Imperial War Museum North Half Term Activities

If you are in the Manchester area and wondering what to do with the children over half term then the Imperial War Museum North has put on a week of activities which might be of interest.....especially if your children like Amazing Animals!

We had a brilliant time there last half term visiting their Spies, Disguise and Ways To Hide exhibition, and I have no doubts that Amazing Animals will be equally as fascinating.

There are free activities every day which cater for even the youngest children, so everyone can have a great day out discovering all about the unusual roles of animals in the First World War - from horses and carrier pigeons to rescue dogs.

A mobile pigeon loft in the First World War

On Saturday 24th May there will be giant pigeons loose around the museum, and on Friday 30th May a visit from the author Damian Kelleher, who will be signing his soon-to-be-released book A Dog In No Man's Land.

I'm looking forward to seeing the brand new exhibit From Street To Trench: A World War That Shaped A Region. This is the largest exhibition to look at the role of the North West during the First World War and features over 200 personal objects - many on display for the first time.

Visitors can crawl through a front line tunnel to find out how the sewer workers of Manchester were employed for a secret task in France, and discover period games and toys from 1914 - including playing hopscotch down a terraced street!

There will be a daily 'make a crafty souvenir to take home' in the Learning Station, where there is also a soft play area to entertain the younger ones, and Timestack 'Object Handling Sessions', as well as puppet shows from Abdul and Ali - 2 Indian brothers who fought for Britain in the First World War.

Entry to the museum is free and opening hours are 10-5. Some special activities such as crafts may incur a small charge. Advance booking is not usually necessary - ring the museum on 0161 836 4000 for more information. 

Image details - © IWM (Q 8999) A former London motor bus (B,2125), camouflage painted and used as a travelling loft for carrier-pigeons. Pernes, 26 June 1918. Note the four-compartment wicker basket in which the pigeons were carried up the line.

I wasn't paid to promote this - Museums are great!