We recently experienced a museum sleepover at the Science Museum in London, known as Astronights. An experience aimed at kids age 7-11. Read on for my review to discover whether it’s worth the cost.
Warning: The cost is significant, at £70 per person or £100 per person for VIP access. A sensory sleepover is also available at £25 per person.
The museum sleepover begins at 6:45 pm and concludes at 10 am the next day, but don’t expect a restful night’s sleep. You might not sleep at all, so be prepared. Despite this, it’s a delightful experience. Upon arrival, we queued up and received badges from a staff member who directed us to our next destination. The badges indicated which group we belonged to: the Purple Astronauts, the Orange Engineers, or the Purple Inventors (VIP attendees).
We met our leaders for the Purple Astronauts group and were instructed to place our snacks in a designated snack cage for later. Eating anywhere in the museum, apart from the café, was not allowed—I assume this is to prevent issues like mice (I have no evidence of this but it’s a large museum so it could play a role) and to minimize cleanup before we left the next day.
We were then escorted to our sleep area. Tempur pillows, which are pricey, quite small yet comfortable, were provided. However, the yoga-style mats given for sleeping were not comfortable at all; we ended up getting extra mats, which didn’t improve the experience much. The museum doesn’t allow inflatables due to safety concerns (trip hazards), but if you want an airbed, you can pay £100 for the VIP package as they provide them.
After setting up our sleeping stations, we explored the gallery until a staff member directed us to our next destination, keeping in mind that many areas of the museum were closed, likely for safety and security reasons to prevent vandalism. Throughout the experience, we were escorted to ensure safety in the extensive museum space.
We were then guided to another part of the museum for a health and safety briefing with all the groups, followed by splitting into our three different groups for the 3 different activities. We watched a cool interactive show about how we see sound. The show was both funny and informative, and we definitely learned something new. Following this, it was snack time. We all then headed to the café area, retrieved our snack bags from the snack cages, and enjoyed the food we had brought along. Additionally, water, tea, and coffee were provided as part of the package.
We regrouped with the purple astronauts, and the next activity was bingo, which turned out to be a blast. It was highly interactive, with kids eagerly volunteering and having a great time. Some even won prizes. My daughter won some astronaut food—a freeze-dried ice cream sandwich—that she saved for the next day and absolutely loved.
Following bingo, we dove into the third activity of the night: a Morse code detective mystery game. Admittedly, it was a bit confusing for me, but all the kids seemed to have a blast. It was enjoyable running around the museum, searching for clues together.
After our activities, it was time to settle in for the night. We brushed our teeth and freshened up as best we could (no showers available, but we had showered beforehand and planned to after). Then it was lights out. The mats weren’t the most comfortable, so sleep was a bit challenging, but we managed to rest.
Morning came abruptly at 6 am—I initially thought it was a joke, but true to their word, the lights flicked on, and lively music roused us from our sleep.
After freshening up again, we headed downstairs accompanied by a staff member back to the café for breakfast. The breakfast provided was quite basic—just a croissant, a piece of fruit, a breakfast bar, and some juice. Honestly, it wasn’t great, and I was glad we brought extra snacks. Otherwise, we might have been left feeling a bit hungry.
Next, we watched a 3-D movie in the IMAX cinema titled “A Beautiful Planet,” narrated by Jennifer Lawrence. It was incredibly educational and visually stunning, really highlighting the beauty of our world and the wonder of space. It deepened my appreciation for what astronauts do and the efforts they make to educate and inspire us all.
The culminating activity of this experience is Wonderlab, one of the best parts of the science museum, known for fueling imagination and inspiring a new perspective on the world around us. It’s packed with interactive exhibits and offers children a chance to learn something new while having loads of fun.
After Wonderlab, it’s time to regroup, say our goodbyes, handle any lost property, and gather our personal belongings. Each participant also receives a Science Museum Astronights badge—a wonderful keepsake to remember the experience.
The museum opens at 10 am, and you’re free to leave or stay longer. If you choose to stay, you’ll likely have luggage with you that you might want to store in the cloakroom, which requires a fee.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the costs included in the £70 admission:
- Tempur Pillow: Estimated around £40 (though exact model not found online)
- A Beautiful Planet 3D: £10 for kids, £12 for adults
- Wonderlab: £10.80 per person
While the monetary costs are detailed, the experiences and memories made during the museum sleepover are truly priceless.
Here are some awesome tips to make your experience more comfortable and helpful:
- Bring Portable Chargers: There are no charging stations available, and having a charged phone is essential for most people.
- Pack Sleeping Bags: Given the uncomfortable mats, bringing your own sleeping bag and extra blankets can greatly improve your sleep quality.
- Identify Staff Easily: Look for staff members wearing T-shirts that say “explainer” for assistance throughout the event.
- Safety and Comfort: I felt very safe during the event, as families were all there to enjoy themselves with their kids. If you have concerns, consider reaching out to the organizers via email to ease any anxiety.
- Staff Sleep Arrangements: It’s likely that staff members take turns sleeping during the event, but this is not confirmed.
To wrap up this blog post, I want to highlight that museum sleepovers aren’t unique to just one museum. Here are a couple of other museums in London that offer similar overnight experiences:
British Museum: Offers special sleepover events for families and children, allowing guests to explore the museum at night and participate in themed activities.
Natural History Museum: The Natural History Museum in London occasionally hosts “Dino Snores” sleepovers, where guests can explore the museum after hours, participate in science-themed activities, and sleep beneath the impressive dinosaur skeletons.
These museum sleepovers provide unique opportunities for learning, adventure, and making lasting memories in iconic cultural institutions. If you’re looking for an unforgettable overnight experience, consider checking out one of these museums or others that offer similar events.
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