What's On

The Oriental Museum has a busy programme of events for adults and families relating to our collections and temporary exhibitions. See below for What's On.  If you would like us to email you when we have special events, please let us know at oriental.museum@durham.ac.uk.

You can find information on special projects such as the A History of the World and Stories of the World by clicking on the links on the left. 

Information on the Friends of the Oriental Museum Lecture Series and other Friends events can be found on the Friends page.   To find out about events taking place right across Durham University look at the University What's On Guide.

Little Dragon Club

Every Wednesday, from 10-11am, a fun club for children aged 0-5 years.  For further information and to book a place, follow this link.

Family Activities at the Oriental Museum

June 2012

Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th June - The Royal 'We' (12 to 5pm)

In honour of the Royal Jubilee follow our special trail around the museum and learn about royalty in other cultures.

Wednesday 6th June - Islamic World

Take inspiration from the Middle East to create a window screen. 

Friday 8th June - China

Make a Chinese Dragon Boat. 

Advice for parents and caregivers:

• All activities are drop in (any time between 1 and 3 pm) 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.

'Made in China: Experiences and Exports' Exhibition Launch Extravaganza

Saturday 16th June (12 - 5 pm)

A series of events and activities celebrating the launch of an exhibition designed and curated by young people from across County Durham as part of Stories of the World, a project at the heart of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

'Meet the Curators'. Guided tours of the exhibition by the young people who created it.  Suitable for families and adults.

World record breaking! Try your hand at breaking a Guinness world record.... with chopsticks and chocolate beans.  Suitable for all the family.

Lion dancing.  Suitable for children aged 4+.

Make your own terracotta warrior.  Suitable for children aged 4+.

Sunday 17th June (12 - 5pm)

'Meet the Curators'. Guided tours of the exhibition by the young people who created it.  Suitable for families and adults.

Porcelain workshop. With award winning ceramicist David Fry.  Try your hands (and feet!) at the potter's wheel with a professional ceramicist.  Suitable for families and adults.

Chinese calligraphy workshop.  With Jayamini De Silva.  Try your hand at the art of Chinese calligraphy.  Suitable for families and adults.

Summer Holidays

July 2012

Wednesday 25th July - Islamic World

Make an Islamic prayer mat and learn about Ramadan.

Friday 27th July - Olympic Fun

Olympic themed family activities to celebrate the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Advice for parents and caregivers:

• All activities are drop in (any time between 1 and 3 pm) 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.

Meet the Young Curators

Saturdays throughout July and August, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm & 3.30pm

Guided tours of the Durham Oriental Museum's Stories of the World exhibition: 'Made in China: Experiences and Exports'. 

Get a unique insight into this exhibition which was designed and created by young people from across County Durham.  Why did the young people choose the objects they did?  How did they select them? What are their favourite pieces?

All will be revealed!

Durham Archaeology Explorers

For information on our new Archaeology Explorer's club for children, please follow this link to the Old Fulling Mill Museum website.

Globetrotting with Callum - a new children's trail around the Oriental Museum

Join Callum the Camel on a hip-happening adventure around the Oriental Museum.  Get the lowdown on mummification, find out which animal you are on the Chinese zodiac or try out ceramic soduku!  

This month we are launching a new 16-page full colour booklet designed to help chilldren get the most from their visit to the Oriental Museum.  Just ask at the reception desk for your free copy and follow Callum's hoof prints to find your way around the galleries. 

This trail has been created and designed by a group of students from Gilesgate VI Form centre as part of the 'Stories of the World' project for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad.  Check out the latest progress of the Stories of the World project at the Oriental Museum here.