Museums, art galleries and heritage centres do their best to accommodate children of all ages, and most have an education department that will help you plan for a successful day. If you are unable to get to one of the big centres mentioned below, why not try contacting your local museum or gallery to see what they can offer young children? There is an excellent educational website called the 24-Hour Museum (www.24hourmuseum.org.uk) that should provide you with all the information you need. You can also contact English Heritage (0870 333 1181) and The National Trust (0870 458 4000), both of which offer a range of educational services.
CADBURY WORLD
Birmingham
* Telephone 0121 451 4180
Cadbury World provides curriculum support from KS1, but younger visitors will enjoy learning in a less formal way how Cadbury makes some of its most famous brands. In the new multi-sensory cinema, children can find out how their familiar favourites started life as cocoa beans, and hear the story of how the Spanish discovered the secret of cocoa. They may also be able to see how bars of chocolate are wrapped and packed and get plenty of free samples. A free preview visit is available to teachers or group organisers.
The cost per child is available on application.
EUREKA MUSEUM
Halifax
* Telephone 01422 330012
This museum is famed for its hands-on approach, and aims to encourage children from the age of three to investigate and discuss more about themselves. The Market Garden is a tailor-made Foundation Stage workshop, taking place between 6 May and 16 July, and must be pre-booked. It is specially developed to support early learning goals, is led by staff at Eureka, and is supported by teacher's packs. The children can meet characters Polly Plus and Morris Minus in this one hour, interactive workshop and, with their help, complete a series of challenges and number activities in a market garden setting. The cost of the Market Garden workshop is 3.90 per child.
You may also be interested in a workshop for teachers on 17 June from 5 to 7pm. Called Early Years Focus: A Big Package for Little People, it will explore all the activities for Foundation Stage children at the museum.
IRONBRIDGE
Telford, Shropshire
* Telephone see below
This is the site of a number of different museums. Most appropriate for young children are the Blists Hill Victorian Town (01952 586063), the Jackfield Tile Museum (01952 882030) and the Coalport China Museum (01952 580650). Blists Hill Victorian Town is one of the largest open air museums in Britain - a complete working town. Special Early Years Days are held twice a term. Call the number above for this year's dates. The Jackfield and Coalport Museums also offer workshops appropriate for young children.
Once again, telephone for details.
LEGOLAND
Windsor, Berkshire
* Telephone 01753 626100
* Website www.legoland.co.uk
Legoland offers a number of Active Learning Workshops for the Foundation Stage. These workshops last approximately 20 minutes, and are run by trained education staff. They are as follows: Life on the Farm - an interactive session using Lego animals; Sore Neck (new this year) - in which the children try to help Gina the Giraffe who is upset because she has a sore neck; Building with Bob the Builder - another interactive session in which the children with the help of Bob and friends begin to learn about the real world of construction; and Around the House - which involves deciding on the ideal property for any location and features lots of people representing members of the family from all ethnic groups. Your visit should also take in the brand new Lego Explore Land. This offers a complete discovery system based on four play worlds. There is also a new Waterworks area, but the children may need swimsuits for this as they are bound to get wet! Groups rates - minimum number 10 - are from 6 per child. The price includes entrance, parking, the pre-booked workshop and access to all rides, shows and attractions.
NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE
Leicester
* Telephone 0870 60 77223
* Website www.spacecentre.co.uk
This is the UK's largest attraction dedicated to space science and astronomy.There are five themed galleries and, through interactive hands-on activities and the latest audio visual technology, children can learn about space rockets, satellites and capsules, witness the beauty of the Universe and find out if they have what it takes to be an astronaut! All tickets include a 20-minute show in the Space Theatre. Children under five are not allowed into the main theatre, but on most days there is an interactive show called Sunshine, especially for young children.
THE LIVING RAINFOREST
Hampstead Norreys, Berkshire
* Telephone 01635 202444
* Website www.livingrainforest.org
This provides an ideal environment for children to begin learning about the world's rainforests and their relevance to their own lives. A visit gives them the opportunity to see some of the plants and wildlife the world is losing as the rainforests disappear. Children's activities include a Meet the Animals session and Art/Plant workshops. The priceof a group tour (15 children and two free adults) is 44 during the summer months.
NEW LANARK WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Scotland
* Telephone 01555 661345
* Website www.newlanark.org/kids
This world famous village was established more than 200 years ago by mill owner and social pioneer, Robert Owen, who believed in providing good homes, fair wages and a free health service for his workers. It is also the site of the first nursery school in the world! Educational tours on particular subjects are offered. For infant groups, the topics are Games in the Past and Children in History. The cost per child ranges from 2.50 to 3.50 depending on the package chosen.
ROYAL ARMOURIES MUSEUM
Leeds
* Telephone 0113 220 1888
* Website www.armouries.org.uk
This is the national museum of arms and armour, with sites also at Fort Nelson and the Tower of London. The Education Centre has an early learning room specially equipped for nursery, reception and KS1 children. 'On the carpet' teaching is provided using objects, stories and puppets, or activities such as brass rubbing. Early learning sessions can be booked on most days in term time, and can be led either by one of the museum's education officers or by the teachers of the visiting groups. It is also possible to organise a custom-made programme in consultation with the Educational Bookings Officer.
SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY
Bewdley, Worcestershire
* Telephone 01299 403816
* Website www.svr.co.uk
Special for Foundation Stage: Learn with Thomas. Several Early Years visits to the Severn Valley Railway are available during May on the following dates: 8, 9, 16, 20 and 23. Each visit includes a trip on the 'Express Coaches' pulled by one of Thomas's steam or diesel friends to the beautiful village of Arley; lots of Thomas-themed games; a visit to the River Severn, where the children take part in an observational quiz; a meeting with the Fat Controller to learn about railway safety; and sorting and matching activities in the Sodor Mail Coach. There is a free teacher's resource pack and free Learn with Thomas activity pack. In addition, each child receives a free ticket so they can make a return visit with their family. The inclusive cost for this visit is 5.95 per child. Discount fares are also available for schools, nurseries and playgroups if they wish to simply use the normal weekday services.
BRINGING THEATRE TO YOU
If you can't manage a day out but want to give the children a special treat this term, a travelling theatre group might be just the thing. The Black Cat Theatre Company is currently performing a play called The Magical Toy Shop at schools and nurseries all over the country. The play, written by Joanne C Rooney, is for children aged three to six years, and involves lots of comedy, drama, song and audience participation. The price of the show is 199 (ex VAT), but you could always cut the cost by sharing it with another early years group. To find out when The Magical Toy Shop is touring your area, call 01782 341200.
