Immerse yourself in the world of Mary Anning: explore real fossils and use these to make your own clay ammonite to take home. Dress up as Mary Anning and her brother Joseph and hear ‘first-hand’ about her life. Find out about her experience as a working-class, woman scientist in the 1800s, and discover how her fossils arrived in our collection.
Dive deeper into the history of Mary Anning by exploring her letters, drawings and other materials in our archives.
Mary Anning will be staying with us until 4.30pm, along with the dress-up activity.
Immerse yourself in the world of Mary Anning: explore real fossils and use these to make your own clay ammonite to take home. Dress up as Mary Anning and her brother Joseph and hear ‘first-hand’ about her life. Find out about her experience as a working-class, woman scientist in the 1800s, and discover how her fossils arrived in our collection.
Dive deeper into the history of Mary Anning by exploring her letters, drawings and other materials in our archives.
Space in our Clore Learning Studio is limited so you may wish to return later. This event is suitable for families. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Come and explore, play, create and have fun with materials in our Creative Studio! Play Make Saturday is a free monthly make and play workshop for families.
Workshops are free and supported by the Fitz Families team. All materials are included, and the workshops are suitable for children aged 5-12 years with their parents and carers.
Where: Creative Studio on the lower ground floor
When: Activity slots at 10am, 11am, 2pm & 3pm. This is a pre-booked activity lasting 45 minutes.
At the Disability Friendly Opening, the museum will be open exclusively for families with children with sensory sensitivities. This event is aimed at children with special educational needs who usually find visiting museums overwhelming due to conditions that affect their sensory processing and/or have a developmental disability.
Join us for a night-time adventure at our special after-hours opening for families. We are turning our lights down very low, so bring a torch and search the museum for dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals, some of whom roamed Cambridgeshire hundreds of thousands of years ago.
Drop in to our hands-on activity stations for further investigations: discover minerals that glow in the dark under UV light and explore beautiful, colourful minerals close up, under our powerful microscopes.
The Fitzwilliam Museum invites you to experience our collection and galleries under a different light...
Come to get hands on with free, activities in the galleries. Enjoy live mime performances that will bring the artworks to life. Get cosy and read your favourite stories together, or pick up a self -led activity at the entrance that will take you to explore the museum.
All activities are free, simply turn up. Activities in the galleries have limited capacity.
Unlock your creativity at our free, artist-led workshops for families in the Clore Learning Studio.
Get hands-on with creative activities inspired by artworks and ideas at Kettle’s Yard.
No art experience needed — our friendly artists and volunteers will support you step-by-step. Children and adults of all ages are welcome to participate but Studio Sunday is most suitable for children between 3–11 years.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular at the museum, our festive drawing activity is the perfect way to explore the galleries through the lens of your imagination and artistic skills.
Artist Rose Feather has created a playful design for you to use as you sketch, doodle, and interpret the exhibits in your own unique way!
This free, printed activity is available to collect from the Founder's and Courtyard Entrances between 21st December and 5th January.
