Top Tips For Family-Friendly Art Galleries in Staffordshire
Visits to museums with kids can be exciting and educational adventures. Here are a few tips to make the most of your visit to a gallery.
Families rely heavily on interactives, handling objects and trails; therefore it is crucial that when planning them they take into account their longevity.
1. Take a picnic
Bring along some snacks and refreshments when visiting an art gallery with the family; this is especially beneficial if there is an outdoor area where you can sit to eat your meal and save money while also making the experience much more pleasant. Doing this will add an extra element of enjoyment.
Cannock Chase Forest offers several ideal picnic spots in Staffordshire, and one such picnic area can be found at this woodland site in Cannock Chase Forest. Popular among dog walkers, families and mountain bikers alike – Cannock Chase Forest features cycling tracks, walking trails, children’s play areas and cafe services all for free; so visitors can spend their entire day here without incurring additional costs other than parking costs.
Another perfect picnic spot in Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s HQ at Wolseley Centre is their hidden gem known as Wolseley Centre Park, known for its wide array of woodland meadows and lake. Also, accessible wheelchairs/pushchairs via its extensive network of footpaths this park boasts many plant species as well as wildlife species that will delight anyone visiting its grounds.
For an educational museum experience that’s fun for the kids, head to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Here you’ll find everything from an original Spitfire to a large collection of Staffordshire pottery; plus there’s even a family trail! Plus monthly Lift the Lid sessions where parents and children alike can make art together!
Hanley also boasts the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery which is home to an excellent collection of Staffordshire pottery as well as an exciting family trail, plus various changing exhibitions suitable for all ages – earning it shortlist status for Guardian Family Friendly Museum Award.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Museum or art gallery visits provide children with an excellent way to discover our local heritage and the work of talented artists, but adults must play an active role by asking questions when necessary; this is particularly crucial when encountering unfamiliar works of art, where asking an expert may help visitors better comprehend its significance within an exhibit as a whole.
Recent research suggests that one of the primary reasons adults do not visit art galleries is due to a perception that art galleries are only for “posh people”, while museums may seem too serious and formal for many adults. Yet nearly half of the polled thought anyone who hadn’t been before should give galleries another try as they might just enjoy them more than expected!
Staffordshire Museums Service maintains an expansive collection of works in their collections, including art and historical objects of national significance. Most are housed at Shire Hall Gallery in Stafford, with select paintings being shown at Shugborough Estate or touring exhibitions; most paintings depicting subjects related to Staffordshire by artists native or resident there, or featuring scenes with local themes. Furthermore, Brewhouse Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent provides a more varied programme of contemporary and traditional artworks.
If your children have questions about an art gallery painting or sculpture, don’t be intimidated to approach a member of staff! Most are happy to answer queries and can even lead tours if necessary; just be sure that you prepare some questions in advance so the conversation flows naturally.
Tip # 2 for visiting an art gallery is staying behind the railings or ropes! This is crucial, as any contact with artwork could easily damage it and touching artwork is considered rude and most galleries have specific rules about handling works; breaking these could result in being banned from entering or arrested!
3. Go on a trail
If your children are getting restless, consider taking them on an outdoor trail around a gallery grounds. Our favorite is Churnet Valley Trail, an old railway path through woodland and meadow that allows visitors to stroll or cycle along its banks – and stop at one of two award-winning National Parks; either Roaches National Park (with mythical mermaids and gritstone clefts) or Roaches National Park with mythical mermaids can provide ample opportunity for fun adventures – finishing each trail run will reward visitors with tea & cake breaks at cafes!
The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery features numerous family trails at their world-famous collection of Staffordshire pottery. There is also an outstanding array of art collections such as fine and decorative arts, costume, local history and archaeology as well as natural history which include their Spitfire Gallery. Furthermore, events, craft activities and family workshops take place throughout the year as well as their cafe/Foyer Shop to help relax visitors after touring around!
BMAG offers interactive features designed to aid visitors in exploring its collection, which spans art, applied arts, social and cultural history and ethnography. This includes an online search tool which allows users to select artworks by title, subject matter and date of creation; an extensive catalogue listing each piece along with details like its provenance history and references; as well as a multisensory room that offers visitors different light, sound and touch experiences.
BMAG has been nominated for the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Award 2022, an accolade awarded to museums that demonstrate excellence at welcoming families and children. BMAG focuses its collection on themes of identity, community and place as well as offering various exhibitions such as Mrs French Perfume Bottle Collection or its array of objects such as military uniforms or one of Mrs French’s 667 cow creamer jugs – two highlights within its offerings at BMAG.
Location of BMAG in the heart of the city offers many free and family-friendly activities at this gallery. Interactive galleries feature children-specific trails through exhibitions while there are also drop-in sessions, creative workshops and craft activities on offer. In addition, there’s a cafe, Foyer Shop with unique gift items available and plenty of cafe seating to relax while visiting.
4. Have fun!
Experience art galleries with children while having fun! Children love engaging with artworks and being creative; make sure there are activities available to them such as family trails, sketching or painting sessions, drop-in days with facilitators for younger visitors or drop-in days with facilitators!
Museum staff should take great care when working with families, and could find a resource on family-friendly approach useful to ensure all staff understand best practice. Furthermore, some museums provide audio guides, tours of galleries led by an expert or special interest group, or other family-friendly activities to engage visitors with collections and their interpretation.
Staffordshire offers many attractions and activities for families to enjoy together, making a visit to an art gallery an affordable adventure. Parks and canals in Staffordshire provide ideal settings for strolling or cycling tours with the kids, while for thrill-seekers there’s Inflato Stoke, Awesome Walls or Ninja Warrior UK indoor adventure and sports venues – each one providing something different!
If you’re in search of world-class entertainment, Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme offer many theatres offering international acts. Additionally, for some laugh out loud fun try visiting New Vic Theatre or ROFL Comedy Club for world class comedy performances.
Culture lovers will delight in Hanley’s world-famous Potteries Museum & Art Gallery. There, rooms dedicated to local history, natural sciences and archaeology sit next to one of the world’s largest collections of Staffordshire ceramics (667 cow creamer jugs and nearly 300 frog mugs) plus the Staffordshire Hoard, comprising more than 3,500 Anglo-Saxon treasures unearthed near Lichfield.
Staffordshire boasts a rich heritage and cultural presence worth celebrating; why not embark on an artistic adventure today with your family?
