Learning

Family Fun

Family Fun allows children accompanied by parents or carers to explore the collections in creative ways. There is a variety of FREE activities available for families and young visitors at any time, just ask at the Museum Reception.

Drop-in sessions for families

Family Fun Days usually occur on the first Saturday of each month and during school holidays (Camden dates) on Thursdays and Fridays, check below for details. Activities are suitable for children aged 3 – 12 years old, younger children may need some adult help and there is an Activity Backpack to amuse infants, so there is something for everyone! Children and up to two accompanying adults gain free entry to the Museum and drop-in sessions on Family Fun Days. Drop-in sessions run from 1pm – 4pm on Saturdays and 10.30am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm on Thursdays and Fridays unless otherwise specified.  Please arrive early to ensure a place.

Saturday 4 July, 1pm – 4pm

Americans

Discover our American links. Make an American flag, card, or star. Find out about American symbols. Colour a bald eagle and learn some facts about it. Listen to a story or have your face painted. Demand for facepainting is often high so please come towards the beginning of the session to avoid disappointment.

Summer holiday activities are all connected with our ‘In the Picture’ exhibition.

Thursday 23 July, 2pm - 4pm

Friday 24 July, 10.30am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm

Thursday 30 July, 2pm - 4pm

Friday 31 July, 10.30am - 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm

Playgrounds and Funfairs

Look at some of the playground equipment in the pictures in our temporary exhibition and design your own rides.

Trails

Available for free at Reception, trails change regularly in correspondence with the Family Fun drop-in sessions and offers children a different way to explore the collections on display in the form of an engaging and fun treasure hunt.  Suitable for 3 – 12 year olds.

Audio Trails

Developed by young visitors to the Foundling Museum these audio rails consist of dramatic performances and creative writing. These audio resouces are available to the public for free by downloading the MP3 files here>>

Activity Backpacks

We are pleased to introduce 2 new Activity Backpacks for 5-8 year olds. These are called ‘Music’ and ‘Transport in the Past’.

Activity backpacks help young visitors to explore the collections in creative ways. Each pack contains activities and games based on a central theme. Our full range of packs is now:

Recommended for 3-5 years

The Sea

Animals

Costume

Food

Time

Soldiers

Recommended for 5-8 years

Meet the Foundlings

Time with the Foundlings

Transport

Music

They are available free of charge from reception during normal opening hours.

During drop-ins there is a Baby Pack, full of toys, available to amuse our very youngest visitors. This is kept in the drop-in for families use while older children join in the activities.

Reading Corner

At weekends and during school holidays children under 12 years old can enjoy a few quiet minutes with an exciting selection of children’s books in the Reading Corner, or try on a range of costumes including a coat just like Thomas Coram’s! Find out about Thomas Coram and trace the life of a foundling in Thomas Coram, the Man who Saved Children, our children’s guide to the Foundling Museum.  More >>

Coram's Fields

The Foundling Museum overlooks Coram’s Fields, one of the largest open spaces in London between the City and Regent’s Park. Coram’s Fields is one of London’s best-loved children’s parks, which includes an animal enclosure and playground. The space is enclosed by the surviving colonnades of the original Foundling Hospital, and adults are admitted only if accompanied by a child.