Half term activities at Imperial War Museum North
Uncover the secrets of the deep this October half term at Imperial War Museum North in Manchester. Get hands on and discover the truth about submarines, U-Boats and the hidden life of sailors below the waves. Join in a range of family activities, including a new Sub-Club.
Take a look under the surface of life at sea with new activities timed to coincide with the special exhibition All Aboard: Stories of War at Sea. Imagine spying on the enemy from the hidden depths of the ocean with the special Up Periscope workshop in the Learning Studio – new for half term – on Sat 30 and Sun 31 October 2010. Make your own periscope to take home and keep, perfect for watching the world from behind the sofa!
See live theatrical performances in the Museum’s Main Exhibition Space every day at 11.15am, 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2.15pm and 3.15pm. Hear the tale of a pioneering submariner character from the First World War in one of the family friendly What a Performance sessions.
Visit the special exhibition, All Aboard: Stories of War at Sea, to test your eyes at the family friendly Periscope Challenge. Race against the clock to see how many enemy ships you can spot. Then learn why a submarine would deliberately let in seawater by manning the exhibition’s unique model submarine interactive. Can you make it sink below the surface?
All Aboard: Stories of War at Sea is the Imperial War Museum’s first ever large-scale exhibition to look at life at sea in wartime. The free exhibition reveals stories of bravery and adventure at sea, from 1914 to the present day. It contains many objects on public display for the first time as well as a variety of interactive activities for families.
Feeling creative? There will be lots more brand new maritime themed activities in the Learning Studio every day during half term, from 1-4pm, where families can make crafts to take home as a souvenir of their fun day. Learn sailor skills like the art of knot-tying and make your own knotted keyring. Ask yourself what you would take away to sea in the Treasure Chests activity and decorate your own treasure chest ‘ditty’ box. You can also decorate a splash bag with creatures from the sea.
The Sub-Club activities coincide with a new In The Spotlight display, Charles Fryatt: a British Seaman’s Story. 95 years after the then famous British First World War hero attempted to ram a German U-boat with his merchant ship - and was later killed for his lifesaving actions - he is remembered by this small but powerful new display in the Museum’s Main Exhibition Space.
Jim Forrester, Imperial War Museum North Director, said: "If you’ve not yet caught our special exhibition, All Aboard: Stories of War at Sea, now is your chance to come and discover more, with a fresh look at life underneath the waves during wartime. The half term Sub-Club is not to be missed."
To find out more, visit: iwm.org.uk/north
SPECIAL HALF TERM ACTIVITIES – NEW FOR OCTOBER:
Get Knotted
Learn the art of decorative and practical knotting just like a real sailor. Then use your knotting skills to create your own keyring to take home and keep.
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 October, Time: 1pm to 4pm - Drop in at any time, Learning Studio.
Watery Weavers
While at sea, sailors would be expected to do their own sewing and they were all issued with ‘ditty bags’ to keep their sewing kit in. Get you hands on a genuine Second World War ‘ditty bag’ and then try some woven crafts yourself. Create your own unique paper-weaving panel in a fun craft activity.
Monday 25, Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 October, Time: 1pm to 4pm - Drop in at any time, Learning Studio.
Sea Life Splash Bags
Get creative and decorate your own splash bag with a host of creatures from the sea to get you in the seafaring mood.
Thursday 28 and Friday 29 October, Time: 1pm to 4pm - Drop in at any time, Learning Studio.
All Aboard: Up Periscopes
Join in this interactive workshop to learn about submarines and periscopes. Then make your own working periscope to take home so you can get spying!
Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 October, Time: 1pm to 4pm - Drop in at any time, Learning Studio.
This workshop is part of the Manchester Science Festival, 23 – 31 October 2010.
OTHER EVENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
Meet the Curator: All Aboard
Join Amanda Mason, curator of the All Aboard: Stories of War at Sea exhibition, for a tour of the Special Exhibitions Gallery, focusing on the stories behind key objects within the exhibition and how these objects were chosen.
Sunday 24 and Monday 25 October, 3.15pm, Meet at the Tour Point in the Foyer
FREE EVENTS: DAILY:
Animals Aboard
Meet cuddly character Simon, the ship’s cat, in the Museum’s Animals and War Tours. Learn why Simon was awarded the Dickin Medal for ‘behaviour of the highest order’. After the show, spot Simon’s remarkable story in the exhibition.
Daily during half term, 11.30am
The Big Picture Show
The award-winning Big Picture Show is a 360° audio-visual experience and a unique way for visitors to access the Museum’s amazing collection. Images from around the Museum are accompanied by music, sounds and memories from history. There are three versions of the show – The War at Home, Children and War and Weapons of War and each will totally immerse you in dramatic human stories and leave you spellbound.
Daily, Every hour from 11am, Main Exhibition Space
TimeStack Handling Sessions
The Imperial War Museum North’s collections are opened up in these themed 20-minute object-handling sessions. Join an interactor for the opportunity to handle items from the TimeStack and discover the stories behind the artefacts.
Daily, afternoons, Main Exhibition Space
Introducing the Museum
A guide to the themes, history and design of the Museum suggesting ways of navigating this fascinating building and its displays.
Daily, 1.30pm, Meet at the Tour Point in the Foyer
Your History
Learn how to start tracing your family history at our interactive stations.
Ground Floor
Viewing Platform
The Museum’s remarkable building represents a shattered globe, pieces of a world torn apart by conflict. Take the lift to the 29m (95ft) high platform and appreciate the dramatic location overlooking The Quays and beyond. While enjoying the view you can listen to stories about people flying aircraft and living in Manchester in war-time.
Ideal for ages 10+, a small charge of 95p/45p applies
