Activities in the central London museums
National museums like the V&A and the British Museum always provide material for children to draw things that they see in the museum, plus special guides and packs aimed at children. In particular watch out for the V&A's three Middle Eastern weekends which combine talks for adults with performance, food and dressing up that will appeal to children.
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Here are a few fun events that are happening in history venues this summer, that also explore the diversity of London. All of these events are FREE.
1. The The Petrie Museum gives a very detailed picture of Egyptian history, but is displayed in way that usually just attracts well-informed adults. However this summer, they will be hosting a number of events for children including a chance to meet an Ancient Egyptian, plus storytelling sessions.
2. In North London Brent Museum has just reopened in a new space above Willesden Library. As well as displays on the history of the area, it is hosting a touring exhibition on Eating Creepy Crawlies, especially aimed at children. Discover how insects are prepared and eaten across the world.
3. Ragged School Museum is running a series of game and craft days every Wednesday and Thursday of the summer holidays - with activities ranging from Victorian games to Indian puppet making and Somali storytelling.
4. To accompany the British Museum's Word Into Art exhibition, there's a small display about the Royal Game of Ur - a 3,500 year old board game. 3 replica boards (in finest modern plastic) have been set up in Room 3 of the museum so you can play with your family.
Also watch out for the giant statue of the goddess Durga being gradually constructed in the main hall by Camden Hindus.
5. The Horniman Museum hosts perhaps the largest range of events for children - regular 'hands on' sessions with musicial instruments from around the world, plus opportunities to make things inspired by objects in the Horniman collection. The museum's new, state of the art Aquarium opens on July 15th.
Crowds in Horniman Museum Gardens during the Africa 05 music festival. Photography: c. Len Cross
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Parks and Gardens
Back in May, we explored some of the best parks and gardens near museums in the capital. Some of the events we mention have now finished, but it still gives a round up of places where you can combine a game of frisbee with a historical day out. (It is free to enter all the gardens mentioned here, except for Kew).
