"KIDS in water, they love it..." as Rolf Harris used to say.
This summer they will be in their element, then, as not only do the clouds continue to burst but the nation's favourite wobble boardist continues to exhibit in Liverpool.
The programme of free events and exhibitions makes National Museums Liverpool highly convenient this summer.
Get close to archaeology at the Museum of Liverpool, brave knights and fair maidens should head to Lady Lever Art Gallery, while the annual Teddy Bear’s Picnic takes place at Sudley House in August.
Merseyside Maritime Museum has a whole hold full of Titanic activities for families which run alongside the major free exhibition: Titanic and Liverpool: the untold story.
Edmund GardnerThroughout August people can also visit the largest object in National Museums Liverpool's collections - the Edmund Gardner, a former pilot cutter that can now be found in dry dock opposite the Maritime Museum. Tours last one hour and take place at 11am, 12.30am, 2.30pm – booking is essential on 0151 478 4788.
The Walker Art Gallery will be showing its amazing free exhibition: Rolf Harris: Can you tell what it is yet” until 12 August. Alongside this exhibition families can learn how to paint like the great man himself.
More Information
Rolf Harris: Can you tell what it is yet? (exhibition runs until 12 August).
The free exhibition, Rolf Harris: Can you tell what it is Yet? has achieved record breaking visitor figures since opening last month and runs until 12 August. This is the first major UK exhibition to explore Rolf’s life and work. It features an eclectic range of paintings, memorabilia and much more from the UK’s best selling published artist. Original works on display range from Rolf’s early days as a student to paintings he created at lightning speed in front of TV cameras. The exhibition also includes some of his most impressive and well known pieces, such as his iconic portrait of Her Majesty The Queen, painted in 2005 to mark her 80th birthday. More details here.
Rolf
Rolf events and activities
Liverpool sings Rolf, 28 July, 1.30pm: Come along and listen to Liverpool Community Choir perform a selection of Rolf Harris’ best known hits amongst other Liverpool favourites.
Can you tell what it is yet? It’s family fun! 31 July, 12.30pm and August 1, 2, 11-4pm : Bring all of the family to the Walker for special activities celebrating the life and work of Rolf Harris, artist, musician, singer, TV presenter and entertainer. Enjoy special Rolf crafts in Big Art and take part in exciting workshops.
Other Walker Art Gallery events:
Saturday Stories 21 July, 11am: Our resident storyteller will tell a fun selection of stories about the paintings and sculptures on display.
Olympic heights 26, 27 July, 11am, 1pm, 3pm Hands-on activity. Create your own prints in this workshop inspired by our display of striking lithographic prints that were the official posters for the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Polish Walk in the Walker, 29 July, 2.30pm: A free Polish language tour of the gallery. Highlights include sculpture by Banksy and artworks by Rubens, Rembrandt and Murillo.
Kaleidescape 29 July, 26 August 1-4pm: An open floor of music, poetry and performance. Performers can sign up from 12:30pm.
Hatters tea party, 21, 22, 23, 1-4pm. Don't be late for this very important date! Join us for our magnificent tea party. Decorate your own hat before joining in some tea time crafts.
A Right Royal Tour, 18 August, 11am: See the famous royals in our collections with a guided tour.
Museum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool celebrates its first birthday on 19 July.
Festival of British Archaeology
14 –29 July: School’s out! Join the team team to explore the archaeology of our area with talks and hands on activities every day.
21, 28 July, 1.30pm: Time Quest: Find out more about the archaeological collections on display and get hands-on!
20, 22, 23, 29 July, 2pm: Crafternoon Find out about our archaeological collections and make your own version to take away! Part of the Festival of British Archaeology
Touching the Past 19, 26 July 1pm A chance to meet our Finds Liason Officer and get hands-on with archaeological finds from the local area. Part of the Festival of British Archaeology.
Dead Good Vikings! 26, 27, 28 July at intervals during the afternoon: Get hands on and learn about Viking burial customs in this fun (and gruesome!) workshop! Part of the Festival of British Archaeology.
Musical Museums, 4, 5 August. Celebrate Liverpool's musical heritage with workshops and performances.
Museum make and learn! Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout August 2-4.30pm. All welcome for hands-on session. Find out about objects in our museum and take away your own version.
All Together Now...18 August, 2-4pm. Celebrate Liverpool's music through our hands-on musical workshop - beginners welcome!
World Museum
Discover treasures from around the world, explore outer space at our Planetarium and meet live creatures all at World Museum.
A fantastic new exhibition of wildlife photography opens at World Museum on July 18. Wild Planet (18 July-28 October) showcases stunning images from the natural world that highlight the dazzling beauty and diversity of our planet. The exhibition will feature 80 images chosen by BBC personality and zoologist Chris Packham from previous years of 'Wildlife Photographer of the Year'. Free entry.
Other World Museum events:
Rock Pool Encounters, 21 July 2pm: Ever wondered what a starfish feels like, why a crab walks sideways, or wanted to touch a shark egg. This is your chance as our expert staff allow you to get up close and personal with some weird and wonderful rock pool creatures.
Feeding Time, 22, 29 July 12pm: Feeding time in the aquarium. Be guided round the aquarium to see our daily feeds. Watch the archer fish shoot down their insect prey and learn more about the amazing ocean aniamls from crabs to pufferfish.
Record Breakers: August 4, 5, 11, 12 1-4pm. Learn about the largest, smallest, most dangerous and amazing animals.
Planetarium. Throughout July and August. Visit our new improved Planetarium. See shows: Chronicle of a Journey to the Earth or Summer Nght Sky. Pick up free ticket from information desk.
Lady Lever Art Gallery
A beautiful gallery housing one of the UK’s finest collections of fine and decorative art.
24 & 25 July, 1pm Brave knights and fair maidens Make a magical spell book to amaze your friends inspired by the Eleanor Fortescue Brickdale exhibition.
26 & 31 July, 1pm The secret garden Use collage materials to create colourful flowers and creatures.
Fabulous Fairy Wands: 7, 8 August 1-4pm. Make a magical fairy wand.
Enchanted Kingdoms, 14, 15, 16 August 1-4pm. Magical activities and events.
Brave knights and fair maidens: 21 August, 1-4pm. Make a knight's helmet or maiden's head band.
Spellbound, 30 August: Amaze your friends and make a magical spell book.
Sudley HouseSudley House
Explore a Victorian merchant’s house with its period furniture and beautiful paintings.
Fantastic farms 21 July 1pm. Look closely at paintings on the ground floor and discover farming methods of the past before creating your own farm yard scene with collage materials.
Teddy Bear's Picnic, 18 August, 11-4pm. Bring a teddy bear, a rug and picnic and join us for crafts and storytelling.
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Uncover objects from the great liners like Titanic and Lusitania, find out about life at sea and learn about the portof Liverpool. Our amazing new exhibition Titanic and Liverpool: the untold story runs until 2013 and is a must-see.
Other Merseyside Maritime Museum events:
Music for the Classes 21 July, 1-4pm Discover more about the music from the time of Titanic - which instruments would people have played and who would have listened to what? Come and find out in our fun filled hands on session!
Tom the Mays New Hero 22 July 1.30, 2.30, 3.30pm Come and hear the story of Tom the cabin boy and his adventures on board the sailing ship, Lady May.
Titanic Tales 21, 29 July, 1pm-4pm Explore the facts and fantasy surrounding the story of the Titanic with our varied handling collection
Tall Tales of a Titanic Survivor, 28 July, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm The story of Titanic survivor Charles Joughin who worked as Chief Baker on board the fated liner. He can tell a tale or two but do you believe him?
Ismay's Titanic - From Glory to Guilt, 29 July, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, Bruce Ismay, as Chairman of the White Star Line, was seen by many as the one to blame for the Titanic disaster. Find out the real story behind the accusations as well as the long term effects on the rest of his life, as seen through the eyes of his youngest daughter, Evelyn.
Rummage July, 22, 28; 1, 1.30, 2, 3 & 3.30pm Think you’ve got what it takes to be a Customs Officer? Come and search our ship to see if you can spot any signs of smuggling. Pick up a free ticket at the information desk in the foyer.
Customs contraband July 27 1–4pm From counterfeits to cannabis, discover more about our Seized! collections by actually handling some of the items.
Tours of the Edmund Gardner ship: 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 30, August at 11am, 12.30am, 2.30pm. The largest object in National Museums Liverpool's collections is the Edmund Gardner, a former pilot cutter that can now be found in dry dock opposite the Maritime Museum. During her working life of almost 30 years the Edmund Gardner was essentially a base out in the Irish Sea for the Pilotage Service, providing accommodation for up to 32 pilots at a time. The pilots met all shipping approaching the Mersey and guided them into and out of the docks, to ensure their safety. Places are limited so advance booking is essential, telephone 0151 478 4788.
There be pirates! 11, 27, 28 August. 1-4pm. Make your fearsome pirate mask, treasure chest or parrot.
International Slavery Museum
Opened in 2007 – The International Slavery Museum celebrates its fifth birthday this summer. The museum, situated on the third floor of Merseyside Maritime Museum, tells the story of enslaved people. Learn about historical and contemporary forms of slavery. Visitors can also see a photographic exhibition: Oil Boom, Delta Burns: photographs by George Osodi and the see William Hoare's portrait of Ayuba Suleiman Diallo, the earliest British oil painting of a freed slave and the first portrait that honours an African subject and Muslim as an individual and equal (on show until 23 September).
Other International Slavery Museum events:
West African handling collection July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 1–4pm Meet our demonstrator and learn more about traditional African objects.
Capoeira club Every Saturday 10am–12 noon Join our friendly free club and get fit while learning the Afro Brazilian art of Capoeira. Pre-booking essential, call 0151 478 4456.
Carnival crafts July 28 1–4pm Make your own colourful Carnival headdress to take home!
Music DIY Day, 4, 5 August. Get down to the beat and make an African drum.
Art of the Adinkra 8, 9, 10, 27, 28, 29 August. Discover the art of Adinkra symbols and make your own window decoration.
Slavery Remembrance Day, 23 August. This will be the 13th year we have commemorated Slavery Remembrance Day outside the museum. Highlights include a memorial lecture, a Walk of Remembrance through the city centre and the traditional libation ceremony. There will be music throughout the day.
