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
4 April 2026 11:00 am – 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”
4 April 2026 11:00 am – 4 April 2026 3:00 pm
Join us at Darley Street Market to come and dream of the future of museums.
8 April 2026 11:00 am – 8 April 2026 3:00 pm
Learn about food journeys across the globe
9 April 2026 1:00 pm – 9 April 2026 4:00 pm
Explore An Industrial Landscape by LS Lowry
10 April 2026 10:30 am – 10 April 2026 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”.
11 April 2026 11:00 am – 11 April 2026 3:00 pm
Discover the joy of slow looking at our amazing artworks on Slow Art Day.
15 April 2026 10:30 am – 15 April 2026 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”.
23 April 2026 10:30 am – 23 April 2026 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”.
26 April 2026 11:00 am – 26 April 2026 3:00 pm
Beautiful Blossom Festival Comes to Bolling Hall Museum
2 May 2026 11:00 am – 2 May 2026 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 May 2026 10:30 am – 8 May 2026 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 May 2026 10:30 am – 20 May 2026 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”.
23 May 2026 11:00 am – 23 May 2026 3:00 pm
find out about one of the oldest model engineering societies in the country.
24 May 2026 11:00 am – 24 May 2026 3:00 pm
find out about one of the oldest model engineering societies in the country.
28 May 2026 10:30 am – 28 May 2026 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 June 2026 11:00 am – 6 June 2026 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 June 2026 10:30 am – 12 June 2026 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 June 2026 10:30 am – 17 June 2026 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”.
25 June 2026 10:30 am – 25 June 2026 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 July 2026 11:00 am – 4 July 2026 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 July 2026 10:30 am – 10 July 2026 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 July 2026 10:30 am – 15 July 2026 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”.
23 July 2026 10:30 am – 23 July 2026 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 August 2026 11:00 am – 1 August 2026 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 August 2026 10:30 am – 14 August 2026 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 August 2026 10:30 am – 19 August 2026 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”.
27 August 2026 10:30 am – 27 August 2026 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 September 2026 11:00 am – 5 September 2026 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 September 2026 10:30 am – 11 September 2026 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 September 2026 10:30 am – 16 September 2026 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”.
24 September 2026 10:30 am – 24 September 2026 10:30 am
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”.
3 October 2026 11:00 am – 3 October 2026 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”
9 October 2026 10:30 am – 9 October 2026 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”.
21 October 2026 10:30 am – 21 October 2026 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 October 2026 10:30 am – 22 October 2026 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”.
7 November 2026 11:00 am – 7 November 2026 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”
13 November 2026 10:30 am – 13 November 2026 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”.
18 November 2026 10:30 am – 18 November 2026 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”.
26 November 2026 10:30 am – 26 November 2026 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 December 2026 11:00 am – 5 December 2026 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 December 2026 10:30 am – 11 December 2026 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 March 2026 11:00 am – 28 March 2026 3:00 pm
Join us at our Spring Celebration
23 February 2026 – 27 March 2026
Temporary Closure of Cartwright Hall to allow for changeover of exhibitions
30 November 2025 11:00 am – 30 November 2025 4:00 pm
Our annual Xmas Market with 70+ stalls inside and outside.
29 November 2025 11:00 am – 29 November 2025 4:00 pm
Our annual Xmas Market with 70+ stalls inside and outside.
13 September 2025 11:00 am – 13 September 2025 3:00 pm
Explore Ice Age life & communication in this drop-in family workshop
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.
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.