The Museum of London Docklands is turning 20 this year, and to celebrate, they are throwing a free half-term fete from May 27 to June 4. The festivities include a range of activities for all ages, from traditional Victorian parlour games to old-fashioned East End knees up.
Here’s a rundown of the events taking place:
Party parlour games (30 May-2 June, free tickets on arrival) Roll up! Roll up! Join in the festivities by dancing, singing, and being silly at our Victorian fete. Turn back the clock and get everyone involved in traditional games and old-fashioned family fun.
The curious tales of Polly Pickles! (30 May-1 June, free tickets upon arrival) Step right up, folks, and hear the curious tale of Polly Pickles! This interactive and musical family show takes you back in time to Victorian London, where you will meet Polly, a pickpocket with a penchant for danger.
Tail trail (27th May – 4th June, free drop-in) Welcome our new cuddly and furry rats who have made their home in the Museum! Help them make friends in the Docklands and find out what life was like in the past for these little Londoners with this fun, free trail around the museum galleries.
Party paper chains (27th May – 4th June, free drop-in) Help decorate the museum for its 20th birthday by making traditional Victorian paper chains. Design a paper chain or create your own decorations to help us celebrate in colourful style!
Victorian party object handling (27th May – 4th June, free drop-in) See, touch and investigate real Victorian objects that would be used to celebrate in style. Discover what accessories people wore, what games they played and what a bottle of Victorian fizzy pop looked like. Discover where these items were made, what’s home-made and their place of origin.
Victorian peg puppets (30th May-2nd June, free tickets allocated upon arrival) It’s time to get ‘crafty’ just like Dodger and make your own Victorian peg doll in this free family craft. Just bring your imagination!
Family knees-up! (31st May, free drop-in) Cor blimey, Guv’nor, it’s only the museum’s 20th birthday! Sounds like a chance to have a good old-fashioned East End knees-up. Join Tom Carradine (of Carradine’s Cockney Singalong) at the ol’ Joanna for a lively, interactive family event. He’ll have you and your little ones doing the Lambeth Walk, pondering How Much is That Doggy in the Window, marching with inflatable bananas ‘down the Strand’ and much more! Enjoy bubbles, puppets and plenty of singing along for adults, babies and children of all ages. Described by audience members as “Brilliant fun and very interactive”, “joyous” and a “fantastic family event”, come and celebrate our 20th birthday the East End way!
Whether you’re looking for some family fun or an opportunity to explore the history of the Docklands, the Museum of London Docklands has something for everyone this half-term. Don’t miss out on the chance to celebrate their 20th birthday in style!