VG&M at Home - Activities for Families Page
We understand that you may not always be able to visit us in person. This section will have a wide range of resources for you to download wherever you are.
Green Futures Family Resource Pack
The activities in this pack encourage families to consider their own impact on the environment, the importance of nature and to think about what they can do to help tackle climate change. The pack is inspired by the University’s ‘Climate Futures’ research.
Download the Green Futures Family Resource pack
Find out more about Climate: Climate futures | Research | University of Liverpool
This resource was written and produced by Lorna Kernahan (keystoneheritage.info@gmail.com), designed by William Evers-Swindell and funded by Museums Development North
Activity Sheets -
Can't get to us in person? Looking for something to entertain the kids or looking for a mindfulness moment for yourself? Download our colouring and activity sheets below!
Can't print at home? There are lots of different apps you can download that will enable you to colour our templates at home. From your phone/tablet, simply screenshot the PDF templates below and then open them on the app of your choosing. Don't forget to show us what you've created by tagging us on social media and using the hashtag #VGMatHome.
We tried You Doodle & SketchBook to try it out;
PDF Colouring Sheets
Please note that the following colouing sheets are PDFs that can be opened on Adobe Acrobat Reader and printed at home.
Colouring Sheet - Create a framed artwork
Sloth Colouring In - Activity Sheet
Tate Hall Animal Colouring In - Activity Sheet
VG&M Fireplace Colouring Sheet
Design a Creature in a Bell Jar - Activity Sheet
VG&M Stained Glass Window Colouring Sheet
Jigsaws
If you can't access the activity trolley in the Tate Hall museum - we will bring some of the activities to you!
We have a few VG&M inspired jigsaws for you to try and there are different difficulty levels for you to try:
Level - Very Easy (4 - 12 pieces)
General Images
Level - Easy (20 - 30 pieces)
Patterns
Architecture
Level - Intermediate (50 - 60 pieces)
Architecture
Patterns
VG&M Exterior
We also have some difficult jigsaws for adults on this page.
Secret Art of Survival Family Pack
These activities are inspired by a hidden history of the Second World War, when thousands of allied servicemen became prisoners of the Japanese, known as FEPOW and are linked to our Secret Art of Survival Exhbition.
Download our Family Resource Pack or go to the accessible version here.
Craft along with us on YouTube
We have various fun, seasonal craft videos for you to try on our YouTube Channel. Inspired by our collections and our building, try some crafts at home and share them with us on social media using the hashtag #VGMatHome
Chinese New Year Paper Lanterns
Inspired by our Chinese Ceramics collection, create paper lanterns to celebrate Chinese New Year. You can either hang them directly onto fairy lights or light them up underneath with battery operated tea lights.
Nightmares in a Bell Jar Craft
Inspired by our 'Nightmares in a Bell Jar' exhibition download the Nightmares in a Bell Jar Craft watch our YouTube video and create your own creature and mini exhibition at home.
Victorian Valentine's Day Card
Inspired by VG&M artwork on the Art UK website and Victorian cards from the University of Liverpool's Special Collections & Archives, create your own Victorian inspired Valentine's Day cards.
Valentine's Day Heat Scarab
Inspired by the Heart Scarab's found in the Garstang Museum, create your own Ancient Egyptian inspired love token to send to your valentine using oven baked clay.
Easter Card Craft
Make a Victorian inspired Easter card by downloading the Victorian Easter Card Craft instructions and images and then watching the YouTube video. Don't forget to show us your creations on social media #VGMatHome.
Spring Daffodil Jewellery Craft
'Daffodil' by John Randall Bratby (1928–1992)
Inspired by one of the spring paintings from our collection, watch our YouTube video and make some spring jewellery out of clay that you bake in the oven.
This video is just for ideas, you can make the daffodil shapes without needing the jewellery backings and you can then use the models to decorate a vase or a photo frame for example!
Snake Mobile Craft
Watch our YouTube video, download our Snake Mobile craft pack and make a spinning serpentine mobile that is inspired by our beautiful python skeleten in the Tate Hall Museum.
Paper Alligator Craft
Inspired by the Alligators on display in the Tate Hall Museum, try this simple Alligator Snapper craft and make a paper puppet. Watch our YouTube video and don’t forget to tag us on social media #VGMatHome.
VG&M Clock Tower Craft
Inspired by the VG&M clock tower, make your very own Redbrick pen pot for your desk at home. Watch our YouTube video and show us your creation #VGMatHome.
Sloth Origami Craft
Inspired by the Sloth outside our museum, make your very own origiami sloth to hang up at home. Watch our YouTube video and tag us #VGMatHome when you've made your critter.
Clay Fairy House and Trinket box Craft
Inspired by 'Twilight Dreams' by Arthur Rackham, make your own light up fairy house for your home or garden. All you need for this craft is a recycled glass jar and some paints or paint pens. There is also a video for the adults on our other page using clay for the house.
Bird Feeder Craft
Inspired by our Audubon gallery, make a beautiful bird feeder out of a recycled milk carton to invite the birds into your garden. Watch our YouTube video and don't forget to tag your creation on social media #VGMatHome.
Lava Lamp Craft
Inspired by 'The Eruption of the Soufriere Mountains in the Island of St. Vincent, 30th April 1812' by J.M.W Turner, make your own lava lamp at home using a recycled jar or bottle, oil, water and food colouring. Watch our YouTube video and tag us in your craft VGMatHome.
Stop Motion Animation Craft
Inspired by the 'Under the Sea' exhibition in the Tate Hall museum, make your own stop motion animation using play-doh and toys. Watch our YouTube video for inspiration and then get animating using whatever you have at home! You can download lots of different apps for stop motion animation and Koma Koma is a great free app for kids to use!
Ancient Egyptian Inspired Bead Necklace Craft
Inspired by the Ancient Egyptian glass beads from the Garstang Museum, make your own beads and necklace using oven-bake clay and string. Watch our YouTube video for inspiration and ideas and then tag your creation using#VGMatHome. You can find out more about Ancient Egyptian bead production for more inspiration on the Garstang Museum Blog.
Under the Sea Cupcakes
Inspired by our Under the Sea exhibition, learn how to decorate cup cakes with scrumptious sea creatures made out of fondant. Watch our YouTube video and don't forget to tag us in your creations on social media #VGMatHome.
Handprint Art - Sloth example
Celebrate #NationalLeftHanders day with us! Inspired by the Sloth in the Tate Hall museum, create a simple, slow and relaxing sloth artwork. Watch our YouTube video and don't forget to tag us in your creations on social media #VGMatHome.
Ancient Egyptian Skittle Game Craft
Inspired by the Garstang Museum Collection and using recycled drink bottles and paint, create a set of Ancient Egyptian inspired skittles to play with at home. Watch our YouTube video and don't forget to tag us in your creations on social media #VGMatHome.
Halloween Crafts
Inspired by our skulls and ghost stories we have an assortment of Halloween crafts for you to try!
Glowing Ghosts
Halloween Jars
Creepy Candles
Skull Jewellery
Poppy Window Display
Inspired by our war memorials, create a poppy display for your window on Remembrance Day
Victorian Christmas Snowflake
Inspired by our Victorian Building, create Victorian inspired snowflake decorations using paper doiles.
Christmas Wreath
Inspired by our Victorian Building, create Victorian inspired Christmas Wreaths using old paper or books as centrepieces for your table or to hang up around your home.