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”
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.
1 February 2026 11:00 am – 1 February 2026 4:00 pm
an annual celebration of Bradford's wool industry and heritage.
7 February 2026 11:00 am – 7 February 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 February 2026 10:30 am – 13 February 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”.
18 February 2026 10:30 am – 18 February 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 February 2026 10:30 am – 19 February 2026 12:30 pm
Join in and make your own collage!
26 February 2026 10:30 am – 26 February 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 March 2026 11:00 am – 7 March 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”
18 March 2026 10:30 am – 18 March 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 March 2026 10:30 am – 26 March 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”.
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”.
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”.
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”.
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”.
16 December 2026 10:30 am – 16 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
5 August 2025 – 31 December 2025
The Cliffe Castle AI Workshop ignited the imaginations of 125 participants on an exhilarating journey through the Ice Age, where ancient artifacts collided with the magic of artificial intelligence.
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.
13 December 2025 11:00 am – 14 December 2025 3:00 pm
Craft workshops and Father Christmas!
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
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.
22 November 2025 11:00 am – 22 November 2025
Join us for our first festive event this year
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.
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.
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
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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.