Southampton’s summer line-up is perfect for inquisitive kids who like some hands-on fun

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 https://www.tudorhouseandgarden.com, there’s a series of interactive and guided workshops for children and their families throughout the summer.

Southampton City Art Gallery

Free Art at the Southampton City Art Gallery including workshops, talks and tours for adults, groups and children throughout the summer

Located in Guildhall Square, known as the city’s Cultural Quarter, the Southampton City Art Gallery has one of the finest art collections in the south of England and it’s all available for free. Housed in a 1930s architectural marvel, its 5000 works span eight centuries and include Gainsborough, Turner, Renoir, Monet as well as contemporary pieces by Antony Gormley and Lucien Freud. This summer and running until 30 September, in association with London’s National Portrait Gallery, the venue is hosting Creative Connections Southampton to explore and celebrate people whose stories are linked to Southampton. Free arts and history workshops, talks and tours for all ages will run alongside this exhibition. See here…

In addition to the Creative Connections Exhibitions, the gallery will be running other hands-on art workshops. Running up to three times a day and varying in length between one and two hours, highlights include creating Clay Busts on 24-25th July (£8), making Summer Sun Catchers on 26-27th July (£8); a Wire Face workshop (£8) on 31st July and 1st August and Tie Die Beach Bags on 7-8th August (£9), Other options with several date alternatives include fireworks and lavender bouquet creations, portrait painting masterclasses, working with wax workshops and several print making sessions. For more information on all the events and to book visit: www.southamptoncityartgallery.com

Sea City Museum

Getting touchy-feely with history plus Titanic workshops and free walking tours at the SeaCity Museum

The SeaCity Museum charts Southampton’s maritime history with a series of fun interactive exhibits including the fascinating Titanic Story. As part of its summer programme, the attraction is offering a series of expert-led sessions enabling children to touch history and get creative. For those fascinated by the Titanic, the activity and story-led Titanic Workshop (£6.50) on 2 August offers 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. Other sessions, which run several times a day throughout the school holidays, include everything from exploring the world of ancient knights to recreating Saxon treasures (prices from £8). For more information about all the summer events and to book, visit www.seacitymuseum.co.uk

Tudor House & Gardens

Walks, talks, arts and crafts, plus Harry Potter Wizardry at the Tudor House & Gardens

The resident historians at Southampton’s Tudor House & Gardens will be keeping kids busy this summer with a packed programme, including a special summer fete open day with activities, crafts and talks throughout the day on 29th July (£2.50). For Harry Potter fans, there are a series of magic related events; while those with a lust for history will love the Tudor focused Off With Their Heads (26th July), the Great Fire of London workshop (16th August) and the WW2 Science session. The summer programme also ventures beyond the building’s 800-year-old walls on a series of 90-minute family focused walking tours that explore the hidden histories of the city’s old town from the Medieval vaults to the story of the city’s connection with the Titanic and living through the Blitz. Session prices from £7. For more information www.tudorhouseandgarden.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. www.room2.com

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