Best for: ages 7+
To get to grips with the city’s often bewilderingly large museums, THATMuse have curated a series of themed hunts. They’re all devised by Daisy de Plume, whose art-history background has embedded her with a detailed knowledge of London’s cultural artefacts, and are reassuringly old-school. Daisy will meet your crew at the museum, hand over her clues on sheets of paper, send teams on their way and stick around till the end to award prizes and swap notes.
Our volunteer hunters, both aged eight, chose the Skull Scouting hunt at the British Museum, and set off in opposite directions with a parent in tow, clutching room maps and trying to locate Egyptian mummies, Aztec sacrificial knives and Lindow Man, as well as one very elusive crystal skull. Rather than simply tick exhibits off the list, the hunt encourages participants to read up on the subject before scooting off in search of the next item. And extra points are gained by posing for photographs – impersonating figures on hieroglyphics, perhaps, or mimicking the pained expression of an eagle god.
As well as the British Museum, THATMuse has bespoke treasure hunts for the V&A (the shorter Travel Trail one is suggested for children) and Natural History Museum. Over in Paris, THATRue runs a Harry Potter street hunt, connecting the Louvre’s Cour Carrée to Notre Dame, as well as trails around the Louvre itself and the Musée d’Orsay.
Address: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
Website: thatmuse.com
Price: From £75 per family
When: Open 10am – 5:30pm every day, except Friday when it’s open until 8:30 pm
