Lego, the Titanic and Spitfires at Southampton’s SeaCity Museum this April

The interactive SeaCity museum, which tells the story of Southampton’s historic connections to the sea – in particular its links with the Titanic – is action packed this Easter.

There’s a LEGO take over the weekend of 1-2 April offering visitors an up-close look at the spectacularly intricate LEGO Titanic model (gifted to the museum by the famous Danish toy company), and a series of brick related activities from a mini-egg brick hunt, new LEGO displays, workshops, craft activities and special tours by costumed guides. While on 6th and 14th April throughout the day, the museum’s talented education team will bring to life the stories behind the doomed liner with the chance to try Morse Code, handle objects from ocean liners, sink the Titanic and see how an iceberg floats at the Discover the Titanic family workshops (from £6pp).

Looking above the water, on 13th April the Soaring Spitfires family workshops will explore the story of the most famous WW2 fighter plane with the chance to create a pump rocket plane using junk modelling kit (£8pp). Plus, families can also get out and about and make the most of the free to download self-guided Titanic Trail. This 75-minute walking tour with accompanying map features key locations in and around the city and port providing a fascinating backstory to the ship, its passengers and crew. https://seacitymuseum.co.uk

Get arty this Easter at Southampton City Art Gallery

As well as checking out one of the finest art collections in the south of England for free, families heading to Southampton City Art Gallery this Easter can hone their own creative skills. Highlights include a Springtime lantern collage workshop on 5th April (£6 per child, accompanying adult free); while appealing to fans of Channel 4’s Great Pottery Throwdown, there are three family-friendly clay-themed workshops. On 4th April there’s a Moongazing Clay Hare using terracotta clay, some clucking fun at the Spring Chickens clay workshop on 13th April and on the 14th April a creative Clay Tile Spring Scene session. Led by local artist Debra March, the 90-minute sessions run across several time slots throughout the day. £7.50 per child with accompanying adults free. For more information and to book https://southamptoncityartgallery.com/

Spies, art and hidden histories at Southampton’s Tudor House and Gardens

Packed with 800 years of history, at Southampton’s Tudor House & Gardens this Easter there’s plenty of hidden history tales to explore – with some spring themed print-pressing art thrown in!

WW2 Spies and Ciphers on 4th April, assigns children to the role of wartime spies, with code-breaking, gas mask making and a look at Southampton’s role during the Second World War explored (£8pp). On the 5th April the activities head into the historic house’s walled garden with an art inspired workshop that explores the art of the press-print at the Trio of Spring Prints workshop (£7.50pp), with more print-pressing but with an Easter bunny theme on 6th April in the Easter block-carving session (£7.50pp). While for some history-inspired adventuring there are also some family friendly guided walks over the Easter holidays too with a ‘Hidden Hartumn’ tour on 5th April and Titanic tour on 12th April. For more information https://tudorhouseandgarden.com