Let’s go fly a kite! Explore the great outdoors this May Half Term with hands-on activities, pit village pastimes and much more.
Time Tunnel
Wed-Sun
£5.50 per child, £6.50 per adult, pre-booking advised
Be transported through the centuries as you are taken through almost 200 years of mining history thanks to state-of-the-art technology. You will travel through time and discover the incredible stories of coal mining through the centuries.
Makers’ Shed
Wed-Sun, 11.30am-3.30pm
Free, drop-in at Pony Discovery Centre, The Hub
Step into the streets of Tom McGuinness paintings and make games inspired by pit village pastimes.
Life in the Pit Village: Wartime Stories Unearthed
Fri 22-Sun 24, Wed 27-Sun 31 May, 11.30am-3pm
Free, drop-in at The Hub
Travel back to the 1940s and uncover what life was really like in the Pit Village through family-friendly storytelling. Learn how the war touched every household and handle the treasured items that helped hold the community together.
Bold as Brass
Saturday 23 May, 10am-5pm, free entry, find out more
Join us for Bold as Brass, our annual brass bands march and entertainment content, in partnership with Brass Bands England.
Spring Scavenger Hunts
Wed 27- Fri 29 May
10.30am-11.30am, pre-bookable
Join us for a woodland adventure hunting for nature’s treasures. Perfect for Under 5s!
The Beach
Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm (if the sun is shining)
Join us for a day out at the seaside, build sandcastles and soak up the sunshine.
Horsekeeper Talks
Wed-Sun,
Free at Pony Discovery Centre
Visit Eric, Ernie, Al and Bud. Join us for our Horsekeeper talks at 12pm, see what they are fed at 2.30pm.
Paint, Patterns and People Workshop
Wed 27 & Sat 30 May, 1.30pm-2.30pm and 2.30pm-3.30pm
£2.50 per family (up to 4 people), pre-bookable
Join artists Lenny and Whale for this fun painting workshop. Create your own colourful character to add to our sculptural village that will be exhibited at the Museum in October 2026, inspired by sculptor Betty Miller’s ‘My Village’.
Kite Making Family Workshop
Wed 27, Thu 28 and Fri 29 May, 11am-12.30pm
£10 per family, pre-bookable
Celebrate the joy of spring and craft your own beautiful kite using wood, fabric, and ribbon. Build it, decorate it, and watch your creation soar against the spring sky.
Nature Backpacks
Wed-Sun
£10 refundable deposit, collect at Reception
These specially designed backpacks have everything needed for an outdoor adventure, and are packed with essential tools! Choose from Marvellous Minibeasts, Brilliant Birds, Treemendous Trees or Watery Wildlife. Come back and use all four backpacks to complete a collectible puzzle! Grab a backpack and let curiosity lead the way!
Tours:
Pithead Baths Explore
Wed-Sun, 12pm, Free
Meet at Pithead Baths
Discover the daily routines of miners, from the start to the end of their day, in this fun family tour!
Visit us this May Half Term for a fantastic family day out, enjoy Horsekeeper talks, take a walk around our Nature Trail, explore discovery spots, and lots, lots more!
For more information including contact details for the National Coal Mining Museum please visit their directory listing here –
