February half term fun at Birmingham Museums

Looking for fun ways to fill the February half term holiday? Birmingham Museums can help! Whether your little ones want to solve a mystery at the grand Birmingham mansion, Aston Hall, or be inspired by Leonardo da Vinci drawings at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG), you and your family will be far from bored this school holiday.


 There are special activities happening throughout the week inspired by two major exhibitions – Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing and Too Cute! – which are on display now.

Join in with inventive crafts inspired by the famous artist, Leonardo da Vinci, try your hand at junk modelling to create an incredible invention or build your own automaton. Don’t forget to visit the exhibition and see the Leonardo da Vinci drawings from the Royal Collection, which are fascinating for children and adults alike.

Dive into the weird and wonderful world of the exhibition Too Cute! curated by artist Rachel Maclean.  To celebrate this exhibition, discover objects from the museum’s handling collection and interrogate these historical artefacts to decide if they really are Too Cute or not! Children will also love creating their own peculiar portrait, using fun, colourful props to strike their best Too Cute pose, or make their own fun mask to take home.

Activities take place from Monday 18th – Friday 22nd February. See the website for details on dates and times. Some activities may charge.

On Thursday 21st February visit BMAG and stitch a tapestry bee as part of The Hive‘s Bee Yourself project. Learn stitching techniques with tapestry needlepoint artist Tina Francis in this fun workshop for all ages. By taking part in this ambitious craft challenge which will bring together 1000 people from across Birmingham to craft 1000 tapestry bees for a collaborative artwork. The final artwork will be on display at The Hive, New Standard Works, in the Jewellery Quarter from July 2019. There is no need to book for this workshop – drop in and take part from 10.30am to 1.30pm.


Get hands-on with science at Thinktank throughout half term!

Get to grips with science at Thinktank this half term and explore the Science Garden, Planetarium and Marine World Gallery, amongst many other highlights!

At the In Your Element family show, celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Periodic table. Learn all about the elements through explosions, fire and purple gas! When you are done, use your newfound knowledge to complete a brand-new family trail. If you and your family enjoy science, you’re sure to be in your element!


Solve the mystery and find out Whodunnit at Aston Hall

Visit this spectacular grand mansion on Saturday 23rd February for this family-friendly event will put your sleuthing skills to the test as you interview suspects to find the culprit. Travel back to the Victorian era and solve the perplexing mystery: who stole our most precious gem, the Star of Al-Ara? Usual admission prices apply and Victorian dress is encouraged but not essential.

On Tuesday 19th February visit Aston Hall for an interactive telling of the traditional story of Beauty and the Beast. This is an enchanted way to explore the hall and is suitable for children aged 3-8 and accompanying adults.

In addition, from Tuesday 19th to Sunday 24th February, grab a clipboard and pencil and wander around the spectacular mansion on our children’s trail! Entry to this event is included in the price of admission.

See the website for details and booking information. Admission costs apply


More fun to be had at the heritage sites.

Look out for craft activities at Blakesley Hall during half term. On Tuesday 19th February, you can create and decorate your own 17th century buildings inspired by the Great Fire of London or make a suncatcher on Thursday 21st February.

Visit Sarehole Mill from Tuesday 19th – Sunday 24th February to discover the idyllic 250-year-old watermill famous for its association with author J.R.R Tolkien. There will be craft activities each day as a fun addition to your visit.

Enjoy Soho House free of charge on Wednesday 20th February at our Soho Free Day! See the home of Birmingham’s greatest industrialist Matthew Boulton and find out more about the fascinating Lunar Society.

Weoley Castle’s Crafty Friday session on the Friday 22nd February will let you make swords and wands fit for a castle out of a variety of materials. Unleash your creativity from 11am – 2pm in this drop-in, costing just £2.

Further information about all half term events and activities at Birmingham Museums is available at birminghammuseums.org.uk/whats-on
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