School may be out for the summer, but the learning doesn’t have to stop there. At The Atkinson, we have something to keep the little (and not so-little) ones engaged, educated, and excited.
Museums and galleries are important educational environments and offer a considerable learning potential for all ages. Here’s our list of what’s going on at The Atkinson this summer across the building. Did we mention it is all free? That’s right, it is all free for the family to enjoy!
Little Explorers! (Age guidelines 3 – 7)
For our littlest visitors, we have Debutots; a fun interactive play session taking place in our Theatre Bar. Ignite your child’s imagination, develop their confidence and encourage their communication skills with storytelling, music & nursery rhymes, drama games, sensory & imaginative play, bubbles, puppets and crafts. You have to book ahead for these sessions and bookings open up a week before the event date. Find out more here.
Additionally in our Children’s Library space we have Story & Rhyme Time; a fun, active and creative way to spend time enjoying stories and play together. Sessions take place once a week on a Wednesday at 11:30am. Pre-booking is required on a first come, first served basis. To book please visit Southport Library in person or call 0151 934 2118.
Whilst in our Children’s Library, sail on the high seas by picking up your favourite children’s book and reading together in our Reading Boat. Endless fun for your little ones!
Finish off by dropping by our Art Box on the 1st floor for some colouring in sheets. Once you’re finished with your masterpiece, take home your work to always remember your day at The Atkinson.
Recommended show: Dinosaur World Live.
Thursday 4 August, 1:30pm & 4:30pm
Friday 5 August, 11am & 2pm
Saturday 6 August, 11am & 2pm
Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! A special meet and greet after the show offers all our brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend.
Interactive Agents! (Age guidelines 8 – 13)
With five showstopper exhibitions now on display, you can enjoy a full day of art and history with no costs attached. The whole family is bound to enjoy their time in our galleries and find something they’ll enjoy. Mum can be mesmerised by Zarah Hussain’s Light Upon Light whilst Dad and the kids enjoy the history of Pleasureland in our Barnum in the Blood display.
It is free to join the library and to borrow books so make sure you check out some summer reads to take home with you, but not before heading up to our top floor museum! Travel back to Ancient Egypt & discover 10,000 years of the Sefton coast. Interactive displays include the ‘Weighing of the Heart’ ceremony, X-raying an Ibis mummy and a hieroglyphic jigsaw wall. Choose an outfit from the dressing up box and take a selfie; after all, in Ancient Egypt mirrors were treasured and thought to possess magical powers!
Every Thursday from 28 July we are hosting Make It! Workshops in the Art Box. Each workshop theme will be tied to the museums and galleries so drop-in any time between 11am – 3pm and get creative.
Recommended show: Horrible Histories (Terrible Tudors)
Friday 16 September 2022 – 1:30pm
Friday 16 September 2022 – 7pm
Saturday 17 September 2022 – 2pm
Saturday 17 September 2022 – 5pm
It’s history with all the nasty bits left in!
Too Cool for School Crew! (14 – 18)
Are you interested in the arts? Would you like to work in a museum in the future? Then we want to hear from you!
In these free Young Curators Summer Sessions, you will work with industry professionals to develop your creative skills and understanding of museum collections. Across the 4-week programme, you will get hands-on experience working with The Atkinson’s own collections. You will learn life skills such as evaluation techniques, teamwork practices and gain workplace experience. At the end of your course, you will have helped to curate your own exhibition. How exciting!
Participating in the Young Curators Summer Sessions can be counted as volunteer time, which can be used as part of the requirement for a Baccalaureate programme or for the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. This experience can also be used as evidence towards the achievement of your Art’s Award (Bronze, Silver and Gold). Participation in this scheme may improve your CV, demonstrating to prospective employers that you are keen to learn and are interested in acquiring new skills.
Places are limited so book now to ensure your space!
Recommended show: David Harper’s Romp With The Georgians.
Thursday 8 September 2022 – 7:30pm.
Stories range from strange Georgian pets, binge drinking, Georgian cosmetic surgery, electrified beds, smugglers, money launderers, fashion disasters, dodgy politicians and how to sell your spouse in auction…amongst many other very unusual, but true tales!
Posted on 14 July 2022 under General news
