May Half Term
Join us this May half term for family-friendly activities inspired by nature and the National Trust Blossom Festival.
Dates
Saturday 24 May - Sunday 1 June
Visitor information
Museum opening times
Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm
Saturday, 10am - 4pm
Sunday, 11am - 4pm
The Museum is open on bank holiday Monday 26 May.
Plan your visit
Plan your visit to the Museum.
Plan your travel to the Museum.
Learn more about accessibility at the Museum.
Make your Ways to Play adventure a great value day out by travelling to our venues by Metro and / or Ferry. Up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free on the Metro and the Shields Ferry with a fare-paying adult.
About
Join us this May half term for family-friendly activities inspired by nature and the National Trust Blossom Festival.
All week during Museum opening hours
Exhibition: Blossom
Follow the dawn to dusk cycle of a Japanese cherry blossom tree in an immersive experience. As part of the National Trust Blossom Festival we are showcasing an immersive real-time film of a tree coming into blossom. You can also enjoy nature-based poetry and creative responses to Blossom from local young people. Located on level 1.
Free to take part.
Learn how to Connect with Nature
Learn more about the National History Society of Northumbria and how you can connect with nature on your doorstep.
Free to take part.
Underground Adventures with Murray the Mole
This collection of free family trails invites you to explore the Museum, engage with objects, and collect prizes.
Free to take part. For more information, please visit the Welcome Desk.
Mouse House
The Mouse House is a multipurpose space for our youngest visitors and their families to enjoy.
Free to take part.
Gallery Spinner Challenge
Have a go at our spinners, which you can find in several of our gallery spaces. The spinners are fun interactive games with exciting facts and challenges to explore.
Free to take part.
Planetarium
Book your tickets on the day at the Welcome Desk, from £2.95 per person.
Hancock Café
Our main upstairs café is open daily.
Outdoor Café Pod
The pod is conveniently located in front of the museum entrance, next to the picnic benches. Serving soft-serve ice cream, coffee, cold drinks, and snacks.
Monday 26 May - Sunday 1 June, 10am-2pm
Learn about the Gosforth Wild Web project, and Blossom related resources from the Natural History Society of Northumbria stall outside of the Blossom installation on level 1.
Free to take part.
Tuesday 27 May, 9am-10am
Join us for a relaxed early access experience. Our Relaxed Early Openings are designed for anyone who would benefit from a quieter environment at the Museum.
Tuesday 27 May, 9am-10.20am
Join us for our Relaxed Mouse Tales with early Museum entry. This session is designed for families needing a quieter environment. It includes an interactive story, songs, related playtime, and an opportunity to handle an object. Perfect for children under 5 and their families. 9am-9.45am: Access to the Museum galleries. 9.45am-10.20am: Mouse Tales Session.
Tuesday 27 May, 11am-11.45am and 1pm-1.45pm
Join us for our popular Mouse Tales sessions. They include an interactive story, songs, related playtime, and a special opportunity to handle an object. These sessions are perfect for children under 5 and their families. Sessions at 11am-11.45am and 1pm-1.45pm.
Wednesday 28 May, 10am–2pm
Take part in some blossom-themed mindful paper crafting, and create a blossom-themed butterfly to hang in our beautiful butterfly corridor.
Free to take part.
Thursday 29 May, 7.30am-9am
Treat yourself to a special 90-minute early opening for relaxation and calm in the Blossom immersive experience.
Funders
Tyne and Wear Metro
