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

young family playing outside, with tools and pinecones. Bolling Hall in the background
Bolling Hall Museum

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”.

adult and child looking closely at a working minature model of a crane.
Bradford Industrial Museum

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.

adult and child looking closely at a working minature model of a crane.
Bradford Industrial Museum

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.

a view of the Natural Sciences Gallery at Cliffe Castle
Cliffe Castle Museum

26 May 2026 11:00 am – 26 May 2026 3:00 pm

Find out more about these fascinating birds

Cliffe Castle Museum

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”.

two people taking part in a craft activity.

28 May 2026 12:00 pm – 28 May 2026 4:00 pm

Join us for an activity inspired by the New Global Perspectives and Islamic Calligraphy Exhibition.

Bolling Hall Museum

31 May 2026 11:00 am – 31 May 2026 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

Bradford Industrial Museum

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”

a young child in a white gallery space, looking through a tube at the viewee

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”.

young family playing outside, with tools and pinecones. Bolling Hall in the background
Bolling Hall Museum

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”.

Cliffe Castle Museum

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”.

Bradford Industrial Museum

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”

a young child in a white gallery space, looking through a tube at the viewee

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”.

young family playing outside, with tools and pinecones. Bolling Hall in the background
Bolling Hall Museum

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”.

Cliffe Castle Museum

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”.

Bradford Industrial Museum

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”

two horses outside Bradford Industrial Museum
Bradford Industrial Museum

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

Join us to celebrate Yorkshire Day 2026

a young child in a white gallery space, looking through a tube at the viewee

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”.

young family playing outside, with tools and pinecones. Bolling Hall in the background
Bolling Hall Museum

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”.

Cliffe Castle Museum

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”.

Bradford Industrial Museum

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”

a young child in a white gallery space, looking through a tube at the viewee

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”.

young family playing outside, with tools and pinecones. Bolling Hall in the background
Bolling Hall Museum

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”.

Cliffe Castle Museum

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”.

Bradford Industrial Museum

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”

a young child in a white gallery space, looking through a tube at the viewee

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”.

young family playing outside, with tools and pinecones. Bolling Hall in the background
Bolling Hall Museum

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”.

Cliffe Castle Museum

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”.

Bradford Industrial Museum

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”

a young child in a white gallery space, looking through a tube at the viewee

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”.

young family playing outside, with tools and pinecones. Bolling Hall in the background
Bolling Hall Museum

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”.

Cliffe Castle Museum

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”.

Bradford Industrial Museum

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”

a young child in a white gallery space, looking through a tube at the viewee

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”.

young family playing outside, with tools and pinecones. Bolling Hall in the background
Bolling Hall Museum

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

A colourful collage-style illustration combining overlapping silhouettes of tools, objects, and symbols in blue, yellow, pink, and grey. Items include a boot, bucket, axe, chisel, spade, pliers, a bird, a crowned female head, and various hand tools, arranged in an abstract layered composition.
Bradford Industrial Museum

4 May 2026 11:00 am – 4 May 2026 4:00 pm

Join us to celebrate a new exhibition focusing on heritage Crafts with a local connection

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

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

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

30 April 2026 11:00 am – 30 April 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

29 April 2026 11:00 am – 29 April 2026 3:00 pm

a view of cherry blossom trees with Bolling Hall in the background
Bolling Hall Museum

26 April 2026 11:00 am – 26 April 2026 3:00 pm

Beautiful Blossom Festival Comes to Bolling Hall Museum

Image of a sketch booking depicting cherry trees in blossom, painted with watercolours
Cliffe Castle Museum

25 April 2026 11:00 am – 25 April 2026 3:00 pm

Join Cliffe Castle Support Group and artist Louise Garrett for family friendly creative blossom activities!

cherry blossom trees
Cliffe Castle Museum

25 April 2026 10:30 am – 25 April 2026 11:30 am

Connect with nature, blossom trees and heritage features

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

24 April 2026 11:00 am – 24 April 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

23 April 2026 11:00 am – 23 April 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

22 April 2026 11:00 am – 22 April 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

17 April 2026 11:00 am – 17 April 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

16 April 2026 11:00 am – 16 April 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

15 April 2026 11:00 am – 15 April 2026 3:00 pm

Cartwright Hall in the sunshine, with BD2025 banner visible just in front

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.

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

9 April 2026 11:00 am – 10 April 2026 3:00 pm

close up of a section of brown jute fabric, with multi coloured embroidery on it
Bradford Industrial Museum

10 April 2026 11:00 am – 10 April 2026 3:00 pm

Cartwright Hall in the sunshine, with BD2025 banner visible just in front

9 April 2026 11:00 pm – 9 April 2026 3:00 pm

Explore An Industrial Landscape by LS Lowry

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

8 April 2026 11:00 am – 8 April 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

6 April 2026 11:00 am – 6 April 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

27 March 2026 11:00 am – 27 March 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

26 March 2026 11:00 am – 26 March 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

25 March 2026 11:00 am – 25 March 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

20 March 2026 11:00 am – 20 March 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

19 March 2026 11:00 am – 19 March 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

18 March 2026 11:00 am – 18 March 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

13 March 2026 11:00 am – 13 March 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

12 March 2026 11:00 am – 12 March 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

11 March 2026 11:00 am – 11 March 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

6 March 2026 11:00 am – 6 March 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

5 March 2026 11:00 am – 5 March 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

4 March 2026 11:00 am – 4 March 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

27 February 2026 11:00 am – 27 February 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

26 February 2026 11:00 am – 26 February 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

25 February 2026 11:00 am – 25 February 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

20 February 2026 11:00 am – 20 February 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

19 February 2026 11:00 am – 19 February 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

18 February 2026 11:00 am – 18 February 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

13 February 2026 11:00 am – 13 February 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

12 February 2026 11:00 am – 12 February 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

6 February 2026 11:00 am – 6 February 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

5 February 2026 11:00 am – 5 February 2026 3:00 pm

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

4 February 2026 11:00 am – 4 February 2026 3:00 pm

Victorian style design with 'Victorian Christmas Market' on it, the dates and types of stalls (all this info in event text)
Bradford Industrial Museum

30 November 2025 11:00 am – 30 November 2025 4:00 pm

Our annual Xmas Market with 70+ stalls inside and outside.

Victorian style design with 'Victorian Christmas Market' on it, the dates and types of stalls (all this info in event text)
Bradford Industrial Museum

29 November 2025 11:00 am – 29 November 2025 4:00 pm

Our annual Xmas Market with 70+ stalls inside and outside.

Ice Age Art Now
Cliffe Castle Museum

13 September 2025 11:00 am – 13 September 2025 3:00 pm

Explore Ice Age life & communication in this drop-in family workshop

Ice Age Art Now
Cliffe Castle Museum

7 August 2025 11:00 am – 7 August 2025 3:00 pm

Explore Ice Age life & communication in this drop-in family workshop

An image of Cliffe Castle and the words 'Join us for a family fun weekend celebrating archeaology.'
Cliffe Castle Museum

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.

An image of Cliffe Castle and the words 'Join us for a family fun weekend celebrating archeaology.'
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.

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.

Image of a man in victorian costume
Bradford Industrial Museum

11 February 2026 11:00 am – 11 February 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.