We welcome families all year round, and offer children's activities and craft sessions on school holidays and special occasions.

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We aim to make the events on this page suitable for a wide range of ages, but for budding historians aged 12+, check out our Walks and Talks and Special Events as well!

We've got a host of fantastic family activities at both the City and Maritime Museums this summer!

Beside the Seaside at Lancaster Maritime Museum - with Eden Project Morecambe

We've got EXTRA OPENING at the Maritime Museum on St George's Quay every Tuesday in the summer holidays. Drop in and get creative with craft activities celebrating the wonders of Morecambe Bay.

WEAVE YOUR OWN SEASIDE FORAGING BASKET

A super-fun and creative activity inspired by the baskets in the Museum. Suitable for every age.

Tuesday 21 July  -  start any time from 10:30am to 3:15pm
Tuesday 11 August  -  start any time from 10:30am to 3:15pm

Tickets £4.50  -  Drop-in. No need to book.

MAKE MORECAMBE BAY WILDLIFE PAPER PUPPETS

A brilliant activity inspired by the wildlife of Morecambe Bay.

Tuesday 28 July  -  start any time from 10:30am to 3:15pm
Tuesday 18 August  -  start any time from 10:30am to 3:15pm

Tickets £2.50  -  Drop-in. No need to book.

CREATE A COLLAGE SEASIDE HOLIDAY POSTER

Inspired by vintage holiday posters for Morecambe, come and make your own!

Tuesday 4 August  -  start any time from 10:30am to 3:15pm
Tuesday 25 August  -  start any time from 10:30am to 3:15pm

Tickets £2.50  -  Drop-in. No need to book.

PLUS... Enjoy a free museum trail and add your artwork to our Morecambe Bay Collage!

Art Adventures at Lancaster City Museum

These sessions at the City Museum in Market Square are all based on the joys of Art and Paint. 

TORN PAPER LANDSCAPE COLLAGE - EXTRA DATES ADDED! 

A super-fun and creative activity inspired by the landscape paintings in the Museum. Suitable for every age.

Every Monday in August  -  start any time from 10:30am to 3:15pm.

Tickets £2.50  -  Drop-in. No need to book.

PLUS... Enjoy a brand new free museum trail!

PAINT WITH CHAS JACOBS WORKSHOP

FULLY BOOKED

We hope to run this workshop again in future. Please email historydetectives@lancaster.gov.uk to register your interest in future sessions.

Join the brilliant Chas Jacobs for a fun Lancaster Landscape art workshop. Sessions last 90 minutes. Price includes your own watercolour paint set, brush and sketchbook to take home!

• Thursday 20 August - SOLD OUT 
• Monday 24 August - SOLD OUT

These workshops are held in the Education Room at Lancaster City Museum. Please use the ENTRANCE ON NEW STREET, opposite the Journey Social cafe. (The Museum doesn't open on Thursdays so the front doors will be closed.) 

Loyalty Card

If you do any of our chargeable children's activities, don't forget to pick up one of the new History Detectives Loyalty Cards.

Join us for 5 activities and you'll get the 6th one FREE!

Stay Updated

Join our mailing list to keep up to date with all our events and activities. Email historydetectives@lancaster.gov.uk to sign up.

Drop into the King's Own Royal Regimental gallery at Lancaster City Museum for hands-on 'show & tell' sessions with equipment from different eras.

These sessions are included with standard museum admission.

Upcoming events:

• Tuesday 18 August - WW2 Home Front equipment - marking the 86th anniversary of 'The Hardest Day' during the Battle of Britain.
• Saturday 3 October - Great War Society special event - WW1 equipment.

Whenever you visit with children you'll find plenty to do in the museums...

We've signed the Kids in Museums Manifesto and we always include interactive elements for children in all our new exhibitions. 

The Cottage Museum is now a fully hands-on experience for visitors of all ages!

FREE children's trails or challenges are always available to enhance your visit to Lancaster City Museum and the Maritime Museum.

Both the City and Maritime Museums have sensory backpacks for children and young people on the autism spectrum to borrow, free of charge. Just ask at the front desk if you'd like to use one of these during your visit.

Our museums are great destinations for schools and other children's groups as well as families. Please see our Learning page if you'd like to book a group visit.

Please note that for safety reasons, children up to the age of 10 must be accompanied by a responsible adult in all of our museums. Those aged 11-16 may visit unaccompanied with our new Young Person's Pass - just show your school ID at the front desk to get your free pass, valid for 1 year.