Family Learning

Bradford District Museums and Galleries are offering an engaging, inclusive, and creative experience for families of all ages.

When visiting our venues, families will discover interactive activities for children of all ages, along with exciting family trails to explore. Each museum features cozy seating areas for families to relax, as well as diverse activities inspired by the museums’ collections. At Bradford Industrial Museum and Cliffe Castle Museum, families with young children can enhance their visits by borrowing interactive backpacks and child-friendly maps.

During school holidays, our museums offer an enriching mix of family activities, including crafts, open play, tinkering, storytelling, and role play—celebrating the vibrant heritage of Bradford. Each family workshop is designed to inspire creativity, play, and family bonding, making it a special experience for families.

For families with children 0-5 we offer regular play sessions ‘Museums for Play and Growth’. On each month in every museum, you can enjoy up to two hours of fun for families with children under five. More about our early years programmes find here.

Current Family Events

Cliffe Castle Museum

Heritage Craft Workshop: Clay Bauble Making with Jess Swift (2025)

14 December 2025 12:30 pm – 14 December 2025 3:30 pm

Join us for a clay Christmas Bauble making workshop with artist Jessica Swift.

Bolling Hall Museum

Museums for Play & Growth – Bolling Hall

17 December 2025 10:30 am – 17 December 2025 12:30 pm

Museums for Play and Growth are FREE drop-in sessions for children 0–5 years old inspired by “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five”.

Framed artwork depicting the interior of a vintage car with a brown leather seat and dashboard, featuring an ornate red and black Persian-style rug laid across the floor. The frame is mounted on a white brick wall with soft shadows

Bradford Industrial Museum

Z Open – Public Choice Prize-winner Announcement & Workshops

25 January 2026 1:00 pm – 25 January 2026 3:30 pm

The public have been invited to vote for their favourite work, and we will be announcing the Public's Choice during this event.

Illustration of Bishop Blaise holding a crozier, with wool combs, a sheep, and banners reading “Bradford Craft Icons” and “Bishop Blaize.”

Bradford Industrial Museum

Blaise Wool Festival 2026

1 February 2026 11:00 am – 1 February 2026 3:00 pm

an annual celebration of Bradford's wool industry and heritage.

Past Family Events

Cliffe Castle Museum

Heritage Craft Workshop: Clay Bauble Making with Jess Swift (2025)

14 December 2025 12:30 pm – 14 December 2025 3:30 pm

Join us for a clay Christmas Bauble making workshop with artist Jessica Swift.

Christmas Tree by a malachite chimney piece (Green and gold)

Cliffe Castle Museum

Christmas at the Castle 2025: Father Christmas and Craft Workshops

13 December 2025 11:00 am – 14 December 2025 3:00 pm

Craft workshops and Father Christmas!

Cliffe Castle Museum

Christmas at the Castle 2025: Father Christmas and Craft Market

6 December 2025 11:00 am – 7 December 2025 3:00 pm

Our yearly Christmas Craft fair is returning! Join us at Cliffe Castle for a magical weekend.

a digital drawing of a car with cybernetic limbs wearing a uniform with the words 'the revenant program' above it

Bradford Industrial Museum

Z Open Exhibition Launch and Prize Giving

7 December 2025 1:00 pm – 7 December 2025 3:00 pm

Opening Event - Z OPEN 2025 is an open exhibition opportunity brought to you by the Bradford District Museums & Galleries' Young Ambassadors ‘Generation Z’ cohort