This half term, families looking for an unforgettable day out in London should head straight to Natural History Museum, where the brand-new exhibition Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep opens on Friday 22 May 2026 — and after visiting the press preview yesterday, we can confidently say it’s one of the most exciting interactive exhibitions we’ve seen for children in a long time.
From the moment you step inside, visitors are plunged into a prehistoric underwater world packed with giant predators, fascinating fossils and hands-on experiences that genuinely bring ancient oceans to life. Forget dusty displays behind glass — this exhibition invites children (and adults) to touch, explore and fully immerse themselves in the Jurassic seas.
The stars of the show are the enormous marine reptiles that once ruled the oceans while dinosaurs walked the Earth. There are towering ichthyosaurs with eyes the size of dinner plates, elegant long-necked plesiosaurs and terrifying mosasaurs — often described as the “T. rex of the sea.” Seeing these creatures up close is thrilling enough, but what really makes this exhibition stand out is how interactive it is.
Kids can touch a real mosasaur tooth that’s almost 70 million years old, hold Jurassic poo, feel a cast of a dinosaur claw and get hands-on with fossil replicas throughout the exhibition. There’s also the fun “Fierce Factor” trail, where younger visitors can decide which ancient sea creature deserves the title of the ocean’s fiercest predator.
The exhibition balances excitement with fascinating science. Drawing from the museum’s world-leading palaeontology collection, Jurassic Oceans also explores how studying prehistoric oceans can help scientists better understand the future of our own seas as the climate changes. It’s educational without ever feeling heavy, making it ideal for curious children and adults alike.
What impressed us most during the preview was how brilliantly the exhibition captures children’s imaginations. Everywhere we looked there were wide eyes, excited pointing and endless questions. The dramatic lighting, huge fossil displays and interactive elements make it feel more like stepping into an adventure than visiting a traditional museum exhibition.
Whether your child is dinosaur-obsessed or simply loves discovering weird and wonderful creatures, Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep is shaping up to be one of London’s must-visit family attractions this year.
For more ideas on family days out and experiences across the UK, visit Where To Go Now on Verge Magazine.
Dates: From Friday 22 May 2026
Times: Monday – Sunday 10.00-17.50 (last entry 16.30)
Price: Peak: Adult £17.50, child £8.75
Off-peak: Adult £15.00, child £7.50
Members, patrons and children under 4 go free
Concessions available
Tickets: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/jurassic-oceans.html
