A new exhibition exploring childhood play in Cardiff from the 1930s to the 1950s has opened at the Museum of Cardiff, running alongside a summer of hands on family activities.
Ely Memory Lane, on display from 11th July to 31st October, brings together oral histories, photographs and toys with a specially created video game to tell the story of how generations of children have played and grown up in the city.
The exhibition is the result of a co production project bringing together older residents from Ely, local school pupils and researchers from Cardiff University, blending lived experience with creative interpretation. One of the highlights is Back in My Day, Ely Memory Lane, an interactive game inspired by real memories of play, which invites visitors to take part and reflect on their own childhood experiences.
A summer of activities
Building on the theme of play, the museum has created a summer of play programme to encourage today’s children to make memories of their own, with a full calendar of free events running through the school holidays.
* Dinky Dragons, free sessions on 10th July and 14th August, offering a full day of imaginative play, storytelling, rhyme time and crafts for younger children
* Crafty Wednesdays, running throughout the school holidays, giving children the chance to design and make their own creations with a new theme every week
* The Lotta and Lola Museum Trail, a free, interactive spotter trail inspired by the characters from the book series by award winning author and illustrator Lauren Child
* Explorer Packs, available for families to pick up and become history detectives, searching for clues and solving puzzles as they explore the museum
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said combining nostalgia, creativity and hands on family fun makes the programme on offer at Museum of Cardiff a must visit for families this summer.
Visitors can also take their experience further using the free arts and culture app Bloomberg Connects, which offers a digital museum guide, interactive maps, multilingual content and accessible tours.
On the second Saturday of every month, from 10am to 2pm, the museum turns down the volume in its galleries and offers extra resources for visitors with additional learning needs.
Admission to the Museum of Cardiff is free.
Visit www.cardiffmuseum.com to plan a trip.
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