These school holidays children can ‘go wild’ becoming immersed in our world’s wonderful wildlife in a fun-filled holiday program at the Australian National Maritime Museum inspired by the much-loved exhibition Wildlife Photographer of the Year from London’s Natural History Museum.
A charming theatre show takes children on an adventure with some pesky seagulls while ‘jungle drums’ explore the rhythms of wildlife. Kids on Deck, a creative space for art making, games and dress ups, delves into the biology of wondrous wildlife and wilderness environments.
Children can touch and discover curious artefacts and objects related to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition in the Cabinet of Curiosities and budding television stars can become junior David Attenboroughs when filmmaker Nicola Walkerden takes them from scripting-to -directing in a television presenters workshop.
Families can also unlock the secrets of celestial navigation, and enjoy a unique under-the-stars torchlight tour on board HMB Endeavour with a theatrical guide. A full program is available throughout the holidays for the whole family including;
Kids’ craft activities: Wild Wonders
25 September – 9 October 2016, 10am – 4pm
Play, create and discover in Kids on Deck – a fun filled activity space with art making, games and dress ups for primary school aged children and their carers. These holidays, delve into the biology of wondrous wildlife and wilderness environments. Create a whale mobile, make your own creature mask, sculpt a camera or a miniature diorama.
5 – 12 years. Included in any paid admission, members free.
Performance: Drop Bear Theatre presents The Lightkeepers Lunch
25, 27, 29, 30 Sep and 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 October 11.30am and 2pm
Mr Grinling is a lighthouse keeper with a big, hungry problem - pesky seagulls who eat their fill of his food. Join the flock of cheeky gulls as you go head to head with the charming Mrs Grinling, Mr Grinling and Hamish the cat. With whimsy, windswept humour and a musical kick, audiences will be delighted by the same performing artists who brought you Mem Fox’s The Magic Hat.
Included in any paid admission.
Cabinet of Curiosities - Creature Feature
25 September – 9 October 2016, 11am – 12pm and 2pm – 3pm
Touch and discover curious creature specimens and artefacts from our education collection in this hands on discovery device inside the galleries.
FREE
Musical storytelling: Jungle Drums
28 September and 5 October, 11.30am. 12.30pm and 2pm
Take a journey into the rhythms of wildlife and the natural world with interactive storytelling and music workshops.
Included in any paid admission.
Drop in workshop: Cyanotype Sundays
25 September and 9 October, 11.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm
Create your own spectacular sun prints and learn about the science behind this special photographic process.
Included in any paid admission.
Under 5s tour – Alphabet Animals
27 September, 4 and 8 October, 10.00am and 11.00am
A is for anemone, Z is for Zebrafish. Discover animal photos and specimens on display at the museum with movement, songs and storytime in a fun and interactive learning program especially designed for toddlers. Afterwards head to Kids on Deck for crafts and messy play.
Child $8.50, first adult $3.50, additional adult $7, to book visit www.anmm.gov.au/under5s
Family Torchlight Tour: Starry Skies on a Tall Ship
4 – 12 years
Thursday 6 October, 6.15pm – 7.45pm
Take a theatrical guided tour through celestial navigation history in Ships Clocks and Stars and on board HMB Endeavour. Use astronomical telescopes and navigational devices to find constellations in the night sky. Enjoy refreshments and souvenir art making activities.
$22 per child (includes all materials), $18 adult. Bookings essential: 9298 3655 or book online at www.anmm.gov.au/schoolholidays
Youth workshop: Young inventors
8 - 14 years
Thursday 29 September, 10am – 3pm
Get hands on with kinetic art and science inspired by our temporary exhibitions. Experiment with engineering creations that move, float, fly and spin. Learn about navigational instruments - ways of telling time, distance, speed and location and invent your own creative wayfinding device.
$45 per child, $40 members. Bookings essential: book online at www.anmm.gov.au/schoolholidays
Youth workshop: In the Wild
8 - 14 years
Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 October, 10am – 4pm
Join filmmaker and educator Nicola Walkerden to script, film, present and direct your own wild creative TV segment inspired by Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Learn skills in working with green screen and on location, videography, directing, lighting, sound and acting to camera. Have your finished work exhibited in a special museum screening for your family and friends.
$165 per child. Members and early bird special (until 28 September) $140. Book online at www.anmm.gov.au/youth
Exhibitions
51st Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award
On loan from the Natural History Museum in London, the world renowned exhibition showcases100 awe-inspiring images from fascinating animal behaviour to breath-taking wild landscapes.
Adults $20, $12 concessions and children FREE.
Ships Clocks & Stars
An award-winning exhibition telling the fascinating story of the quest for longitude. Experience never – before – seen before artefacts in Australia including clockmaker John Harrison’s original H4 sea watch, many other exquisite timepieces dating to the 1600s and 1700s plus stunning original paintings of Galileo and Captain James Cook.
Tickets are $20 adults, $12 concession and accompanied children go FREE.
The Australian National Maritime Museum, in Darling Harbour, is open from 9.30am to 5pm daily. All enquiries (02) 9298 3777 or visit www.anmm.gov.au/schoolholidays
For images and further information please contact –
Jude Timms (02) 9298 3645; 0418 219841; jtimms@anmm.gov.au