Ways to Play - Family Events Programme just announced

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 from the first 3 weeks of the summer holidays include: Free Guided Tours 

of Arbeia South Shields Roman Fort, a range of Family Challenges at Discovery Museum inspired by their eco-exhibition, Steam to Green. In addition to art workshops for families and young people at Shipley Art Gallery and Hatton 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. 

View images here.

Summer Event Programme by venue:  

Arbeia South Shields Roman Fort: 

Free Guided Tours 

Join one of our knowledgeable volunteers for a guided tour of Arbeia Roman Fort, where they’ll bring its history to life with fascinating stories and expert insight into Roman life. 

Discover more and book your place 

Time Quest: A Mini Dig 

Become an archaeologist every Wednesday at our indoor dig site, Time Quest, The Dig. Uncover 2000-year-old Roman artefacts and learn about life at the Fort. 

Wednesday 23, 30 July and 6, 13, 20, 27 August | Free, drop in. 

Learn more about this experience 

Meet the Tungrians 

Step back to the early second century and meet the Tungrian Auxiliaries, brought to life by our re-enactment group. Chat with Roman soldiers and a Romano-British family, try on armour, and even take part in drill exercises. 

26 and 27 July | Free, drop in. 

Plan your visit to the Fort. 

Meet Victor the Veteran 

Join Victor the Veteran to find out all about Roman food and the equipment carried by a Roman soldier.  

Wednesday 13 August | Free, drop in. 

Find out about meeting Victor. 

Roman Toys and Games 

Families are invited to drop into the Roman Fort to take part in lots of fun game and activities, as well as meet Frances the Mule.  

Wednesday 20 August | Free, drop in. 

Have some fun Roman-style. 

Stephenson Steam Railway: 

Dink Dinosaur Adventure Day 

Meet the adorable baby dinosaurs, learn about them and enjoy a heritage train ride with the gang! This experience is perfect for dino fans aged 5–12, but fun for the whole family.  

Monday 25 August | Tickets from £7  

Book your tickets for your dino adventure. 

Free Craft Activities  

Families can take part in a different family craft each week, inspired by the railway and its surroundings. 

Every Thursday during school holidays | Free, drop in. 

View all family activities. 

Woodland Walk 

Families can explore the new outdoor area and learn about the area's natural and industrial heritage through nature.  

Open Thursday, Saturday, Sunday | Free, drop in. 

Find out more about the Woodland Walk. 

Heritage Train Ride  

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.  

Book tickets for your Heritage Train Ride. 

South Shields Museum & Art Gallery: 

Free Craft Activities  

Families can take part in a different family craft each week, inspired by the museum and its exhibitions. 

Every Tuesday during school holidays | Free, drop in. 

Explore more free craft activities  

Great North Museum: Hancock: 

Underground Adventures With Murray The Mole  

Free family trails where you can explore the museum and collect prizes.  

Daily | Free, drop in. 

Find out more about Underground Adventures With Murray The Mole. 

Mindful Colouring Session 

Families can help themselves to crayons and paper and enjoy colouring in tables, located in the Living Planet gallery. 

Daily | Free, drop in. 

Plan your visit and get creative. 

Canvas Painting and Collage 

Help to decorate four large canvases, inspired by the objects in the museum. Visit us again and see your work on display! 

Wednesday 30 July, 6 and 13 August | Free, drop in. 

Mouse Tales 

Join the Learning Team for an interactive story, songs and a special opportunity to handle a museum object. 

Tuesday 22, 29 July, 5, 12, 19, 26 August | Free, booking-recommended. 

Discover more about this experience 

Woodhorn Museum:  

Pop Up Ashington Group Hut  

Our Pop-Up Ashington Group Hut, designed by visual artist Imogen Cloët, is inspired by the hut in which the Ashington Group met to make and talk about their artworks. 

Saturday 19 July - 31 August | Included with Annual Pass admission 

Find out more about the Pop Up Ashington Group Hut 

Mini Museum Activity Trolley 

You will find two trollies based upstairs in the Cutter building. Each has drawers containing activities for Little Explorers, Story Tellers and Curious Curators. Inside these you can find games to play, story prompts and puppets or curious objects to investigate.  

Daily | Included with Annual Pass admission 

Find out more the Mini Museum Activity Trolley 

Wild Wednesdays: Family Activities  

Every Wednesday of the Northumberland School Holidays, join the Learning Team and take part in a different free, family-friendly activity throughout the day. 

Wednesday 23 and 30 July, every Wednesday in August | Included with Annual Pass admission 

Get involved in Wild Wednesdays 

Woodhorn Wild Trail 

Follow the family-friendly Wild Trail around the museum grounds to discover the animals and plants living at Woodhorn. Pick up a trail map and crayon at the Welcome Hut and see if  you can hunt out the five outdoor wildlife posts on the map as you explore the museum. 

Daily | Included with Annual Pass admission 

Discover how to visit and get involved 

Hexam Old Goal 

Learn how to play popular medieval board games and have a go at creating your own heraldry-inspired bookmark or shield to take home. Plus, enjoy all the usual favourites in our mini museum – from brass rubbings to children’s dress-up costumes. 

Daily | Included with Annual Pass admission 

Get involved 

Shipley Art Gallery 

Family Crafting Activities  

Each session has a different theme and Gallery's friendly staff will be on hand to guide you. A variety of materials will be available for you to make something truly unique and creative.  

Tuesday 24 and Thursday 31 July, Tuesday 5, Thursday 7, 14, 21 and 28 August | Ticket price £3  

Learn more about how your family can participate.  

Family Art Class 

At each session, you'll be taught by a professional artist and will try different techniques such as watercolours, ceramics, mixed media, drawing, and more. Ideally suited to 7-12 year olds 

Every Tuesday during school holidays | Ticket price £4.50 

See more details about the Art Class 

Discovery Museum 

Discover a Story 

Little ones can listen to a story read by Amy, the Early Years lead at the museum, and then can get stuck into crafts and play activities inspired by the themes of the story.  

Friday 25 July, Friday 1, 8, 15 August | Ticket price £3.50 

Find out how you can Discover a Story 

Make a Racing Car 

Be inspired and explore the power of potential energy and to build your own elastic-band racing car. 

Tuesday 22 July | £2.50 per participant  

Build an Elastic-band Racing Car 

Make a Paper Plane 

Explore the nature of flight and make and fly your own gliders, paper aeroplanes and twirling helicopters with our simple paper makes.Back to News