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
28 October 2025 11:00 am – 28 October 2025 3:00 pm
Fossil Hunters- Palaeontologist for the day
29 October 2025 5:30 pm – 29 October 2025 9:00 pm
Join us at Bolling Hall for a spook-tacular family Halloween evening, featuring ghoulish guides and activities!
31 October 2025 11:00 am – 31 October 2025 3:00 pm
Visit the museum volunteers at Bolling Hall Museum. Celebrate Halloween in one of Bradford's oldest homes.
31 October 2025 11:00 am – 31 October 2025 3:00 pm
Come along scare us with your creepy costumes and decorate your Halloween Stash bag
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 1:30 pm
It's Baby Week Bradford- and we’ve prepared a playful and fun Toddlers Takeover day at Bolling Hall Museum on 14th November.
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”.
22 November 2025 11:00 am – 22 November 2025
Join us for our first festive event this year
27 November 2025 10:30 am – 27 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”
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.
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
13 December 2025 11:00 am – 14 December 2025 3:00 pm
Craft workshops and Father Christmas!
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
28 October 2025 11:00 am – 28 October 2025 3:00 pm
Fossil Hunters- Palaeontologist for the day
21 September 2025 2:00 pm – 21 September 2025 3:00 pm
To a Sustainable Fashion Show for Children to show off their gorgeous fashion garments made at Bradford Industrial Museum
14 September 2025 11:00 am – 14 September 2025 3:00 pm
Bolling Hall opened as a museum in September 1915. Join us to celebrate 110 years of being open to the public!
13 September 2025 11:00 am – 13 September 2025 3:00 pm
Explore Ice Age life & communication in this drop-in family workshop
3 September 2025 10:30 am – 3 September 2025 10:30 am
After two amazing play sessions in The Beacon, we decided to wrap up this summer with ‘Art and Play Family Day’ at The Beacon in Lister Park!
28 August 2025 10:30 am – 28 August 2025 12:30 pm
22 August 2025 11:00 am – 22 August 2025 3:00 pm
Fast Fashion is a real issue - this will help Families to understand why mending, repurposing and recycling needs to be a way of life.
20 August 2025 11:00 am – 20 August 2025 3:00 pm
Find out what Tudor remedies were used to treat people that were sick
7 August 2025 11:00 am – 7 August 2025 3:00 pm
Explore Ice Age life & communication in this drop-in family workshop
3 August 2025 11:00 am – 3 August 2025 4:00 pm
Join us for a FREE family fun-filled two-day finale to this year's amazing Festival of Archaeology at the beautiful Cliffe Castle Museum.
2 August 2025 11:00 am – 2 August 2025 4:00 pm
Join us for a FREE family fun-filled two-day finale to this year's amazing Festival of Archaeology at the beautiful Cliffe Castle Museum.
29 July 2025 11:00 am – 29 July 2025 3:00 pm
Help create a modern version of cave art on fabric.
25 May 2025 11:00 am – 25 May 2025 3:00 pm
24 May 2025 11:00 am – 24 May 2025 3:00 pm
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.