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.
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Craft aorkshops
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Play Outdoors Tuesdays
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Storytelling on the Ocean Map
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
| Date | Title | Description | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 July | Picture plates | Join 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 Space | Craft |
| 24 July | Picture plates | Join 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 Space | Craft |
| 25 July | Sunken sea chest | What 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 space | Craft |
| 26 July | Drawing the sounds of the ocean | Join us for an ocean-themed drawing adventure! Families can listen to whale songs, dolphin noises, and sea shanties while drawing what they hear. | Ocean Map | Storytelling |
| 27 July | Merfolk tails | Create 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 Space | Craft |
| 29 July | Seaside adventure | Join us for a seaside inspired adventure for under 5s out on the lawns. | Museum lawns | Play Outdoors |
| 30 July | TBC | TBC | Learning Space | Craft |
| 31 July | TBC | TBC | Learning Space | Craft |
| 1 Aug | Boat building | Using materials like corks, sponges and egg boxes, families can design their own boats and test them in our water-filled guttering! | Learning space | Craft |
| 2 Aug | Ocean storytelling | Join us for some ocean-inspired storytelling for all ages. | Ocean Map | Storytelling |
| 3 Aug | Boat building | Using materials like corks, sponges and egg boxes, families can design their own boats and test them in our water-filled guttering! | Learning Space | Craft |
| 5 Aug | TBC | TBC | Museum lawns | Play Outdoors |
| 6 Aug | Sunken sea chest | What 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 Space | Craft |
| 7 Aug | Sunken sea chest | What 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 Space | Craft |
| 8 Aug | Ocean dweller puppets | Discover the fascinating creatures that live at the bottom of the sea by creating your own puppets. | Learning Space | Craft |
| 9 Aug | Drawing the sounds of the ocean | Join us for an ocean-themed drawing adventure! Families can listen to whale songs, dolphin noises, and sea shanties while drawing what they hear. | Ocean Map | Storytelling |
| 10 Aug | Ocean dweller puppets | Discover the fascinating creatures that live at the bottom of the sea by creating your own puppets. | Learning Space | Craft |
| 12 Aug | Seaside adventure | Join us for a seaside inspired adventure for under 5s out on the lawns. | Museum lawns | Play Outdoors |
| 13 Aug | Fish hats | Create 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 Space | Craft |
| 14 Aug | Fish hats | Create 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 Space | Craft |
| 15 Aug | Merfolk tails | Create 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 Space | Craft |
| 16-Aug | Ocean stories | Join us for some ocean themed storytelling for under 5s. | Ocean Map | Storytelling |
| 17 Aug | Picture plates | Join 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 Space | Craft |
| 19 Aug | Ocean myths and legends | Hear about the myths and legends in different cultures inspired by our ocean in this interactive storytelling outside on the lawns for under 5s. | Museum lawns | Play Outdoors |
| 20 Aug | Deep ocean collages | Make your own mixed media collages inspired by the deep ocean! | Learning Space | Craft |
| 21 Aug | Deep ocean collages | Make your own mixed media collages inspired by the deep ocean! | Learning Space | Craft |
| 22 Aug | Suitcase collages | Collage 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! | TBC | Craft |
| 24 Aug | Mystery Sea | We'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 Space | Craft |
| 26 Aug | TBC | TBC | Museum lawns | Play Outdoors |
| 27 Aug | Imaginary sea creatures | Plunge into the world of underwater adventures and let your imagination swim wild as you create your own sea creatures. | Learning Space | Craft |
| 28 Aug | Imaginary sea creatures | Plunge into the world of underwater adventures and let your imagination swim wild as you create your own sea creatures. | Learning Space | Craft |
| 29 Aug | Boat building | Using materials like corks, sponges and egg boxes, families can design their own boats and test them in our water-filled guttering! | Learning Space | Craft |
| 30 Aug | Drawing the sounds of the ocean | Join us for an ocean-themed drawing adventure! Families can listen to whale songs, dolphin noises, and sea shanties while drawing what they hear. | Ocean Map | Storytelling |
| 31 Aug | Merfolk tails | Create 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 Space | Craft |
Activities for kids at Royal Museums Greenwich
The Cove playground
Climb, play and explore at The Cove, a fabulous sea-themed playground at the National Maritime Museum
Cutty Sark
Your guide to an action-packed day out with the kids on board Greenwich's historic ship
Queen's House
Find free exciting activities for children of all ages at the Queen's House in Greenwich
Royal Observatory
Bring your little astronauts to the Royal Observatory for space-themed fun
Families at Royal Museums Greenwich
Travel across the seas and through the universe at Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House