Loads to See and Do for Families at Newcastle’s Discovery Museum’s This February Half Term
There’s plenty to do for families of all ages at Newcastle Discovery Museum this February half term with a week inspired by the transport themed objects in the museum – from trains to ships and even a Victorian fire engine!
The events are part of the award-winning Ways to Play offer brought to our communities from a partnership between Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) and Tyne and Wear Metro which offers families a great value day out.
It’s always free entry into the museum, with donations welcome. Over the whole of the holidays from Saturday 18 February - Sunday 26 February families can pick up a free Transport Trail to explore the museum’s transport displays – including Turbinia, once the fastest ship in the world and built on Tyneside.
On Tuesday 21 February Discovery Days: Locomotives includes free and low-cost craft events for families to decorate their own locomotive engine toy, hanging train decoration or try their hands at creating a train driver's hat. Booking is advised as they are usually popular.
On Wednesday 22 February Newcastle University’s Street Scientists will be roaming the Turbinia Atrium from 11am – 3pm, a team of ‘science buskers’ who aim to spark an interest in science as well as amazing you along the way with demonstrations. Free, drop in.
For smaller children ages 3-5 on Wednesday 22 February the museum’s Early Years specialist educator Amy will lead the event Discover a Story: The Cat, the Mouse and the Runaway Train with stories and crafts. This event is £6 per child with accompanying adults and babies free. Sessions are available at 10.30am – 11.30am and 1-2pm. Booking is essential.
All information and booking links can be found at www.discoverymuseum.org.uk/whats-on
Families can make their ‘Ways to Play’ adventure a great value day out by travelling to Discovery Museum by the Metro with Central Station just a short walk away. Up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free on the Metro and the Shields Ferry with a fare-paying adult.
With packed lunch spaces, café, gift shop and spacious accessible facilities, families can also enjoy the permanent galleries like the Science Maze, crammed with fun interactive displays, or the Newcastle Story gallery telling the history of Newcastle from Roman occupation to contemporary times.
The RAF Red Arrows Simulator ride delivers the thrill of the cockpit in a four-minute simulator ride inside a state-of-the-art capsule. £3 per person, terms and conditions apply.
Discovery Museum is open Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm, Saturday and Sunday, and closed on Bank Holidays. It’s always free to get in and you don’t have to book.
Image: Discovery Museum's Family Transport Trail, Colin Davison
