Special Events Coming Soon:
Reading Refugee Week Events:
Saturday 21 June: Welcome to Reading Coffee Morning
Part of our Reading Refugee week celebrations. Join us at this friendly drop-in information hub with free refreshments. We will be partnering with Reading Libraries for a special session hosted in the museum’s Welcome Gallery. All ages, 11am to 1pm. Free, drop in
Saturday 21 June: Everybody’s Welcome Make & Take Craft Sessions
Part of our Reading Refugee week celebrations. Free fun for everyone, come in and join us – everybody’s welcome! Families, half-hour sessions 10am – 1pm. Free, donations welcome, drop in
Saturday 21 June: Are We There Yet? Pop-Up Performance by Rank and File Theatre
All aboard for a story telling journey like no other! A performance with Rank and File Theatre on the ground floor of the Museum. This Refugee Week join us for our pop-up tour along the GWR line bringing theatre, music and comedy to unexpected places. This travelling celebration explores this year’s impactful theme: Community As A Superpower. All ages, 2pm to 4pm. Free, Book here.
Wild about Reading Events:
Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June
Nature Explorer Trail with Bertie Badger
Can you spot some of the animals hiding in Reading Museum? Become a Nature Explorer today! Bertie Badger has invited 9 of his friends to join his new wildlife habitat, but some of them are lost in the museum! Follow the butterflies to help you find all animal hiding spots. Discover the amazing animals hiding in our galleries. All ages, 10am to 5pm. Free, donations welcome, drop in
Wild about Reading Activity Cart
Drop in and enjoy some paper craft on a natural history theme! All ages, 10am to 5pm. Free, donations welcome, drop in
Wild about Reading Object Handling
Handle some fascinating items Natural History items from our Collection. All ages, 10.30am to 12pm. Free, donations welcome, drop in
Meet the Binfield Badger Group (Saturday 28 June only)
Find out more about badgers in Berkshire and what you can do to help them. We will be joined by the local Binfield Badger Group to discover more about badger conservation and how we can protect these amazing animals. Families, 11am to 1pm. Free, donations welcome, drop in
Saturday 28 June: Family Digi-Workshop: Code Breaking – Pigpen
Have fun with the micro:bit coding a decoding device using radio transmission. We’ll explore the wonderful world of code breaking and cryptography and then seek out some PigPen symbols in the museum and then try to crack the code. Families, all welcome but aimed at ages 8-11 with accompanying adult, 10am. Free, donations welcome. Book here.
Saturday 28 June: Family Digi-Workshop: EcoCode – Birdwatch
Keeping track of local species of bird is really important not only to preserve these wonderful animals, but also to ensure vibrant eco-systems. We’ll be finding birds hidden around the museum and transmitting their frequencies to a micro:bit where we can then analyse the data and make predictions. Families, all welcome but aimed at ages 8-11 with accompanying adult, 11:30am and 2pm. Free, donations welcome. Book here.
Saturday 28 June: Water Fest: Medieval Song and Live Music/ Making Instruments at the Reading Museum stall
Celebrate the history of Medieval Reading Abbey. Incorporating live music, Medieval songs and possibly even some dance! Reading Museum will be joined by Ghaetta, a local group who play lively dance music from the distant past on replica Medieval and Renaissance instruments and who will be dressed up in brightly coloured costumes from the period. Why not drop in to join us and enjoy making some simple Medieval inspired instruments. All ages, Families, starts 11am - 4pm. Free, donations welcome, drop in
Regular Events:
Monk Bear Trail: Now on! Families: £1 per trail, pay on the day
Oh Crumbs! Biscuit Trail: Now on! Families: £1 per trail, pay on the day
Celebrate the history of Reading’s world famous biscuit makers, Huntley & Palmers. When you have completed your trail, go and collect your prize! Even our youngest visitors can enjoy this trail.
Sport in Mind Session: Mum & Baby Movement & Exercise for Mental Wellbeing: Every Monday
Light movement and exercise for mums and babies with our lovely instructor! These sessions are for mums with babies under 1, experiencing low mood, isolation or loneliness or difficulties with their mental health. In partnership and delivered for the benefit of local people by Sport in Mind, the UK’s leading mental health sports charity. Mums and Babies, 1pm - 2pm
Rhymetime at Reading Museum: Every Wednesday
The popular Rhymetime sessions at Reading Libraries are now starting at Reading Museum! These sessions introduce babies and children to language, rhyme and taking part in a fun way. Families, 10.30am – 11am. Donations welcome, drop in
Object Handling: Every Friday Morning
Join our gallery team or one of our volunteers and enjoy learning more about the objects in our Loans Collection. All ages, 10.30am - 12pm, drop in
Museums, My Way: Every Saturday
We have created a breakout room, aimed at neurodivergent visitors and their families. Quiet areas with tents and cushions and sensory toys will be available. Families can enjoy exploring the galleries using our sensory bags, then take time out to relax before continuing their visit. Families, Free, drop in#
