Families can get close to real minibeasts, hunt for treasure, create art and architecture and take part in many other fun and creative activities at Scarborough Museums Trust venues the Art Gallery, the Rotunda Museum and Woodend this coming summer school holiday – and (with one low-cost exception) they’re all free!
A wide range of exciting workshops and activities for children from two to 12 will take place at the Rotunda each Tuesday and Thursday, the Art Gallery each Wednesday, and Woodend each Friday for six weeks from 24 July to 30 August.
They also include, for the first time, sensory light and sound workshops for children with visual impairments or physical disabilities.
All the activities are drop-in and take place from 10am to noon and from 2pm to 4pm (unless otherwise stated) – and apart from the Funky Feltosaurus workshop on Thursday 29 August, which costs £2 per participant, they’re all free.
Week 1
Sea Sounds (Art Gallery, 24 July – the afternoon is a sensory session suitable for children with visual impairments or physical disabilities with accompanying support workers): Make, decorate and play your own musical instrument and hear the sounds of the sea.
Sea Monsters (Rotunda, 25 July): Investigate ancient monsters of the deep and make your own fantastic sea creature.
Hunt the Treasure! (Woodend, 26 July, from 10am, 11am, 2pm and 3pm for approximately an hour; involves walking around two venues and climbing stairs).): Where has our seagull, Lari, been? Make your own telescopes, then follow the bird splat to find the treasure.
Week 2
Playing with Light (Art Gallery, 31 July – the day will include sensory play suitable for children with visual impairments or physical disabilities with accompanying support workers): Experiment with light and colour to make your own summer lantern.
Minibeast Mayhem (Rotunda, 1 August): Hands-on learning with minibeasts from animal education company Sam’s Safaris, plus create your own marvellous minbeast.
These Four Walls… (Woodend, 2 August): Take a look at our tiny model of Scarborough and help to make a giant model of The Crescent from paper – plus your own paper building to take home. In partnership with Animated Objects.
Week 3
Paint Summer (Art Gallery, 7 August): Make your own vibrant summer image inspired by paintings in the gallery.
Terrifying Teeth (Rotunda, 8 August): Handle weird and wonderful teeth and skulls and be inspired to make your own toothy animal!
Teddy Bear Hunt (Woodend, 9 August, from 10am, 11am, 2pm and 3pm, for approximately an hour): Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the much-loved book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – bring along your favourite teddy for fun, story-telling, crafts and a bear hunt adventure!
Week 4
Own It! (Art Gallery, 14 August – booking essential): Design and make your own original and unique textile print – print a cotton bandana (provided), or bring your own T-shirt or tote bag.
Beautiful Birds (Rotunda, 15 August): Meet amazing taxidermy birds, learn bird facts and make your own Lari the seagull.
Our Town (Woodend, 16 August from 10am, 11am, 2pm and 3pm for approximately an hour – booking essential): Make your own stop-frame animation using simple technology – in partnership with local theatre company Animated Objects.
Week 5
Inspired by Print (Art Gallery, 21 August – booking essential): Make your own monoprints using grass, seaweed and feathers, and inspired by the prints in the gallery.
Cave Art Rocks (Rotunda, 22 August): Discover the prehistoric animals which roamed the local landscape, and make your own cave art.
Tiny Towns (Woodend, 23 August): Make your own 3D mini cardboard town to take home – perhaps as a home for your favourite toys.
Week 6
Wall of Good Wishes (Art Gallery, 28 August): Decorate a cardboard brick and help build a wall of good wishes in the gallery.
Funky Feltosaurus (Rotunda, 29 August – suitable for seven years and upwards, £2 per participant – booking essential): Make your own fabulous fun felt stegosaurus – designed and led by Jennifer Weston.
Walking with Royalty (Art Gallery, 30 August from 10am, 11am, 2pm and 3pm for approximately an hour – booking essential): A family-friendly circular walk, lasting around 30 minutes and involving some gentle slopes, steps and uneven ground. Follow in the footsteps of Royalty and discover fun facts about local people and architecture. In partnership with Heritage Adventures.
There are also Fossil Handling sessions at the Rotunda each Tuesday between 10.30pm and noon and 1.30pm and 3pm, from 23 July to 27 August.
Scarborough Museums Trust Learning Manager Ruth Yoxon says: “Our exciting workshops and activities are getting more and more popular – we’re thrilled to be able to offer such a wide and diverse range this summer!”
All activities count towards Children’s University passports.
Children under 18 get free entry into all SMT venues; for activities, children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult, who must hold a £3 Annual Pass to gain free entry.
For more information on summer activities at Scarborough Art Gallery, the Rotunda Museum and Woodend, please call 01723 384503 or visit the website: http://www.scarboroughmuseumstrust.com/whats-on/