May Family Festival: Space @ The Natural History Museum

This half-term our family festival is space themed to celebrate the exciting opening of our new exhibition Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth? Join us as we put on our astronaut boots and go on an intergalactic adventure.

Children must be accompanied at all times. 

Free activities are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Half-terms are our busiest times of the year. Book general admission tickets ahead of your visit to secure your entry.

Life at the Extreme: Into Space!   

Come along to this special space edition of our Family Nature Talk series. Journey through extreme environments found right here on Earth and meet some remarkable animals that suggest life could exist beyond our planet. Will we discover an extreme space survivor? Join us for this 20-minute science adventure to find out.

Monday 26th, Tuesday 27th, Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th and Friday 30th May

12noon–12.20pm and 2pm-2.20pm

• Free, drop-in
• Recommended for ages 5+
• Attenborough Studio, Orange Zone 

Women in Science Tour

Hear about the lives and work of amazing women in science, including some who’ve worked here in the past and others working for us now. Encounter numerous treasures, including specimens collected by Mary Anning, and learn more about our displays and the cutting-edge research we carry out. 

Tuesday 27th May 

12.15pm–1pm and 1.15pm–2pm 

• Recommended for ages 12+

Meet the Scientist 

From birds and butterflies to evolution and climate change, explore the natural world with our scientists. Come along to hear about their cutting-edge research and to see incredible specimens from the collections we care for.  

Tuesday 27th, Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th May

3pm–3.30pm 

• Free, drop-in 
• Recommended for ages 8+ 
• Attenborough Studio, Orange Zone 

Family Space Trail

Join our free, self-guided family trail and explore our galleries in search of clues that life might exist beyond Earth. From ancient meteorites to Martian rocks, discover how our scientists are helping to investigate the biggest mystery of all – could there be other life out there?  

Free, self-guided  

This trail is designed for families with children aged 7–11, but curious minds of all ages are welcome

Pick up a trail from our information desks 

LEGO® Life Forms 

Using your imagination and creativity, design and build your own ideas on how we can discover extraterrestrial life out of LEGO® bricks in this building challenge workshop. 

Monday 26th, Tuesday 27th, Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th and Friday 30th May

11am–4pm

• Entry every 30 minutes with last entry at 3.30pm
• Free, drop-in
• You may be required to queue 
• Recommended for ages 6+  
• Investigate Centre, Lower Ground Level, Green Zone