
25/12/2020
Merry Christmas from all of us at Kids in Museums π
We work with museums to help them welcome and include children, young people and families. Registered charity 1123658 We are a charity dedicated to making museums open and welcoming to all children, young people and families.
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We support and champion family friendly organisations through wide-ranging initiatives, including the Family Friendly Museum Award and Takeover Day. We invite heritage organisations to sign up to our Manifesto, which sets out simple guidelines for making museums easy to reach for all ages.
Operating as usual
Merry Christmas from all of us at Kids in Museums π
Today we're signing off for Christmas with a look back at what you have helped us to achieve this year. Here's our year in numbers:
β 35,000: The amount of people who searched for Wally in our Where's Wally? Spooky Museum Search with Walker Books at around 70 venues across the UK.
β 2.3million: The amount of Twitter users who saw Takeover Day posts from young people on Digital Takeover Day.
βοΈ 400: The amount of nominations we received from around the world for our Family Friendly Museum Award From Home.
βοΈ 100: The number of at home activities from museums and heritage sites we shared during lockdown to keep families entertained.
β 11: The number of museums we are supporting to engage families with playful activities that work with social distancing measures.
β 90: The percentage of participants that rated our training courses as excellent or good.
β 1,000: We are SO close to reaching 1,000 organisations signed up to our Kids in Museums Manifesto! Check if your organisation has signed up here: kidsinmuseums.org.uk/what-we-do/manifesto
The Kids in Museums office is closed from 23 December to 4 January. From all us of here, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Find out about our Kids in Museums Manifesto: what it is, how itβs useful to your organisation and how to sign up.
Six sleeps to go! π
If you're looking for Christmas craft ideas to keep the family busy this weekend, we would recommend a look at the The Hepworth Wakefield page for more like this πβ
https://www.facebook.com/TheHepworthWakefield/videos/2690151804581032/?__so__=channel_tab&__rv__=all_videos_card
Discover how to make paper snowflake decorations with The Hepworth Wakefield's artist Jo Blaker. Share pictures of your snowflakes with us using #THWCreates.
Create an animated Christmas artwork to share with friends and family this year.
Join The National Videogame Museum over on YouTube tomorrow (Saturday 19) at 11am π
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/create-pixel-art-festive-edition-national-videogame-museum-workshop-tickets-132097644611
A free workshop, all about creating Pixel Art!
VACANCY Weβre looking for a new trustee to support the work of Kids in Museums in Wales. Find out more and apply: bit.ly/2qEXeqY Please share with anyone who you think might be interested.
SWYDD WAG Rydym yn chwilio am ymddiriedolwr newydd i gefnogi gwaith Kids in Museums yng Nghymru. I ganfod rhagor a gwneud cais: bit.ly/2qEXeqY
Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru | Arts Council of Wales GΕ΅yl Amgueddfeydd Cymru / Welsh Museums Festival Welsh Government
Vacancies Want to work for Kids in Museums? Check our latest job opportunities here. A pupil tries their hand at being a librarian at the National Library of Wales Takeover Day. Current vacancies Ymddiriedolwr sydd Γ’ ffocws ar gefnogi gwaith Kids in Museums yng Nghymru Mae Kids in Museums eisiau he...
A Christmas elf's tale π
Last year we gave several museums a Best Years Ltd elf to help them engage families over the Christmas break - including Ancient House Museum.
The museum's History Club (aged 6-10) used the elf to explain UK Christmas traditions to their friends at Obsidian Museum in Nagawa, Japan. ι»θη³δ½ι¨γγ₯γΌγΈγ’γ This included making a Christmas pudding, decorating a tree, writing a letter to Santa and more.
The elf and his book of Christmas traditions was posted off to Nagawa in Japan, where he was taken into all the local elementary schools.
This year, we've had an update from the elf. He has been knitted some new elf friends. They are wearing hats in the shape of the Nagawa mountain. Together they are welcoming visitors at the Obsidian Museum and learning about Japanese traditions.
Thank you to Ancient House Museum, its History Club and Nagawa Museum for sharing the elf's story and spreading the Christmas joy. β¨ Great to see how this elf has helped to engage young people and start meaningful conversations across countries.
This is your last weekend to enter our Christmas Competition with Mini Travellers - Family Travel & Best Years - and the prizes are still very much up for grabs!
Create a mini version of your favourite museum and share it with us in the comments π
Today we are excited to launch our CHRISTMAS COMPETITION! β¨ππ
We are pleased to be partnering with Karen from Mini Travellers - Family Travel to give away a copy of her new book, The Little Museum, as well as a Best Years Ltd toy and Christmas decoration, and Β£20 to spend in a museum shop of your choice!
To enter, we want you to shrink your favourite museum that you wish you could visit. You can create your little museum in any way you like, or use the template in this post.
Share your little museum image with us in the comments. You must be following our page and Karen's page too. π Good luck!
Karen is also offering ALL our followers Β£2 off your copy of The Little Museum using the code Museums. Visit her website to order your discounted copy: minitravellers.co.uk
Visit Autism in Museums to find the relaxed openings happening this month at museums and galleries in the UK.
Great to see this provision continuing in museums that are able to open.
https://www.autisminmuseums.com/
Autism in Museums is an initiative to raise awareness of accessibility for all in museums and cultural venues. We support, promote and advocate for inclusion in everything you do.Β Looking for Autism Friendly events near you? Check the Events page Want help making your venue or event inclusive? Con...
Here's a great little activity to try on Christmas Jumper Day from the Fashion Museum Bath π
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7426X-8aEo8
#fashionmuseumbath #artclub #christmasjumper Create your own Christmas jumper bunting! Subscribe to our channel and never miss a video Follow us on social me...
Fancy being involved in Sudbury Hall & The National Trust Museum of Childhood's first ever online exhibition?
Email them for an activity pack β¨π
Weβre looking for childrenβs stories from 2020 to help us look back and tell the story of the pandemic from childrenβs points of view. What have been the best and worst memories? What do children most remember? If you would like to get involved, get in touch at [email protected] and we'll send you an activity pack.
How amazing is this entry for our Christmas Competition?! We love this shrunken 'carry case' version of the Ashmolean Museum.
Shrink the museum you most wish you could visit to win a Mini Travellers - Family Travel book, Best Years Ltd toys and Β£20 to spend in a museum shop of your choice!
You can create your little museum in any way you like - be it a drawing, model or something else!
Share it on our pinned post (the one that appears at the top of our Kids in Museums page) for your chance to win! You must have also liked our page and the Mini Travellers - Family Travel page. Full T&Cs: bit.ly/3ov2bet
Entries close next Thursday (17 December). Good luck!
Book your place on our latest training course:
πΉ Welcoming families with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
πΉ 21 January 2021
πΉ With Sam Bowen, Special Needs Mum and Museum Development Officer
Our recent survey found that two thirds of SEND families are keen to visit museums, even with COVID-19 restrictions in place. However there are key things museums need to provide to create a welcoming and enjoyable experience.
Join us to find out how to make your venue inclusive for all families: bit.ly/33BkQh0
Do you want to make your museum more welcoming to families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), but need guidance?
π Day Six of our Kids in Museums Advent Calendar π
The Museum of Childhood Ireland Project collected children's experiences and memories of lockdown as part of their Project 2020.
You can now view the exhibition online: museumofchildhood.ie/project2020-exhibition
β¨ Day Five of the Kids in Museums Advent Calendar β¨
We loved that Alexandra Palace invited young people to design their social distancing signage. Their designs were installed around the boating lake by street artist Carleen de Sozer. Keep your eyes open for them on your next visit!
Today we are excited to launch our CHRISTMAS COMPETITION! β¨ππ
We are pleased to be partnering with Karen from Mini Travellers - Family Travel to give away a copy of her new book, The Little Museum, as well as a Best Years Ltd toy and Christmas decoration, and Β£20 to spend in a museum shop of your choice!
To enter, we want you to shrink your favourite museum that you wish you could visit. You can create your little museum in any way you like, or use the template in this post.
Share your little museum image with us in the comments. You must be following our page and Karen's page too. π Good luck!
Karen is also offering ALL our followers Β£2 off your copy of The Little Museum using the code Museums. Visit her website to order your discounted copy: minitravellers.co.uk
Day Three: Kids in Museums Advent Calendar β
The Tower of London has installed a Changing Places toilet, making it the oldest public building to do so.
The facility will help open up access to heritage for more than a quarter of a million people in the UK with conditions like muscular dystrophy. #IDPWD2020
π Day Two of our Kids in Museums Advent Calendar π
Today we're giving a shout out to Horniman Museum and Gardens, which launched its Climate and Ecology Manifesto in January. The museum has pledged to take action on the climate emergency and shape a positive future for generations to come.
You can read more about Horniman Museum and Gardens's commitment to the environment in our blog from World Environment Day: bit.ly/2zUu78g
Welcome to the Kids in Museums Advent Calendar! Weβll be celebrating one family friendly thing a day until Christmas.
We start with the winner of our Family Friendly Museum Award 2019: Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum.
After winning our award, the museum saw a 20% rise in visitor numbers and its busiest half term ever!
Since COVID-19, the museum has continued to provide family friendly activities online, as well as share its work through training and conferences. You can watch more about the museum on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y44CI6-BpkA
Kids in Museums
We love the fascinating questions that come out of Takeover Day! This year from Selly Manor: how did the Tudors cut their toenails? π€
Year 7 were fascinated by Tudor toenails during #TakeoverDay! Does anyone out there know how the Tudors cut their toenails!?
Kids in Museums Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School and Sixth Form Centre
Happy Museum Shop Sunday!
Dinosaur t-shirts, water robots, festive socks, ride on London buses... our Kids in Museums Christmas Gift Guide has you covered for kids' gifts this year! bit.ly/3fH9n4k
Discover more unique museum gifts, along with many discounts this weekend, using #MuseumShopSunday.
π Five ideas for family fun this weekend π
1. Tune into Westminster Abbey's Weekend Wonder session at 11am. This week they are starting the countdown to Christmas with an advent calendar craft.
https://www.facebook.com/WestminsterAbbeyLondon/posts/3485945204787679
2. Make an embroidery peacock with Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery π¦
https://www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk/collections/activities/
3. Design your own wrapping paper with Tate Liverpool π
https://twitter.com/tateliverpool/status/1332253076804104194?s=20
4. Make an origami crane and write a message of kindness for someone you know with this guide from Manchester Museum.
https://twitter.com/McrMuseum/status/1327341913779924999?s=20
5. Create your own pixel art character with The National Videogame Museum.
https://thenvm.org/using-piskel-to-make-pixel-art/
Families! The first Sunday of Advent is this weekend. Join Aaron in this weekβs Weekend Wonder to get prepared for this exciting season. Fill your home with hope as we countdown to Christmas and get creative with a spinning advent calendar craft.
Here is the Kids in Museums Christmas Gift Guide 2020 for the children in your life! πππ
To celebrate Museum Shop Sunday this weekend, we've put together some of our favourite picks for kids from museum shops across the UK: bit.ly/3fH9n4k
By shopping in museums, you can find truly unique items, as well as supporting the heritage sector during this difficult year. Many museums are also offering discounts this Sunday, so remember to check their social media for more details.
Happy shopping!
Featuring items from Natural History Museum, London, The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, Science Museum, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, National Museums Scotland, Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft, London Transport Museum, BALTIC Centre For Contemporary Art and National Trust.
A big thank you to Edith who gave us a tour of her local museum, Chippenham Museum, on Takeover Day!
Didn't she do a great job?! ππ
This was filmed before national lockdown restrictions.
Today is Kids in Museums #TakeoverDay and we couldnβt think of anyone better than our great friend Edith from Edith Explains to take over the job of telling everyone about our museum.
Edith visited us a few weeks ago and told us why she loves our museum and why you should come and visit us when we reopen again.
Through our annual Kids in Museums Takeover Day on Friday, young people:
π designed shop merchandise
πΌ shared their favourite bits of their local museum
π₯ taken us on virtual tours
π¨ created artwork and animations
πΌ learnt about local history and Indian dance
π£ discussed wellbeing and racism in museums
...and much more!
A huge thank you to everyone who took part in #TakeoverDay 2020. Catch up in our Twitter Moment below or in our Instagram highlight.
Ten years of Takeover Day complete β
https://twitter.com/i/events/1329834622520332288?s=20
See what happened when we let young people take over museums' social media accounts for our 10th annual Takeover Day on 20 November 2020 - during a national lockdown!
Our 5 ideas for family fun this week π
1. Have a go at designing environmentally friendly inventions for Lucy the Dragon to use at Lincoln Castle. Your design will be displayed in an online exhibition!
https://www.lincolncastle.com/content/lucy-dragon-lincoln-castle-big-draw-climate-change
2. Write about the great outdoors and enter Richard Jefferies Museumβs Young Nature Writers Competition. What stories of your local landscapes can you bring to life? ππΎπ³π΅ππβοΈβοΈπππΏ
https://www.richardjefferies.org/young-nature-writers-competition
3. Bake some madeleines, learn how to do a 1950s chignon hairstyle and have a singalong with Beamish Museumβs Takeover Day activities.
http://www.beamish.org.uk/discover-beamish-from-home-2/
4. Make a pirate hat with Poole Museum Service β
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMGEY_t_sJ0&feature=youtu.be
5. The Museum of London may be closed, but the #MuseumOfFundon is open! Test your memory matching skills, find out what the stinkiest museum object is, draw a portrait and much more on their website:
https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/families/fun-home
Museum family fun, but from your own home. We bring ideas, learning and games to your family.
We love this virtual tour created for #TakeoverDay of one of the winners of the Family Friendly Museum Award From Home. While museums are closed itβs great to be able to go on this very special tour of the gallery. πππ
πLet's celebrate #WorldChildrensDay together with a virtual Kids in Museums #TakeoverDay!
Watch & listen to our young guides Aaron, Ellie, Elliott & Mia who walk you through the @University College Cork art collection currently exhibited in the gallery.
#KidsRuleTheWorld #KidsExplainArt #YoungGuides #Takeover #basilblackshaw
Arts Council Ireland Cork Arts University College Cork
Well done Emilia ππππ We look forward to seeing the merchandise. Fab idea to include childrenβs ideas in your museum shop #TakeoverDay
Laura Wall Art and Illustration is here to announce the winner of our 'Marvellous Merchandise' competition! Well done to all the talented young artists who entered. There were some beautiful designs! Huge congratulations to our winner, Emilia Ford (age 9), whose design will be featured on some fabulous new merchandise! #TakeoverDay Kids in Museums
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Happy Friday! We've got that Friday Feeling thanks to this new animation of our Quentin Blake logo. ππ A big thank you to Content Creatures for bringing our lovely mammoth to life!
Does anyone remember these from school? ππ« We love this wellbeing fortune teller from Barnsley Museums. The design (pictured below in the comments) aims to encourage visitors to connect with nature at Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens. π It was created by artist Rachel Massey with family visitors and Athersley and Godthorpe Community Shops. ππ©βπ¨
It's ONE MONTH until our first national Takeover Day of 2019! Poole Museum Service told us what they get up to on Takeover Day. Get involved and plan your event with our new video guide: bit.ly/2UGcUUf
How does it feel to win the Family Friendly Museum Award? Sam from Leeds City Museum, last year's winner, tells us what it was like. Watch the full interview and nominate a museum here: bit.ly/2ZO5phV
Here's what our 2018 Family Friendly Museum Award winner Leeds City Museum offers for children, young people and families. Do you know a museum that goes above and beyond for families? Nominate them today: kidsinmuseums.org.uk/awards
What does Leeds City Museum, our Family Friendly Museum of the Year 2018, offer for children, young people and families? πππ Do you know of a museum going the extra mile for families? Nominate them for our award --> kidsinmuseums.org.uk/awards
Thereβs just ONE MONTH to go until nominations close for the Family Friendly Museum Award. πβ°β We caught up with Leeds City Museum to see what the impact has been of winning the award in 2018. Watch the full video here: bit.ly/2ZO5phV
π½π¨Take a look at our brand NEW Takeover Day film series! Chocolate Films π¨π½ A big thank you to Poole Museum Service and Llanelly House for sharing their experiences. π Here's Chrissie from Llanelly House sharing the benefits of taking part in Takeover Day. Watch the full film series here: bit.ly/2UGcUUf
To celebrate the launch of our new Kids in Museums Manifesto, we've been sharing inspiring examples of how museums across the UK are putting it into action. #ManifestoMonday The Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft is helping families to explore together by introducing these new free family activity bags. There are three trails for Under 5s, 6-11 year olds and 12+ years. And children under 16 get in to the museum for free! ππ
Situating Pacific Barkcloth Production in Tim
Centre for Textile Conservation & Technical Art History, University of Glasgow, Robertson Building, Dumbarton Road, Glasgow