October Half-Term at Reading Museum
21-28 October, during opening hours
Discover everything coming up at Reading Museum for all the family to enjoy! Don't miss our special half term Monday opening on 23 October.
Activity Cart
Visit us throughout the holidays at the Museum and enjoy a range of seasonal themed crafts. Free, drop in
Monster Mayhem Trail: Throughout half term
There are fantastical creatures hidden all through the Museum – from Roman gods to mythical beasts in the Bayeux Tapestry. Which monster will you spot hidden around the corner? Search through the galleries to find them and unravel the mystery word. When you have completed your trail, go and collect your prize! Even our youngest visitors can enjoy this trail. Families. £1.50 per trail, pay on the day or book here.
Fantastic Bird Feast: Monday 23 October
As autumn draws in it’s time to start feeding our feathered friends. Make a recycled bird feeder using recycled drinks bottles with a monster them! Ages 5+, Families, 1-hour sessions starting at 10am, 11.15am, 1pm & 2.15pm. £4, book here.
BIG Draw: Marvellous Monsters Tuesday 24 October
Join New Directions to celebrate Reading Museum’s In the Company of Monsters exhibition. Artists from New Directions will be on hand to help you create some wonderful artwork based on Mythical creatures, Minotaurs, chimera and hybrids!
Borrow a pen and pencil, pick up a board from our gallery drawing boxes and start to create your own masterpieces! No experience necessary, all welcome.(warning: parents may wish to view the In the Company of Monsters exhibition before letting younger children take a look). All ages, 10am – 3pm. Free, donations welcome, drop in
Make & Take: Monster Mobile Wednesday 25 October
Add different, arms, claws, wings and legs to your marvellous monster then hang up ready to scare your friends! Families, half-hour sessions 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm. £1, pay on the day, drop in
Rhymetime at Reading Museum Wednesday 25 October
The popular Rhymetime sessions at Reading Libraries are now starting at Reading Museum! These sessions introduce babies and children to language, rhyme and taking part in a fun way. Families, 10.30am – 11.30am. Free, drop in
Live Storytelling: Monster stories: Wednesday 25 October
In this storytelling session for children, Dr Neil Cocks from The University of Reading will introduce three classic monster tales: Circe; Frankenstein; The Minotaur. Are monsters always the bad guys? Can there be an up-side to being one? Should we embrace change, or avoid it? Ages 5+, 30-minute sessions at 2pm and 3pm. Free, drop in.
Object Handling: Victorian Taxidermy: Thursday 26 October
Explore the macabre way Victorians presented taxidermy, inspired by our In the Company of Monsters exhibition. Join our gallery team or one of our volunteers and enjoy learning more about the objects in our Loans Collection.All ages, 12pm-3.30pm. Drop in
Wild Woodland Crown: Thursday 26 October
Decorate your autumnal crown with woodland animals, including foxes, squirrels, badgers and hedgehogs. Then have a go at leaf rubbing and add these to your nature themed crowning glory. Ages 5+, Families, 1-hour sessions starting at 10am, 11.15am, 1pm & 2.15pm. £4, book here.
Victorian Schoolroom Experience in the Gateway: Thursday 26 October
Meet a Victorian schoolteacher and re-learn the ‘3Rs’. A 45-minute experience for adults and children over 5 in our unique Victorian classroom, in the historic Abbey Gateway. Please note that the Gateway has no step free access and there are uneven steps and floors. Ages 5+, 11am & 2pm (meeting at the Abbey Gateway). £1 per person, pay on the day or book online (booking coming soon) (35 places max per session)
Museums, My Way Every Saturday
We have created a breakout room, aimed at neurodivergent visitors and their families. Quiet areas with tents and cushions and sensory toys will be available. Families can enjoy exploring the galleries using our sensory bags, then take time out to relax before continuing their visit. Families, Free, drop in
