Family events
Family Tours
- Every second Saturday of the month, from 11th May 2013
- 2.30pm
- Drop-in
- Free
Join our specially trained family tour guides taking on the roles of characters from England’s rural past and telling stories of life and work in the countryside. Different characters will give the tours each month, so come along and meet them all! Tours are also available during school holidays, so look out for details.
Reading Poetry Festival - Children's Poetry Day
Friday 7th June, 2013
As part of the first Reading Poetry Festival, hosted by MERL in June, there will be a day of events for families and school children.
Toddlers' poetry
- 10-11am & 1-2pm
- MERL
- £2 per child | DROP-IN
- Suitable for families with children aged 2 to 4
Join us for our regular toddler time session, this week with a special theme of poetry and rhyme.
Children's poetry book signing
- 3.15 - 4.15pm
- FREE | DROP-IN
- MERL
- Suitable for families with children of all ages
Drop into the museum for this unique opportunity to meet some of the poets contributing to the University of Reading's Children's Poetry Day. Korky Paul, John Hegley and A.F. Harrold will be happy to answer questions and sign books.
An audience with John Hegley
- 4.30 - 6.00pm
- FREE | BOOK (Please book using the Reading Poetry Festival bookings form)
- L22, Institute of Education
- Suitable for families with children 7 +
Parents and families are welcome to come to this after-school talk and reading from the celebrated poet. This will be an interactive session, suggesting ways in which adults can help children develop an interest in poetry.
May half term holiday events & activities
Our family events & activities this half term are inspired by the exhibition of paintings of the University's Harris Garden by Jenny Halstead.
Full details are listed below adn are also available in the MERL families guide. Click here to dowload your copy (PDF 1MB).
Bank holiday closure: Please note that we are closed on bank holidays. Click on teh link for normal opening times
Family Tours
- Tuesday 28th May
- 11:30am & 2.30pm
- FREE
- Drop in
- Suitable for families with children of all ages
Join members of our team of family tour guides for a fun, interactive 30-minute tour of the museum and hear stories about what it was once like to live and work in the countryside.
Garden on a plate
- 29 May
- 10am - 12pm & 1.30-4pm
- £2 per child
- Drop in*
- Suitable for families with children aged 4+
Gather and arrange real materials from our beautiful garden to make our own miniature version to take home with you.
Gorgeous gardens
- 30 May
- 10am-12pm & 1:30-4pm
- £3 per child
- Drop in*
- Suitable for families with children aged 4+
Join artist Julie Roberts and use tissue paper and wore to make your own garden inspired creations including flowers and plants.
MERL Village Fete
- 1st June
- 10am to 4.30pm
- £2.50 (Children free)
- Drop in
Traditional craft demonstrations & workshops, morris dancers, cream teas and much more...
For full details, visit the MERL Village Fete 2013 page
Important note:
*DROP-IN WORKSHOPS
There is no need to book for our drop-in events. Activities take between 10 and 30 minutes. Come along at any time during the session. Timed tickets may be issued at busy times as space is limited.
FAMILY WORKSHOPS
MERL welcomes children of all ages but they must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Our fun events and activities are designed so that the whole family can enjoy interesting and informative new experiences together. In order for everyone to get the most out of the workshop activities, we ask that there are no more than two children (of the appropriate age for the activity) per adult in your group, and thank you for your cooperation in this.
Please see our Terms and conditions for bookable events