Family Fun For the Summer Holidays!

With the summer holidays nearly upon us, it is time to look for fun children's activities to fill the days!

There are lots of brilliant (and often completely free) creative things going on locally that you can all get involved in. Here is a small selection.



We are very fortunate to have access to a truly superb museum just up the road in Exeter.

Exotic animals, birds and insects delight children and the world cultures galleries display stunning items from all over the world.  Even better than that, it is completely free to get in! Perfect for those drizzly summer days.

There are extra family activities arranged for the summer holidays, some of which incur a small cost.

Adults are expected to stay with their children while they participate and must remain with them if they are under 8 years of age. Some activities are messy so please wear clothes that can get dirty. Aprons will be provided. Tickets for drop-in activities can be purchased from the Garden reception.

Wildlife Stories – Science in Action!
Wed 30 and Thu 31 Jul,
10.30 to 12.30pm and 1.30 to 3.30pm
Location-Courtyard
Connect with nature with Ambios, a local non-profit wildlife organisation.

Art and craft sessions
Tues 29 Jul, 5, 12, 19, 26 Aug, 10.30 to 11.45am
Location-Meeting Room A
Creation Station family sessions are suitable for 1 to 11 year olds and easily accommodate siblings of different ages. Every session is inspired by a collection at RAMM and participants look, learn, imagine and make something to take home.  All children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets in advance from Creation Station. Contact Erin Blake T 0844 824 4534 M 07925653942  erinblake@thecreationstation.co.uk

Join the Club
Wed 6 and Thu 7 Aug
10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30 to 3.30pm
Location-Courtyard
The wooden club was a Fijian warrior’s favourite weapon and he was seldom without it. Clubs were also important for ceremonial and dancing purposes and there were many different designs. In this activity which complements RAMM’s Fijian Art display everyone can make their own club.

Two’s Company
Wed 13 and Thu 14 Aug
10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30 to 3.30pm
Location-Courtyard
RAMM’s Detached and Timeless exhibition looks at the way modern artists have been inspired by landscapes, nature and the seasons. In pairing or grouping the works, we feel they might ‘speak to each other’. Create two connected works of art.

Apostles, Seals and Maidens
Wed 20 and Thu 21 Aug
10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30 to 3.30pm
Location-Courtyard
During Tudor times, silver spoons had finials which might be in the form of a person or an animal as with RAMM’s famous Gilbert spoon on display in the Making History gallery. Make a Tudor spoon, engrave it and add a finial of your own design.

Sunny Times
Wed 27 and Thu 28 Aug
10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30 to 3.30pm
Location-Courtyard
RAMM has a wonderful collection of clocks and watches. But before these were invented other ways were used to keep track of time including the stars, sundials, water clocks, hourglasses and candles. Make and decorate a sundial for your own sunny spot!

Plymouth Museum 

In Plymouth you will find yet another super local museum.  Plymouth City Museum run family-friendly activities in each half term and school holiday.  The following activities are what is planned for the summer holidays this year.

COLOURFUL COLLAGE
Wednesday 13 August
10.30am to 1pm (last entries at 12.30pm)
Create a colourful paper collage inspired by the amazing works on display in the 'Modern Masters in Print' exhibition.    Free. Donations welcomed.    No need to book. Drop-in.

MARVELLOUS MONOPRINTS
Thursday 14 August
10.30am to 12pm
Make your own monoprint using the 'Modern Masters in Print' exhibition for inspiration.  £2.50 per child.  Advance booking advised.

ANYONE FOR CHESS?
Wednesday 20 August
10.30am to 1pm (last entries at 12.30pm)
Create a paper chess piece inspired by the 'A Royal Game' sculpture. Why not have a go at a game of chess itself?  Free. Donations welcomed.   No need to book. Drop-in.

CREATIVE CLAY
Thursday 21 August
10.30am to 12pm
Use clay to make your own creations based on the cups and pots in the museum’s collections. £2.50 per child.  Advance booking advised.

HATS THE WAY TO DO IT
Wednesday 27 August
10.30am to 1pm (last entries at 12.30pm)
Drop in and make hilarious hats inspired by some of Plymouth's most amazing collectors
and characters. Free. Donations welcomed. No need to book. Drop-in.

NAUTICAL BUT NICE
Thursday 28 August
10.30am to 12pm
Get inspired by nautical objects from the collections and design your own lighthouse. £2.50 per child.  Advance booking advised.



Monster Saturdays take place on the first Saturday of every month with family-friendly activities free for all with a museum ticket (tickets are valid for one year so you can enjoy all the Monster Saturdays for the next 12 months!). No need to book, just turn up and join in the activities!

Feathered Friends
Date: 2 August 2014 11am – 3pm
Inspect real nests and birds in the museum's collections. Make treats for birds in your garden and find out about which ones you might see. Play top trumps, listen to birds songs and learn about how feathers help birds to fly!


Tate St Ives


The Tate St Ives and Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden are beautiful art galleries in a stunning location!

Although slightly further afield, if any of you are staying in Cornwall both are worth a visit, particularly on days when they have something special arranged for children.

There is a family activity trail at the Barbara Hepworth Museum.  Designed for adults and younger children to have fun together exploring this magical environment that was the artist’s home and studio, including the garden she created for her sculpture.

Available from the Admissions Desk, Barbara Hepworth Museum.
Price (£2.50) includes sketchbook and simple art materials.

The Summer Holiday workshops at the Tate also look great. Let your children explore, create and play at these drop-in sessions.  The workshops are free with admission and there is no need to book, although spaces are limited so get there early to avoid disappointment.


Click on the link above for more details of family events at the Tate St Ives over the summer.

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