart of London’s West End. This massive space features a wrap-around LED screen that showcases immersive visual experiences and artwork with multiple screenings per day that are free entry and don’t require you to pre book.
There are various show on offer. Find Out More
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year
UNDER 4s FREE
Love animals? This Autumn head down to South Kensington to marvel in wonder of the Natural World in this stunning exhibition of the world’s very best wildlife photographers. Accompanied by immersive soundscapes, films and expert insights, this is a captivating exhibition for young visitors who are nature lovers or photography enthusiasts.
Mary Mary
FREE| Walk In
For a truly family friendly art outing head to the rooftop of Temple Tube Station on a Sunny day armed with a picnic! Currently showing is Mary Mary – an exciting exhibition of outdoor sculpture by nine female artists set against the backdrop of the River Thames. Artists include Rong Bao, Holly Stevenson and Virginia Overton. Children can feel fully at ease here jumping in and out of the installations. Peaceful and inspiring this is a great pitstop for some respite from the busy streets of central London. Please note there are some stairs to get to the garden and Temple station is also not accessible to buggies/wheelchairs.
frameless
Tickets: Tots Sessions £13 pp
Forget stuffy galleries – Frameless London is an immersive art experience that kids will absolutely love. Unlike a traditional museum, Frameless transforms iconic paintings by artists like Van Gogh, Dalí, and Cézanne into a mesmerising, 360-degree digital world. Projections cover the walls, floors, and ceilings, accompanied by a dynamic soundtrack. Kids are encouraged to run, play, and interact with the art, whether they’re chasing colours as they shift or lying down on the floor to watch the scenes unfold above them. From September, Tots sensory classes are available on Friday mornings.
Other Family Friendly Art Galleries in London
It’s worth mentioning that London is home to many permanent collections which see a steady foot fall of school visits and art hungry young people throughout the year. The Tate Britain, Tate Modern, National Portrait Gallery and Barbican Centre are worth a mention for their incredible outreach often hosting family-friendly events and activity trails particularly at the weekend and in school holidays. The Dulwich Picture Gallery is also known to host excellent artist-led workshops.
Where to see art in London Museums
London is jam packed with world class museums many of which feature art exhibitions. The Young V&A in Bethnal Green, The Horniman Museum in Forest Hill and of course museum giants – The British Museum and the Science Museum all host frequent temporary exhibitions and dedicated family events with interactive displays.
Read all about London’s Best Museums for Kids that are also completely free of charge.
