Ballymoney Museum only venue in Northern Ireland shortlisted for national Family Friendly Museum Award

Charity ‘Kids in Museums’ has run the prestigious annual award since 2004, recognising the most family friendly heritage sites in the UK. It is the only museum award to be judged by families.

From February to late April, families across the UK voted for their favourite heritage attraction on the Kids in Museums’ website. A panel of museum experts, children and young people then whittled down hundreds of nominations to a shortlist of 20 heritage attractions.

Ballymoney Museum is vying against four other museums in the Best Small Museum Category.

Causeway Coast and Glens Museum Officer, Jamie Austin said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for the Family Friendly Museum Award, especially as the only museum in Northern Ireland to make the list.

“This recognition is incredibly special because it is nominated by families themselves, and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who put us forward.

“Families are at the heart of everything we do. This achievement reflects the hard work of our team and volunteers in creating welcoming spaces, from our increased workshops and activity sheets to our newly refurbished children’s area inspired by our own museum day children’s book. We are so grateful for our community’s fantastic support.”

Located inside the Town Hall, Ballymoney Museum brings the Causeway Coast and Glens area’s vibrant local history to life – from the mystical Derrykeighan Stone right through to motorcycles and road racing.

Families love the newly refurbished children’s area within the permanent gallery, where kids can get interactive with sensory and tactile walls, a dress-up area, puzzles, and a reading area.

Sensory backpacks, pram access, along with baby changing and breastfeeding-friendly spaces are all provided to ensure that families can enjoy their stay.

Over the summer holidays, the museum will be visited by undercover family judges who will assess the shortlisted museums against the Kids in Museums Manifesto, a set of guidelines on what makes a great museum visit for all ages.

Their experiences will decide a winner for each award category and an overall winner of the Family Friendly Museum Award 2026. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.