Pre-schools & Nursery/Reception classes

The Mouse House is especially for our youngest visitors and their families. Designed to excite curiosity and encourage young children to explore, the Mouse House is full of surprises introducing the museum’s diverse collections. Choose an activity from the walls of the Mouse House to help you explore the rest of the museum.  

However, any or all of the galleries in the museum may interest our youngest visitors! Click here to see our permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions.

You could explore to our fossil stories gallery and come face to face with full-sized T. rex, or see how you measure up against an Irish elk from the last Ice Age (in the Ice Age to Iron Age gallery). The museum is also excellent for discovering animals that roam Earth now. See our polar bear (he’s called Eric), admire the elephant or take a class photo with the Great White Shark in the Living Planet gallery. In Natural Northumbria, you can find out all about animals that live in our region – you can even hear the songs of some local birds. Elsewhere, you can take the Journey to the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt, or look for the faces pulled by Gorgons in the Ancient Greek Gallery.  Across the museum, you can take on a challenge using our gallery spinners.   

We have workshops (led by museum staff) and bookable resources (to support you during self-led time in the galleries) for this age group.

Scroll down for more information.

Self-led visits and workshops are free.

The only activity in the museum that incurs a cost is visiting the planetarium. 

The price for a planetarium showing starts at £37, with some discounts available. Find more information on the planetarium, including detailed prices, show information and trailers here.

If you would like a workshop as part of your day:  Wednesdays in term-time.

If you don’t want to book a workshop, and want to be self-led in the galleries: We can typically accommodate you on a term-time date of your choice.  Please still book with us so we can organise coat and bag storage, a lunch space, and greeting you on arrival. 

To make a booking enquiry, click the link below.