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Travel back in time to take part in an immersive day of learning at Beamish Museum. Take part in our free activities or book a learning workshop for the full, immersive learning experience.
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Bookable Workshops
Our next Home Educators Day on Friday 10th January 2025 focuses around the arts in all its forms.
Two of our bookable workshops will give children the opportunity to get involved in our February Half Term event. This is an opportunity for your children to produce written or visual work that will be on display in the 1950s welfare hall for all of the museum’s visitors to enjoy. You may wish to participate in both workshops or just one. There is no requirement to submit work afterwards, but you will receive instructions on the day to do so.
Workshops are individually priced, accompanying adult admitted to workshop free of charge. Museum admission fee applies. Parental supervision is required throughout the activities.
Sid Chaplin inspired sketching activity
Learn about local writer Sid Chaplin, who was inspired by local life in the North East of England. This session will look at his life and also some of his work. Following this session, children can be provided materials to borrow to begin sketching around The 1900s Pit Village. They can then take their sketches away with them to work on in more detail with other materials if desired. We will provide materials for during this activity, but you may wish to bring drawing materials for you to use in your remaining time at the museum. A4 sized artwork can then be submitted to the museum for display during February Half Term.
This workshop will take place in the Chapel in The 1900s Pit Village at 10.30am, 11.30am and 1.00pm and will be approximately 30 minutes long, plus time if you’d like to sketch afterwards. £2 per child per session, pre-booking essential. Suitable for ages 7+.
Norman Cornish inspired writing activity
A look into local artist Norman Cornish; learn about his life, take a tour through his house and view some of his works. Following this session, children can choose a favourite painting from our collection and start to produce written work inspired by Norman. They can then take their written pieces away with them to work on in more detail. These might be poetry or a short story and A4 sized works can be submitted to the museum for display during February Half Term. We will provide materials for during this activity, but you may wish to bring writing materials for you to use in your remaining time at the museum.
This workshop will start in the A. Reece Workshop (next to the upstairs Record Shop) in The 1950s Town at 1.00pm and 2.00pm and will be approximately 45 minutes long. £2.50 per child per session, pre-booking essential. Suitable for ages 7+.
Traditional Dancing
Join Meg O’Brien and Bill Elliott for traditional songs and clog dancing. If you are booking this activity, please bring hard soled shoes for dancing in if you have them.
This activity will take place in the band hall in The 1900s Pit Village at 10.30am, 11.30am and 1.00pm and will be approximately 45 minutes long. £2.50 per child per session, pre-booking essential. Suitable for ages 5+.
Free drop-in activities
Take part in a number of free activities around the museum (museum admission fee applies).
At times, exhibits may be busy with families participating, so you may wish to pop by again at a different time if it is too busy for you, or speak with a member of staff who can try to accommodate any needs you may have.
Lino printing in the Masonic Hall in The 1900s Town. Have a go at making a block print using foam board, then using it to print onto paper.
Finger puppets at The 1940s Farm. Drop by to create a finger puppet for you to take home.
Distaff Day at Pockerley Old Hall in The 1820s Landscape. Distaff Day was the traditional day when women returned to their chores after Christmas. Come celebrate this day and have a go at felting or drop spinning.
Indoor Lunch Space
The lamp cabin in The 1900s Pit Village, and the bowling pavilion in The 1950s Town will be available as indoor lunch spaces from 11.30am-1.30pm.
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