Southampton’s summer line-up is perfect for inquisitive kids

From exploring Southampton’s fascinating maritime connections at the SeaCity Museum to art adventures at Southampton City Art Gallery and a peek into the past at Tudor House and Garden, there’s a series of interactive and guided workshops for children and their families throughout the summer.

SEA CITY MUSEUM

Titanic Workshops and Guided Exhibition Tours throughout August
Led by a member of the SeaCity team, the activity and story-led Titanic Workshops (£6 per child, accompanying adults free) offer an alternative take on the doomed vessel. Participants can learn all about the vessel and those who sailed her (much of the crew came from Southampton), plus try their hand at Morse Code, handle objects from ocean liners and take part in experiments – from sinking the Titanic to seeing how icebergs float. Running three times a day at 10.30am, 12pm and 1.30pm, the 1-hour long sessions take place from 2-5th August.

In keeping with the theme, there will also be child-friendly Guided Titanic Exhibition Tours (£6 per person) for a more in-depth and interactive look at the museum’s permanent display. Taking place on 3,5,12,19 and 26th August, the 1-hour sessions at 10.30am midday and 2pm. There is also a free to download self-guided Titanic walk from the museum and around the city which retraces the city’s connections to the ship. For more information and to book tickets http://www.seacitymuseum.co.uk

Make a Football Scarf for Free and learn all about the past 100 years of women’s football 6th August
As part of the UEFA Women’s Euros 2022, SeaCity has a new exhibition which celebrates some of the stories covering the past 100 years of women’s football. As part of this heritage, on 6 August, fans of the game can learn all about the successes of Southampton’s own Women’s FC while Making a Football Scarf and creating a logo for their own draw string bag. The free hour-long workshops run at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. For more information and to book tickets http://www.seacitymuseum.co.uk

Tote Bags, Merpeople and Egyptian junk models at the August art days
Ideal for children aged 7 years and above, on 12 August there will be a printmaking workshop enabling children and their accompanying adult to get crafty and Make a Personalised Tote Bag (£8 per person). More artist fun is scheduled for 13 August for an Atlantis inspired Sculpting session in which aged 6 years+ can make their own merperson (£8 per person). While on 26th August there’s an Egyptian inspired junk modelling session (£8 per child accompanying adults free). Each art day comprises three 75-minute sessions available at 10.30am, 1.30pm and 3.15pm.

TUDOR HOUSE & GARDENS

Walks and Talks from Pirates, Plunder & Plague to the Blitz throughout August
The resident historians at Southampton’s Tudor House & Gardens will be venturing beyond the building’s 800-year-old walls this summer on a series of family focused walking tours that explores the hidden histories of the city’s old town. Each 90-minute tour provides a peek into vaults, and the chance to scale the town’s ancient walls while discovering tales covering pirates, plunder, plague and villainy as well as the Titanic and the Blitz. Departing 11am and 2pm each tour costs £6 per person or £24 for families of up to five. For tickets or for more information about the Tudor House and Gardens http://www.tudorhouseandgarden.com

From pirates and fairies to wizard school, creative art workshops at Tudor House & Gardens offer a touch of magic throughout the summer
Families can create all sorts of creative magic this summer at Tudor House & Gardens themed workshops. Hands-on tutored art sessions include on 10th August Pirate Puppet making (£7 per child) 17th August Fairy and Elf House Making (£7 per child) with Wizard School on 23rd and 24th August (£6 per child). With two to three group sessions daily at 10.30pm, midday and 1.30pm, each tutored creative workshop takes between 60 to 90 minutes and must be pre-booked. Accompanying adults also need to book but are free. For more information on all the events and to book http://www.tudorhouseandgarden.com

Practical history from the Tudor tyrants and the Great Fire to medieval castle life and WWII spy science
Also, on at Tudor House this summer and perfect for history buffs are a series of family workshops comprising practical experiments, craft and historical fact finding. Topics include time travelling firefighters and a peep into the world of Pepys at the Fire of London workshop on 2nd August; designing gas masks and joining the special operations team to decipher wartime messages in WWII Spies & Ciphers on 11th August; making a Tudor monarch clay head and hearing all about life at home and court for the terrible Tudors in Off with their Heads on 18th August times, plus creating catapults and understanding castle life in Castles and Catapults on 22nd August. Each 90-minute session is full of hands-on fun and fascinating facts. Best suited to 6–13-year-olds, sessions start at 10.30am or 1pm and cost £8 per child (accompanying adult free). For tickets and more information about the Tudor House and Gardens http://www.tudorhouseandgarden.com

SOUTHAMPTON CITY ART GALLERY

A summer of creativity at Southampton City Art Gallery’s Family Art Workshops throughout August
As well as checking out one of the finest art collections in the south of England, families heading to Southampton City Art Gallery this summer will have chance to join a series of art workshops. With two to three group sessions daily, the tutored creative workshop vary in length between one and two hours and must be pre-booked. Highlights include Playing with Tie Dye on 2 August (£9 per person), Making a Miniature Art Gallery on 2nd August (£8.50 per child, accompanying adults free); Sculpting with Scrap (a workshop influenced by the gallery’s new Lisa Traxler’s Time Traveller Exhibition) on 3rd August (£7.50 per child, adults free). Other options with several date alternatives include getting creative with clay, making suncatchers and lanterns, Minion themed moneyboxes and several print making sessions. For more information on all the events and to book visit: http://www.southamptoncityartgallery.com

STAY:

Room2: A heavenly self-catering hometel, www.room2.com is ideally located beside quiet and leafy Queens Park yet close to the marina and buzzy Oxford street – lined with restaurants and bars. Stylishly decorated, each room has an en suite shower room, fully equipped kitchenette, dishwasher, dining table, sofa, TV plus onsite laundry, bar and café area. Stays are for 24 hours with check in and check out at 2pm. Sleeping four, the L Loft is an ideal family space with prices from £147.50 per night during August. http://www.room2.com

For news and inspiration about what’s on and what to do in the city http://www.visitsouthampton.co.uk