Tate Britain - Review for families

Best for: 9 - 12 / 12+

OK for: Babies / toddlers & preschool / 5 – 8 years

Cost: Free. Special exhibitions cost extra. Tate Members go free for all exhibitions.

The best bits: On a purely practical level, Tate Britain prides itself on its family-friendly attitude and most importantly, its facilities. Mums with babies can rest assured that the Tate Britain has baby-changing facilities (called a baby care room) near the Auditorium in the Clore Gallery and by the cafés - yes, there are 2, but they're pricey - though they do provide a healthy children’s menu along with crayons and activities to keep your child occupied.

There is a cloakroom, where buggies and bags can be stored (though buggy storage is dependent on space availability). Limited parking is available nearby.

Lifts, accessible toilets and a seating area in the Clore Gallery are also available. If your little one gets thirsty, the same gallery has a water fountain, too. If you have any questions, a handy information desk staff member will be happy to assist.

What's totally brilliant about this art gallery is that you’re actually allowed to talk. The Tate Britain website states that they don’t want or expect children to tiptoe around, so you won’t need to worry about shushing. Instead, you and your little one can enjoy talking about everything around you. Hooray!

You're bound to find yourself saying: "Ooooh, I didn't know THIS one was here" at a number of the really famous paintings there, like lots of the Pre-Raphaelite numbers you get on greetings cards and the pop art pics.

So we reckon it’s less likely then that your child won’t get bored as the gallery is filled with gems. TripAdvisor users called the gallery as “treasure trove” of art filled with modern masterpieces. The building itself is also worth taking a good look at too.

Specific event for families include online games, an open studio during school holidays, along with arts/crafts ideas and workshops during the break and games to play all year round whilst wandering around the gallery itself.

What to watch out for: If your child has no interest whatsoever in art, we're not sure this attraction is for them. It might be more beneficial to art loving parents to visit without children. Go while the kids are at school or use it as an excuse to hire a babysitter.

It’s easy to get lost in any art gallery. Don’t forget to pick up a map. Maybe let your little one take control and try their hand at navigating your way around

The gift shop is expensive. Obviously. Be prepared.

MFM tips: If your child isn't not mad on art but they love drawing, a visit to Tate Britain could still well be worth it. Go armed with plenty of paper and pens and crayons and let your little one choose which picture or display they want to copy.

One of our mums told us her 4-year-old daughter was so mesmerised by Tracey Emin's "bed" piece she insisted on going back to draw it as the gallery was close to closing.

You might find there’s not enough to do here for young children during term time, so if you’re NOT visiting in the school holidays, why not go for a meal at one of London's family-friendly eateries in South London and travel just a few miles on the tube to Vauxhall City Farm, too?

Don't just take it from us:

“When Tate first opened its doors to the public in 1897 it had just one site, displaying a small collection of British artworks. Today Tate has four major sites and the national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day and international modern and contemporary art, which includes nearly 70,000 artworks. A number of new developments are planned for Tate Modern, Tate Britain and Tate St Ives to ensure the galleries continue to expand.”

Visit the official Tate Britain website