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
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”.
19 August 2026 11:00 am – 19 August 2026 3:00 pm
20 August 2026 12:00 pm – 20 August 2026 4:00 pm
Create your own portrait inspired by Pre-Raphaelites
21 August 2026 11:00 am – 21 August 2026 3:00 pm
Join our workshop to experience the magic of storytelling with your family.
25 August 2026 11:00 am – 25 August 2026 3:00 pm
Come along, dress up as a fairy or dragon!
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”.
13 September 2026 11:00 am – 13 September 2026 3:00 pm
Explore the district’s sporting and leisure heritage at Cliffe Castle Museum. Discover stories of local clubs, hobbies and pastimes as part of Heritage Open Days 2026.
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”.
20 September 2026 11:00 am – 20 September 2026 3:00 pm
Explore heritage crafts inspired by 'Made by Many Hands' as part of Heritage Open Days 2026.
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”.
31 October 2026 11:00 am – 31 October 2026 3:00 pm
Celebrate Halloween with Hyacinths at Bradford’s Bolling Hall
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”.
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”.
28 November 2026 10:00 am – 29 November 2026 4:00 pm
Discover unique gifts and have fun this festive season.
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”
5 December 2026 11:00 am – 6 December 2026 3:00 pm
Join us for a magical weekend.
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”.
2 January 2027 11:00 am – 2 January 2027 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 January 2027 10:30 am – 8 January 2027 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 January 2027 10:30 am – 20 January 2027 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 January 2027 10:30 am – 28 January 2027 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 February 2027 11:00 am – 6 February 2027 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 February 2027 10:30 am – 12 February 2027 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 February 2027 10:30 am – 17 February 2027 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 February 2027 10:30 am – 25 February 2027 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 March 2027 11:00 am – 6 March 2027 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 March 2027 10:30 am – 12 March 2027 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 March 2027 10:30 am – 17 March 2027 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 March 2027 10:30 am – 25 March 2027 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
18 August 2026 11:00 am – 18 August 2026 3:00 pm
Join us for Savages, a free family film and engaging activities at Cliffe Castle.
16 August 2026 11:30 am – 16 August 2026 3:00 pm
Create bugs and insects from clay, learn sculpting techniques, and take your creations home to decorate.
14 August 2026 3:00 pm – 14 August 2026 7:00 pm
Join us for hands-on activities, workshops, and fun at Cartwright Hall this summer holidays!
14 August 2026 11:00 am – 14 August 2026 3:00 pm
Join our upcycling clothes workshop for families to inspire creativity and sustainability.
12 August 2026 11:00 am – 12 August 2026 3:00 pm
Solve the Moorside Mill Mystery at Bradford Industrial Museum with live suspects, clue‑hunting and family activities.
8 August 2026 11:00 am – 8 August 2026 3:00 pm
Explore family activities featuring Jowett Cars.
7 August 2026 11:00 am – 7 August 2026 3:00 pm
Discover the art of wet felting.
1 August 2026 11:00 am – 1 August 2026 3:00 pm
Join us to celebrate Yorkshire Day 2026
24 July 2026 11:00 am – 24 July 2026 3:00 pm
Discover the history and charm of the Mill Owner's House.
6 June 2026 1:00 pm – 6 June 2026 3:00 pm
Bring your child/ren, enjoy more play, and bring some food to share with other families
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
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.
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.