Sleepovers

If the answer to your question can't be found in our FAQs, please email the Membership office at [email protected]

• Sleepovers are for 8–15-year-olds only, and their accompanying adults. Activities are specifically designed for 8–15-year-olds so please don't purchase tickets for children outside of this range.
• If your child, or any child you're bringing, could appear younger than 8-years-old, please bring proof of age to ensure that they are not refused entry.
• Where possible, children will be grouped according to age. Please ensure a consent form is completed for each child attending so they are grouped correctly.
• Siblings will be grouped together unless otherwise requested by their parents/guardians.

• When available, you'll need to purchase a ticket online from this page.
• Tickets are non-refundable.

• Each adult can be accompanied by up to four children.
• If you have two or more adults accompanying a larger group, each set of five tickets must be purchased separately, but you can let us know that you wish to be in the same group by emailing [email protected]
• Please note, children can't attend without an adult present.

Please note, tickets are non-refundable. Please contact us by emailing [email protected] if you have any queries about your tickets. 

You can find further information about terms and conditions on the Tickets and e-tickets page.

• We'll need the child's legal guardian to fill in a consent form which will need to be sent with the booking confirmation.
• The child's legal guardian will need to complete this in advance of the event.

The accompanying adults are responsible for supervising their party's behaviour during the event to ensure everyone has a fun and safe evening. This involves:

• Listening to your group leader's instructions and following the rules set out within the health and safety briefing.
• Keeping your party together and ensuring children are accompanied at all times.
• Addressing any behaviours that impact other groups' enjoyment of the activities.
• Making sure your group does not disturb others who are sleeping.

• You and the attendees within your party will be placed in an assigned sleeping area in the Egyptian sculpture, Assyrian and Greek galleries on the ground floor.
• Team leaders will be stationed at entrances/exits to provide assistance.
• Please note that we cannot guarantee which gallery you'll sleep in. The Young Friends team may need to change the locations of the sleeping areas to ensure visitor comfort or to accommodate gallery maintenance. 

• The Museum closes to the public from 17.00 and re-opens for the sleepover event at 18.00. Registration will begin at 18.15. Before that time, you'll be asked to queue in the Great Court.
• You can enter the Museum using the Main entrance on Great Russell Street.
• Please bring your booking confirmation with you on the night.
• During registration, you will be placed into a group where you'll meet your group leader and see where you'll be sleeping.
• Attendees will remain in these groups throughout the evening.

A typical sleepover includes:

Saturday night

• 18.15: Registration – meet your group leader, choose a sleeping spot in the allocated gallery
• 19.00: Introductory talk including health and safety information
• 19.20: First activity
• 20.15: Second activity
• 21.00: Snack break
• 21.50: Third activity
• 22.45: Fourth activity
• 23.30: Activities end
• 00.00: Midnight – lights out

Sunday morning

• 07.00: Breakfast, pack up sleeping area
• 07.45: Farewell activity (gallery or exhibition-based)
• 08.15: Visit to the children's shop
• 09.00: Bag collection and home time
• Download a sample itinerary

Adults are responsible for their party at all times throughout the night. This will ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable evening. An adult must be present at each activity and accompany the children at all times.

Please note that this is intended as a guide only. The Young Friends team may make changes to the timings, locations and content of the event to ensure visitor comfort or to accommodate gallery maintenance.

Sleeping equipment

• You'll need a sleeping bag, ground mat and pillow.
• We're not able to provide any sleeping materials.
• It's recommended that you also bring a torch, toothbrush, ear plugs (the sleeping area is communal, so if you're a light sleeper you may find these beneficial) and an eye mask, as some lights will be left on in the galleries.
• For health and safety reasons, we can't allow any motorised blow-up mattresses or other mattresses which would require electricity to inflate. 
• You won't be able to use electrical items that require a plug and we strongly recommend you don't bring items with you that are of financial or personal value.

Clothing

• You'll need to bring clothing to sleep in, such as a tracksuit but NOT pyjamas or other nightwear – this is in case we need to quickly evacuate the building during an emergency.
• Changing in the galleries isn't permitted as it's a communal area. If you need to change, please use the cubicles located in the Great Court toilets. 
• The galleries can vary in temperature depending on the time of year, so please dress appropriately – we encourage you to bring layers.

Food and drink

• Food won't be provided until breakfast, so we recommend bringing snacks and refreshments with you. You'll be able to eat during the snack break time at 21.00 (snacks will not be provided).
• There will be tea and coffee available for adults only during the snack break at 21.00.
• Please be aware that no food or drink (other than bottled water) is allowed in gallery spaces and sleeping areas.
• When you arrive for the event, you'll be asked by your group leader to leave all food items in a designated area in the Great Court.

Activities

• Equipment will be shared between visitors across some activities. If you'd prefer to bring your own, please contact the Young Friends team to find out what equipment you'll need to bring.

• The consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden at sleepovers.
• Anyone suspected of consuming alcohol during the event will be asked to leave the event immediately.

• The Museum is now a non-smoking site. For the entire duration of the sleepover, you will not be allowed to smoke, use vaping products or electronic cigarettes anywhere in the Museum building, forecourt, colonnade or other external areas. If you do not comply with this, you may be asked to leave the Museum.
• Smoking is allowed outside the Museum grounds on Great Russell Street (WC1B 3DG) from 17.00–00.00. You will not be allowed to leave the site between the hours of 00.00–07.00, unless for an emergency.
• If stepping outside, please speak to a member of Security who will facilitate your re-entry to the event. You will be required to bring all associated children with you, if you are the only adult in your booking. You will also need to ensure that you are careful with your belongings when outside the Museum grounds.
• Please see our Visitor guidelines and conditions of entry for further information.

We want to welcome everyone to Young Friends sleepovers and we'll do our best to support additional requirements and make reasonable adjustments where possible. Please let us know when booking your tickets if anyone in your group has any accessibility requirements. 

• You can also reach out via [email protected] if you'd like to talk to the Young Friends team about how we can best support your visit or if you would like any further information about the event.
• Please note that it's the responsibility of the accompanying adult to ensure that the sleepover environment is appropriate for everyone in their group.
• You can also download the sleepover visual story. This is a guide for what to expect when you attend the Young Friends sleepover. It includes photographs and information so that you can prepare for your visit to the Museum.

• If your child has a food allergy, please inform us at the time of your booking by emailing [email protected].
• In the morning, we provide a vegetarian breakfast. We can't guarantee that the food provided at breakfast will be nut, dairy or gluten-free.
• If someone in your party has particular food requirements, please bring something with you for their breakfast.

• You'll need to complete a group names form. When you book online, the auto-confirmation email will include a link to this form. You'll also be sent a reminder email ahead of the event which includes the form.
• Please make sure to complete the form ahead of the event as, if we don't know in advance, we may not be able to accommodate your request.