Discovery Museum’s Free Family Events with Chalk Kicks Off the Family Programme for May and June
Newcastle’s Discovery Museum is throwing a free outdoor party for families of all ages to celebrate the re-opening of the popular family destination on Saturday 22 May.
At the Rainbow Plaza Party families can dive into a sea of colour inspired by Insta-famous Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama ‘The Princess of Polka Dots’, and take part in a series of vibrant and creative family activities including making paper wigs and a collaborative artwork led by an on-site artist.
Although people are encouraged to book free tickets to enter the museum no booking is required for the outdoor activities. To book free tickets visit discoverymuseum.org.uk.
The Rainbow Plaza Party will be brought to the museum by Chalk, Tyneside’s legendary family event producers, known for their original and colourful events, as well as the free Robot Block Party on 2 June.
Manager of Discovery Museum Carolyn Ball said:
“We have missed our visitors so much - especially the families who bring so much energy to the museum that we wanted to offer a special experience to mark the occasion.
“We have two Chalk events planned on 22 May and 2 June, and other events over half term. We’re excited to welcome people back and hear fun and laughter in the museum again.”
At the other Chalk event, the free Robot Block Party on 2 June families can dance robot style to Hip Hop like Grandmaster Flash, make a clay robot to take home, learn robot moves and build their own robot costume before adding their dream robot to the robot wall.
Other half-term events include Toy Crafts on 1 and 3 June held in the museum’s Play + Invent space, where families get a bag full of five challenging and quirky crafts from an acrobatic bunny to a marble roller for £5.50.
On 4 June in the Great Hall, families will be challenged to make and race their own Rocket Car for £6 per family. Both Toy Crafts and Rocket Cars require booking ahead of visiting via discoverymuseum.org.uk.
Visitors also have the option when booking online to reserve a place on the popular RAF Flight Simulator, with tickets for £3.50 each, for a maximum of six people over 1.07m tall, in the same family/bubble.
Discovery Museum’s safety systems are all in place; all adults will be required to wear a mask, with visitors required to follow one-way routes around the building, use sanitiser stations and follow social distancing guidelines. Staff will be on hand to help and support anyone with any questions or needs.
Discovery Museum is a large open space over three floors with galleries exploring the story of Tyneside, from Roman times to the present day, the region's shipbuilding heritage and inventions that changed the world.
Visitors can see world-class objects like the Turbinia, once the fastest ship in the world, some of the world’s first commercial lightbulbs, exquisitely detailed ship models, a Victorian fire engine and the tools of Newcastle’s barber surgeons – and much more.
The museum is open Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm and weekends 11am – 4pm. Booking ahead of your visit is advised, but there will be an allocated number of paces for people who ‘walk – up’ on the day.
Discovery Museum is a short walk from Newcastle Central Station and Newcastle city centre.
