Do you remember the first time you came face to face with a lifesize dinosaur? Or stood one foot away from a piece of art worth millions of pounds? The chances are that it happened on a school trip or a family outing, when you were whisked to a big city for “a proper day out”. Parents know that exposing their children to art, science and history is vital to nurturing their creativity and curiosity – and we take our kids to these cathedrals of culture because we hope they’ll come home with more than just a pencil from the gift shop. We hope they’ll bring home a greater sense of what the wider world looks and feels like – now, in the past, and even in the future.
But beyond the main collections of the UK’s incredible galleries and museums, there is an astonishing number of temporary exhibitions that have so much to offer families looking for something a little new and different. From space and ceramics to skateboards and still life, there’s an exhibition this summer to appeal to every taste. And with a three-month National Art Pass trial, for £15, you can enjoy 50% off major exhibitions, as well as free entry to more than 250 museums nationwide.
Take the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, which runs annually at the Natural History Museum and finishes on 30 June. When I took my daughters, they were captivated by the short film that shows a teenage photographer hiding out for hours in a car, waiting for a family of barn owls to appear at the window of an abandoned concrete building. After we got home, Daisy, five, was inspired to grab her chunky pink camera and lie in wait for a robin who regularly visits our front door. The results were blurry (and definitely not award-winning), but it was great to see her appreciate everyday wildlife in a new way.
Meanwhile, my daughter Olive, nine – who’s obsessed with kawaii (cute stuff) and sushi – loved our trip to the Young V&A in London’s East End, where Japan: Myths to Manga (until 8 September) gives visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the country’s hugely influential culture.
This exhibition is a must for Japanophiles (of any age) who love the cinema of Studio Ghibli and want to know where Tamagotchis, Sylvanian Families and Hello Kitty fit in too. We loved having a go at drawing manga and making origami, and it’s a nice touch that all the signs are at kids’ eye height, making this feel like a museum that belongs squarely to them.
One science stop we will just manage to fit in is the Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You exhibition (until 9 June), which takes visitors on an immersive experience through the digestive system, from “the tip of the tongue to the end of the bum”. Anyone who has ever been in charge of a small child will know the glee that comes with all things body and bottom related, so we expect this to be a standout event as visitors get schooled by Larry the vomiting robot, and even get flushed down the toilet. Designed with the stars of the hit CBBC programme, Operation Ouch!, we know Dr Chris, Dr Xand and Dr Ronx will deliver a science class with a massive dose of silliness.
If fashion and style is more your kid’s thing, then make a date with Barbie and Ken at the Design Museum this summer (opens 5 July). Still riding the £1.2bn wave of the movie, Mattel is marking 65 years of the groundbreaking plastic doll with an exhibition that will include more than 250 objects, including the very first Barbie Dreamhouse, and a host of modern day dolls that reflect today’s diverse society. There are also promises of a dedicated Ken section, where visitors can see how Ken has evolved since he first strutted into Barbie’s life in 1961.
The National Art Pass’s summer offer means you can enjoy a £15 three-month trial if you get it before 30 June, opening the doors to a host of affordable fresh ideas and new experiences to last throughout the summer holidays.
Before term starts in September, we’ll be packing our sketchbooks and heading for the south coast and a chance to enter the world of Quentin Blake, who is currently displaying 100 portraits at Hastings Contemporary gallery (until 8 September). Our copies of Mrs Armitage on Wheels, Simpkin and Cockatoos have been taped back together several times, so I just know that this will be one of those exhibitions that I enjoy as much as the children. The illustrator famously said: “When I start to draw … slowly I begin to meet the person and find out who they are.” With a bit of luck, all these days out might just help the rest of us do the same.
Five tips for a smooth family day out
• Delegate the decision. Wondering where to go? Ask your child to help you choose and they’ll be more invested in the outing.
• Pack your lunch. Almost every museum and gallery has a dedicated space for a midday pitstop, so swerve the cafe queues and save some cash.
• Pick one thing. Kids tend to get lots more from one deep-dive exhibition than from a sprawling museum that covers everything. Be focused and you’ll see their interest ignite.
• Go early or go late. Avoid the middle of the day when exhibits tend to be most crowded.
• Take a mini pad or sketchbook. And encourage your child to jot down or draw what sparks their imagination. Perfect for a game of noughts and crosses on the train home, too.
The National Art Pass lets you see more, for less. Sign up for a three-month trial membership for just £15 at artfund.org/national-art-pass
