Family learning events and activities

On this page:

Events at M Shed
May Half Term at M Shed
June at M Shed
Summer Holidays at M shed
Ongoing Events at M Shed
Events at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
May Half term at Bristol Museum
Summer Holidays at Bristol Museum
What else is on at Bristol's Museums?

Discover and learn about our collections the fun way. Why not take part in a family activity exploring a theme inspired by our galleries and temporary exhibitions. Our programme of activities help engage children with our collections, making the most out of your visit.

Activities are suitable for all ages, free and run on a drop-in basis unless otherwise stated.

Events at M Shed

View M Shed events in our Family Fun leaflet (pdf, 2.3 MB) (opens new window)

Help M Shed win the 2013 Telegraph Family Friendly Museum Award

This is your chance to vote for M Shed and say what makes the museum really special for your family. Take a look and listen to other families talking about what makes it so special to them too in this 3-minute museum video. Voting closes 10 May 2013. Cast your vote at the Kids in Museums website.

May Half Term at M Shed

Let the Games Begin!
Monday 27 May 10.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm
Pretend to be a Victorian child and try your hand at historic board and card games. Suitable for 5+

Modelling Chocolate
Tuesday 28 May 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm;
Join artist Marie Toseland in this family workshop to make your own edible sculpture!
Use images and music as inspiration and learn the techniques of sculpting with chocolate clay. £3 per child (suitable for age 5+)
Limited numbers, book in advance through M Shed shop. Tel: 0117 352 6600

June at M Shed

Father’s Day special
Sunday 16 June
Dad goes free into the Chocolate! exhibition when accompanied by a paying adult. Plus delicious Chocolate! treats in M Café

Chocolate! Finale
Sunday 23 June
Chat to former Cadbury workers and find out what it was like to work in a chocolate factory. Marks the final day of the exhibition. Free Chocolate! stickers for children. Family tickets £10

Summer Holidays at M shed

Fingertip Explorers
Tuesday 6 and 13 August 11am and 11.45am
Tuesday 20 and 27 August 1.30pm, 2.15pm and 3pm
Can you work out what the mystery objects are through touch? Try out your detective skills with an intriguing game that brings history to life. Book on the day at Reception. Suitable for 7+

International Slavery Remembrance Day
Friday 23 August 10am to 5pm
Follow a trail and learn about Bristol’s history as we observe this day of remembering our shared past

Ongoing Events at M Shed

Ride M Shed’s boats, cranes and trains!
From Easter to October (on weekends and during school holidays)

Take a ride on M Shed’s largest exhibits; the boats, train and cranes! Sail on the Mayflower, John King Tug and Fire Boat Pyronaut for stunning views of Bristol’s harbourside, be transported back to the days of steam with a ride along the dockside on the Henbury Steam Locomotive or experience the historic industrial electronic and steam cranes.

Buy tickets on-board on the day. See the M shed website for dates, timings and latest information.

Pause and Play!
Every Saturday 1pm to 4pm (in the Life Gallery)
From Jack in his Box to Jacob’s Ladder – a chance for visitors of all ages to play with toys from generation’s past.

Family explorer kits
Discover M Shed afresh with the new Explorer Kits. Have a go at the photo trail, take a closer look with binoculars and more...
Suitable for under 7s. £2 to hire from M Shed Shop (plus £8 refundable deposit).

Please visit the M shed website for further details.

Events at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

View events in the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery Family Fun flyer (pdf, 2.3 MB) (opens new window)

Family explorer kits
Discover Bristol Museum and Art Gallery afresh with the new explorer backpacks. Have a go at the photo trail, take a closer look with a magnifying glass and more...
Suitable for under sevens. £2 to hire (plus £8 refundable deposit)

May Half term at Bristol Museum

Ancient Egypt discovery days
Wednesday 29 May 11am to 3pm
Handle real Egyptian objects, find out more on a store tour and join in with Egyptian themed craft activities.

Summer Holidays at Bristol Museum

Summer Holiday Discovery Days
Just drop in. Suitable for all ages unless otherwise stated. Suggested donation: £2 per child:

Art: Make Your Mark!
Wednesday 31 July 10am to 1pm
Experiment with ideas and materials inspired by our collections and create your own artwork to take home. Suitable for 7+.

Assyria: Discovery Day
Wednesday 7 August 10am to 1pm
Handle real Assyrian objects and discover more about our amazing Assyrian reliefs.

Romans: Discovery day
Wednesday 14 August 10am to 1pm
Have a go at making a Roman inspired brooch, try on a toga and handle real Roman objects.

World Cultures: Discovery Day
Wednesday 21 August 10am to 1pm
Discover our World Cultures collection with a friendly expert and handle real objects.

Natural History: Discovery Day
Wednesday 28 August 10am to 1pm
Join our curators to explore some of our favourite and rarely seen specimens.

Go Behind the Scenes

Saturday 17 August 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm
A closer look at Bristol’s unseen natural treasures with a friendly expert.
Book on the day. Tours last about 40 mins. Suggested donation: £2.

What else is on at Bristol's Museums?

Villa Open Evenings
Thursdays: 16 May, 13 June and 18 July 4pm to 6pm
Kings Weston Roman Villa
Discover the amazing mosaics, central heating system and bath suite at the villa.

Dress like a Roman!
Friday 31 May 10am to 4pm
Kings Weston Roman Villa
Explore the villa and find out how to dress like a Roman. Meet our Roman family of craftsmen, handle real Roman objects and make your own purse to take home.

Become an Archaeology Explorer!
Saturday 27 July 10am to 4pm
Kings Weston Roman Villa
Meet a ‘Roman medicus’ at the Villa and find out about Roman medicine as part of the Festival of Archaeology. Join in with other city wide events and collect a different stamp at each one.

International Slavery Remembrance Day
Friday 23 August, 10.30am to 3.30pm
The Georgian House Museum
Follow a trail and learn about Bristol’s history as we observe this day of remembering our shared past.

What else is on at Bristol's Museums?
There’s lots more going on at our museums see the full listing of museum events.

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