Museums made easy
Where to have a cultural and family-friendly day out
The charity Kids In Museums is on a mission to make museums appealing places for families to visit. Each year, the charity awards one outstandingly accommodating institution The Guardian Family-Friendly Museum Award and this year’s proud winner is the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry. The Herbert, which has collections associated with or collected for the people of Coventry, scored top marks on the Kids In Museums Manifesto’s 20 ways to make a museum family-friendly, which include being welcoming, having flexible family tickets, answering children’s questions and never saying “Ssssshhhush!”.
The Herbert offers hands-on experiences, dressing up, interactive exhibits, story baskets and trails. Frequent family and holiday activities include artist-led sessions, music and performance workshops. As part of their 50th birthday celebrations, the last Saturday of every month is being especially dedicated to family visitors, with a range of make-and-take art sessions, performances, tours and talks inspired by the exhibitions. For further details, visit www.theherbert.org
The other museums short listed for the award were:
Beningbrough Hall & Gardens, York
A grand Georgian mansion with a wilderness play area and lots of child-friendly activities. For details, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Great North Museum, Newcastle Upon Tyne
See a life-size T-Rex skeleton, discover the creatures of the deep in the aquaria and try out the interactive model of Hadrian’s wall at this extensive museum. For details, visit www.twmuseums.org.uk/greatnorthmuseum
Highland Folk Museum, Newtownmore
Learn all about the habits of Highland dwellers from centuries past, with model houses to explore and traditional crafts to try. For details, visit www.highlandfolk.com
Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent
Discover a world of Staffordshire ceramics, explore the sensory Secret Garden and see paintings by Picasso, Durer and Deagas.
For details, visit www.stoke.gov.uk
St Nicholas Priory, Exeter
This former Benedictine Priory is kitted out as the Tudor home of the Hurst family and hosts regular family days and activities. For details, see www.rammuseum.org.uk
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