DISCOVER WHAT’S ON AT BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS THIS HALF TERM

 

Looking for fun ways to fill the May half term? Birmingham Museums can help!  Whether your little ones want to join the Astronaut Academy at Thinktank, get crafty at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, or enjoy a larger-than-life outdoor performance at Aston Hall fit for a queen, there’s so much to discover.

 

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is back

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Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is back open 10am – 5pm seven days a week with captivating new displays and there’s a range of events running throughout the half term week for all the family to enjoy. On Saturday 28 May it’s all about nature and learning more about the museum’s natural science collection, then on Monday 30, Tues 31 May, Fri 3, Sat 4 June join the Family Arts Workshops with Birmingham Centre for Arts Therapies and get hands on with craft activities covering different themes and find out how creativity can support our mental wellbeing.

On Wed 1 and Thurs 2 June the museum will be welcoming young actors from Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA), 1-3pm for pop-up Shakespearean performances in the spectacular surroundings of the Round Room and the new We Are Birmingham display. This is not to be missed!

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Blast off into space at Thinktank

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Open seven days a week during the May half term holiday (28 May – 5 June), blast off on your very own space mission at Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum.

 

From Monday 30 May to Friday 3 June join the Astronaut Academy to learn more about life in space. Thinktank has teamed up with Walt Disney Studios and Pixar to celebrate the science behind their latest movie, “Lightyear”, in cinemas now. Thinktank is part of a national programme set to go beyond infinity, celebrating Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” at science centres and museums around the UK. The new movie is the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, and follows the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic sci-fi adventure.

 

Thinktank will be running a programme of interactive, hands-on and in-person science engagements inspired by the movie, including the Life in Space Family Show on weekdays where you can join the Astronaut Academy. You’ll learn about what you need to pack for space, discover how rockets take off and find out what life is really like for astronauts living above our heads: what do they eat and how do they go to the toilet?!

 

During your visit, take part in the space travel family trail spotting the exoplanets and rockets hidden around the museum as you explore, and look out for the Life in Space Science Busking throughout half term where you can learn about space travel inventions, find out how a space suit is made and even smell the moon!

 

There’s also LEGO workshops and Planetarium shows to book onto and enjoy, along with all the Thinktank favourites such as the outdoor science garden, MiniBrum, the interactive mini city for under 8s, and four floors of interactive exhibits and hands on displays. Then stop off at the Signal Box Café and shop for a well-earned treat too.

Entry costs apply.

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Get hands on with heritage

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In the enchanted surroundings of the grand mansion Aston Hall, join the interactive telling of the traditional story of Beauty and the Beast on Thursday 2 June. Become part of the story and smell the spices traded by Beauty’s merchant father, help search for the Prince in Beauty’s dreams, and find out why roses are so important in this story. On Friday 3 June visit the hall and it’s grounds for Merry Monarchs, an outdoor performance walk hosted by a lavish array of royal characters including warrior queens, chivalrous knights, and musical monarchs, with three sessions to join throughout the day.

 

At Blakesley Hall, from Wednesday 1 to Sunday 5 June, drop into Blakesley Hall and join in the fun to make your own unique crown to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee! And on Saturday 4 June, get silly and learn some circus skills. You will have the chance to have a go at learning juggling, diabolo, hula hoops, spinning plates, balance beam and tightrope!

 

At Museum of the Jewellery Quarter on Tuesday 31 May enjoy a royal twist on the museum’s popular kid’s jewellery workshops and let your little ones have a go at making their very own piece of jewellery fit for a Queen in this Jubilee themed workshop.

 

Get up close with nature in the tranquil surroundings of Sarehole Mill on Wednesday 1 June with nature explorers. From pond dipping to tree rubbing each session will involve different activities which will help little ones and adults alike to learn more about the biodiversity all arounds us. Why not make a reservation for pizza in the courtyard, once you’ve worked up an appetite?

 

Visit www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/category/May-Half-Term-at-Birmingham-Museums for a full list of events, including ticket prices and booking details.