People's History Museum is Family Friendly throughout, with hands-on activities in every gallery for all visitors to enjoy. Online resources are also available to connect you and your family with the museum's unique collections and stories.
t short ask for a free emergency nappy!
We are committed to making your visit as accessible as possible. Click the button below for full details of access at PHM.
Access at PHMWe’ve put together a short film for you to watch with your family ahead of your visit. See highlights and fun things to do, as well as practical information.
Find out how to plan your visit, and what to expect when you get to PHM.
Ask at the Info Desk for a free I Spy activity sheet and explore the museum, searching for 16 treasures.
They could be objects, hidden in pictures, or stitched on to fabric. How many will you find..?
Suitable for ages 5+
More treasures in PHM's collections
PHM’s Passport Trail brings the theme of migration to life by inviting you to step into the shoes of a refugee, asylum seeker or economic migrant.
By the spin of a wheel you’ll find yourself following one of three footpaths and in doing so will gain an understanding of some of the challenges faced both past and present. Animated stories form part of the experience, powerfully capturing some of the real life issues that have led to migration with plenty to talk about and share as a family.
Visit the exhibition More in Common: in memory of Jo Cox, and pick up a Family Friendly exhibition trail for adults and children to complete together.
The trail provides activities and conversations that show how sad feelings can inspire positive actions.
You and your family can also pick up an emotions card to help pin point how you feel as you explore the exhibition.
Take a look at the trail
PHM offers an engaging programme of Family Friendly exhibitions, installations, events, workshops, and activities, to connect you and your family with the museum’s unique collections and stories.
Suitable for a range of ages, see individual event information.
What's on for families
PHM shop is filled with books about inspiring people from history, to inspire little radicals for the future. Pocket money friendly souvenirs and gifts such as jigsaws and playing cards inspired by the museum’s collections are perfect for keeping little ones entertained.
Recurrent winner of the “Toymark” Good Practice Award, PHM shop is recognised for its inclusivity and for challenging gender stereotypes by the Let Toys be Toys campaign.
Have a browse
Take a break from exploring with a sustainable, ethical, and delicious food experience at Open Kitchen Cafe & Bar at PHM; offering breakfast, lunch and drinks to grab and go, or sit in and enjoy.
Open Kitchen is working in partnership with PHM to develop a Family Friendly offer to ensure the cafe is welcoming and affordable to all families. The offer will evolve as they meet and chat with more museum visitors, and feedback is welcome to help create a child friendly menu that balances healthy with appealing, even for picky youngsters.
Take a break
Make your own Doodle Den at home, pick up a pencil and explore PHM’s collections through sketching, scribbling and silliness.
Suitable for ages 5+
Get doodling!
Discover the power of storytelling in addressing climate grief and create a multi-ended story where the reader chooses the destiny of the planet.
Part of the Think Globally, Act Locally project, 2021.
Suitable for ages 7+
Create your story
Make a hydroponic experiment to build your own window farm. Recycling a plastic drink bottle with a bit of fabric and some gravel, get your first crop planted.
Part of the Think Globally, Act Locally project, 2021.
Suitable for ages 7+
Get growing
PHM is proud to be a previous winner of the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award, Britain’s only museum award where families pick the winner.
‘The museum staff were amazing. They were friendly, welcoming and informative. They came and chatted to the girls (not just to me!) and asked if we needed any help, and gave great feedback to the art work they were creating.’
Comment on PHM from Kids in Museums family judge.
The Kids in Museums Manifesto is a set of simple guidelines for museums created with children, young people and
families. It sets out what they feel makes a museum a great place to visit.
PHM is pleased to be one of over 1,000 museums, heritage sites and cultural organisations signed up in support of the Manifesto, and we are committed to following the guidelines and welcoming visitors of all ages and families of all shapes and sizes.
Find out more
PHM follows Family Arts Campaign’s Family Arts Standards, helping families to find arts activities that are suitable for all ages, covering the basic considerations for families visiting an arts experience.
‘Each time we go, we find something different and as my children get older they see and engage the exhibitions differently and get different things from the experience.’
Family feedback on PHM.
Are you more independent or community-focused? Experimental or measured? Prefer work or play?
Take our quick quiz to find out which radical you are! At the end we’ll offer you access to our free e-newsletter which matches your interests to what’s on at PHM.
