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Voted for by families, the award celebrates museums, galleries, historic homes or heritage sites in the UK that go the extra mile to provide a great experience for families.

Competing against three other museums in the Best Medium Museum category, the museum clinched the win with family judges enjoying V&A Dundee’s children’s activities and resources available throughout the museum, including board games and soft toys, craft activities and sensory baskets. Families liked that children were free entry to all areas of the museum, including ticketed exhibitions. They also noted the museum’s welcoming and friendly staff and commitment to working with a range of local community groups.

One family judge said of V&A Dundee: "Just a wonderful visit. Rather than an 'add on' or tick box it was clear that children were integral to the whole ethos of the museum. There was a very relaxed atmosphere… I'd feel very comfortable heading there on a rainy day - even if they didn't visit the exhibitions a family could quite happily spend a couple of hours playing, reading books and doing the craft activities, all for free. What a wonderful resource for Dundee.”

V&A Dundee offers a free and exciting learning programme funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. There are over 100 days of free designer-led creative events all year round, giving both locals and visitors the opportunity to enjoy a day at Scotland’s design museum at no cost. Free entry for under 18’s to ticketed exhibitions further expand V&A Dundee’s role as a welcoming place for fun, learning and play. The Family Learning Festival: Watercolour Worlds (4 – 19 October) is currently welcoming families of all shapes and sizes to explore Beatrix Potter's love of Scottish landscapes, flora, fauna and funga.

Regular and seasonal activities like the Selkie Trail, Drop in + Design, Shake, Rattle & Stroll all encourage families to connect and learn new skills through fun and enriching design experiences. 

Tracey Smith, Learning Programme Producer – Families, from V&A Dundee said:
"Our entire museum team are delighted to receive this award and want to thank all the families who voted for us. It means a lot to have our programme recognised by children and their grown-ups. We’re honoured to be part of the Kids in Museums family and also offer special congratulations to our fellow Scottish museum The Burrell Collection on their award in the large museum category. We look forward to continuing to welcome families into the museum to enjoy our packed programme of design activities.”

Alison Bowyer, Executive Director of Kids in Museums, said of V&A Dundee:
“Congratulations to V&A Dundee. Winning the Best Medium Museum category is a tremendous achievement. It’s clear how much our undercover judges enjoyed visiting V&A Dundee with its excellent family activities, thoughtful facilities and family friendly café. As many museums continue to struggle with shrinking budgets it’s great to see such care and attention being paid to family audiences.”