Hackney Museum is the perfect place for a fun and relaxed family day out. There are plenty of hands-on activities to keep your children entertained while you are visiting: a 38 red bus, an Anglo Saxon boat, Victorian dressing up and much more!
What Hackney families have said:
“Hackney Museum gets 5 stars from us for being super child-friendly!…it feels very roomy with tons of interactive sections balanced with ample written info, guaranteeing to keep the whole family busy!” Feb 2023
What’s on
Fun Fridays and Super Saturdays
Learn about life in Hackney with our fun hands-on activities every Friday and Saturday. Live like Anglo-Saxons and load the Saxon boat; learn about Victorian toys and try on historical costumes or find out how people travelled in and around Hackney by being a bus driver on a number 38 bus.
All children must be supervised by a responsible adult.
Available during our usual opening hours:
Fridays: 9.30am-5.30pm
Saturdays: 10am-5pm
Please note: On Fridays in October and November (excluding half term) we will have school groups in the Museum until 3pm on Fridays.
Coming soon…
Hop, Skip, Hackney at Hackney Museum
Become a Hackney Hopper! Take part in our free workshops for under 5s and hop, skip and jump your way through Hackney’s histories.
September 2023
Sat 30th, 10.30am to 11.15am
October 2023
Tues 10th, 3.45pm to 4.30pm
Sat 14th, 10.30am to 11.15am
Tues 17th, 3.45pm to 4.30pm
Tues 24th, 10am to 10.45am
Tues 24th, 1pm to 1.45pm
No need to book but places are limited.
Plan your day out
Getting here
See the Visitor Information page to get more information on how to get here.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking (except bottled water) are not allowed in Hackney Museum. We do not have a cafe, however there are many cafes, restaurants, pubs and world kitchens nearby.
Buggy Parking
Hackney Museum is on the ground floor and has automatic doors, making it easy to move around the space with your pushchair. We also provide a sign-posted buggy parking space inside the museum so you can leave your buggy to one side if you would like to during your visit.
Baby changing
Baby changing facilities are available. Breastfeeding is welcome.
Nearby Things to do with your children
Hackney Central Library – the library is located on the first floor of the museum’s building and has a whole section dedicated to children’s books. It regularly hosts storytelling sessions on Friday mornings.
More information here.
London Fields – this beautiful and popular park offers play areas, a lido, outdoor gym and accessible toilets.
More information here.
Hackney Empire – the theatre runs family-friendly shows throughout the year, and is extremely popular during Christmas for its pantomime.
More information here.
Hackney Picturehouse – the cinema’s programme includes films and animations.
More information here.
Hackney City Farm – children will love to see and pet the farm’s animals, and learn how to plant vegetables.
More information here.