Join us in the MERL garden to experiment, innovate and create with ‘STEAM’ inspired activities. Sessions are suitable for families with children aged 5 – 12* and will include: – Getting hands on with real objects from the museum – Challenging yourself to complete our engineering problems – Creating tools and machines for the future […]

Join us in the MERL garden to discover and experience some of the terrific traditions from the Great British countryside Sessions are suitable for families with children aged 5 – 12* and will include: – Getting hands on with real objects from the museum – Making and baking your own bread and butter – Showing […]

Bring a picnic and join us in the MERL garden for games and activities on the theme of conservation, nature, gardening and wildlife. There will also be a reading zone and storytelling sessions, organised by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups. Don’t forget your sunhats and a picnic blanket! Wild About Reading Wild About Reading […]

The student-curated exhibition Frontiers: Exploring the Edge addresses the many meanings of the term “frontier”. The display in The Nook at the MERL is designed especially for children and invites families to explore food that has come from the far frontiers of the world. Come to the free, drop-in session to create the perfect spring […]

The MERL and Reading Museum are teaming up to offer a range of fun crafts and activities across both venues to celebrate the opening of the new exhibition Ladybird Books: ‘How it works’. Drop in and enjoy crafts for all the family, including ladybird hats, pompoms or balloons! Decorate both museums with ladybird garlands and […]

English folk songs can teach us a great deal about the lives of children and adults living in rural places in days gone by; their jobs, their lives and the things that they thought about. Jackie will teach a range of songs connected to objects in the museum, together with beautiful harmonies and arrangements. No […]

Join award winning arts charity Jelly at the Museum this February half term and get your Discover Arts Award! A fun, creative half term holiday club that will use the exhibitions in the museum as a starting point to explore different artistic techniques and processes. All children who take part will earn a Discover Arts […]

Join Reading Rep and Jelly for a special rhymetime and craft session to introduce A New Coat for Christmas, the BEST festive show for under 6s in the Reading area. An enchanting story with music, fun and a flock of very fluffy sheep. Snowflakes are falling and Anna needs a coat to keep her warm […]