The Garden Museum is an excellent place for families. We have nine galleries, with interactive displays as well as a beautiful Learning Space overlooking the garden. The Learning Studio is fitted out as a teaching kitchen for food related activities with our Food Educator, Ceri Jones. We also have a dedicated Family Learning Officer, Gemma Clark, who runs art activities weekly in our Learning Space.
Family friendly facilities
- Carts in our nave with books and toys for children
- Interactives and activities for children in our upstairs galleries
- NEW! Museum trail activity booklet for children aged 4-10, launching the beginning of August 2024
- NEW! Explorer backpack containing activities to explore our collection and gardens. Limited number available to borrow from the front desk from the beginning of August 2024
- NEW! Sensory Explorer backpack containing activities, ear defenders, social story and sensory toys. A limited number are available to borrow from the front desk from the beginning of August 2024
Activities for families
- We run workshops and activities for children and families during school holidays and most weekends in our two Learning spaces;
- We encourage hands-on activities;
- We aim to provide low-cost sessions;
- We aim to explore the theme of gardens and nature through art, craft, cooking and plant science;
- We explore the seasons and our current exhibitions through stories and art;
- We aim to provide sessions for families with neurodiverse needs during school holidays
- We have signed up to the Kids in Museums Manifesto.
Tuesday Tots Sessions – Free
Tuesday mornings during term time from 1st October 2024 10.30-11.30 am.
There will be no sessions on 26th November or 10th December due to other events.
Tuesday Tots sessions are aimed at all parents and carers of pre school children and babies. Join us for seasonal stories, linked to our collection and exhibitions, followed by art and craft sessions to fit the story theme. Full details for each week can be found using the events link below.
Please note, children must be actively supervised by their accompanying adult at all times.
Sunday Sessions – Free
Sunday mornings during term time from 6th October 2024 11-12.30.
There will be no sessions on 20th October due to our Harvest Festival Event or 1st December due to our Craft Fair.
These family sessions are aimed at families with children between the ages of 3 and 12 years. They aim to introduce and build art skills whilst exploring our collection, the seasons and our current exhibitions. Please note that some weeks, due to events being held at the museum, this will run on a Saturday. Full details for each week can be found using the events link below.
Please note, children must be actively supervised by their accompanying adult at all times.
School holiday sessions – Free
We are running several family sessions, including neurodiverse sessions during half terms, Easter holidays and Summer holidays. These will be inspired by our current exhibition. Full details will be found nearer the time using the events link below and on our Family Learning Newsletter.
Please note, children must be actively supervised by their accompanying adult at all times.
More details of events
Find our programme of activities on our Events page and sign up to our Learning mailing list at the bottom of this page.
If you have any questions regarding any of our Family Learning sessions, please email gemma@gardenmuseum.org.uk
This programme is made possible with thanks to funding from Arts Council England.
Kids in Museums
Family Learning Newsletter
Sign up to receive our fun family activity newsletter, and details about upcoming family and community events
Family Activity Sheets
Here are some family activities to try at home, made by artist Rachel Moss-Hogg:
Information Sheets
