London Children's Museum, London (must see)

London Children’s Museum is a hands-on learning space designed mainly for children up to about ten years old, where play is used to introduce ideas in science, culture, and daily life. It opened in 1975 as the first children’s museum in Canada. In early 2025, it moved from its long-time schoolhouse setting to a larger, purpose-built facility, allowing expanded exhibits and more space for group activities while continuing its focus on informal, play-based learning.

Inside, the galleries are organized around movement, engineering, and community. Many earlier features have been reworked into larger installations. Unearthed features a fossil dig, field lab, and cave-like space. In STREAM, a long water table shows how a river flows and shapes its surroundings. Other areas include a treehouse climbing structure and a small town for role-play.

Several newer sections introduce additional themes. Above & Beyond focuses on space, with a digital planetarium and a mock spacecraft where children can imagine working as astronauts. Farm Works explores agriculture through interactive farm and factory settings, showing how food is produced and processed. The Discovery Lab serves as a makerspace and art studio, where visitors use tools and materials to experiment with simple STEAM concepts through guided and self-directed activities.

A well-known feature carried over from the earlier location is Bellina, a real whale skeleton suspended in the central atrium. It remains a visual reference point within the building. Cultural learning is supported through rotating exhibits and programs that present different communities and daily routines. Workshops, school visits, and seasonal events are led by staff, allowing children to explore ideas through direct participation.