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Get experimental this May half term

11 May 2023

This May half term, families can fuel their imaginations at our ‘Festival of Curiosity’. Taking place between Saturday 27 May and Sunday 4 June, this week of curious, creative, problem-solving activities will explore the elements and forces which keep London’s transport moving with opportunities to meet real-world engineers.

The story of London and its transport is one of invention and imagination – from the pioneers who built the world’s first underground railway to solve the challenge of the city’s busy streets, to the engineers who overcame the elements to design the bridges and cable car to help people cross the river.

During May half term, families can follow in the footsteps of the people who have been keeping the capital moving over the last 200 years and have a go at inventing new solutions to transport challenges of the future.

  • Follow an interactive STEAM-inspired trail around the museum’s galleries. Put your problem-solving skills to the test and solve challenges and learn how engineers have conquered the elements to transport people below ground, above ground and across the river. Available daily.
  • In a hands-on workshop children aged 7 and above can explore the forces that propel London’s many modes of transport and discover how engineers are trialling green solutions to the climate crisis. Work together with other families to build a prototype that could help make a difference. Step into the shoes of an engineer to experiment with what works and what doesn’t. Sessions will take place daily at 11:00, 13:30 and 15:00.
  • Little ones aged 5 and under can get creative in interactive storytelling sessions about transport inventions. Sessions will take place on weekdays 11:00, 12:00, 13:30 and 15:00.

The ‘Festival of Curiosity’ is part of our Climate Crossroads programme. Supported by ABM, Mastercard and Sopra Steria, this aims to inspire visitors to be curious about the way things work and how together we can shape a greener future.

Whilst at the award-winning London Transport Museum in Covent Garden families can also:

  • Climb aboard historic trains, trams and buses – including an iconic red Routemaster and vintage 1938 stock Tube train
  • In the All Aboard playzone, little ones can also play conductor on a bus, repair a mini-Tube train with toy spanners, and work in the ‘Lost Property Office’
  • Visit the Legacies exhibition to hear the stories of Caribbean people who have shaped London’s transport history and culture
  • Explore the Hidden London exhibition in the Global Gallery to discover a secret side to the Underground
  • Learn to ‘drive’ an Elizabeth line train in the Future Engineers gallery and get hands-on with interactive exhibits
  • Grab a bite to eat at Canteen, the Museum’s café bar, while enjoying views over the Covent Garden Piazza
  • Browse the Museum’s shop and choose from its exclusive range of transport-inspired toys, gifts, homeware and vintage posters.

Ticket information

Kids go free! Adult tickets include free return entry for a whole year. Concession tickets are also available. Book in advance online. 

A woman and child are in the image. The woman has long brown hair, and a black cardigan. She is crouching down with her back to the camera slightly. She is helping the small child to stand. The small child is wearing a red sweater, blue jeans and sneakers. The child is looking into a glass cabinet. The cabinet is filled with large objects related to the overground. The woman and child are both engaged at the objects in the cabinet. The scene is brightly lit with warm lighting.

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