People’s History Museum (PHM) is inviting families to join the colourful BUILD-A-BOT assembly line until Monday 31 August, so they can create their very own friendly robot. This free activity combines creativity with the opportunity to discover how simple it can be to stand up for a better world for all.
Families visiting the national museum of democracy can design, colour and construct their own characterful robot, complete with circuit boards, cogs, antennas and other finishing touches to bring their inventions to life. Paper templates are available in two levels of complexity, making the activity suitable for a range of ages. Once they’ve rolled off the assembly line, budding engineers can add their robot to the line-up or power it up for adventures at home.
BUILD-A-BOT is inspired by one of the star objects featured in PHM’s current exhibition On The Line: 100 years of strikes & solidarity: the Deceptioncon robot costume. Made from a cardboard box and recycled materials, the robot once stood in support of workers’ rights, becoming a much-loved symbol of solidarity and collective action. The exhibition is free to visit.
Stop off at the Storytelling Zone
The next stop for your younger visitors is the new Storytelling Zone, located in the museum galleries. Here you can ignite your own storytelling superpower by taking part in a range of activities.
A spin of the story generator is the starting point, while the emotions mirror encourages children to think about how their characters feel. Toys, play figures and interactive elements help to bring these story ideas to life and discover new adventures.
The bookshelves are filled with stories that celebrate the themes of the museum, featuring diverse voices and showing how words, ideas and imagination can inspire change. Comfortable seating, cushions and rugs create a space to take time out, read together and let imaginations wander.
All the summer Family Friendly activities at People’s History Museum are free, as is entry to the museum. BUILD-A-BOT is suitable for all from age 5+ and the Storytelling Zone is suitable for ages 0-10 years.
People’s History Museum’s opening hours are 10.00am to 5.00pm, every day except Tuesdays. Gather café is open 10.00am to 5.00pm, every day except Tuesdays, serving hot food, including Family Friendly options, until 3.00pm. There is also a picnic area for those bringing their own food and a water station for all visitors to use. PHM has a Changing Places toilet and lifts to its galleries. Museum entry is free, with most visitors donating £10.
For further information about PHM, its latest programme of events and visiting the museum visit phm.org.uk, and you can keep up to date with the latest news by signing up to receive PHM’s e-newsletter.
ENDS
For further information about PHM, to arrange a visit or interview please contact Fido PR:
laura.sullivan@fidopr.co.uk / clare.short@fidopr.co.uk
Images: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/16irvgxkmgnxlx31q7hvp/AJ1-LemzCv28tWIpbpPlGIc?rlkey=nh5upp385vxvzrs4uhua527vq&;st=kd06ydgz&dl=0
Notes to editors:
About People’s History Museum
People’s History Museum (PHM) in Manchester is the UK’s national museum of democracy, telling the story of its development in Britain: past, present, and future. Through an eclectic and colourful mix of historic and contemporary collections, featuring banners, badges, posters, photography and more, the museum celebrates the radical stories of people coming together to champion ideas worth fighting for.
Offering an engaging programme of exhibitions and events, collaborating with communities to create authentic content, the museum is Family Friendly throughout – inspiring the next generation to be active citizens.
People’s History Museum encourages visitors to be empowered by the past to make a change for the future. We are all together in the fight for a fairer world.
About Arts Council England (ACE)
PHM is an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation (NPO). The work of PHM is supported using public funding by ACE, the national development agency for creativity and culture. ACE have set out their strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 they want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where every one of us has access to a remarkable range of high quality cultural experiences. From 2023 to 2026 they will invest over £467 million of public money from government and an estimated £250 million from The National Lottery each year to help support the sector and to deliver this vision.
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