What's On

Come along and try activities linked to our archaeology collections and travelling exhibitions. To receive regular information about our programme of activities, please send a request to archaeology.museum@durham.ac.uk .

For information on all the events happening right across Durham University, see the University's What's On Guide.

Family activities

May 2012

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May - A House for the Dead

Learn how ancient people thought about death and dying and make a prehistoric long barrow burial with a living roof.

June Half Term Holiday 2012 

Saturday 2nd until Monday 4th June - Queen's Diamond Jubilee Weekend

Find out about the history of the Royal Family and try making flags and regal portraits.

Tuesday 5th and Thursday 7th June - Bones and Bioarchaeologists (12pm to 3pm)

Meet some real bioarchaeologists who will talk you through the Skeleton Science exhibition, answer questions about ancient bones and help you become a bone specialist for the afternoon.

Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June - World Environment Day

Come to the Old Fulling Mill and pick up a self-guide to the riverbanks, then spot plants, animals and interesting features with our helpful guide.  In case of bad weather, come in and make a woodland creature puppet.

June 2012

Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June - Marvellous Masks

Take inspiration from the ancient Greeks and make a theatre mask.

Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June - The Magic Medieval

Find out how medieval craftsmen made Durham Cathedral's Rose Window, then design and create your own stained glass masterpiece.

Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July - Animated Archaeologists

Find out about different archaeological specialists and make your own colourful character puppet for each one.

July 2012 

Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th July - The Super Stone Age

Take inspiration from the Old Fulling Mill's collections and make your own piece of rock art to take home.

Festival of British Archaeology

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th July - Prehistoric Archaeology Workshop (12 - 3pm)

Travel through time from Stone Age to Iron Age; analyse ancient poo, make clay beakers and grave goods, and cast your own prehistoric sword.

Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd July - Medieval Archaeology Workshop (12 - 3pm)

Make a Roman fort, find out what happened to Britain during the Black Death and recreate Tudor jewellery.

Tuesday 24th and Thursday 26th July - Industrial Archaeology Workshop (12 - 3 pm)

Find out about pottery production and paint a porcelain plate, discover railway archaeology and what archaeologists have found under the Olympic Park that dates back to the Second World War.

Please note: places for the Festival of British Archaeology events are limited, so booking is essential. Please contact 0191 334 5691 or email archaeology.museum@durham.ac.uk to book a place, stating clearly the workshop title, and preferred date.

To celebrate the opening of the London 2012 Olympics, come along and find out about the ancient Greek origins of the Games and make a mini stadium to take home.

Weekends and school holidays 1pm-3pm (unless otherwise stated). 

Advice for parents and caregivers:

• All activities are drop in unless otherwise stated.
• All activities are included in the Museum admission price and are generally suitable for children aged 5 to 11.
• Children MUST be accompanied by an adult.