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.

Ship Ahoy!
Friday 30 July, 10.30am - 12.30pm, 2pm - 4pm.
Many Foundling boys became sailors. Make your own model ship and other boaty stuff!

Paper Dolls
Thursday 5 August, 2pm - 4pm.
Make and decorate a paper doll with arms and legs you can move!

Paper Dolls
Friday 6 August, 2pm - 4pm.
Make and decorate a paper doll with arms and legs you can move!

Paper Dolls
Saturday 7 August, 2pm - 4pm.
Make and decorate a paper doll with arms and legs you can move!

Wings
Thursday 12 August, 2pm - 4pm.
Make your own beautiful butterfly wings to celebrate Summer!

Wings
Friday 13 August, 10.30am-12.30pm, 2pm-4pm.
Make your own beautiful butterfly wings to celebrate Summer!

Animal Faces
Thursday 19 August, 2pm - 4pm.
Animals appear in lots of the Museum's paintings, so decorate your own animal mask to take home!

Animal Faces
Friday 20 August, 10.30am-12.30pm, 2pm-4pm.
Animals appear in lots of the Museum's paintings, so decorate your own animal mask to take home!

Gorgeous Georgian Hats
Thursday 26 August, 2pm - 4pm.
Want to look like a highwayman or a rich Georgian lady? Make your own fabulous hat and impress your friends!

Gorgeous Georgian Hats
Friday 27 August, 10.30am-12.30pm, 2pm-4pm.
Want to look like a highwayman or a rich Georgian lady? Make your own fabulous hat and impress your friends!

Gorgeous Georgian Hats
Saturday 28 August, 1pm-4pm.
Want to look like a highwayman or a rich Georgian lady? Make your own fabulous hat and impress your friends!

Peg Dolly Foundlings
Saturday 4 September, 1pm-4pm.
Make your own peg dolly Foundling in uniform.

The following three Family Fun Drop-In's coincide with the exhibition One Voice: Deloitte Street Child World Cup at the Foundling 14 September - 9 October 2010

Right to Shelter

Saturday 25 September, 1pm-4pm.

Themed around the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, paint, decorate and construct a village using recylced materials.

Right to Free Expression

Saturday 2 October, 1pm-4pm.

Inspired by the African traditional crafts of Kwazulu Natal use beads and fabrics to make jewllery, mobiles and toys.

Right to Free Identity

Saturday 9 October, 1pm-4pm.

Themed around the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, make cardboard 'cut out' children decorating them in collage, beads and African fabrics.

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.

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.