Frequently Asked Questions

To book for school or scout groups, download and send a group bookings Order Form to dino-snores@nhm.ac.uk.

We’ll confirm your reservation and issue an invoice for payment. We don’t offer a separate price for group bookings. Prices are standard for the event.

We can’t reserve tickets until the Dino Snores team receives the completed form. Reservations are subject to availability at the time the form is received. These events sell out very quickly so we recommend returning the form as soon as possible. Read our group booking terms and conditions.

All group bookings must adhere to our adult:child ratios. Adults within the group are responsible for the supervision of the children at all times and must be aged 18+. All children must be aged 7–11 as per our age restrictions for the event.

If you have completed and sent your order form to the Dino Snores team, see our risk assessment information to help you write your risk assessment for your visit.

Dino Snores for Kids is for children aged 7 to 11. Guests must be aged 7 to 11 on the night of the sleepover.

This event and its activities are designed for children aged 7 to 11. We want to ensure that all guests are able to enjoy the event, so it’s for everyone’s benefit we ask visitors to keep to this age range.

Don’t purchase tickets for children outside of this age range, as we can’t allow entry to the event or offer refunds.

Everyone must bring a sleeping bag, toothbrush, evening snack and some clothes to sleep in (we recommend arriving in clothes you can sleep in to minimise luggage).

For VIP tickets, a standard single camp bed is provided for you to sleep on. Get in touch if you require dimensions.

Overnight clothes must be suitable for standing outside in the unlikely event of an evacuation.

Apart from when you are sleeping, shoes must be worn at all times for health and safety reasons.

Bring a bottle of water, a pillow, earplugs and eye shades for sleeping as some lighting remains on overnight.

We provide thin foam sleeping mats but you can bring your own if you prefer. For health and safety reasons, we can’t allow any inflatable mats or mattresses over two inches thick. If you need to bring a specific sleeping mat for medical reasons, let us know upon booking so we can ensure it meets our health and safety requirements.

We strongly recommend that you don’t bring things that are of financial or sentimental value. We take no responsibility for loss of or damage to any items belonging to visitors.

You aren’t allowed to plug any electrical items into the Museum’s sockets during the event. Bring a portable mobile charging bank if needed. Get in touch if you require access to power or refrigeration for medical reasons.

Bear the weather in mind and bring layers according to the season. The temperature can fluctuate in the Museum.

Equipment is shared between visitors for some activities. There’s an additional kit-list available on request for those who would prefer to bring their own equipment with them. Contact dino-snores@nhm.ac.uk for more information.

We recommend you eat a meal before arriving and bring a small snack for later in the evening.

For VIPs, an evening snack will be provided as part of the experience. This consists of a ham or cheese sandwich, juice, a piece of fruit and a packet of popcorn.

We don’t provide cutlery or plates for eating. Don’t bring knives that are sharp or lockable, have blades over three inches or multi-tool knives, as these will be confiscated. A butter knife with a blade of 3 inches or less or plastic cutlery is acceptable.

Bring your own coffee sachets and tea bags as part of your snack. Hot water will be provided during the evening snack break for you to make your own tea and coffee.

We’re working hard to increase our sustainability, so bring your own reusable cup as we won’t provide cups or mugs.

Milk and a small selection of milk alternatives will be provided.

On arrival, your snacks will be taken to the eating areas. Store all food for your group in one bag, separate from your other belongings. No food is allowed in the galleries.

In the morning, we provide a hot breakfast of a bacon or a sausage roll plus tea and coffee. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options are also available.

VIPs will receive an additional piece of fruit, juice and tea or coffee.

The main café will also open at 8.30am on Sunday morning. We can’t guarantee that our breakfast will be nut, gluten or dairy free.

If you or your children can’t eat the breakfast provided, let us know when booking and bring your own breakfast with you. Ensure that these food items won't need overnight refrigeration. We’ll collect these items along with your other food on arrival and keep them safe until you need them. Ensure that you collect your breakfast items in the morning before the breakfast break by asking our staff.

We can’t guarantee a nut-free environment. If you or any of the children in your group have any allergies you’re concerned about, confirm this when booking.

The minimum number of adults required for each group of children are:

• for 1–2 children, 1 adult required
• for 3–4 children, 2 adults required
• for 5–12 children, 3 adults required
• for 13–20 children, 4 adults are required
• for 21–28 children, 5 adults are required
• for 29–36 children, 6 adults are required
• for 37–44 children, 7 adults are required
• for 45–52 children, 8 adults are required
• for 53–60 children, 9 adults are required
• for 61–68 children, 10 adults are required
• for 69–76 children, 11 adults are required
• for 77–84 children, 12 adults are required
• for 85–92 children, 13 adults are required
• for 93–100 children, 14 adults are required
• for 101–108 children, 15 adults are required
• for 109–116 children, 16 adults are required
• for 117–124 children, 17 adults are required
• for 125–132 children, 18 adults are required

Adults will sleep in the same area as the children in their group. Accompanying adults must be at least 18 years old and show ID upon arrival. One adult in each group will also be asked for their mobile phone number in case we need to contact them during the event.

If you have any questions about the adult:child ratios, email dino-snores@nhm.ac.uk.

The VIP experience has a strict capacity and there are a limited number of VIP tickets for each event.

For standard tickets, you can add children or adults to your booking if tickets are still available, but if the event is sold out this won’t be possible. Book early to avoid disappointment.

All children who aren’t accompanied by their parent or legal guardian must have written consent in the form of a completed survey. The survey will be emailed to ticket holders prior to the event.

Children without a parental consent form won’t be allowed to attend the event.

You can find directions on our Getting Here page.

Groups must arrive at our Queen’s Gate entrance by 18.45.

For VIP tickets you must arrive at our Exhibition Road entrance by 18.45.

You’ll receive further details about the event by email after booking.

If you’re dropping off a child but not staying for the evening, you can come to our Queen’s Gate entrance, but you won’t be allowed to enter the Museum.

If you think that you may not get here on time, email us.

You may miss some of the activities if you arrive late. We can’t allow entry into the event after 20.00, and no refunds will be given.

Evening

18.30 Doors open / set up camp

19.35 Welcome briefing

19.50 Activity

20.35 Snack break

21.20 Activity

22.10 Activity

22.50 Get ready for bed

23:10 Bedtime story in Hintze Hall

23:30 Lights out

Morning

07.00 Wake-up and pack-up

07.15 Breakfast

08.00 Activity

09:15 Gather in Hintze Hall

09.30 Event ends, Cloakroom opens. Collect your bags and belongings.

10:00 The Museum opens to the public. You’re welcome to stay as long as you wish.

This schedule is subject to change.

Guests will sleep in Hintze Hall, on the ground floor and the first floor.

VIPs will be sleeping in Earth Hall.

We’ll assign guests to a team and activity schedule. Sleeping areas are different for each team and we can’t guarantee where you’ll be sleeping in advance nor can we change your location on the night. If you require special assistance related to where you sleep, inform us upon booking.

No, the sleeping areas won’t be organised by gender – sleeping will be mixed.

Staff are on hand throughout the night to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. CCTV is in operation throughout the Museum.

There’s no cloakroom available during the event and your belongings will be kept in the sleeping areas. You can leave your luggage in the cloakrooms during the day before the event where they’re available as usual when we open to the public between 10.00 and 17.30. However, you’ll need to remove all of your belongings by 17.30 and regular rates will apply.

The morning after the event, should you wish to stay after we open to the public, you’ll be able to drop your belongings off at a cloakroom.

Toilets are available for washing, teeth cleaning and changing. There are no showers available.

Adults are responsible for supervising their group’s behaviour throughout the event. This will ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable evening.

Responsibilities include following the team leader’s directions, keeping your group together and under control at all times and making sure your group doesn’t disturb those who are sleeping.

The consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden at Dino Snores for Kids. If our staff suspect you’ve been consuming alcohol, our Events Manager has the right to search your bags and test your liquids. If you’re caught with alcohol your party will be removed from the event immediately.

In extreme circumstances, anyone behaving inappropriately, for alcohol-related reasons or otherwise, may be ejected from the event at the discretion of the Event Manager and security team.

We have first-aiders available to assist.

Yes. We encourage participation from children with disabilities and aim to be inclusive and welcoming for all children.

We’ll do all we can to ensure additional needs are met and reasonable adjustments are made wherever possible. It’s the responsibility of the accompanying adult to ensure that the event environment is suitable for any child in their care. If you’d like to talk to us to learn more about whether the event would be suitable for you, don't hesitate to get in touch.

If anyone in your group has additional needs, accessibility or health requirements let us know on booking.

We can’t offer a refund once you’ve purchased your ticket.

If you need to amend a confirmed booking, the following conditions apply:

If you need to change the date of your event, we require notice of at least 30 days before the date you originally booked.

There’s a £10 admin charge per ticket for moving your Dino Snores tickets. All ticket transfers are subject to availability and are at the manager’s discretion.

You can only move your booking to an event that is within one year of the date of your original event. After this point we can’t move your ticket. Any children on the booking must still fall within the required age bracket of 7 to 11 years old.

You can add children or adults to your booking if tickets are still available, so long as you still comply with our group size requirements, but if the event is sold out this won’t be possible. Book early to avoid disappointment.

If you are collecting ticket fees from a large group, keep these booking terms in mind and allow enough time to tell us about any changes in numbers.

We’re unable to confirm a booking until full payment is received.

Group invoices are payable within 30 days before the event. There’s a £10 fee per ticket cancelled if the invoice is reduced from the original request. No changes will be accepted later than 30 days before the event.

The VIP group will merge with one of our six dinosaur teams through the event for activities. If you have friends attending with standard tickets, contact us with their booking reference numbers and we’ll ensure you’re placed together.

Our exits are closed between 23.00 and 7.00 and it isn’t possible to leave between these times except in an emergency. We don’t advise leaving early as you’ll miss some of the fun, but if you wish to leave between 7.00 and 9.15 in the morning, let us know when you book and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Dino Snores for Kids sleepovers are for children aged 7 to 11. Adults interested in sleeping over at the Museum should book tickets for Dino Snores for Grown-ups.

If you have more questions about the event contact us by email at dino-snores@nhm.ac.uk.