Free and low-cost family activities across North East Museums this May half term
Families across the region can look forward to exciting, budget-friendly adventures at their favourite cultural attractions, thanks to Ways to Play - an ongoing collaboration between North East Museums and Tyne and Wear Metro.
The popular Ways to Play programme invites children to get active, creative, and imaginative with a variety of engaging, free experiences designed to make the school holidays memorable.
Highlights this half term include a Teddy Bear Picnic Train Ride at Stephenson Steam Railway, a bird of prey flying display at Woodhorn Museum, and a variety of blossom-themed events and activities at the Great North Museum: Hancock and Shipley Art Gallery.
With rising costs affecting many households, the opportunity for families to make savings on travel costs makes visiting museums and galleries more affordable. Many North East Museums venues are easily accessible via Metro, Bus or Shields Ferry. During school holidays children under 11 can travel free on Tyne and Wear Metro, the Shields Ferry and buses when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
Ways to Play has won several awards, including the Best Arts and Business Partnership at the North East Culture Awards in 2022 and the Not-for-Profit Marketing Award at the North East Marketing Awards the same year. It was also shortlisted for Partnership of the Year at the Museum + Heritage Awards in 2023.
Click to view the Ways to Play webpage.
May half term events include:
Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort
Archaeology Drawing Activity
28 May | Free, drop in.
Excavate an object and then record and draw what you find.
Discovery Museum
Build A LEGO® City
29 May | £1.50 + booking fee.
Celebrate 140 years of Newcastle upon Tyne's city status by building it in Lego®.
Tiny Tyneside
Daily | Free, drop in.
A free play space for under 5s. Explore and play around the themes of the museum with replica transport, inventions and bridges.
Great North Museum: Hancock
Blossom
24 May - 1 June | Free, drop in.
Follow the dawn to dusk cycle of a Japanese cherry blossom tree in this immersive experience.
Mouse Tales
27 May | Free, booking essential.
A storytime session with songs and activities for under 5s and family.
Relaxed Mouse Tales
27 May | Free, booking essential.
A storytime session for under 5s and families who need a quieter environment.
Relaxed Early Opening
27 May | Free, booking essential.
Enjoy early access to the museum for a quieter, more relaxed experience.
Underground Adventures with Murray the Mole
Daily | Free, drop in.
Free family trails where you can explore the museum and collect prizes.
Hexham Old Gaol
Play Medieval Board Games
24 May - 1 June | Included with Annual Pass, drop in.
Learn to play the popular Medieval strategy game, Six Men Morris.
Shipley Art Gallery
Family Crafting
27 and 29 May | £3 + booking fee.
Get creative with blossom themed crafting sessions.
Segedunum Roman Fort
Create Your Own Roman Character
26 May | Children, under 21s and NE28 residents go free, charges apply for adults.
Have a go at creating your own Roman character.
Hooves And History
31 May - 1 June | Children, under 21s and NE28 residents go free, charges apply for adults.
Historical re-enactment group, Equistry bring the Roman cavalry to life, to celebrate 25 years of Segedunum.
Stephenson Steam Railway
Heritage Train Ride
25, 29 May and 1 June | Child / concession - £7, Adult - £9, Family (2 adults and 2 children) - £23, pay once and ride all day.
Take a trip along the historic route once taken by the coal trains from the collieries to the River Tyne, in a 1950s passenger carriage.
Teddy Bear Picnic Train Ride
26 May | Child / concession - £7, Adult - £9, Family (2 adults and 2 children) - £23.
Bring your favourite bear along on a heritage train ride and enjoy puppetry from The Mosstroopers.
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
Free Family Crafts
27 May | Free, drop in.
Paint your favourite local place using watercolours.
Hatton Gallery
Art Cart
26, 28, 29, 30 and 31 May | Free, drop in.
Help yourself to some art activities.
Summer Collage Workshop
28 May | Free, drop in, suitable for children aged 4-11.
Create a summer picture using all the colours of the season.
Collage And Paint Workshop
29 May | Free, drop in, suitable for young people aged 12-18.
Have a go at creating your own collage or painting.
Woodhorn Museum
Pop Up Ashington Group Hut
24 May - 1 June | Included with Annual Pass, drop in.
Create your own Victorian cooking range using drawing and collage materials.
Birds Of Prey
28 May | Included with Annual Pass, drop in.
Meet the team from Ridgeside Falconry and see their spectacular birds of prey flying display.
Build The Woodhorn Band
28 May | Included with Annual Pass, drop in.
Have a go at making your own musical instrument for the Northumbrian Miner's Picnic.
The Northumberland Open Exhibition 2025
Woodhorn Museum | Until 1 June | Included with Annual Pass.
Your last chance to see this year's annual Northumberland Open Exhibition, featuring submissions from artists from Northumberland and beyond.
The Coal Town Collection
From 24 May | Included with Annual Pass.
A new gallery celebrating the legacy of social documentary photographer, Mik Critchlow.
