Fun activities wherever you are

Whether you are looking for a great day out or fun activities to do at home, Summer with the Museums has it all. This year, museums in Cambridge and beyond are offering a range of events, activities, trails and resources both in-person and online. So whatever the weather and wherever you are, you can still enjoy some museum-themed fun. 

Set out on a twilight bat patrol, learn how to identify fossils, find out about some amazing women scientists or discover what it was like to be a Civil War soldier. With over 28 museums and collections involved, there are loads of activities and events for you to choose from – many of which are low cost or free. 

Start planning your summer adventures here, and check out Facebook and Twitter for updates.

A huge thank you to Dhakshayani 5 yrs, Freya 6 yrs, Hanae 4 yrs, Haruki 8 yrs, Izzy 8 yrs, Lydia 8 yrs, Mattia 6 yrs, Micah 5 yrs, Naomi 8 yrs, and Stephen 6 yrs from the Children and Young People’s Participation Service online ‘Draw it with ChYpPS’ group for creating the artwork for this year's programme.

Tell us what you think

Feedback from families is essential in helping us improve our offer. If you've tried any of this year's summer events and activities, we'd love to know what you think. Take part in our Summer with the Museums survey for your chance to win a £50 voucher from Amazon!! 
Full terms and conditions can be found here.

Museum of Cambridge
31/07/2021
-

Make your very own spell bottle and learn about the history of witches and witchcraft in the fens.

University 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?

Museum of Cambridge

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

Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
29/08/2021
-
Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
26/08/2021
-

Learn about 1940s life with special displays, trails and activities.

 

Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
19/08/2021
-

Visit the Museum for a special Tudor trail and related art and craft activities. 

Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
12/08/2021
-

Learn all about medieval crafts and weaponry - and maybe watch a battle or two!

Museum of Classical Archaeology
28/07/2021
-

Join artist Susie Olczak for an arts and crafts workshop inspired by Ancient Greek and Roman statues.

Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
07/08/2021
-

Visit the museum for a day of music, dancing and games. 

Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
05/08/2021
-

Visit the Farmland Museum for traditional games and a teddy bear's picnic. 

Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
29/07/2021
-

Follow the story of Fenland Farming from past to present with a special trail and activities.

Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
22/07/2021
-

Follow the archaeological trail and try your hand at some archaeological arts and crafts.

Museum of Cambridge
31/07/2021

Pick up an activity guide and explore the folklore at the Museum of Cambridge through fun games and challenges.

The Polar Museum
31/07/2021
-

Join us at the Polar Museum for our family friendly opening days during the summer holidays. These days are bookable specifically for children and their carers.

Great St Mary's Church
04/08/2021
-

Complete the Noah’s Ark trail and try out some related activities.

Great St Mary's Church
28/07/2021
-

Complete the special trail and try building your own tower.

Stained Glass Museum
17/08/2021
-

A family-friendly glass fusing activity where everyone gets to take part.

Stained Glass Museum
17/08/2021
-

Learn how to cut glass and make your own kiln-fired artwork.

Stained Glass Museum
10/08/2021
-

 Fun storytelling and craft sessions for children aged 3 - 6 years.

Stained Glass Museum
03/08/2021
-

Fun storytelling and craft sessions for children aged 3 - 6 years.

Stained Glass Museum
27/07/2021
-

Fun storytelling and craft sessions for children aged 3 - 6 years.

Stained Glass Museum
27/07/2021
-

Drop-in to the Museum for special holiday trails and crafts. 

David Parr House

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

Ely Museum
26/08/2021
-

Join Ely Museum for a fun drop-in prehistory themed craft session. With lots of fun crafts to try and real museum objects to handle, there is plenty to enjoy.

Ely Museum
19/08/2021
-

Join Ely Museum for a fun drop-in Roman themed craft session. With lots of fun crafts to try and real museum objects to handle, there is plenty to enjoy.

The Cromwell Museum
25/08/2021
-

Discover how  people in the 17th century wrote letters and books and have a go yourself. 

 

The Fitzwilliam Museum
16/08/2021
-

A special event at the Fitzwilliam Museum aimed at children with special educational needs who usually find visiting museums overwhelming due to conditions that affect their sensory processing and/or have a developmental disability. 

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
12/08/2021
-

A special event at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology aimed at children with special educational needs who usually find visiting museums overwhelming due to conditions that affect their sensory processing and/or have a developmental disability. 

Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
03/08/2021
-

A special event at the Sedgwick Museum aimed at children with special educational needs who usually find visiting museums overwhelming due to conditions that affect their sensory processing and/or have a developmental disability. 

Kettle's Yard
01/08/2021
-

Join us in St Peter’s Churchyard for free, practical art making activities. Be inspired by Kettle’s Yard and make your own artworks. Pick up one of our family art activity packs and get creative with our artists. You can collect your materials to make outside at Kettle’s Yard or take them home with you.

Cambridge University Botanic Garden 
20/08/2021
- , -

A special workshop for 2-5 year olds inspired by the book 'Too Much Stuff', a comical tale about the perils of wanting too many things.

Cambridge University Botanic Garden 
20/08/2021
-

A special morning event for families.

Join experts to find out what has been caught in the Garden's moth trap the night before.

 

 

Cambridge University Botanic Garden 
26/08/2021
-

Join a twilight ramble through the Botanic Garden and learn about the fascinating world of bats.

Cambridge University Botanic Garden 
19/08/2021
-

Join a twilight ramble through the Botanic Garden and learn about the fascinating world of bats.

Centre for Computing History
25/08/2021
-

Fancy sinking your (blue)teeth into a bit of electronics tinkering? Make your own Bluetooth speaker to hook up to a phone or other Bluetooth device. 

The Fitzwilliam Museum
27/07/2021
-

This year, Family Art Week is themed around the senses, inspired by our temporary exhibitions: The Human Touch and Scent from Nature. We will have free art activities on the lawn between Tues 27th July and Friday 30 July. 

The event is unfortunately SOLD OUT, however, we have online activities through our website here.

 

The Fitzwilliam Museum
03/08/2021
-

Are you 11-14 years old? Have you been missing the opportunity to get creative with others and take inspiration from amazing art works and objects?

Join us at the Fitz: Tuesday 3 August - Friday 6 August for 4 days packed with creative activities to earn your Bronze Arts Award!

Ely Museum
12/08/2021
-

Join Ely Museum for a fun drop-in Dinosaur themed craft session. With lots of fun crafts to try and real museum objects to handle, there is plenty to enjoy.
 

The Cromwell Museum
18/08/2021
-

Discover what types of herbs the Cromwells used to make their food taste yummy, and to make their home and selves smell good.

The Cromwell Museum
11/08/2021
-

A hands-on portrait drawing session with Peterborough artist, Tony Nero.

The Cromwell Museum
04/08/2021
-

Do you have what it takes to join the New Modelled Army, and fight for Parliament? Join this workshop to make your own equipment, meet real Civil War soldiers, and receive your training certification, signed by Oliver Cromwell!

Museum of Classical Archaeology

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!

Museum of Classical Archaeology

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.

 

 

The Fitzwilliam Museum
14/07/2021
-

Some cows have had a moo-vellous morning at the Fitz. But, they have become separated and need to return to their field before the farmer gets worried. Can you find and tick off these cows from around The Moo-seum?

Download or print off this activity. Or pick up a copy from our Museum Reception. 

The Fitzwilliam Museum
07/08/2021
-

Join us for our free Family First Saturday at the Museum (14.00 until 16.00). This month activities are based on the theme of flowers. To ensure the safety of our visitors, number restrictions will apply and you will need to book a ticket for all family members in advance.

Wisbech and Fenland Museum
24/08/2021
-

Join the team from Wisbech & Fenland Museum for drop-in activities on the theme of Romans.

Wisbech and Fenland Museum
10/08/2021
-

Join the team from Wisbech & Fenland Museum for drop-in activities on the Stone and Iron Ages.

University Library

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. 

Wisbech and Fenland Museum
27/07/2021
-

Join the team from Wisbech & Fenland Museum for drop-in activities on the theme of fossils.

Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
26/08/2021

How to find fossils in flint gravel. Did you know flint has a story to tell of 90 million years from a warm sea to the last ice age?

Centre for Computing History
19/08/2021
-

Discover the extraordinary advances made in technology over 50 years of computing history.

Centre for Computing History
14/08/2021
-

Python is everywhere! Join this workshop to learn the fundamentals of coding before making a game.  

Centre for Computing History
12/08/2021
-

Create your own personal fitness gadget at this coding workshop.

Centre for Computing History
11/08/2021
-

A day-long event of friendly competition with other young game designers.

Centre for Computing History
07/08/2021
-

Join this Scratch workshop to recreate Atari's 1980 arcade game Missile Command.

Centre for Computing History
06/08/2021
-

Come down to the Centre for Computing History to test your mettle on Mario Kart 8.

Centre for Computing History
05/08/2021
-

Come and find out how a computer can be programmed by a strip of paper, and learn about the history of computers and how they have radically transformed our lives.  

Centre for Computing History
05/08/2021
-

Learn how to build and program with the Raspberry Pi Pico.

Centre for Computing History
04/08/2021
-

Join this workshop to learn some fundamentals of coding before making your own game. 

Centre for Computing History
28/07/2021
-

Join this Scratch workshop to recreate Atari's 1980 arcade game Missile Command.

Centre for Computing History
30/07/2021
-

Enjoy this 30-minute museum tour and explore the history of video games.

Centre for Computing History
18/08/2021
-

Learn how to develop your own interactive story using the TWINE scripting tool.

Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
23/07/2021

Can you spot our colourful dinosaurs hidden around the museum?

Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
09/08/2021

Craft at home and wear to the museum!

The National Horseracing Museum
24/07/2021
-

Have you ever wondered how you make and fit a horseshoe? Come and see farrier Gavin Moody's shoeing demonstration at the museum.

The National Horseracing Museum
23/07/2021
-

Enjoy a range of summer activities and outdoor fun at the National Horseracing Museum

Norris Museum
25/08/2021
- , - , -

Join storyteller Marion Leper for stories based on the world around us.

Norris Museum
11/08/2021
- , -

A sensory play activity for under fives

Norris Museum
16/08/2021
- , -

A bookable workshop where you can design and make your own clay tile.

Norris Museum
02/08/2021
- , -

A bookable workshop where you can design and make your own clay tile.

Norris Museum
31/07/2021
-

Complete a gallery trail each week to earn stickers for your summer sticker book, plus drop-in to the Museum for themed crafts each Friday.

Churches Conservation Trust - All Saints Church

Try making your own weather vane with this downloadable activity. 

Burwell Museum and Windmill
29/07/2021
-

Visit the Museum every Thursday to create your own artworks based on objects in the museum's collections

 

Whipple Museum of the History of Science
02/08/2021
-

Find out more about the amazing women behind some of the objects in the Whipple Museum's collection! Follow the museum trail at any time when the museum is open or come on a Monday afternoon to take part in practical activities based on a different woman each week. Booking essential.

 

Ely Museum
05/08/2021
-

Join Ely Museum for a fun drop-in Fenland themed craft session. With lots of fun crafts to try and real museum objects to handle, there is plenty to enjoy.

Museum of Zoology
05/08/2021
-

Join us in creating a Protest Plastic salt-dough sculpture together and hear from marine experts to help design your message.

Museum of Zoology
19/07/2021

Go on safari in Cambridge’s green spaces to discover the plants and animals that live in these city centre wildlife havens.

Cambridge Museum of Technology
23/08/2021
- , -

Find out about, and have a go at different types of printing. Create a masterpiece to take home with you.

Cambridge Museum of Technology
16/08/2021
- , -

Find out about, and have a go at different types of printing. Create a masterpiece to take home with you.

Cambridge Museum of Technology
09/08/2021
- , -

Find out about, and have a go at different types of printing. Create a masterpiece to take home with you.

Cambridge Museum of Technology
24/08/2021
-

Join this artist-led workshop where you will be able create an art work using the Lights of Fantasy Flying Machine. 

Cambridge Museum of Technology
17/08/2021
-

Join this artist-led workshop where you will be able create an art work using the Lights of Fantasy Flying Machine. 

Whipple Museum of the History of Science
16/08/2021
-

Find out more about the amazing women behind some of the objects in the Whipple Museum's collection! Follow the museum trail at any time when the museum is open or come on a Monday afternoon to take part in practical activities based on a different woman each week. Booking essential.

Whipple Museum of the History of Science
09/08/2021
-

Find out more about the amazing women behind some of the objects in the Whipple Museum's collection! Follow the museum trail at any time when the museum is open or come on a Monday afternoon to take part in practical activities based on a different woman each week. Booking essential.

Chatteris Museum
03/07/2021
-

Twenty mice have escaped from Larratts Mill and are hiding in the museum. Can you follow the trail and find them all?

Cambridge University Botanic Garden 
10/07/2021

Uncover the hidden stories of the Garden on this new trail for summer 2021

Whipple Museum of the History of Science
26/07/2021
-

Find out more about the amazing women behind some of the objects in the Whipple Museum's collection! Follow the museum trail at any time when the museum is open or come on a Monday afternoon to take part in practical activities based on a different woman each week. Booking essential.

Saffron Walden Museum
26/08/2021
-

Join Saffron Walden Museum in their grounds near the newly opened Walden Castle for some fun crafting activities. 

Saffron Walden Museum
19/08/2021
-

Join Saffron Walden Museum in their grounds near the newly opened Walden Castle for some fun crafting activities. 

Museum of Zoology
19/07/2021

If you want to have a go recording butterfly behaviours for yourself why not take part in our Zoology Live Butterfly Challenge.

Saffron Walden Museum
12/08/2021
-

Join Saffron Walden Museum in their grounds near the newly opened Walden Castle for some fun crafting activities. 

Museum of Zoology
19/07/2021

This year for Zoology Live, we are challenging you to take part in a Protest Plastics challenge. There's a few ways to get involved, from creating a Protest Plastics sculpture to pledging to swap a plastic item.

Museum of Zoology
19/07/2021

Join us for our Cowpats about Cambridge summer challenge and discover what creatures live inside a pile of dung.

Saffron Walden Museum
05/08/2021
-

Join Saffron Walden Museum in their grounds near the newly opened Walden Castle for some fun crafting activities. 

Saffron Walden Museum
29/07/2021
-

Join Saffron Walden Museum in their grounds near the newly opened Walden Castle for some fun crafting activities.

Centre for Computing History
27/08/2021
-

Visit the Centre for Computing History and test your mettle on Mario Kart 8 on the WiiU.

Centre for Computing History
20/08/2021
-