Home Activities

Make your own scientific instrument to measure rainfall.

A story for young children, inspired by eyes and objects at The Fitzwilliam Museum. Written by early years learning specialist Nicola Wallis, designed by Ayshea Carter.

Make your own camera obscura with The Fitzwilliam Museum, and see shadows upside down! The activity is suitable for children aged 6+ years. 

Would you be able to manage a sea journey through history? Make your own equipment and create your own story of your quest. 

Chinese New Year zodiac animal trail for the Fitzwilliam Museum collection. This activity was designed in collaboration with Cambridge China Centre. 

Design your own Chinese vase, inspired by the Fitzwilliam Museum Year of the Tiger (2022) display.

Explore acoustics by making your own yoghurt pot telephone.

Make your own musical instrument inspired by the Whipple Museum's collections 

Find out about Medieval gingerbread and have a go at making your own with The Fitzwilliam Museum.

Learn how to make a mooncake in this video with Cambridge China Centre and The Fitzwilliam Museum.

Complete the dot-to-dot drawing of Henri Fantin-Latour's painting 'White Cup and Saucer'. Add colour to create your own design.  

Make your own musical instrument based on the monochord in the Whipple Museum!

How to make your own DIY perfume. Inspired by The Fitzwilliam Museum's Scent from Nature exhibition.

A simple child-friendly tutorial on how to make pot pourri from The Fitzwilliam Museum Learning team. Inspired by the 2021 special exhibition Scent from Nature. 

A fun story from The Fitzwilliam Museum about flowers competing to be the chosen bloom for a painting.

What are the hands of our casts up to?
This self- led quiz like activity will show you the parts of our statues which are often overlooked, and test your detective skills!

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be one of our casts? This activity will take you through a yoga-like routine, letting you try out some of the casts’ poses.

In the past, books like the ones in the Cambridge University Library Special Collections, were handmade and handwritten. 

Follow this step by step tutorial to make your own handmade notebook, inspired by the Greek Medieval Collections at the Library. 

Create and reveal your own hidden message using this DIY invisible ink! What will your secret message say? And who will get to read it?

Follow the instructions to make your own 'Museum on a Shelf'.

A special colouring activity based on the beautiful patterned walls of the David Parr House.

Try making your own weather vane with this downloadable activity. 

In this activity, you will find out more about the lives of elite women in Ancient Rome.

Which emperor's statue was thrown into a river in England? Which Roman invaded Britain first? Which emperor loved to sing? Find out in this activity. 

Bake your own 'fossil' biscuits

Kaitlin Ferguson show us how to make a geology zine inspired by Mary Anning's fossils

Find out why Antarctic marine life is under threat from climate change with this easy experiment.

Make a fluffy bee and learn some fun bee facts

Escaping gas and eruptions

Viscosity and violent volcanoes

How do we know what extinct creatures looked like when we only have fossil bones?

Look, Copy, Make activities are designed for children with special educational needs and disability (SEND).

This activity is based on a Bronze age beaker from the Museum of Archaeology and Anthroplogy.

Look, Copy, Make activities are designed for children with special educational needs and disability (SEND).

This activity is based on a special animal globe from the Whipple Museum. 

Learn how to make a colourful star decoration using simple materials.

How to find fossils in flint gravel.

Find out what happens when you mix colours with a this home made rainbow spinner.

Use everyday items to make your own constellation viewer.

Make your own fancy Twilight star to hang in a window or as a decoration. 

Follow the story of Denny the Farmland field mouse and make some crafts along the way.

Try your hand at sketching a gruesome gargoyle.

Use the micro:bit to learn how to 'launch' a rocket.

Make an interactive 8-bit solar system using Scratch.

Create your own Anglerfish mask 

Get outside and discover the stars above!

Make your own shadow puppet and learn more about the science of shadows.

Have fun using salt dough to make your own starfish.

Discover the beauty of the northern lights and learn more about the science of colour in this hands-on craft activity.

A fun, prehistoric-themed word search.

The sun and moon argue over whose light is best. Who do you think should win?

Find out more about empathy and seeing things from a different point of view.

Try out this cut-and-colour diorama to complete a Knight in armour.

Try spending an evening like the Ancient Romans during winter.

Play a fun finding game using paper and torches.

Make your own wonderful water lily that blossoms on water.

Test your memory and wildlife knowledge with this matching game. You can play on your own or with another person.

Learn how to make your own snowflake. Once you've got the hang of it, try making a whole snow storm!

Get inspired by the decorative lamps used by the Romans and create a design for your own lamp. 

Brighten up your home this winter by this creative activity inspired by traditional Mosque lamps.

Get creative with our new family activity kit, which you can try at home. Find out more about Alfred Wallis and have a go at creative activities inspired by the artist and the exhibition.

Have a go at creative activities inspired by the artist Alfred Wallis.

Make your own Ichthyosaur and dinosaur bones.

Have a go at making your own fins and a tail! 

Join artist Kaitlin Ferguson in a series of activities based on the statue of Nike, goddess of victory. 

Join artist Kaitlin Ferguson in a series of activities based on polar exploration.

Join artist Kaitlin Ferguson in a series of activities based on telescopes and exploration.

Find out to how to make your own shadow puppet monster using materials from around the home.

Did you know there are 10 other Elys to be found dotted across the world – including two in the United Kingdom? Find out more about each of them below and then have a go at some fun activities inspired by our fellow Elyians.

Learn more about ancient Greece and its heroes and monsters then have a go at designing your own.

Make your own museum in a box and learn how to make your own museum labels and plan a tour. 

Learn more about the lives of Victorians at work and at play. Have a go at making Victorian inspired visual illusion toys.

Dive into a coral reef and discover how we can bring them back from the brink with this though-provoking craft.

Find a brilliant, arty use for everyday items around your home.

Discover the secrets and hidden stories behind the White Horse Inn, now home to the Museum of Cambridge.

Follow the step-by-step instructions in this film and make your own Tiny Tower book.

Follow the step-by-step instructions in this film and learn how to draw an Ancient Greek temple.

Take a tour of the Museum of Technology's historic printing presses then learn how to design your own print.

Create a sculpture of an animal using materials from inside your home. 

Science is everywhere - you just need to know where to look. Find out more in this fact-filled film.

Learn amazing facts about orchids and find out how to make your own paper orchid flower in this special film.

Learn how to create your own self-portrait in collage form. 

Learn how to turn an everyday milk carton into a cosy home for our creepy-crawly friends. 

Here the story of how Emperor Hadrian showed his love for Antinous and make your own wreath for someone you love.

Got something you care about? Take inspiration from the passionate suffragists and suffragettes.

Find out more about the significance of the dragon to Chinese people and get making a shadow puppet.

All you need is a view from your window and a bar of soap to make your own Hepworth sculpture.

Did you know that Victorians didn’t wash their clothes regularly? Find out more about this and other unusual facts about the Victorians.

A huge choice of activities for families to look, think and make in response to incredible artworks and artefacts at the Fitzwilliam Museum. 

Learn about the history of Jumping Jack toys and make your own.

Which emperor's statue was thrown into a river in England? Which Roman invaded Britain first? Which emperor loved to sing? Find out in our new activity - all about the Romans who invaded Britain.

In this activity from the Museum of Zoology, learn more about butterflies and make your own butterfly collage.

In this activity from Wisbech and Fenland Museum, make a tiny model of your favourite room.

In this activity from the Whipple Museum, learn how to make a spinning optical illusion model.

In this activity from the Polar Museum, get ready for a polar adventure.

In this activity from the Museum of Cambridge, get some ideas to start your own special collection.

Find out more about Victorian lighting and complete this tricky dot-to-dot puzzle from the Museum of Technology.

Follow craft film that takes inspiration from a 14th century stone carved grotesque from Tydd St. Giles, Cambridgeshire, that is part of the Wisbech and Fenland Museum collection

In this activity from the Sedgwick Museum, find out how to make a decorative sun catcher to hang in a window.

Watch this short film to make your own paper inspired by the Ancient Egyptians.

In this activity from the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, find out more about Bronze Age pottery.

Follow this short tutorial to make your own carved clay scarab beetle.

Have a go at this super-easy craft and make this leopard a new friend.

This simple craft shows you how to make a crocodile out of a clothes peg, mummification is optional!

In this activity from Kettle's Yard, learn how to make your own hanging 3D model. 

In this activity from the Fitzwilliam Museum, make a portrait of someone who is special to you.

In this activity from the Fitzwilliam Museum, discover all sorts of adventure - without leaving home!

Roundels are small circular windows illustrated with glass paint which can be found in older churches and houses. In this activity, learn how to make your own roundel decoration using everyday items.

The natural world is full of different habitats. Find out more about how animals have developed amazing features which have helped them adapt to their environment. 

In this activity from the Museum of Classical Archaeology, find out to make a family portrait using some tips from the Romans!

Become a curator and make your own mini museum.

In this fun activity from the Botanic Garden, learn how to make your own plant based paint. 

 

Stone age people made jewellery out of bits of bone, tooth, tusks, shells and stones. Find out how to make your own out of salt dough. 

Make up your own rhymes and stories with these fun finger puppets.

Moving images are all around us, but they haven't always been. In Victorian times, about 150 years ago, inventors were taking the first steps towards creating moving pictures by making optical illusion toys. 

Learn all about different types of coins including Roman coins, Ely tokens and coins across the world!

In July 1940, the new RAF Hospital in Ely opened! Celebrating its 80th anniversary, we’ve explored the history of the military hospital and have created some fun hospital themed crafts for you to enjoy.

Learn all about the Vikings, including Viking runes and nicknames, and how they made beautiful jewellery such as the amazing Aedwen’s brooch.

Find out more about the castle and have fun with castle-themed crafts.

Learn all about how and why the fens were drained and who opposed the plans too!

Learn more about the history of the gaol and the prisoners that were kept in Ely’s gaol.

We challenge you to create your own City of Ely Sports Day themed race!

Learn all about fossils and enjoy a prehistoric creature themed scavenger hunt & lots of fun activities too!

Enjoy Bronze Age themed activities and crafts!

Learn about rationing and evacuees and have fun making some WW2 inspired crafts.

Make your own eel-inspired crafts, listen to ‘The Eel Fishers‘ song and learn lots of new facts about eels too.

Be inspired by the beautiful Fenland landscape and make your own farming themed crafts. Learn
about traditional farming tools and learn about Fen folklore as you visit the Wise Woman.

Learn about flowers and insects with objects and pictures from the Ely Museum collection and make lots of fun bug and flower themed crafts.

Make your own fearsome Anglo Saxon helmet and beautiful jewelled brooch.

Learn about Roman pottery and how to identify the different types and Roman coins too.

Get up close to Komodo dragons and discover how they could be the key to conserving wild places.

Who was Oliver Cromwell? Find out more with these fun activities.

Investigate some of the coats of arms hiding in our churches then follow a step by step guide to
designing your own.

Find out about gargoyles and grotesques, then fashion your own fearsome face.

Take a closer look at the incredible detail in the stunning stained glass windows at All Saints Church then have a go at creating your own.

Learn how to write code in Python and create a 1982 Tron-like game!

 In this tutorial, we show you how to create your own interactive story or adventure game!

In this activity, we take you through creating a Parachute game using Scratch (the fun coding language!).

Learn how to make scrummy ice-cream without using a freezer or an ice-cream maker!

Celebrate Burwell’s famous mill by making your own rainbow windmill.

Create your own night-time wildlife mobile using our quick guide and tutorial the videos.

Colour in our globe and create some worlds of your own! 

This mammoth can shed its coat in an instant, a great way to keep cool this summer! He doesn't look too happy about it though...

Have you got a bit of a sweet tooth? Love baking? Would like to learn? Would like to try something simple, but also a bit different?  

We are all currently living through history right now. Create a time capsule for your future
self to look back on what life was like during these unusual times.  

Do you miss seeing our amazing pottery at the museum? Create your own version of a pinch
pot at home with air drying clay! All you need is air drying clay and some paints.  

Make some salt dough hanging decorations inspired by your favourite museum
objects.  

Do you miss seeing our fantastic fossils case at the museum? Create your own version at home, but with living Jurassic sea creatures! 

Ancient heroes came in all shapes and sizes. In this activity you will make your own hero inspired by our collection!

Discover the basics of programming using a BBC Microcomputer from 1981.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to write code in Python and create fun geometric patterns using the Python Turtle tool

In this activity, learn more about the fun coding language Scratch create your own a simple chase game.

After a few rounds of this wildflower bingo game you’ll be pointing out wildflowers and shouting out their names wherever you go. Download now, print and play.

Normally found in the krill-rich waters of the Arctic and Antarctic, make your own humpback whale to join your home pod!

We're sorry you can't visit us at the moment. With this video and activity pack, you can make your own museum!

Trick your friends and family by serving up these tasty desserts that look just like plants growing in soil.

Throw a party! Learn about why 21 June is celebrated in Antarctica, and organise your own party.

Make a wonderful wild weaving from plants you find in your garden or out on a walk. 

Have a go at this simple game to test your memory skills and to get to know different plants. Make it easy or super hard – it’s up to you

Grab your felt tips and get busy with these colouring challenges from the Botanic Garden. 

Colour in our friendly calculator and see how many mathematical things you can find around you. 

Find out how to make a mini flower press to start your own collection of pressed flowers.

Even if you don’t have a garden you can still grow plenty of plants on your windowsill. 

Learn about the science of petal colour and use real pigments from plants and special flower tricks to paint like a petal.

Time to form a huddle! Follow our instructions to make a penguin from a square of paper.

In 1910, Frank Debenham set off on an Antarctic adventure. Explore our collections to help him pack!

Producing a newspaper was a polar expedition tradition! Find out more, and make your own report from home.

Entertainment for explorers! Listen to a 200 year old musical instrument, and have a go at making your own music.

Would you like to find out more about the totem pole in the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology? Have a go at making your own totem pole based on the story of your family.

Capture the beauty of leaves by making some dazzling foil art.

Explore a wide range of objects from Antarctica in this short film about clothing in Antarctica.

Make your own fabric narwhal, and learn a few fun facts about the 'unicorn of the sea'.

Find out more about scientists through history - use our three posters to start an exhibition and then create your own! 

Flowers are fantastic!  Not only do they look and smell great but they do one of the most important jobs for plants – flowers make seeds.

Want to get creative? The Discover Arts Award is a great chance to make art, discover artists who inspire you and to share your artwork with family and friends. 

If you've tried any of the activities from this year's Summer with the Museums line-up, let us know what you think for your chance to win a £50 voucher from Amazon!

Art To Go is a video series from Kettle’s Yard bringing easy, creative workshops for all ages and abilities to your own home.

Find out about bee vision and make a special rainbow using the colours bees see. 

Join in with the Pebble Challenge. Explore artworks, objects and ideas from the Kettle’s Yard Collection to create your own art.

Explorers doodling in diaries! Discover some of the secrets of expedition diaries then have a go at making your own.

Fancy more of a challenge than colouring?

This resource is designed to help you Look, Think, and Do inspired by 'The Last of England by Ford Madox Brown. 

An animated story for younger children, featuring some favourite paintings from the Museum's collection. Follow the adventure of the Red Scarf as it floats through different artworks, meeting different characters along the way.

Arrange a seed share and spread a little cheer in your neighbourhood.

Have a go at making your own version of Shadow Play by Bridget Riley. 

A collection of creative activities for families to do at home created by Enni-Kukka Tuomala for Kettle's Yard Open House.

Learn more about Greek Pottery and use one of our templates to design your own inspired by sherds from our collection.

To celebrate our 'Dawn of the Wonderchicken' online exhibition by Daniel Field, learn how you can build a bird.

Go on a wildflower wander with a difference – help others to enjoy the natural treasures that so often go unnoticed by creating tiny signs next to them.

Ever wanted to design your own garden?  Well here’s your chance!  Have a go at this activity and create a miniature paradise for one of your toys.

Learn about flowers and pollination and create your own super flower.

Delve in and discover more about this exciting recent archaeological find. This resource will guide you through three activities to Look closely, Think deeper and Do something practical.

Shine a light on this Islamic mosque lamp from the Fitzwilliam Museum Collections. 

Too sunny? Make a dinosaur visor to keep you cool.

Get creative with some colouring and find out which dinosaurs lived in Cambridge

Based on the hit adventure book Hidden Tales: Riddle of the White Sphinx, discover plenty of fun things to do while at home and a treasure hunt to look forward to when the museums reopen. 

Colour in our microscope and find and draw other things in your home which use the science of glass and lenses. 

Time to hop to it! Follow a video to make your own jumping frog from a square of paper.

Explore a wide range of objects from Antarctica in this short film about science in Antarctica.

Gather some paper and colours to take part in a Springtime colour hunt inspired by Monet's Springtime. 

Make your own dinosaur feet to wear over your shoes. It will be roarsome. 

Take a look out of your window. What can you see? A bird in the tree over the road? A butterfly fluttering past, dancing from flower to flower? Now you can turn your wildlife sightings into points with Open Your Window Bingo!

We all love rainbows! Here's a quick rainbow painting by Nathan Huxtable that you can try at home.