From Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 February visitors to IWM can draw, explore and investigate life in times of war and conflict. Take part in celebrated political artist Peter Kennard’s art workshop at IWM London, discover what life was like at sea by exploring all nine decks of HMS Belfast, investigate the Home Front during the Second World War at IWM North’s family friendly exhibition Horrible Histories®: Blitzed Brits and find out what it was like to be in a Second World War bomber crew at IWM Duxford. These activities are all part of a programme of events across IWM in February half-term.
Family Art Workshop: Protest and Survive
IWM London, 2 to 4pm, free admission
Join celebrated political artist Peter Kennard and develop your own Unofficial War Art collages and drawings on the subject of protest, linked to the current retrospective of his work at IWM London. Peter Kennard will be on hand to talk about his work and provide tips on creating collages and drawings during this free, drop-in workshop. All materials are provided and no previous art experience is required.
Darning and Yarning
HMS Belfast, 11am to 12.30pm and 2 to 4pm Admission from £16 adult/£8 child, under fives free
In this craft session, you can learn a skill essential to all sailors past and present – sewing! From repairing sails to socks, we need your help on board HMS Belfast to create a new sailors’ cross stitch work. While you sew find out more about the Royal Navy and life on board HMS Belfast. This activity is included in the general admission price.
Daily Craft Sessions
IWM North, 2 to 3.30pm
Families are invited to get creative in daily craft sessions to make their own wooden Home Front hero, or dress up as a member of the Home Guard or an Air Raid Warden. Men of the Home Guard were not only readied for invasion, but also performed other roles including bomb disposal and manning anti-aircraft and coastal artillery.
The Lancaster Experience
IWM Duxford, 11am; 12 Noon; 1pm Admission from £16 adult/£8 child, under fives free
For the first time, peer inside the legendary Second World War aircraft – the Lancaster bomber – to see what it was really like for the young men who fought and flew as part of a bomber crew.
Hear from a historic interpreter, dressed as a member of Bomber Command to find out everything from the role of each of the crew members to what they wore and the equipment and weapons they used. Visitors will also find out about the famous Dambusters Raids and the development of the bouncing bomb. Activity included in the general admission price.
A Closer Look Tour: Blitzed Brits
IWM North, 1.30pm
Discover the resilience and inventiveness of the Blitz spirit in this tour of the interactive exhibition Horrible Histories: Blitzed Brits. Hear first-hand accounts of evacuated children who were separated from their parents for the first time, and the stories of ordinary people who stayed in the cities leaving them under the constant threat of bombs.
Dotty’s Daring Blitz Adventure
IWM North, 10.30am, free admission
Younger visitors can take part in this interactive story telling session and discover the Blitz through the eyes of Dotty, a 10 year-old girl whose mum is an Air Raid Warden. Follow Dotty as she goes on a daring rescue mission to help a friend. Listen to warning sirens, imagine what it was like to shelter during air raids and get hands on with ARP artefacts and unique pieces of shrapnel collected by children over 70 years ago.
Family backpacks
IWM Duxford, 10am to 3pm (last entry at 2.30pm) Admission from £16 adult/£8 child, under fives free
Borrow a family backpack, full of exciting challenges and activities which take you on a trail around key objects in the AirSpace exhibition. There are two backpacks on offer for children aged six and under and two for children aged seven and over. The backpacks also include aviation-themed items to try on. Activity included in the general admission price.