Cyrus Pundole discovers what’s on at this year’s Summer at The Museums
There’s a feast on offer for inquisitive minds as Summer at the Museums continues this month. Packed with events for those with a desire to learn and get creative, the event, organised by University of Cambridge Museums, runs until 3 September. Take your pick from storytelling, workshops, tours, craft sessions and much more.
At Ely’s Stained Glass Museum on 1 August children can learn how to cut glass and create fused artworks; the beginners workshop is at 10.30am and £10, and for those who have fused glass before, it’s 2pm and £15. While on the 2nd, the Centre for Computing History hosts Bug Your Bedroom, which shows those ten and above how to protect their room from siblings using a Raspberry Pi and some clever Python code.
On 6 August, discover the stories behind Great St Mary’s Church tower and have a go at designing and building a spire. Suitable for all ages, it’s £2.50. Normal admission applies if you want to climb the 123 steps to get a fab view of the city.
Another tower on our local skyline is the University Library, and while you can’t climb this one, seven to 12-year olds can join the Design Your Own Dust Cover event there on 7 and 23 August. Children’s book illustrators Jeff Crosby and Shelley Jackson will be on hand with plenty of advice.
Fancy joining the Roman army or becoming a fearsome gladiator? Well, you can on 13 August at the Museum of Classical Archaeology. Drop in for an afternoon of crafts for all ages.
If the Egyptians are more likely to excite your family, then visit the Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey on 15 or 16 August for the Egyptians at Denny. Discover how the Knights Templar – in addition to building parts of the abbey – took time out to visit Egypt on a themed trail with crafts.
On 17 August at the Museum of Zoology, Take a Closer Look at a rare, amazing specimen from the stores that is not normally on display. Then come back to the same venue on 29 August for Animal Journeys – the perfect chance for the family to explore the galleries and create a creature to take home.
Ever heard of the slimy Cambridge bookfish or wondered why there’s a cat on a hat in the Market Square? Discover the stories behind these oddities of the market area with a special trail starting at Great St Mary’s Church on 20 August, before returning there for craft activities inspired by what you have found out.
It’s £2.50.
Also on 20 August, storyteller Marion Leeper engages those aged five and under with fantastic tales in a Little Explorers summer special at The Polar Museum on 20 August. Then, on 21 August, she tells the story of Atlanta in The Fastest Feet in the World, at the Museum of Classical Archaeology. On 22 August, you can join Marion for interactive storytelling at Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences.
Times and prices vary, many of the events are free. For the full programme, visit museums.cam.ac.uk
