Well-established

Case study by Ferens Art Gallery

Consultation is key. Discover the importance of listening to your audiences and the value of steering groups when designing new dedicated spaces for under fives.

Case study by Great North Museum: Hancock

What came about when Newcastle’s City of Sanctuary requested a bespoke session for refugee and asylum seeking families with under 5s?

Case study by the Tees Valley Making a Mark museums partnership

What kinds of museum visits can be effective cultural learning experiences for EYFS groups of different ages? This exploratory project aimed to find out.

Article by Dr Abigail Hackett, Professor Rachel Holmes & Dr Christina MacRae

In this article Manchester Metropolitan University ask: How are we imagining or anticipating the babies, toddlers and young children that enter our museums?

Article by Jen DeWitt

If young children spent most of their school day in a museum – over a long period – what would their learning be like? The ‘My Primary School is at the Museum’ project found out!

Case study by the Fitzwilliam Museum

The Fitzwilliam Museum and Cambridge University Botanic Garden welcomed nine nursery school children to a residency in a multi-disciplinary research project. What did they learn?

Case study by Sewerby Hall and Gardens

Partnership working with Children’s Centres and a local church allowed Sewerby Hall and Gardens to reach new audiences – through cooking!

Article by Ruth Churchill Dower

Young brains need to be nurtured. Ruth Churchill Dower explains why it is important for us to understand neuroscience and the role our venues can play in early brain development.

Case study by the Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum worked with their local library to deliver a series of events to better understand their local family audiences.

Case study by Great North Museum: Hancock

Discover how the Great North Museum: Hancock trialled the use of Makaton to provide a welcoming and accessible environment and engage a wider range of family visitors.

Case study by the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

Find out how the Herbert worked with their Visitor Experience department on their most recent annual exhibition for under 5s - A Very Viking Voyage.

Case study by Islington Museum

How can you facilitate family wellbeing in a museum? Islington Museum delivered a collaborative research project for families experiencing mental health challenges.

Museum of London

Be a fly on the wall and discover how children under three learn in museums. Go behind the scenes of the Museum of London Docklands' early years programme with Jo Graham.

Museum of London

Recommendations for evaluating provision for under 5s, including how evaluation has influenced the Museum of London's programming over the last 10 years.

Museum of London

In this piece, the Museum of London and Museum of London Docklands reflect on over nine years of running an early years programme and share the key lessons we have learnt.

Museum of London

Self-directed resources offer a way for families with children under five to feel welcome, comfortable and supported while visiting a museum or gallery. Take inspiration from the Museum of London’s family resources – including a baby sensory mat!

Museum of London

From weekly baby and toddler sessions, to special pirate-themed summer shows and a two-day Toddler Takeover festival weekend, find out how the Museum of London run their programme.

Museum of London

Explore the Museum of London's top tips for working with under 5s. Discover what resources are must-haves, how to make the most of gallery visits and more.

Museum of London

A collection of handy sample resources for working with under 5s, from a messy play handout for first time attendees, to risk assessment and evaluation templates.

Museum of London

A list of websites, publications and projects that have proven useful when working with under 5s at the Museum of London.