With February half term just around the corner, Leeds Museums and Galleries will once again be providing an exciting packed programme of events and activities to keep all of the family entertained.
Beginning the fun is historic house Lotherton Hall, which from Saturday 14 February – 22 February will be hosting a special ‘Love Birds Week’ as part of their celebration of our feathered friends. Come along and take part in a range of special bird themed activities in the magical surroundings of Lotherton. On Thursday 19 February from 1pm-3pm, there will also be the opportunity to make a nest box to take home and encourage birds to visit your garden.
A number of fascinating characters have lived at Temple Newsam House over the centuries, and on Valentines’ Day, join a special tour which will reveal its greatest love stories from 2.30pm-2.45pm. February also marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, and from Saturday 14, 15, 17 and 19 February, discover Temple Newsam’s Chinese collections, handle objects and get crafty as we celebrate 2015 and the year of the sheep.
Abbey House Museum is always a great place to visit for both young and old to enjoy, and on Wednesday 18 February from 10am -12noon and 2pm-4pm, enjoy a ‘Silly Science’ event involving gel and goo! A day of activities for all ages will be on offer which will be based the around the science of looking good. Dissolving hair gels and shaving cream rainclouds are just some of the highlights available! The Victorian Streets of Abbey House Museum is the perfect place to hold a murder mystery and on Thursday 19 February from 10am -12noon become a detective for the day and make a number of dastardly disguises. Have you got what it takes to solve the case?
A short walk from Abbey House are the Cistercian ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, which on Tuesday 17 February from 10am-11am will be holding an event specifically for the under 5s. The usual Tuesday morning session ‘Little Snowflakes’ will be transformed and given a wintry makeover, with glitter, glue and sparkles. Prepare to get messy!
Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills is the only place to find out more about the city’s rich industrial history, and to coincide with the temporary exhibition currently honouring the 150th anniversary of the death of John Fowler, the father of modern agriculture, they will be holding a ‘Grown your Own’ plants event on Tuesday 17 February and Wednesday 18 February from 1pm-3pm. A fantastically small and cosy cinema also features in Armley Mills, and from Tuesday 17 February –Saturday 21 February from 2pm-4pm, enjoy a daily a ‘Mystery Matinee’.
Thwaite Mills Watermill, which is set in a riverside setting is also set to celebrate the life and works of one of the city’s most famous engineers during half term. As part of ‘Light up the Sky’ on Thursday 19 February from 1pm-3pm, find out more about John Smeaton and take part in a specially designed family challenge, where you can try your hand at building the tallest stable working lighthouse model using the kit supplied. On Sunday 15 February from 11am-3pm in ‘Fly by rubber band power’ is also set to follow in the footsteps of Sir George Cayley, the father of aeronautics. Take a fun filled exploration of flight by building a model rubber band powered plane.
One of the classical world’s most famous heroes is celebrated in Leeds City Museums latest exhibition on Friday 20 February from 11am-3pm, head to the museum for a fun activity day with the heroes and heroines at the museum. Lovers of comic strips can also be inspired by Leeds City Museum’s Manga collection on Tuesday 17 February from 12noon-4pm. Take your chance to create your own Manga comic strip style super hero or heroine in an event created especially for older children aged 13 plus.
Leeds Art Gallery is the perfect environment for budding artists to learn their craft, and from Saturday 14 February – Sunday 22 February from 11am-4pm, come along and enjoy making pictures about human beings.
Last but certainly not least is the Leeds Discovery Centre, which can boast a diverse array of treasures from the Leeds Museums and Galleries’ collection. Join members of the team on Wednesday 18 February from 10am-12noon at the ‘Flowers and Figures in Asian Textiles’ event and investigate, gorgeous weaves, embroideries and prints from the continent and also embroider your own motif.
Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for digital and creative technologies, culture and skills said:
“Leeds Museums and Galleries are always looking at ways to improve its fantastic events and activities programme, and I am delighted to say that all nine of our sites are offering something for everyone this February half term.
“With arts, crafts, super heroes and even murder mysteries on offer, this really does promise to be a fun-filled week not to be missed!”
