Museum Mum picks: February 2020

I’m delighted to see the back of January, even though February will be a tough month too. My younger brother died unexpectedly, and the funeral takes place next week. My days out with the family and kindness of my followers have been such a comfort that it’s a welcome distraction to work on this guide. And there’s no shortage of things to put in it – indeed, there is so much to do over February 2020 half term that I’ll cover it in a separate post. And on a cheerier note, we have a house swap to Lapland so I’m looking forward to some snow-filled magic moments with the family. If you want to see what we get up to, I’ll be regularly updating my stories and feed on Instagram.

 

Here’s my pick of the most promising cultural things to do in London with kids this February 2020:

Mark the Birthday of Trees at Jewish Museum‘s Tu b’Shevat Family Day. Make colourful clay fruit, design a stained glass leaf, decorate a pot and plant a seed, or take a tree themed scavenger hunt through the galleries. 2 February 2020, paid.

Explore the rich stories and history of Marble Hill House and park through messy play, arts and crafts and games at their Family Heritage Day, in partnership with the Marble Hill Play Centre. 2 February 2020, FREE.

Finally – an art exhibition which encourages you to touch! Step into life-size reproductions of Van Gogh’s paintings, and learn more about his extraordinary life at the award-winning exhibition Meet Vincent van Gogh Experience at the Southbank. 7 February – 21 May 2020, paid, booking recommended.

Ring in the Year of the Rat at Museum of London Dockland‘s Chinese New Year Family Festival. The packed schedule includes performances, martial arts demonstrations, creative workshops and much more. 8 and 9 February 2020, FREE (with some paid activities).

Two new exhibitions open at family stalwarts on 15 February 2020: Fairy Tales at Discover Children’s Story Centre and Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs at Horniman Museum. We’ve enjoyed numerous visits to both over the years with the kids so looking forward to seeing both after our holiday. Paid, booking recommended.

Celebrate LGBT+ history month at the National Maritime Museum‘s Out at Sea Family Day, including deep sea drag queen dancing and performances by Pink Singers Choir (22 February 2020). Plus there’s drag queen story time and Bowie-inspired dressing up at National Portrait Gallery‘s Rainbow Family Day (20 February 2020). FREE.

Hear Michael Rosen read his most rebellious writings and learn to draw your own scary monster with Nadia Shireen, author of Billy and the Beast at British Library‘s Family Day: Young Rebels. Plus drop-in storytelling, puppet making, den building and playful sculptures. Friday 21 Feb 2020, FREE, booking required.

Enjoy art activities, handling collections and trails, inspired by the people and animals who call the Royal Mews home at their Hooves and Horses Family Day. 29 February 2020, paid.

 

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What are you most looking forward to this February? Comment below, or come tell me over on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. I absolutely love hearing what you get up. 

 

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