NEWARKE Houses Museum – Leicester’s social history and regimental museum – has a packed programme of fun activities for families to enjoy this winter.
Inspired by this week’s opening of The Tiger Who Came to Tea – a brand new exhibition that celebrates the work of the much-loved children’s author-illustrator Judith Kerr – museum staff have lined up a programme of tiger-themed activities that young fans of the story will enjoy.
Those visiting the free exhibition – which opens on Saturday (14 January) – can also choose to take part in some special launch-weekend activities for young children.
There’s a £3 charge per child for tiger-themed crafts, fun on the tiger trail and lots of tiger stories – and youngsters will also be able to take a selfie with the tiger. Drop-in activities – suitable for children aged five and over – run from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 14 January and will be repeated on Sunday 15 January from 12 noon until 3pm.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea is a touring exhibition from Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books, and runs until 12 March. Admission is free of charge. Visitors will be able to see original artworks, notes and sketches from the popular picture book, while children will be able to step into Sophie’s kitchen to meet the life-size tiger, play games, dress up, and take part in lots of tiger-related activities.
The tiger theme continues on 18 and 19 February, when Whistle Tot Lane brings its interactive play village to the museum for Tales, Tigers and Tea. Suitable for those aged seven and under, there’ll be interactive storytelling and the chance to play in the famous kitchen, the bakery that houses all the cakes, and the shop that sells tiger food. Sessions will run at 11am, 12.15pm and 2pm on Saturday 18 February and Sunday 19 February and places must be booked in advance. Tickets for Tales, Tigers and Tea cost £8 per child and can be booked online or by calling the museum on 0116 225 4980.
The following week, on Saturday 25 February, there’s a chance for youngsters 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.
Marking the end of The Tiger That Came to Tea’s run, on Sunday 12 March, is a very special Tiger Party. Suitable for those aged three and over, there’ll be mask-making, tiger trails, games and storytelling, as well as the chance to take selfies with the tiger. The drop-in event runs from 12 noon until 3pm, with a £3 charge per child.
Deputy city mayor Cllr Piara Singh Clair said: “I’m delighted that Newarke Houses will host this charming exhibition that celebrates The Tiger Who Came to Tea.
“Between 14 January and 12 March, we’ve got lots of tiger-themed activities lined up that will enchant fans – both young and old – of Judith Kerr’s classic picture-book and we look forward to welcoming them all to Leicester’s Newarke Houses Museum.”
More information is available at leicestermuseums.org/TigerWhoCameToTea
Newarke Houses Museum can be found on The Newarke, Leicester LE2 7BY and is open every day. Opening hours are 10am to 4pm from Monday to Saturday and 11am-4pm on Sundays.
More information about what’s on at Newarke Houses Museum this winter is available at leicestermuseums.org/newarke-houses
Picture caption: ‘Tales, Tigers and Tea’ is one of the special events taking place at Newarke Houses Museum as part of ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’ exhibition.