Discovery Museum in Newcastle shortlisted for national Family Friendly Museum Award

Newcastle’s Discovery Museum, managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) has been shortlisted for the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award, it was announced today.  

Charity Kids in Museums has run a prestigious annual award for 16 years, recognising the most family friendly heritage sites in the UK. It is the only museum award to be judged by families. 

From late March to early June, families across the UK voted for their favourite heritage attraction on the Kids in Museums website. A panel of museum experts then whittled down hundreds of nominations to a shortlist of 16 heritage attractions. 

Discovery Museum is competing against three other museums in the Best Medium Museum category.  

Carolyn Ball, Museum Manager said:  

“To say we are delighted Discovery Museum is shortlisted for this award is an understatement! It is a testament to the loyalty of visitors who took the time to nominate the museum, the dedication of staff, and shows the special place that Discovery Museum has in the heart of the Tyneside community. Many generations of Tynesiders - and beyond - have come here and still come here today.  

“We wish the best of luck to all museums in the category, to be included in the national Kids in Museums shortlist is high praise indeed.” 

Discovery Museum’s visitors are predominantly families and multi-generational groups. With a dedicated family event programme especially for primary age and preschool children, offering free and low costs activities it’s a go-to for many families in the area for a day out. During school holidays Discovery Museum offers free or low-cost events every week. 

Over the summer holidays this year, every Tuesday there are innovative crafts at the creation stations in the Play + Invent space, weekly outdoor Play on the Plaza events every Thursday, and other events like Bubbleologist shows, Wonky Olympics to get families moving, a crazy golf junk challenge and a Silent Disco in the Art Deco Great Hall. For the full programme see Discovery Museum's website.  

Science Maze – which also houses a Victorian fire engine, a soft play corner for toddlers and lots of hands-on exhibits. A very accessible space to navigate, Discovery Museum has wide automatic doors, male and female baby changing and a Changing Places toilet, making it a low stress outing for families who may have additional needs. 

Over the summer holidays, the museum will be visited by undercover family judges who will assess the shortlisted museums against the Kids in Museums Manifesto. Their experiences will decide a winner for each award category and an overall winner of the Family Friendly Museum Award 2022. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October. 

Follow the Family Friendly Museum Award on social media by following @kidsinmuseums and #FamilyFriendlyMuseum.