Little C discovers the Cyrus Cylinder at The British Museum

The first thing I’ll admit: taking a six-year-old to the British Museum is both brilliant and exhausting. By brilliant, I mean Little C got to see the Cyrus Cylinder up close and ask questions that made me actually pause and think. By exhausting… well, the echoing halls and my over-enthusiastic son are not for the faint-hearted.

From the moment we stepped in, I realised this wasn’t going to be a quiet stroll past ancient artefacts. Little C bounded from display to display, pointing, asking, and occasionally wondering aloud why I didn’t let him climb the statues. But in the middle of the chaos, there were moments that made the day feel timeless and moments when history really landed.

Ancient marvels in every corner

The British Museum is one of those places where every turn feels like stepping into a different world. Egypt, Greece, Rome, Persia – all under one roof. Little C paused dramatically at the Rosetta Stone and whispered, “It’s huge! Can we take it home?” I nodded, half in awe, half in despair at the logistics.

Room 52: Persia up close

Finally, we arrived at Room 52, home to the Persian collection. Monumental plaster casts from Persepolis tower over you, while intricately carved artefacts tell the story of the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sasanian empires.

Standing with Cyrus the Great

Watching him press his small hands lightly against the glass and stare at the cylinder, I felt that rare combination of pride and awe. Here was a child connecting with history on his own terms.

A museum that pulls you in

The British Museum has a way of making history feel tactile. The echo of footsteps, the soft murmur of other visitors, the cool stone floors, it all adds to the atmosphere. Little C traced his fingers along the edge of a replica sculpture while muttering facts he’d memorised from the plaques, then suddenly exclaimed, “Mum, this is like a giant storybook!”

Souvenirs, cake, and real-life parenting

After soaking up all that history, we headed to the gift shop. Little C debated the merits of miniature Rosetta Stones versus replica coins, and I silently applauded his taste while steering him away from the “I’ll take everything!” impulse.

Eventually, we surrendered to the café, where sugar and coffee restored morale. Little C had cake, I had coffee, and we both took a moment to digest the day – literally and figuratively.

Leaving with more questions than we came with

As we stepped back into the streets of London, tired, I felt quietly proud. Little C had glimpsed a world far older than he could imagine, and I had survived a day of museum parenting with my sanity mostly intact. We left with stories to tell, questions to explore, and, most importantly, memories that will outlast any souvenir.

Our verdict

Top tips for time-travelling tots

• Pack snacks: Hungry explorers are not happy explorers.
• Let them choose the route: You’ll be amazed how invested they get.
• Sketch or journal: Even a doodle helps make history personal.

Join the conversation

Have you taken your kids to The British Museum? What did they love the most – the mummies, the marbles, or just the café cake? I’d love to hear your tips for making a museum day memorable without losing your mind in the comments.