Fun for your little Vikings at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery this Easter
Children visiting the ‘Valhalla – Life and Death in Viking Britain’ exhibition at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery this Easter can get involved with a series of ‘hands on’ exhibits and activities exploring the gods, myths and sagas that make this such a colourful period of history.
The exhibition takes visitors through the epic story of the Vikings, with exciting new finds, artefacts and the latest research into the lives of those who arrived in Britain from Scandinavia in the 8th century.
Little Vikings will be able to meet King Canute with children’s author and illustrator Tim Claydon-Butler on 30 March, get a taste of Viking life with re-enactment group the Thegns of Mercia on 2 April, and hear stories and songs in a Viking themed story corner with Sal Tonge on 7 April.
There will also be a range of Viking and Easter-themed drop-in activities over the Easter holidays.
And on 29 March children can join best-selling author and illustrator Matt Sewell as he celebrates the return of spring with his bird themed ‘Spotting and Jotting’ class for all ages.
Canute the Viking: Wednesday 30 March
Children’s author and illustrator of ‘Canute the Viking’, Tim Claydon-Butler, will lead a story session and illustration workshop along with an exclusive reading of his new book on Wednesday 30 March.
‘Canute the Viking’ is the beautifully illustrated story of Canute’s rise to power and his successful campaign to become King of England. Children will create their own Viking picture and will receive a copy of the book, which features maps, time-lines, character profiles and full-colour illustrations throughout. Cost: £5 per child (including book) Times: 11am and 2pm (one and a half hours)
Viking Saturday: Saturday 2 April
Join the fierce Viking warriors from re-enactment group the Thegns of Mercia. Through hands-on interactive sessions families will get a taste of what life as a Viking was like. Take a look at reconstructed weapons, learn how to make your own Viking shield, meet a Saxon monk and hear about the terror of the Viking raids. Have a go at old English writing and Viking tablet weaving and hear Viking music whilst listening to ancient stories and discovering the Viking’s mysterious ancestors. Cost: included within admission (see below) Time: 10am – 4:30pm
Row, Row, Row your Long Boat: Thursday 7 April
A busy session of playful songs and stories told by one of Shropshire’s favourite storytellers, Sal Tonge. Come and find out about Loki the Trickster, beat a rhythm on Thor’s Hammer and ‘heave ho’ together in a Viking long boat whilst exploring what lurks in the ocean. This is a lively session for 3 to 5 year-olds that plays with words. Cost: included within admission (see below) Time: 10:30am – 11:30am
Drop-in activities
Families can also enjoy the Valhalla exhibition museum trail and drop-in Viking and Easter crafts. Activities include: a Viking storytelling tent complete with puppets and dressing up, rune stamping, a ‘create your own Viking God’ activity, burial stone colouring in and Easter trail!
Spotting and Jotting with Matt Sewell: Tuesday 29 March
Matt Sewell, author of ‘Our Garden Birds’ and ‘Owls’, will be demonstrating how to create and draw your own beautiful bird book. The session is open to all ages and all children must be accompanied. No artistic skills are required, but everyone must draw and Matt will be inspiring them to do so! Cost: £3.50 per child £5.00 per adult Time: 10.30am – 12noon.
For information and to book contact museumeducation@shropshire.gov.uk or ring 01743 258888 or 01743 258884
‘Valhalla – Life and Death in Viking Britain’ runs until 5 June 2016. Admission to the whole Museum & Art Gallery including Valhalla costs: £4.00 per adult (£4.50 from 1 April), £3.50 for pensioners (£4 from 1 April), £3.60 per student, £2.00 per child and £10 per family.
For more information visit www.shrewsburymuseum.org.uk.
