Essential Information

Type Family fun
Location
Date and Times Daily except Mondays | 23 July - 31 August 2025
Prices Free

Dive into an ocean adventure at the National Maritime Museum this summer! 

Join us for storytelling sessions, craft workshops and interactive fun to learn about the wonders of the ocean, what goes on below the surface, and the journeys we’ve made across it.

Events are free and there's no need to book in advance. Most activities are suitable for all ages, although a few of our sessions are primarily designed for under 5s.

Keep reading for full details, and get ready to feel the thrill of the sea this summer.

Activities at a glance

Tuesdays 

Tuesdays see the return of our popular 'Play Outdoors' sessions. Make the most of the (hopefully!) sunny weather and enjoy seaside-inspired activities on the grass outside the National Maritime Museum.

11am-1pm and 2-4pm | Location: Museum lawns

Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays 

These are craft days! Get creative with a range of free themed workshops and take home your wondrous creations.

11am-1pm and 2-4pm | Location: Learning Space

Saturdays 

Saturdays are for stories, songs and sounds. See maritime myths and incredible ocean tales brought to life by a host of fantastic storytellers and musicians. The weekly Character Encounters also take place each Saturday, giving your family the chance to explore the galleries with our friendly characters from the past. Check out the full programme here.

Storytelling: 30-minute timed sessions starting at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm | Location: Ocean Map

Don't forget

You can pick up a free trail or sensory bag from the front desk to explore the galleries in your own time. The Cove outdoor playground and the AHOY! Children's Gallery are also open every day.

Need help finding your way? Download a Museum map here.

Full schedule

DateTitleDescriptionLocationType
30 JulySensory fishesCollage a carp, make a mackerel or design a dogfish in this drop in family craft. Learning SpaceCraft
31 JulySensory fishesCollage a carp, make a mackerel or design a dogfish in this drop in family craft. Learning SpaceCraft
1 AugBoat buildingUsing materials like corks, sponges and egg boxes, families can design their own boats and test them in our water-filled guttering!Learning spaceCraft
2 AugOcean storytellingJoin us for some ocean-inspired storytelling for all ages.Ocean MapStorytelling
3 AugBoat buildingUsing materials like corks, sponges and egg boxes, families can design their own boats and test them in our water-filled guttering!Learning SpaceCraft
5 AugSuper sea creature collageHave fun fishing for creatures in the pool, play with our soft-toy sea-creatures and make a sea-creature collage to take home with you.Museum lawnsPlay Outdoors
6 AugSunken sea chestWhat might you find in a sunken sea chest? In this junk modelling workshop, we'll make sunken pirate chests which you can fill with gold doubloons, jewels and other treasures. Inspired by sea chests found across the collection.Learning SpaceCraft
7 AugSunken sea chestWhat might you find in a sunken sea chest? In this junk modelling workshop, we'll make sunken pirate chests which you can fill with gold doubloons, jewels and other treasures. Inspired by sea chests found across the collection.Learning SpaceCraft
8 AugOcean dweller puppetsDiscover the fascinating creatures that live at the bottom of the sea by creating your own puppets.Learning SpaceCraft
9 AugDrawing the sounds of the oceanJoin us for an ocean-themed drawing adventure! Families can listen to whale songs, dolphin noises, and sea shanties while drawing what they hear.Ocean MapStorytelling
10 AugOcean dweller puppetsDiscover the fascinating creatures that live at the bottom of the sea by creating your own puppets.Learning SpaceCraft
12 AugSeaside adventureJoin us for a seaside inspired adventure for under 5s out on the lawns.Museum lawnsPlay Outdoors
13 AugFish hatsCreate fish hats out of scrap materials and design your own underwater habitat at the museum. This fun and imaginative activity is perfect for families and kids of all ages!Learning SpaceCraft
13 AugGames without wiresTry out a variety of board games, big and small, with the Caribbean Social Forum.Ocean MapGames
14 AugFish hatsCreate fish hats out of scrap materials and design your own underwater habitat at the museum. This fun and imaginative activity is perfect for families and kids of all ages!Learning SpaceCraft
15 AugMerfolk tailsCreate your own Merfolk tail in our junk modelling paper workshop, inspired by the Mermaid plate on display in the Voyagers gallery. Tie it on and swim with the Merfolk!Learning SpaceCraft
16-AugOcean storiesJoin us for some ocean themed storytelling for under 5s.Ocean MapStorytelling
17 AugPicture platesJoin us for a creative journey exploring myths and legends, where families can design their own stories and bring them to life on plates through mono printing or colouring.Learning SpaceCraft
19 AugOcean myths and legendsHear about the myths and legends in different cultures inspired by our ocean in this interactive storytelling outside on the lawns for under 5s.Museum lawnsPlay Outdoors
20 AugDeep ocean collagesMake your own mixed media collages inspired by the deep ocean! Learning SpaceCraft
13 AugGames without wiresTry out a variety of board games, big and small, with the Caribbean Social Forum.Ocean MapGames
21 AugDeep ocean collagesMake your own mixed media collages inspired by the deep ocean! Learning SpaceCraft
22 AugSuitcase collagesCollage your own suitcase to imagine all the things you might want to take on a long voyage at sea. Let your creativity flow as you fill it with your special items and dream of ocean adventures!Learning SpaceCraft
24 AugMystery SeaWe've explored just 5% of the ocean, leaving most of its mysteries undiscovered. From kelp forests to underwater volcanoes and waterfalls, what else might be under the sea? Use your imagination to create a double-sided picture – one side above the sea and one side below.Learning SpaceCraft
26 AugDeep Blue bubbly SeaMake a bubble picture, help create a collaborative picture of the deep blue sea using different textures like tissue paper, cellophane and paint. Play with toy sea creatures to create your own stories as they explore this deep blue sea.Museum lawnsPlay Outdoors
27 AugImaginary sea creaturesPlunge into the world of underwater adventures and let your imagination swim wild as you create your own sea creatures.Learning SpaceCraft
28 AugImaginary sea creaturesPlunge into the world of underwater adventures and let your imagination swim wild as you create your own sea creatures.Learning SpaceCraft
29 AugBoat buildingUsing materials like corks, sponges and egg boxes, families can design their own boats and test them in our water-filled guttering!Learning SpaceCraft
30 AugDrawing the sounds of the oceanJoin us for an ocean-themed drawing adventure! Families can listen to whale songs, dolphin noises, and sea shanties while drawing what they hear.Ocean MapStorytelling
31 AugMerfolk tailsCreate your own Merfolk tail in our junk modelling paper workshop, inspired by the Mermaid plate on display in the Voyagers gallery. Tie it on and swim with the Merfolk!Learning SpaceCraft