Museums in Liverpool for kids: which one for which age, and the rooms built for them
Liverpool's museums are free, world class and, crucially, have galleries made for small children. Here is which museum suits which age, from the under 6s gallery at the Pier Head to the planetarium, plus the science centres over the water and up the river.
Liverpool is one of the few cities where "let's go to a museum" is not a threat. The big ones are free, they are next to each other, and each has a room built for the age your children are, rather than the age they will be when they finally appreciate the Pre-Raphaelites.
Under 6s: the Museum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool on the Pier Head has Little Liverpool, a gallery for under 6s on the ground floor that runs in timed sessions. Get the next slot from the desk as you arrive and build the visit around it. The rest, the football, the music and the history of the city, is for the older ones and for you. Free, open 10am to 5pm.
Under 8s: the Walker
The Walker Art Gallery on William Brown Street has Big Art for Little Artists on the ground floor, a hands on gallery for under 8s. Do that first and then pick two or three rooms upstairs. Free.
5 and up: the World Museum
The World Museum next door has ancient Egypt, space, the aquarium and the Bug House with live insects. The planetarium is charged separately at £4 for adults and £3 concessions, shows run to a timetable and start on time with no late entry. The museum is closed on most Mondays outside school holidays. Central Library is the next building along, with the free Discover children's area, free computers, a Changing Places toilet and the Picton Reading Room, which is worth the trip in itself.
The quiet ones
Sudley House in Mossley Hill is a Victorian merchant's house with its original paintings, free, with a garden and a small cafe, and nothing like the crowds of the city centre. The Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight is free and a 20 minute train from Central; the Port Sunlight Museum round the corner is £5.50 a child, under 5s free, with a £24 family ticket valid for a year and sensory backpacks. The Williamson in Oxton is free, single floor, with free parking.
The science centres
Eureka! Science and Discovery at Seacombe is the children's science museum, £16.95 online for anyone 3 and over with the first visit converting to a 12 month pass. It runs relaxed SENDays. Catalyst in Widnes is £13 for everyone with a 12 month pass, a PlayLab for under 5s and free parking; tickets are in person only at the moment and it closes at 2pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The World of Glass in St Helens is free with paid glass blowing demonstrations.
Historic houses and ruins
Speke Hall is the National Trust's Tudor house by the airport, with a maze, play areas and woodland; grounds only is £13 for an adult and £6.50 for a child aged 5 to 17, £32.50 for a family, free parking, and the gates lock at 5pm. Norton Priory in Runcorn is a museum around medieval ruins where adults pay £13.95 and up to three children aged 4 to 16 go free with each full price adult. Birkenhead Priory is free. The Atkinson in Southport is a free museum with an ancient Egypt room.
The Maritime Museum at the Albert Dock is closed for redevelopment until 2028; the Museum of Liverpool is a five minute walk along the waterfront.
The FamDays verdict
Little Liverpool for the toddler, Big Art for the five year old, the Bug House for the eight year old, and Sudley House for the day you want a museum without a crowd. All free, which still feels like a trick.
