Become an intrepid
explorer, discover some of the weirdest and most disgusting things in
nature and create your own story this half term at the Natural History
Museum. In addition to a special programme of half term workshops and
events, the Museum’s hands-on science centre Investigate opens up
to the public throughout the day (instead of only afternoons during term
time) and the Museum’s popular explorers backpacks are available
for younger visitors.
Crafty Nature workshops
Join our artists for exciting craft workshops using interesting materials,
and make fun creations on the themes of evolution, nasty nature, frogs
and nature’s mysteries. Best suited to children aged 3–7,
no booking required.
Dates and times: Saturdays
12, 19 and 26 February, 11.00–13.00 and 14.00–16.00
Visitor enquiries: Monday–Friday 020 7942 5000, Saturday and Sunday
020 7942 5011
Admission: FREE
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Website: www.nhm.ac.uk/education
Darwin Centre Live series
Nasty Nature: The Disgusting Side of Life
Writhing maggots, slimy slugs and scary teeth. Join us in the Darwin Centre
(if your stomach is strong enough) as we look at all the unpleasant sights,
sounds and smells that make up the ‘disgusting’ side of life.
Dates and times: 13–19
February, times vary
Visitor enquiries: Monday–Friday 020 7942 5000, Saturday and Sunday
020 7942 5011
Admission: FREE
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Website: www.nhm.ac.uk/darwincentre
Nasty Nature Animated Half Term
Join our animation artist Tom Cross for a drop-in session to create an
animation based on your own visual story. The session will involve making
a storyboard and flipbook as well as exploring the galleries. You’ll
be examining what dinosaurs eat, how a fossil is made and what happens
when a volcano erupts.
Dates and times: Monday
14 – Friday 18 and Monday 21 – Friday 25 February
Visitor enquiries: Monday–Friday 020 7942 5000, Saturday and Sunday
020 7942 5011
Admission: FREE, please visit the Life Galleries Information desk to book
a place on the workshop.
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Website: www.nhm.ac.uk/education
Darwin Centre Live series
SuperNatural History
There are many mysteries in the world that remain stubbornly unresolved:
the Bermuda Triangle, Bigfoot and the kracken (said to wrap its immense
arms around ships and drag them to their doom). But is there any truth
in the legends or could there be a scientific explanation? Join us in
the Darwin Centre as we take a closer look at supernatural history.
Dates and times: 21–25
February, times vary
Visitor enquiries: Monday–Friday 020 7942 5000, Saturday and Sunday
020 7942 5011
Admission: FREE
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Website: www.nhm.ac.uk/darwincentre
Explorers backpacks
Pick up your passport, grab your binoculars and put on your backpack to
become an explorer at the Natural History Museum! Filled with pens, paper,
games and activities for families with children under seven, these bright
red backpacks help you to navigate and explore the Museum’s galleries.
Choose from themes including birds, mammals, oceans, primates and monsters.
Opening times: Monday¬–Saturday
10.00–17.50, Sunday 11.00–17.50
Visitor enquiries: Monday–Friday 020 7942 5000, Saturday and Sunday
020 7942 5011
Admission: FREE, £25 deposit required
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Website: www.nhm.ac.uk/education
Investigate
Get a feel for how scientists work by doing it yourself. Bring your own
questions or use some of ours at the Natural History Museum’s hands-on
science centre, Investigate. Come and explore hundreds of real specimens
from the natural world that can be picked up and examined by people of
all ages (although especially recommended for 7–14 year olds). These
specimens form the evidence for your exploration of scientific ideas.
Investigate encourages visitors to look closely at real objects using
the many tools provided to find out more and ‘become scientists’.
Opening times: Monday¬–Friday
10.00–16.30, Saturday 10.00–16.30, Sunday 11.00–16.30
Visitor enquiries: Monday–Friday 020 7942 5000, Saturday and Sunday
020 7942 5011
Admission: FREE
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Website: www.nhm.ac.uk/quest
Gallery characters
Intriguing characters wander the galleries of the Natural History Museum,
sharing interesting scientific stories with all they meet. You might encounter
Charles Darwin discussing his radical scientific ideas, or William ‘Strata’
Smith who was the first person to produce reliable geological maps and
is considered the 'father of geology'.
Dates: Charles Darwin
Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 February
William ‘Strata’ Smith Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 February
Times: 11.30–15.30
Visitor enquiries: Monday–Friday 020 7942 5000, Saturday and Sunday
020 7942 5011
Admission: FREE
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Website: www.nhm.ac.uk/education
Puppets
Join Judy Preece and her puppets in lively storytelling workshops based
on discovering amazing insights into the natural world. The themes of
the half term sessions are the frog prince and the hungry caterpillar.
Best suited to families with children 3–8.
Dates and times: Sundays
20 February, 12.30 and 14.00
Visitor enquiries: Monday–Friday 020 7942 5000, Saturday and Sunday
020 7942 5011
Admission: FREE, places can be reserved on the day at the Life Galleries
information desk
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Website: www.nhm.ac.uk/education
