8 school-friendly museums to make learning fun

1. National Videogame Museum

This is the UK’s only museum dedicated solely to videogames with a mission to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret videogames for everyone. Located in Sheffield city centre, the NVM (pictured above) features more than 100 playable videogames, from retro arcade machines to modern games consoles alongside unique exhibitions. With a variety of workshops, KS2-4 pupils can build videogame controllers, create pixel art and even become museum curators with their Museum Makers workshop. 

2. Imperial War Museum

The Imperial War Museum tells the stories of how lives have been shaped by war across five locations - IWM London, IWM North, IWM Duxford, Churchill War Rooms and HMS Belfast. At each site, students can immerse themselves in the powerful and emotive stories of war and conflict. If you’re looking for an extra special experience, HMS Belfast has a ‘Kip in a Ship’ offer where pupils sleep over on board exactly where soldiers once slept. 

3. National Museum of Computing

Combine a visit to the historic Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire with a trip to the National Museum of Computing, which showcases the world’s largest collection of working historic computers. Schools can take part in a number of workshops at the site, which rents H Block at the home of the World War Two codebreakers, with a range of sessions linking to the national curriculum. 

4. Powell-Cotton Museum

The Powell-Cotton Museum brings African and Asian wildlife and ethnography to Kent. Workshops for schools include learning about traditional printing techniques of the Adinkra people from Ghana and the symbols used in their designs. Or your students can try creating coil pots in Mbitim’s Pottery Workshop where they will also learn about the ceramist Mbitim’s the Zande Potter.

5. St Fagans National Museum of History

Don’t just visit history, be part of it at St Fagans National Museum of History near Cardiff. 50 original buildings were collected from across Wales and reconstructed at the museum to give students a unique insight into life through the ages - from Iron Age roundhouses to a Victorian school. Your group can also enjoy demonstrations from blacksmiths, clog makers, woollen millers and corn millers. The museum has an abundance of resources online to support teacher-led visits or pupils can take part in workshops facilitated by the museum’s expert teams.

6. British Motor Museum

Inspire the next generation of engineers with a trip to the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire. Home to the world’s largest collection of historic British cars, the museum runs a range of interactive workshops where students can discover the principles behind good car design, explore energy and forces, and consider how we can power the cars of the future. KS3 and KS4 students also have the chance to test their engineering skills on a scale model Jaguar D-type remote control racing car. The museum offers a travel support fund to assist with the cost of coach transport for the visit.

7. Eden Camp Modern History Museum

Key Stage 2 school groups can bring history to life at the Eden Camp Modern History Museum in Malton, North Yorkshire which uses immersive displays to invite visitors to experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on the Home Front and the Front Line. A host of themes and subjects can be covered including art, RE, citizenship, geography, design and science. Teachers and EVCs can also opt for a cross-curricular, self-led trip to suit their topic and timescale.

8. Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Bring the magic of the Roald Dahl stories to life with a visit to the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire. Pupils will learn about the creative process of storytelling through exciting workshops including crafting characters, editing/redrafting and unlocking ideas and inspiration. Each year, the museum offers ten schools up to £450 towards travel costs through the Amanda Conquy Travel Bursary.