Family - The MERL

Climate Crusaders

Get up close to amazing animals! Linking to The MERL’s Our Green Stories campaign and global environmental concerns, this lively animal workshop shows how we can all do more to protect animals, habitats all over the world. By seeing and hearing about real animals and insects, this show will cover issues including recycling, biodiversity, climate […]

The MERL Family Picnic and Farm Event with Miller’s Ark

Children in the MERL garden on a sunny day

JOIN US AT THE MERL TO MEET THE MILLER’S ARK ANIMALS AND ENJOY THE GARDEN Bring a picnic and blanket and enjoy a range of hand-on activities from The MERL and visit real farm animals from Miller’s Ark. Cost: Please contribute what you can at donation points on the day Drop-in, booking not required Suitable […]

Wind of change: curbing cow burps to fight climate change

cows against a blue background with Burp! written on clouds above them

Milk comes from cows and cows eat grass everyone knows that. But along with milk, the average dairy cow also burps out over 600 litres of methane, every day. That’s enough to fill more than 40 party balloons. And methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, which is making climate change worse. That's why the University [...]

Fun Butterfly Collage

Continuing with our theme of re-using unwanted items to get creative, create your very own butterfly collage from recycled materials and learn about butterflies and their life cycle. Additional Information: Suitable for families with children aged 5+ Drop-in £3 per person Part of Museums Partnership Reading’s Our Green Stories campaign.

Garment upcycling using fabric paints

Join us at these half term workshops to find how how you can repurpose your own clothing Fast fashion is leading to tonnes of clothing being discarded daily which has a huge impact on the environment. At this workshop with fashion and textiles artist, Anurita Chandola, you will learn, re-sparkle, personalise and transform your pre-loved [...]

Family workshop: Totally Tote Bags

Tote bags hanging up in the Sew What exhibition

As part of MERL Fashion Week, Join members of the engagement and collections teams from The MERL to learn about the history of sewing machines, the impact of fast fashion and a chance to then make and decorate your own tote bag. At this workshop you will have chance to: Learn more about the Barnett [...]

Life Below Water: Artist-led workshop at The MERL

Exploring the theme of ‘Life Below Water,’ join artist Rebecca Howard and lend a hand creating a wonderful joint artwork, inspired by Reading’s rivers. Then make your sustainability pledge, to take home or hang up in the museum. Part of Museums Partnership Reading’s Our Green Stories campaign, exploring the importance of protecting life in our […]

Earth Day: Invest in Our Planet

child painting flowers for Earth Day event

Get Inspired. Take Action. Be a part of the green revolution! Join teams from Reading Museum, The MERL, Nature Nurture, BBOWT and others, for creative activities and displays on the theme of ‘Invest in Our Planet’. This event is part of Museums Partnership Reading’s Our Green Stories campaign. *Please note that the garden will be [...]

Reading Walks Festival: Five Ways to Wellbeing Nature Walk

a path leading to a bench in immersed in greenery in the herb garden at The MERL

Join us as part of Reading Walks Festival 2023 We are delighted to be taking part in the first ever Reading Walks Festival. We are offering two gentle, accessible walks in and around the museum and its immediate surroundings on campus. The first is this Five Ways to Wellbeing Nature Walk, and the second is […]

Youth Workshop: Garment Upcycling

part of a recycled garment in an embroidery hoop with flowers being sewn on

Fast fashion is leading to tonnes of clothing being discarded daily which has a huge impact on the environment. At this workshop with fashion and textiles artist, Anurita Chandola, you will learn how to mend, re-sparkle, personalise and transform your pre-loved clothing by learning different embroidery techniques. You will also learn to apply different techniques [...]