Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a treasure trove of adventure for all ages, not forgetting our younger visitors! Offering the perfect blend of history, hands-on play areas and overall maritime fun, there really is something for everyone.
Below is a handy guide on 7 things to do for kids at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
[Editor’s note: All of the entries in this list are included with our Ultimate Explorer ticket, which guarantees unlimited access to all our attractions for 12 months. We also have full calendar of free* and special ticketed events throughout the year that you can see on our ‘What’s On’ page]
*Free with a valid ticket to the hosting attraction
Go on a 150-year voyage of scientific discovery in our newest exhibition, Worlds Beneath the Waves. Make learning about our changing planet fascinating and fun with our hands-on exhibition family...
Anchored in the Community Create your own eye using the template from Portsmouth artist My Dog Sighs. What does the Mary Rose, and her home city of Portsmouth mean to you? Make your own mark and...
Anchored in the Community Have a rummage in our mystery bags and try to guess the mysterious objects within! Use senses other than your eyes to work out what you think it might be – and what it...
Anchored in the Community Play along with our new song about the Mary Rose using our collection of instruments. Can you make up a new song? Or play some old favourites? Activities will run daily...
Anchored in the Community Create your own Mary Rose doodle – use things you’ve seen round the museum or things that are important to you. Activities will run daily from Sunday, 16th February to...
Anchored in the Community Create your own memory page recording your visit to the Mary Rose – include drawings, tickets, your favourite artefacts. Can you interview your family about their memories...
A great opportunity to meet members of the conservation team who are working on Victory Live: The Big Repair project. During these informal hourly sessions, you will be able to learn more about...
Join our expert shipwrights for a fun and informative caulking workshop! Learn about this traditional technique used for centuries to seal wooden seams on ships. What to Expect: Discover how...
Join our expert shipwrights for a fun and informative caulking workshop! Learn about this traditional technique used for centuries to seal wooden seams on ships. What to Expect: Discover how...
1. HMS Imagination Play Area, Hear My Story Gallery
All aboard budding sailors! Situated in the National Museum of the Royal Navy galleries, you will find our Hear My Story Gallery with a small play area for our younger visitors. Here you can learn about “Jackspeak”, visit the sick bay bed and enjoy some playtime in our small galley (where all the food on a ship is prepped).
You can also learn the hand signals to land aircraft onboard a modern aircraft carrier. This play area is small but mighty, with a mix of fun and learning. Once you’ve learnt all it takes to be a Royal Navy sailor, you will also find an activity bench where you can make your own paper submarine, ship or aircraft, then see how far it travels!
2. Mary Rose Museum
For children who dream of daring adventurers from the past, the Mary Rose Museum is an absolute must-see. Dive into the adventure of the Mary Rose with Dive 4D, a one-of-a-kind cinema experience. Travel back in time over 400 years to the day the Mary Rose tragically sank. Complete with sounds, scents, vibrations, flashing lights, and even bubbles, this is sure to ignite the imagination of any visitor.
Next, join Hatch, the ship’s dog as he leads you through the museum on a multi-sensory exploration of the story of the Mary Rose, her crew and the Tudor world. Pick up a free trail sheet to help Hatch guide your family through fun activities, from exploring Tudor chests, trying on costumes to discovering 16th-century scents. Test your skills by excavating replica objects, pulling a bow, or picking up a pike, just like Tudors would have done themselves!
2. Mary Rose Museum
For children who dream of daring adventurers from the past, the Mary Rose Museum is an absolute must-see. Dive into the adventure of the Mary Rose with Dive 4D, a one-of-a-kind cinema experience. Travel back in time over 400 years to the day the Mary Rose tragically sank. Complete with sounds, scents, vibrations, flashing lights, and even bubbles, this is sure to ignite the imagination of any visitor.
Next, join Hatch, the ship’s dog as he leads you through the museum on a multi-sensory exploration of the story of the Mary Rose, her crew and the Tudor world. Pick up a free trail sheet to help Hatch guide your family through fun activities, from exploring Tudor chests, trying on costumes to discovering 16th-century scents. Test your skills by excavating replica objects, pulling a bow, or picking up a pike, just like Tudors would have done themselves!
3. HMS Warrior
Take the time to explore at your own pace and enjoy the stunning interior of this iron-hulled warship. Climb up and down the ladders to each deck and explore every nook and cranny of this incredible 18th century vessel.
You can also pick up a children’s trail onboard and collect the stamps as you make your way through the ship. Our Dockyard Alive team bring history to life and tell you all about their duties as crew and share the history of the ship to its guests.
4. The Play Deck, Victory Gallery
For a slower pace perfect for babies and little ones, stop off at The Play Deck located within our Victory Gallery. This play area is for children aged 0 – 8 years.
The Play Deck includes a small soft play area for babies and toddlers, a colouring station where you can get creative, wooden building blocks to enjoy, and a puzzle game to “make your own Trafalgar Panorama”.
4. The Play Deck, Victory Gallery
For a slower pace perfect for babies and little ones, stop off at The Play Deck located within our Victory Gallery. This play area is for children aged 0 – 8 years.
The Play Deck includes a small soft play area for babies and toddlers, a colouring station where you can get creative, wooden building blocks to enjoy, and a puzzle game to “make your own Trafalgar Panorama”.
5. Victory Live: The Big Repair
HMS Victory is currently undergoing the biggest restoration programme in her history. While the works are taking place, you can explore Victory Live: The Big Repair.
Engage with this once in a generation conservation project up close! Witness the fascinating process of plank removal, explore captivating displays of artefacts uncovered during the project, and enjoy exhibits designed for all ages. Afterward, step aboard HMS Victory and navigate the ladders to explore its historic decks.
5. Victory Live: The Big Repair
HMS Victory is currently undergoing the biggest restoration programme in her history. While the works are taking place, you can explore Victory Live: The Big Repair.
Engage with this once in a generation conservation project up close! Witness the fascinating process of plank removal, explore captivating displays of artefacts uncovered during the project, and enjoy exhibits designed for all ages. Afterward, step aboard HMS Victory and navigate the ladders to explore its historic decks.
6. Harbour Tours
Set sail on a Harbour Tour and get up close to the modern Royal Navy in a way few ever get to experience. As you cruise around the harbour, you’ll get unparalleled views of the modern frigates, destroyers, and aircraft carriers that call Portsmouth home. As you sail past these titans of Britain’s naval ingenuity the Harbour Tour’s Captain will talk you through each of the ships currently in dock, sharing stories from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard’s past and present.
Tours last around 45mins and are available on a first come first served basis.
6. Harbour Tours
Set sail on a Harbour Tour and get up close to the modern Royal Navy in a way few ever get to experience. As you cruise around the harbour, you’ll get unparalleled views of the modern frigates, destroyers, and aircraft carriers that call Portsmouth home. As you sail past these titans of Britain’s naval ingenuity the Harbour Tour’s Captain will talk you through each of the ships currently in dock, sharing stories from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard’s past and present.
Tours last around 45mins and are available on a first come first served basis.
7. Royal Navy Submarine Museum (Gosport)
Visitors of all ages can explore the history of the submarine service at the Submarine Museum located in Gosport. Our younger visitors will find a Dazzle Playbox and Conservation Station located in our museum reception area, containing activities and information on the work our conservation teams do to help look after our collections in our care.
Dress up like a submariner in a cream rollneck jumper, just like they used to wear onboard, and take a selfie in our selfie area to remember your day. Don’t forget to grab a hat and pair of binoculars too! Upstairs in the museum, you can create your own Jolly Roger flag with our touch screen interactive, and then see the finished flag projected on the wall!
The Ultimate Adventure Awaits
From submarines to shipwrecks, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the perfect day out for families who love to explore, get their hands dirty, and step back in time. Pack your curiosity and get ready for a day of fun-filled discovery. Take on a challenge with your little ones!