The Kids in Museums’ Family Friendly Museum Awards celebrate museums, galleries and heritage attractions that go the extra mile to provide an excellent family friendly experience. It is the only museum award in the UK to be judged by families.
The awards were launched in 2004 to recognise the venues that are most welcoming, fun, and accessible for families.
Each year the prize is awarded to museums, galleries, historic homes or heritage sites that have made outstanding efforts to welcome children and families and respond to their feedback.
Nominations for the Family Friendly Museum Award can be made by anyone – children, parents, carers, grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins – or museums can apply themselves.
Nominations are welcomed for museums of all sizes, from national museums with teams of curators, to tiny local galleries run by volunteers.
The deadline for nominations is Friday 25th April 2025 at 5pm.
You can nominate your favourite museum for families using the quick and easy online form.
Those interested in applying on behalf of a museum who would like to learn more about the award can book a place on Kids in Museums’ free online information session on Thursday 3 April 2025 from 2-3pm.
The 2025 Family Friendly Museum Award categories are:
o Best Accessible Museum (2024 winner: The Cooper Gallery, Barnsley).
o Best Small Museum (2024 winner: National Civil War Centre, Newark).
o Best Medium Museum (2024 winner: Turner Contemporary, Margate).
o Best Large Museum (2024 winner: Young V&A, London).
o Special category – Best Museum Youth Project: Social Justice (2024 winner: Tees Valley Museums).
This year’s special category is dedicated to museums that have given young people meaningful opportunities to explore social justice issues. We are defining social justice issues broadly and welcome applications that address a range of issues that young people feel are important and relevant to museums and their lives. This category will be judged entirely by an expert panel.
Further information, guidance, FAQs, a video and the nomination form is available on the Kids in Museums website.
