Take the kids to … The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset

This rather sceptical mum was surprised by just how much fun – and how absorbing – this collection of armoured vehicles was

Armour-plated fun … A German Jagdpanther tank destroyer at Bovington, Dorset. Photograph: Alamy

Helen Gooding

In a nutshell

Even if militaria doesn’t get your engine revving, this attraction is well worth a visit, with its vast collection of vehicles in six well-organised halls. They tell the story of armoured warfare from the first world war and the first tank, Little Willie, to the present day, broken up by a number of tank-related activities to ease exhibit fatigue.

Fun fact

Tanks hit the spotlight – and central London – last month as 15 September marked the centenary of the first one rumbling into action at the Somme.

A first world war tank at the Bovington Tank Museum. Photograph: Steve Parsons/PA

Best thing about it

The museum has made a potentially dull subject really engaging, with loads of extra stuff to appeal to kids (and big kids), including interactive exhibits, people making models, games, toys, crafts, dressing up and – best of all – rides in a real tracked vehicle (these cost an extra £3.50pp). There are also regular outdoor displays of tanks in action, firing ammunition before a delighted/terrified audience.

What about lunch?

There’s a restaurant serving snacks, cakes and hot meals at one end of the museum, and a cafe at the other, next to the indoor play area. Prices are reasonable: hot meals start from £3.15 for kids and £6.25 for adults, and sandwiches cost from £3.

Exit through the gift shop?

No, but it is right next to the entrance.

Value for money?

Yes – we spent most of the day there and still hadn’t seen or done everything. Adult £13, child (5-16) £7.50, family (2 adults, 2 children) £35 or (1 adult, 3 children) £29.