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

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 as well!

Spring Half-Term

We’re putting the Spring in our family crafts this half-term! Come and make your own Jolly Jack-in-a-box. Which character will you choose? There'll be pirates, mermaids and octopuses at the Maritime Museum, and dinosaurs, Romans and Vikings at the City Museum!  

Crafty capers perfect for everyone aged 4 to 104.

Drop-in. No booking required. This activity is running on four dates during half-term:

• Saturday 23 May, 12pm - 3:30pm, at the Maritime Museum.
• Monday 25 May, 10:30am - 3:30pm, at the City Museum.
• Tuesday 26 May, 10:30am - 3:30pm, at the City Museum.
• Friday 29 May, 12pm - 3:30pm, at the Maritime Museum.

Activity price £4.50. Museum admission fees may also apply for some visitors (see museum pages for details).

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.

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 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult in all of our museums.