Run, don't walk, to a museum this weekend

We survived the Easter Holidays! We started with a week in the beautiful Lake District and ended with four days in West Somerset for a big family gathering, including a sunny visit to Munster Castle.

In London, Museum Boy enjoyed the beginners and advanced Manga classes at The Cartoon Museum. Meanwhile, I popped over to see the fascinating A Hard Man is Good to Find! at The Photographer's Gallery, about London's 20th-century LGBTQ+ photography scene.

And we finally got to check out a The LookOut Centre family day - they run free, nature themed activities in the heart of Hyde Park every school holiday.

This week brought the happy news that we won a Natural History Museum family membership and sponsorship of a square metre in their upcoming wildlife garden through this entry into their #ThanksToYou National Lottery competition. Their members’ room is always a welcome respite from the busy galleries, with lots of books and games for kids.

Yesterday I squeezed three press previews into my morning: the contemporary art exhibition Eleven Twenty Three in the 900 year old church St Bartholomew the Great; the very fancy Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians at the Queen's Gallery in Buckingham Palace; and Animals: Art, Science and Sound at British Library. More on those soon.

I also popped back to the fantastic Ashish: Fall in Love and Be More Tender at William Morris Gallery to find they have a FREE family trail with a rainbow badge prize. Just ask at reception.

I'd love to hear what cultural activities you've been up to - hit reply, post in my Facebook group or DM me on Instagram.

9 family events for Earth Day this weekend with The Wild Escape [AD]

This Saturday is Earth Day 2023, and dozens of museums and cultural places are running fun family events as part of The Wild Escape. Led by the Art Fund, it’s a nationwide celebration of UK nature inspired by the wildlife found in museums. Here’s a selection of this weekend’s events, all still with spaces:

1. Discover the animals hidden in the Roman site and create a colourful bird feeder in Animals of Londinium and beyond! The Wild Escape for Earth Day at London Mithraeum: Bloomberg Space. 22 April 2023. FREE, book.

2. Create suncatchers or bookmarks with pressed flowers or take mini beast hunts in the community garden at Growing Futures Earth Day Celebrations at Studio Voltaire. 22 April 2023. FREE, book.

3. Make a wildlife comic at Horniman Museum and Gardens. 22 April 2023. Paid, book.

4. See a live shipworm demonstration at the Brunel Museum. 22 April 2023, paid.

5. Print creative creatures at Gunnersbury Park Museum. 22 April 2023. FREE, drop in.

6. Take garden trails through South London Gallery, Lauderdale House, or Bethlem Gallery. 22 April 2023. FREE, drop in.

7. World Earth Day at Valence House. 22 April 2023. FREE, drop in.

8. Craft, painting and writing activities, along with poetry readings and an appearance by Mr Keats himself at The Wild Escape - Family event at Keats House. 22 April 2023. FREE, drop in.

9. Build your own beaver dam at Open Sunday: The Wild Escape Earth at Pitzhanger Gallery & Manor. 23 April 2023. FREE, drop in.

Read more about The Wild Escape and these events in this blog post.

You asked… for family-friendly museums near the London Marathon route

The London Marathon returns to its traditional spring slot this Sunday, 23 April 2023. If you're coming to cheer on friends or family, here's some cultural places near the route to take the kids:

1. Miles 6-7: Shakespeare Drawing Workshop at National Maritime Museum. Using watercolour pencils, transparent paper and glue, create a big collaborative collaged drawing. FREE, drop in.

2. Miles 15 and 19: Mudlarks at Museum of London Docklands is an under 8s interactive gallery aka soft play. Plus there’s plenty of small play areas throughout the (free) galleries. Paid, book.

3. Miles 12-13: Tower Bridge. I’m surprised it’s still open, and with the crowds it might be too much for kids. But you’ll get an unrivalled bird’s eye view through the glass floor. Paid, book.

4. Miles 12-13 and 23-24: We accidentally timed our last visit to HMS Belfast with the 2022 Marathon. From the top deck we could hear the roars of the crowds through the City and see streams of runners over Tower Bridge. It is far away enough to avoid the crowds, whilst still enjoying the atmosphere. Best for over 5s. Paid.

5. Miles 24-25: London Transport Museum is one of the capital’s most loved family museums for a reason. Complete their stamper trail, clamber on old vehicles, drive tube simulators then lose the kids in the All Aboard! soft play areas. Paid.

6. The end: The Royal Mews. See where the King keeps his horses, fancy cars and jaw dropping carriages in the working stables responsible for all of the Royal Family’s road travel. There’s dressing up, trails and family tours on the weekends. Paid, book.

Good to know: Cutty Sark and Household Cavalry Museum are closed for the marathon.

Do you have a question for a future newsletter? Hit reply to let me know.

Eid Mubarak!

To all my Muslim friends and followers, I wish you a happy Eid. The holy month of Ramadan comes to an end today with the start of Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Here’s a selection of London places marking the occasion.

1. London Eye lights up with a special crescent moon display this evening for Eid. Friday 21 April 2023. FREE, just turn up.

2. See the museum’s first Ramadan Pavilion and take the Middle Eastern marvels backpack through the V&A Museum. Until 30 April 2023. FREE, drop in.

3. 20,000 people come together to celebrate Eid in the Square. 29 April 2023. FREE, drop in.

4. Watch an Astronomy and Islam planetarium show at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. 20 May and 17 June 2023. Paid, book.

5. The London Muslim has complied a comprehensive list of places to celebrate Eid in the capital in this Instagram post.

More weekend ideas

• Hand build plates and pots at Family Art Fun Day - Clay Play! at TURF, Croydon. 22 April 2023. FREE, book.

• Face-painting and carousel ride at Hawley Wharf Spring Festival, Camden. 22 April 2023. Paid, book.

• Fundays: Matilda the Musical with kids workshops at BFI Southbank. 23 April 2023. Paid, book. Thanks to one of my followers for the heads-up on this one!

• Drop in design: Build a large prop at V&A Museum. 23 April 2023. FREE, drop in.

• Whorled (Here after here after here), a courtyard commission at Somerset House closes 23 April 2023. FREE, drop in.

• And it’s also your last chance to see Under 5s show The Flying Bath at Little Angel Theatre. Until 23 April 2023. Paid, book.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my first newsletter! All feedback is welcome - just reply to let me know what you think.

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Until next time,