The cheapest December holiday activities for kids in Nairobi with fixed, published prices are the National Museums of Kenya sites: a child pays KSh 200 at the Nairobi National Museum or the Snake Park, and an adult KSh 350, under fees that took effect on 7 May 2026. A family of two adults and two children can see the museum for KSh 1,100, or the museum and Snake Park together for KSh 1,800. Museums open every day from 8:30am to 5:30pm, public holidays included, which matters over Jamhuri Day, Christmas and Boxing Day.
Updated November 2026. Prices for Kenyan and East African citizens from the National Museums of Kenya notice “Revision of Heritage Facilities Admission Fees” (under Legal Notice No. 79 of 2025), published on museums.or.ke in April 2026.
Nairobi museum entry fees for the December holidays
| Site | Adult (KSh) | Child (KSh) | Family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi National Museum | 350 | 200 | KSh 1,100 |
| Nairobi Snake Park | 350 | 200 | KSh 1,100 |
| Combined ticket: National Museum + Snake Park | 600 | 300 | KSh 1,800 |
| Nairobi Gallery | 300 | 200 | KSh 1,000 |
| Karen Blixen Museum | 550 | 300 | KSh 1,700 |
Citizen rates. Residents and visitors from the rest of Africa, and foreigners from outside Africa, pay in US dollars; see the NMK notice. Family totals are our arithmetic from the published fees.
Why the combined ticket is the best value
Buying the National Museum and Snake Park separately costs KSh 700 per adult and KSh 400 per child. The combined ticket is KSh 600 and KSh 300, saving a family of four KSh 400. Both sites share the museum grounds off Museum Hill, so one visit covers both. Plan at least half a day.
Day trips out of Nairobi at museum prices
If you are travelling upcountry or to the coast for the holidays, the same price list covers smaller museums and sites, many of them cheaper than Nairobi:
- Olorgesailie (Kajiado), Kariandusi (near Gilgil), Meru, Malindi, Kabarnet, Kapenguria and Gede Ruins: KSh 200 per adult, KSh 100 per child.
- Hyrax Hill (Nakuru) and Rabai: KSh 100 per adult, KSh 50 per child (unchanged).
- Nyeri, Tambach, Kakapel, Songhor, Fort Ternan and Shimoni: KSh 100 per adult, KSh 50 per child.
- Fort Jesus, Mombasa: KSh 550 per adult, KSh 300 per child, or KSh 650 and KSh 400 with the Butterfly House.
- Lamu Museum, Lamu Fort, Swahili House and German Post Office: KSh 200 each per adult (KSh 100 per child), or KSh 750 per adult and KSh 400 per child for the four together.
A family of four visiting Olorgesailie on the way to Magadi pays KSh 600 in entry, on the published fees.
How to pay
NMK lists an eCitizen payment page (nmkpay.ecitizen.go.ke) alongside its contacts, so you can pay ahead and avoid queues on busy holiday days. School groups can contact the NMK Education Department (nmkeduc@museums.or.ke) for programmes.
Planning December holiday activities for kids in Nairobi
Basic education schools close for the long holiday before December; check exact dates in our Kenya school calendar 2026. If you need full-day care rather than outings, see holiday camps in Nairobi for December 2026, which lists camps with published dates and prices. For outings on public holidays, check the dates in Kenya public holidays 2026 and 2027.
A simple way to plan: pick one paid outing a week (a museum visit at KSh 1,100 to KSh 1,800 for four), add transport and a packed lunch, and keep the rest of the weeks for free activities at home or at church and community programmes.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Nairobi National Museum entry fee for children?
KSh 200 for a Kenyan or East African citizen child, and KSh 350 for an adult, under NMK fees effective 7 May 2026.
Is the Nairobi museum open on Christmas Day?
NMK’s notice gives opening hours of 8:30am to 5:30pm, Monday to Sunday, including public holidays.
What is the cheapest museum near Nairobi?
Among NMK sites, Olorgesailie in Kajiado charges KSh 200 per adult and KSh 100 per child. In Nairobi itself, the Nairobi Gallery is KSh 300 per adult and KSh 200 per child.
Is there a combined ticket for the museum and Snake Park?
Yes: KSh 600 per adult and KSh 300 per child for citizens, cheaper than buying both separately.
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