Family friendly

The Museum of English Rural Life is a family friendly environment. Visit us on any day and discover a variety of activities for families with children of all ages. During the school holidays we also run drop-in and bookable workshops.

MERL signed up as a supporter of the Kids in Museums manifesto  

 

  

As part of our commitment to being a family friendly museum we have baby change facilities, a visitor room (where you can eat your packed lunch), a garden with picnic tables and plenty of space for letting off steam, and a shop which stocks good quality, reasonably priced souvenirs.

The University cafe/bar next door to MERL has highchairs, baby changing facilities and will serve child-sized portions of meals from their menu on request.

 

Weekend 'make and takes'
Come and join us for our weekend 'make and takes'. There is a different family activity each week. Materials and instructions cost £1 and there is no need to book. Drop in anytime during museum opening hours every Saturday and Sunday (2-4.30pm).

 

• What can we do in the Museum today?
• What else could we do during a visit to the Museum?

 

What can I do in the Museum today?

At Reception:

• Pick up a clipboard, pencil and paper and draw some of your favourite museum objects.
• Ask about making a brass rubbing of the Farming Cycle (50p per person) and collect all the materials you will need.
• Borrow a Ways of Seeing activity bag (returnable deposit needed) and use the items to explore the museum.

Introductory area:

• Watch the film and meet Billy, who will tell you all about the Museum and some of the objects you will see.
• Sit on the Magic Carpet and play with the puzzles, puppets and building blocks. (Please tidy them back into the boxes when you have finished).

Around the Museum:

• Follow the rat trail and find all of the toy rats hidden around the Museum.
  Found all of them? Tell the person at Reception how many rats you've spotted. If you find all of the rats, you will get a special sticker!
• In the Wood section, lift the wooden leaves to learn more about trees and wood.
• Dress up as a Victorian farmer – try on our new smocks and clogs!
• Try out our 'head through the hole' activity and put yourself in the picture!
• Watch the films throughout the exhibition to learn more about museum objects.
• Tell us what you think or colour in a picture in the Comments area.

In the garden:

• Pick up a clipboard and a copy of the Garden Trail and find the answers whilst you explore 
• Play croquet, quoits, skittles and other traditional garden games. (Please tidy them away in the trolley when you have finished)
• Have a picnic!

 

What else could we do during a visit to the museum?

Take Time

• Take time to rest those tired feet and take in the experience. Don't feel you have to rush around and see everything at once, you can always come back and visit us again. After all, admission is free!

Look

• Have a good look around and familiarise yourselves with the Museum. Take a quick look at some of the objects and then maybe choose one or two to focus on. You might like to look for the biggest, smallest, heaviest or oldest objects. Think about what they are made of or who might have used them. Maybe play 'I Spy' and see if anyone can guess your object.

Imagine

• Museums are places of magic and wonder. Let your imagination run riot! What would it be like to live in the past? Would you like to have your own farm and animals?

Discuss

• Museums don't have to be silent places. Talk about what you see during your visit. What was your favourite moment or favourite object? Did anything surprise or scare you? What did you like best?

Draw

• You might like to draw your favourite object as a souvenir of your visit. We provide pencils, clipboards and paper but feel free to bring your own drawing materials with you. All we ask is no paints, felt tips or wax crayons please.

Have Fun!