October half term at the National Maritime Museum

Meet James Robson, Cutty Sark's cook

Saturday 24 October | 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm

Come and say hello to James Robson, cook on board Cutty Sark and learn about the meals eaten on board (and the creepy crawlies in the food!) 

James sailed on ten different voyages between 1885 and 1895. Born in China, he was apparently found as a castaway when a baby and adopted by a sea captain and his wife, growing up in London before embarking on a career at sea.

Sunday 25 October | 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm | Learning Space

Silverfish love living in paper, which can be a real challenge for museum collections. 

Join us to create your own wriggly paper silverfish puppet using folding, cutting and decorative techniques. Add your mark to our giant collaborative wallpaper artwork while discovering why conservators work hard to keep these tiny nibblers away from historic documents, maps and books.

Tuesday 27 October, 11am and 3pm | Friday 30 October, 11am | Lecture Theatre

Pesky pests or beautiful bugs?

Join our conservation experts to discover how we protect the museum’s treasures from hungry invaders. Step into the shoes of a conservator and learn how we track, trap and identify the tiny creatures that think our collection looks like a snack. Discover the secret science we use to stop these tiny stowaways from damaging our history.

Tuesday 27 October | 11-1pm and 2-4pm | Learning Space

Did you know spiders have helped astronomers explore the night sky? 

Join us for a sensory storytelling adventure inspired by the brave spiders that spun webs in space. Props, movement and imaginative play will help families explore the connections between creepy crawlies and astronomy. 

Designed especially for younger children and families who enjoy sensory experiences.

Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October | 11am and 2pm | Ocean Map

Join acclaimed children's poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko for an interactive workshop packed with poems, raps and songs to spark the imagination in a welcoming and supportive environment. Meet extraordinary insects, discover amazing bug facts and help bring the world of minibeasts to life through music, movement and plenty of audience participation.

Expect big laughs and even bigger bugs.

Friday 30 October | 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm | Group Space

All aboard for a sensory musical adventure where ships and insects meet! Explore life on board a ship using instruments and sensory objects, then set sail for Insect Island, where buzzing, clicking and fluttering creatures await.

Movement, games and music bring the story to life as families discover what different insects might sound like. Let's hope none of them make it back on board our ship…!

Friday 30 October | 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm | Learning Space

Wooden ships had plenty of nooks and crannies that bugs called home. Meet some of the beetles, weevils, fleas and other creepy crawlies that travelled the seas aboard historic ships. 

Then imagine the perfect bug companion for your own voyage and create a collection of mini bugs to take home using a range of craft materials.

Sunday 2 November | 11am-1pm, 2pm-4pm | Learning Space

Watch out — there’s a hungry moth on the loose!

Discover the life cycle of the clothes moth as you build your own bead-and-pipe-cleaner moth, from egg to winged adult. Along the way, you’ll find out why moths are so fond of tasty treasures such as silk, wool and feathers, and create a menu of museum snacks fit for a very hungry moth.