Summer Holidays 2017 at York Museums Trust
Join us this summer for family-friendly hands-on activities at York Art Gallery, York Castle Museum, and the Yorkshire Museum 27 July – 3 September 2017.
Click here to download our Summer Holidays leaflet.
York Art Gallery
Song Box: Accessible Story Making
Tue 1 Aug, Fri 25 Aug and Tue 29 Aug, 10.30am – 11.30am
Using your own communication aids, plus resources from the gallery, we will create our own original stories from the characters and scenes, with added Song Box songs, props and movement to enliven the tale. For children and young adults who enjoy engaging with new spaces, multi-sensory experiences, colour and music. Family and siblings of all ages welcome.
£5.90 per family (two adults and two children), gallery admission applies (free with a YMT Card or Max Card).
Please book ahead at www.york-songbox.co.uk.
SOLD OUT! Teenage Art School
Thurs 27 – Sun 30 July, 10.30am – 3.30pm each day
Take part in a series of practical art workshops led by local professional artists. Stretch your imagination and explore new materials. Whether art is just a hobby or something you are studying (or planning to study) at GCSE or A level, Teenage Art School will help you develop your skills. Workshops are suitable for anyone aged 14 to 18.
Free. Places have now sold out – click here to join the waiting list on Eventbrite.
Leisure Land Golf
Daily until 3 Sept, 11am – 4pm (last admission 3.30pm)
Doug Fishbone’s Leisure Land Golf is a fully playable crazy golf course, with each golf hole designed and made by a different artist from the contemporary art world. Take a look at the course in our Artists Garden or even play a round! Please note that the course is only open during dry weather.
£3 per adult, £2 per child, £8 per family (two adults and two children), no need to book. Admission is for one round of golf (7 holes) and includes a score card and pencil. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Yorkshire Museum
Saga Books
Thu 27 Jul – Sun 6 Aug, 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm
Viking stories were passed down through generations and were remembered and retold for hundreds of years. This week make your own saga book with a twist. The direction your story takes depends upon the roll of a dice. Add your own pictures to make it really special.
Free with admission, no need to book.
Viking Longboats
Mon 7 Aug – Sun 13 Aug, 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm
Vikings are famous for their ship building skills. Try your hand at the oars of our replica boat before making your own Viking longboat to take away. Add your own dragon head design to give it a personal touch!
Free with admission, no need to book.
Drum Making
Mon 14 Aug – Sun 20 Aug, 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm
Make your own mini Viking drum to take home. Decorate it with the motifs and designs that you can see on our collections throughout the Viking exhibition.
Free with admission, no need to book.
Brooch Making
Mon 21 Aug – Sun 27 Aug, 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm
Join us this week to make your own ‘silver’ Viking brooch. With all materials provided all you need is your own cloak to pin it to!
Free with admission, no need to book.
Shield Making
Mon 28 Aug – Sun 3 Sep, 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm
Viking warriors would protect themselves in battle with iron helmets and heavy, chain linked tunics. They would carry circular shields with their own colours and designs. Join us this week to make and decorate your own shield.
Free with admission, no need to book.
Thor’s Thursdays
Thursdays throughout August, 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm
Join us for special activities inspired by Thor the Viking God of Thunder, with a different theme each week.
- 3 Aug: Belt Making – Add a metallic design to your own ‘leather’ belt.
- 10 Aug: Coin Striking – Meet our Viking character who will strike you a coin.
- 17 Aug: Curators Corner – Join us for a handling session with our learning team.
- 24 Aug: Metal Detecting – Be a detectorist and see what treasures you can find.
- 31 Aug: Runic Signs – Create a sign for your bedroom door in runic letters.
Free with admission, no need to book.
York Castle Museum
Meet the People
Daily throughout the holiday
Come and meet costumed characters from York’s sweet past on Kirkgate, our recreated Victorian street. Look out for Sir Joseph Terry, Joseph Rowntree and Mary Ann Craven and hear about their world famous chocolates and sweets.
Free with admission, no need to book.
Chocolate and Sweet Treats
Daily, 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm
Discover what we have to offer for under 5s in our drop in Museum Monkeys sessions with a chocolate shop role play area, chocolate box making and chocolate stories.
Free with admission, no need to book.
Tasty Tuesdays
Tuesdays throughout the holiday, 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm
Explore sweets from the past or see chocolate demos in our ‘Chocolate Factory’ – you might even get to taste some!
Free with admission, no need to book.
Arts Award Discover
An introductory award aimed at 5 – 9 year olds (although any child can take part).
York Museums Trust, Explore York Libraries and Archives, York Minster, York Army Museum and York Theatre Royal are offering children the opportunity to gain Arts Award Discover through taking part in any three creative activities, finding out about artists and crafts people and collecting stickers to complete the award.
Collect a sticker at each activity then visit the York Theatre Royal on Saturday 16 September or York Explore on Sunday 17 September between 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm to complete your award by telling us what you did. Remember you need to tell us what you have learnt about an artist too. After talking to you we will apply for an Arts Award certificate for you which will be posted to your home. There is a £3.50 charge payable on the day for certificates.
York Art Gallery – Picasso’s Pots: Plates with Faces
Tue 1 Aug – Thu 31 Aug, Daily, 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm
Picasso painted faces and animals on his pots. Take inspiration from his work and paint your own paper plate so it smiles or frowns. Collect a sticker towards Arts Award Discover.
Yorkshire Museum – Wild Beasts in the Museum
Wed 2 Aug & Wed 9 Aug, 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm
Come to our Extinct galleries and draw an animal under the guidance of a local artist. Will yours be a scaly, furry, feathered or spiky creature from the display? Collect a sticker towards Arts Award Discover.
York Castle Museum – Animals in the First World War
Tue 1 Aug and Tue 8 Aug, 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm
Drop in activity led by local artist Abi Hiskey. Explore the animals who made a difference during the First World War. Develop your skills in drawing animals, inspired by images and stories from our collection. Collect a sticker towards Arts Award Discover.
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