We are bringing Twilight to you!

Held every February half-term, Twilight at the Museums is traditionally a time when our local museums open their doors to families for an evening of torch-lit exploration. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, we might not be able to welcome you in person but you can still enjoy some Twilight fun.

Inspired by museum collections, this page has loads of twilight-themed activities, games and videos for you to enjoy. Whether it's getting outside and trying your hand at a bit of stargazing, or staying warm and having a go making shadow puppets, you'll find plenty to brighten up the long, dark evenings.

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Twilight at Home banner image showing houses in silhouette and a torch logo
Twilight at Home: Roman Oil Lamps
Museum of Classical Archaeology

Try spending an evening like the Ancient Romans during winter.

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Twilight at Home banner image showing houses in silhouette and a torch logo
Twilight at Home: Knight at the Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum

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

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Twilight at Home banner image showing houses in silhouette and a torch logo
Twilight at Home: Through the Eyes of a Spider
Kettle's Yard

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

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Twilight at Home banner image showing houses in silhouette and a torch logo
Twilight at Home: Whose Light is Best?
University Library

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

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Twilight at Home banner image showing houses in silhouette and a torch logo
Twilight at Home: Stone Age to Iron Age
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

A fun, prehistoric-themed word search.

 

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Twilight at Home banner image showing houses in silhouette and a torch logo
Twilight at Home: Make your own Northern Lights
The Polar Museum

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

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twilight starfish banner
Twilight at Home: Make your own Starfish
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences

Have fun using salt dough to make your own starfish.

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Twilight at Home banner image showing houses in silhouette and a torch logo
Twilight at Home: Shadow Rats
Cambridge Museum of Technology

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

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Twilight at Home banner image showing houses in silhouette and a torch logo
Twilight at Home: Stargazing
Whipple Museum of the History of Science

Get outside and discover the stars above!

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Twilight at Home banner image showing houses in silhouette and a torch logo
Twilight at Home: Anglerfish of the Deep
Museum of Zoology

Create your own Anglerfish mask 

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Twilight at Home banner image showing houses in silhouette and a torch logo
Twilight at Home: Make a Night-blooming Water Lily
Cambridge University Botanic Garden 

Make your own wonderful water lily that blossoms on water.

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Image of world globe depicting animals
Twilight at Home: Look, Copy, Make from the Whipple Museum
Whipple Museum of the History of Science

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. 

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The Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey in twilight
Twilight at Home: Make and Owl Mask and Constellation Decorations
Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey

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

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Bronze Age beaker with decorative marks
Twilight at Home: Look, Copy, Make from the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

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.

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Screen shot from Rex Runner showing T-rex pixelated graphic and error message
Rex Runner - The 'broken' Internet game
Centre for Computing History

Learn how to code the 'broken' Internet T-Rex game using Scratch

Ages 9 - 11

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Image of wren standing on garden fence with beak open in song
Exploring morning birdsong
Museum of Zoology

The early morning is one of the best times to spot wildlife. Set your alarm and wake-up with the Museum of Zoology to listen out for birdsong and spot local wildlife. 

Ages 6+

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Silhouette of a man with a microphone against a background of the planet Earth
Climate Change Karaoke
The Polar Museum

Join the Polar Museum for a sing-a-long which will help you learn more about climate change.

Ages 7+

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Image of red rocket with 2 white fuel packs
Epic Space: the James Webb Telescope
Cambridge Science Centre

The James Webb telescope is huge, so how does it get into space? Make your own model to find out.

Ages 7+

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black and white photos of three men and two women wearing 19th century clothing
Ghostly characters at the Sedgwick Museum
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences

See strange goings on - captured on film for the first time ever - when has closed for the night.

All ages

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Illustration of a grey mouse
Twilight Visitors
Cambridge Museum of Technology

Discover the animal visitors who visit the Museum at night.

Ages 5 - 7

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Illustrated image of night and day with a micro:bit in the middle
Wake Up with the micro:bit
Centre for Computing History

Learn how to code the micro:bit to become a wake-up alarm.

Ages 8 - 12

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Logo for Sunrise Stories
Twilight at Home: Sunrise Stories
Stained Glass Museum

Why save the fun for the evening? Grab some breakfast, get comfy and enjoy a morning story with the Stained Glass Museum.

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Glass jar reflecting light
Twilight at Home: Make a Constellation Jar
Stained Glass Museum

Learn how to turn an old jar into a magical starry night. 

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2 decorative woollen stars
Twilight at Home: Make a Hanging Star
Norris Museum

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

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Homemade Rainbow Spinner
Twilight at Home: Make a Rainbow Spinner
Cambridge Science Centre

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

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Homemade constellation viewer
Twilight at Home: Make a Constellation Viewer
Cambridge Science Centre

Use everyday items to make your own constellation viewer.

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Yellow, pink and red decorative paper star
Twilight at Home: Make a Twilight Star
Great St Mary's Church

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

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Silhouette of a gargoyle
Twilight at Home: Scary Silhouettes and Grinning Gargoyles
Churches Conservation Trust - All Saints Church

Try your hand at sketching a gruesome gargoyle.

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Cartoon image showing a rocket and handheld games console
Twilight at Home: micro:bit Space Explorer
Centre for Computing History

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

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Pixellated image of a solar system
Twilight at Home: Make an 8-Bit Solar System
Centre for Computing History

Make an interactive 8-bit solar system using Scratch.

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White silhouette of wolf and owl with moon
Twilight at Home: Treasure Hunt in the Twilight
Museum of Cambridge

Play a fun finding game using paper and torches.

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