In expertly devised days designed with fun in mind, your children will be in safe hands in an inspiring and friendly environment, led by our experienced learning team.

Arrive in the morning with a drink and a packed lunch, wearing clothes you don’t mind getting messy in - we’ll take care of the rest!

‘I want to come here every day!’ – Story Explorer participant, Summer 2024

What to expect?

The Story Explorers focus on play, drama, craft and of course – stories! The workshops are led by our Learning Team, as well as visiting artists. It’s a chance to learn new skills, meet new friends and best of all – have fun!

This summer, children will explore the sky and space in stories - from UFOs to the Wizard of Oz. You will find out about the story of the little parrot who saved a forest, uncover the aliens of War of the Worlds and explore broomsticks and ravens.

You could choose to join a drama session with Tristan Jackson-Pate, creative crafts with Kathryn Croxyn, an illustration activity with Cygnet Arts or a junk art workshop with Yasmin Agilah!

How the day works:

Drop off at 10am

Your child will be greeted and checked in by one of our learning team in The Story Museum courtyard, before moving up to the Magic Common Room, our Hogwarts-themed learning space. We’ll begin the morning with fun warm up games, before moving on to hands-on activities and storytelling.

Lunch break: a supervised lunch* in The Triangle. Relax and chat with new friends!

(Please provide your child with a packed lunch and drink; no nuts please!)

Afternoon Session

More fun-filled activities, led by our Learning Team, or visiting artist.

Pick-up at 4pm

Collect your child from The Story Museum courtyard. Children will be signed out by one of our team.

Booking & Info

• Workshops run 10:00 – 16:00

• For children aged 8–12 (unaccompanied)

• Book one day or multiple – the choice is yours!

• £44 per child

· The Story Explorers Summer 2025 programme:

Monday 4 August: Witches & WizardsHow does Harry Potter fly so fast on his broomstick? Where did the Wicked Witch of the West learn how to fly? Today we will be exploring the magical world of witches & wizards and how they take over the skies! We will spend the day role playing and creating our own witches and wizards through dress up, before creating our own flying props.

Tuesday 5 August: Birds of FireToday we will focus on brave birds who can control fire! Learn how the Phoenix rose from the ashes, and how a brave little parrot saved a forest on fire through role play and dress up. We will then create our own fire birds, crafting our own flock with the help of Kathryn Croxyn.

Wednesday 6 August: Night FlightToday we will explore creatures who fly across the darkened sky and the tales which have been spun. We will turn to Ancient Greece and how Athena’s owl influenced her, as well as hearing the spooky tale of the Raven by Edgar Allen Poe. In the afternoon, we will be joined by drama leader Tristan Jackson-Pate who will help us role play a special story about a bird who flies at night.

Thursday 7 August: AliensThe Aliens Have Landed! From War of the Worlds to Mega Robo Bros – we will be looking at all things supernatural that travel in the sky! Through a series of playful games you will create an alien character, discover your aliens' voice, it's likes and dislikes, and then you will get to make your own Alien from recycled materials with Yasmin Agilah from Artery Studios.

Friday 8 August: DragonsToday we will be exploring how Dragons defy Gravity and conquer the air! We will take time exploring our newest exhibition ‘Here Be Dragons’ and learn about some of the stories that lie within the dragon cave such as the Two Dragons. Along with dress up & role play, you will also have a chance to draw our own Dragons with Cygnet Arts.

Week Two:

Monday 11 August: Anansi StoriesJoin our Story Leaders to explore stories of Anansi, the trickster spider, from Ghanaian and Jamaican traditions. You’ll make a den for the animals, with maybe a booby trap or two inside, then create your own trickster tale. There’ll be games, craft, riddles and jokes along the way.

Tuesday 12 August: Insect StoriesWe’ll explore the story of Aesop’s Ant and the Grasshopper, and Lewis Carroll’s inventions for insects in Alice Through the Looking Glass – rockinghorse fly, anyone? Invent your own minibeast with their own mini superpowers. You’ll even have a chance to meet some live bugs!

Wednesday 13 August: Slime CreaturesToday we’ll explore a story from the South Pacific Islands in which a snail becomes the Moon. We’ll have a slug-track treasure trail and see how fascinating these underrated creatures are. We’ll also also be making slime – but not just any slime, this is Story Slime! Today we’ll be getting crafty so please bring clothes you don’t mind getting messy!

Thursday 14 August: Cunning CreaturesToday we’ll look at tiny characters who use wit and cunning to survive, such as the Borrowers or the Loki, or huge characters who have a sweet side, such as the Dragon from Shrek. We’ll design and make a mini world, with lots of games, riddles and role play along the way.

Friday 15 August: Monster MayhemToday we want to meet the mad and wonderful monsters that exist in stories! We will learn all about these crazy monsters in a fun drama workshop with Amari Harris, before having the opportunity to create our own monster with craft and dressing up.

We believe in making the arts accessible to all.Bursaries are available to cover fees and travel costs for low-income families. To apply, please email us.