Family Learning
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
18 June 2025 10:30 am – 18 June 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”.
5 July 2025 11:00 am – 5 July 2025 1:00 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”
11 July 2025 10:30 am – 11 July 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”.
16 July 2025 10:30 am – 16 July 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”.
2 August 2025 11:00 am – 2 August 2025 1:00 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”
8 August 2025 10:30 am – 8 August 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”.
20 August 2025 10:30 am – 20 August 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”.
6 September 2025 11:00 am – 6 September 2025 1:00 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”
17 September 2025 10:30 am – 17 September 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”.
4 October 2025 11:00 am – 4 October 2025 1:00 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”
10 October 2025 10:30 am – 10 October 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”.
15 October 2025 10:30 am – 15 October 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”.
1 November 2025 11:00 am – 1 November 2025 1:00 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”
14 November 2025 10:30 am – 14 November 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”.
19 November 2025 10:30 am – 19 November 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”.
6 December 2025 11:00 am – 6 December 2025 1:00 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”
12 December 2025 10:30 am – 12 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”.
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”.
Past Family Events
1 June 2025 11:00 am – 1 June 2025 3:00 pm
Come along to experience living in the 1640’s and find out how Royalists at Bolling Hall planned to ransack Parliamentarian Bradford
29 May 2025 11:00 am – 29 May 2025 3:00 pm
To celebrate the arrival of the Portrait of Mai from the National Portrait Gallery
27 May 2025 11:00 am – 27 May 2025 3:00 pm
Become a Dinosaur Detective
25 May 2025 11:00 am – 25 May 2025 3:00 pm
24 May 2025 11:00 am – 24 May 2025 3:00 pm
10 May 2025 11:00 am – 10 May 2025 3:00 pm
Join in with the Bowling Beacon leg of events in partnership with the City of Culture 2025. This
27 April 2025 11:00 am – 27 April 2025 3:00 pm
Beautiful volunteer led Cherry Blossom Festival comes to Bradford’s Bolling Hall Museum.
16 April 2025 11:00 am – 16 April 2025 3:00 pm
Join us for a fun filled adventure outside, be prepared for messy play building dens, ball runs and mud kitchens
15 April 2025 11:00 am – 15 April 2025 3:00 pm
Explore the past
12 April 2025 11:00 am – 12 April 2025 3:00 pm
With Easter crafts and an egg hunt!
12 April 2025 12:00 pm – 12 April 2025 3:00 pm
Join the Healthy Minds Apprentices for a day of wellbeing and sensory activities aimed at young people, but everyone is welcome!
11 April 2025 11:00 am – 11 April 2025 3:00 pm
Come along and make some Eggciting crafts, Chicks, Bunnies and all things Spring
10 April 2025 11:00 am – 10 April 2025 3:00 pm
Explore personal stories in the exhibitions and tell us your story!
Donate
Could you support our work by sponsoring, donating or volunteering?
All opportunities have flexible commitment requirements and aim to provide a rewarding and enriching experience for all.
About Us
Bradford District is home to some of the most exciting museums and galleries in Yorkshire. Come and see for yourself.
