October holiday fun

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There’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained this October half term, with a range of great exhibitions, activities and events across museums and galleries in the centre of Newcastle.

 

At the Laing Art Gallery visitors can take part in Big Monster Wednesday (26 October) where the wonderful world of Mervyn Peake will help inform curious creations to create a giant wall of monster pictures.  Children are encouraged to come dressed up as their favourite monster (10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm).  Part of Juice Festival 2011, www.juicefestival.co.uk

 

Visitors shouldn’t miss the chance to design Halloween Shadow Puppets at Discovery Museum (27 October) or help to design a giant mural (25 October).  For those interested in history, an exhibition about Civil War in Newcastle, Siege and Storm, includes the gruesome death mask of Oliver Cromwell as well as rare artefacts from the 1600s.  Visitors can find out about the Roundheads and Cavaliers in a special event on Saturday (29 October).  Activities run from 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pm.

 

The Natural History Society’s nest box expert Geoff Lawrence will be at the Great North Museum: Hancock on Wednesday (26 October) to help visitors make bird, bat and bumble bee boxes (10am-12pm).  That afternoon, there is a chance for budding designers to suggest their ideas to help renovate the Study Garden to attract lots of wild mammals, birds, frogs and insects to it (1-3pm). On Friday (28 October) visitors can take part in the Big Bugs workshop and help to build a giant bug (10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm).  Part of Juice Festival 2011, www.juicefestival.co.uk

 

At the Hatton Gallery the Big Draw Art Cart will be available in the Gallery every afternoon throughout the holidays for potential young artists to explore their creative side.  On Tuesday there will be the chance to meet children’s author and illustrator Liz Millions, who will be on hand to demonstrate how to draw from imagination and create a mini book to take away in the Fun Cartoons and Mini Books event (10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm).  Part of Juice Festival 2011, www.juicefestival.co.uk   On Wednesday (26 October) visitors can take part in a print making workshop inspired by the Northern Print Biennale exhibition which is currently on show (10.30am-12pm).

 

There are many more activities and events planned to accompany the fantastic programme of exhibitions taking place this autumn.  For full listings of exhibitions and events and for more information visit www.twmuseums.org.uk/kids