Imperial War Museums - What's on for families this summer

 

Family activities this summer across our branches Plan Your Visit Planning a family day out this summer holiday? There’s plenty to do and discover across IWM's branches. Little explorers and big kids welcome.  Explore IWM London’s galleries with our Story Seekers trail, discover how disguise and deception were used leading up to D-Day at IWM North, build your own Airspeed Horsa glider at IWM Duxford and learn to decipher Morse Code on board HMS Belfast. Find out more about what’s on offer below.  Story Seekers Story Seekers: Stan Hollis IWM London  Daily from until 1 September Through object handling and source analysis, discover more about Stan Hollis, the only soldier to win a Victoria Cross on D-Day.   Explore our galleries and discover compelling real-life stories with your family. Free entry.   Find Out More Story Seekers: D-Day Disguise and Deception IWM North  Daily until 1 September   Explore the real stories detailing methods of disguise and deception used leading up to D-Day.    From building fake tanks to dropping dummy paratroopers, learn more with our Story Seekers trolley and new activity sheet. Free entry.   Find Out More   Life At Sea: Morse Mice! HMS Belfast  Daily until 1 September   It’s 1944 and the Morse Mice are receiving messages suggesting that HMS Belfast is about to be involved in something big.   Explore the ship to decipher the Morse Code and reveal HMS Belfast's destination to the crew. You will even be able to create your very own medal inspired by the ship. Free with general admission. Find Out More       Family Hub Who's Rupert?  IWM London  Daily from until 1 September The Allies used deception tactics to trick the Germans on D-Day. One of their plans involved ‘Ruperts’. But what is a Rupert?  Join us this summer to find out and make a Rupert of your own.  Free entry.   Find Out More D-Day: Weather or Not IWM North  Daily until 1 September Discover the importance weather in the preparation for D-Day. Learn about the people who forecasted the weather and how they did it.    Build a windmill or cloud finder, or learn to track phases of the moon. Free entry.   Find Out More   D Day: What could go wrong? IWM North  13 August and 14 August Join actor and presenter Ben Shires in a live show that explores the planning and preparation for D-Day. Discover how fake tanks fooled the Germans and find out about the weather conditions needed for this huge operation to succeed. Find Out More       Family activities at IWM Duxford Free with general admission Gliders of D-Day: Airborne Soldiers Daily until 1 September Learn about how gliders were used to transport troops and supplies on D-Day. Take part in our challenge, build your own glider and land it as close to the target as possible.   Find Out More You've Got Mail! The Americans at Duxford Daily until 1 September Explore stories of Americans in the UK during the Second World War.  Watch the film shown to US soldiers about British customs, then hunt down the top tips they were given in our new trail.    Find Out More   Author Tom Palmer and his dog Finn   Author's Table: Tom Palmer IWM North 6 August Tom Palmer is a writer of historical fiction for children. His books are used across the UK and beyond to teach children about the First and Second World Wars. In this talk, perfect for budding writers, Tom will explore how he creates his stories and explain his writing process. Find Out More       We Were There: Family Day Meet veterans and eyewitnesses of conflict to gain a unique insight into the impact of war on people’s lives. You will hear an array of personal stories and powerful memories from those who have experienced conflict first-hand, ranging from driving an Army tank to being evacuated from the place they called home. Find our special guests throughout IWM's branches this summer holiday.   IWM London 6, 13, 20, 17 August IWM North 7, 14, 21, 28 August HMS Belfast 2, 9, 16, 24 August IWM Duxford 31 July and 7, 14, 21 August