Summer Holiday Activities at Reading Museum
Various dates throughout the summer, during museum opening hours
There's loads going on this summer at Reading Museum - and a lot of it isn't even happening at Reading Museum as we get stuck into the world around us!
Join us for bug hunts, tree trails, art packs and more. Some activities require booking in advance, and some you can just pop by.
This summer from Reading Museum
Activity Cart: Visit us throughout the holidays at the Museum and enjoy a range of nature themed crafts and papercraft inspired by our Abstract Art show.
- Free, drop in
Bertie's Tree Trail and Craft Pack - Available Throughout The Summer Holidays
Calling all nature explorers! Can you identify some of the trees in our town? Hunt for Bertie outside in the Forbury Gardens and Abbey Ruins and discover more about trees that grow there. Take home your craft pack to make some fun nature themed crafts.
- Families, £2.50 per trail/pack (pay on the day or book now)
Teddy Bears Picnic: Green Teds are Go! - Wednesday 26 July
Calling all Museum bears! Celebrate the start of the summer holidays by bringing your owners along to the Forbury Gardens. Enjoy making some bear-themed planting craft with your favourite teddy in the sun then follow our eco trail around the Forbury. Don’t forget your sandwiches! (In the event of bad weather please come to the Museum.)
- Families, 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm. £2, pay on the day, drop in
Victorian Fossil Hunters - Tuesday 1 August
Follow in the famous footsteps of Victorian fossil hunters, such as Mary Anning. Take a look at some of the fossils in our Loans Boxes and create your own with clay and plaster of paris!
- Ages 5+, Families, 1-hour sessions starting at 10am, 11.15am, 1pm & 2.15pm. £4, booking essential
Victorian Schoolroom Experience in the Gateway - Tuesday 1 August
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 and 2pm (meeting at the Abbey Gateway)
- £1 per person, book now or pay on the day (subject to availability, 35 places max per session)
Out in the Forbury: Bug Club - Tuesday 8 August
Back due to popular demand. Insect explorers can search for creepy-crawlies in the Forbury Gardens and Abbey Ruins with our special kits. Identify, draw and record your finds, and take a look at some fabulous insect specimens from our loans collection boxes. We will be inviting along some experts to help us with our finds! In the event of bad weather, please come to the Museum.
- Ages 5+, Families, 1-hour sessions starting at 10am, 11.15am, 1pm & 2.15pm. £4, booking essential
Arty Party Bags - Wednesday 16 August
Brown Paper bags become eco-canvases ready for little hands to decorate. Inspired by the colours in our wonderful Abstract Art show.
- Families, half-hour sessions 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm. £1, pay on the day, drop in
Out in the Forbury: Bug Club 2 - Tuesday 22 August
Please note that the content will slightly vary from Bug Club 1 so enthusiastic bug hunters can happily attend both sessions. We will be inviting along some experts to help us with our finds! In the event of bad weather, please come to the Museum.
- Ages 5+, Families, 1-hour sessions starting at 10am, 11.15am, 1pm & 2.15pm. £4, booking essential
Sludge River Activity - Wednesday 30 August
Learn about the dangers to our wildlife caused by rubbish in rivers. Then create some cornflower sludge complete with mini fish. Inspired by our ‘Life Below Water’ theme.
- Ages 5+, Families, 1-hour sessions starting at 10am, 11.15am, 1pm & 2.15pm. £4, booking essential
