FAMILIES looking for a low-cost day out this half-term will find lots of ideas for things to do at Leicester’s museums.
Leicester Museum & Art Gallery will be transformed into The Spark Festival City Playground on Saturday 18 February, thanks to a programme of events dreamt up by youngsters from four city primary schools.
Working with artists as part of this year’s Spark Festival, the children have planned a day of free activities, games and performances that those aged three and over can enjoy with their families.
Admission is free of charge, and all are welcome to pop in between 11am and 3pm.
On Monday 20 February – also at Leicester Museum – there’s a free workshop for young people that’s linked to South Africa in the 1970s – Photographs by Steve Bloom.
Aimed at those aged seven to 18, the workshop will provide all the craft materials needed to create collages and sketches inspired by the photographs on display.
Drop in any time between 12 noon and 3pm.
Abbey Pumping Station hosts its popular Railway Day on Tuesday 21 February, when visitors of all ages can enjoy a trip on the narrow gauge railway. Train rides cost 50p – cash only please – and will be running from 11.30am until 4pm.
There’s frosty fun on Thursday 23 February, as The Greatest Snowman comes to Leicester Guildhall. Snowman-themed craft activities and circus games will run from 11am to 3pm – and youngsters will even be able to throw ‘snowballs’ in the ancient Great Hall. A £3 charge per child applies.
Also taking place at the Guildhall is an interactive comedy game show that will entertain children and grown-ups alike. Featuring Lord Rodney and Lord Russell’s special brand of Georgian silliness, House of Twaddle starts at 11am on Saturday 25 February and tickets are £5.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea continues its run at Newarke Houses Museum until 12 March, so there’s still plenty of time to enjoy an exhibition that celebrates the work of the much-loved children’s author-illustrator Judith Kerr.
Admission to the exhibition is free of charge.
Inspired by the exhibition, there’s a special event on Saturday 25 February where youngsters will be able to make their very own 3D tiger-themed tea set from card. The craft sessions – which run for an hour – will allow those aged five and over to make a tiger, a table, some chairs and a tea set. Places on one of four sessions – at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm – must be booked in advance. Tickets for Tiger Tea Set! cost £3 per child and can be booked online or by calling the museum on 0116 225 4980.
Please note that Tales, Tigers and Tea on 18-19 February is now sold out.
Anyone planning a trip to Leicester’s King Richard III Visitor Centre this half-term can take part in a special ‘Discover DNA’ event.
Young visitors can learn how to extract DNA from a banana, build a DNA strand with gummy bears or create a DNA bead bracelet.
All activities are included in the admission price and will run daily from Saturday 18 February until Sunday 26 February. Tickets to the King Richard III Visitor Centre allow multiple visits for 12 months.
More information about the King Richard III Visitor Centre is available at kriii.com
More information about what’s on at Leicester’s museums is available at leicestermuseums.org
Picture caption: Young people celebrate Takeover Day at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery in 2022