Mini-Museum Explorers: Life beneath the waves

Mini-Museum Explorers is back at the Portsmouth Natural History Museum on Friday 16 October, with a session called Life beneath the waves: Dive into the Solent’s marine life!. It's one of the regular creative mornings the museum puts on for children under five and their parents or carers, so it's designed for the little ones to get stuck into rather than just sit and watch.

The morning runs from 10.15am to 11.15am, an hour that fits well around the usual toddler schedule. The session is built around storytelling, songs, sensory activities, and arts and crafts, all tied to the theme of the Solent's marine life. The sensory side of things is usually the part that goes down best with the under-fives, and the arts and crafts mean they'll have something to take home with them. It's a hands-on hour, so expect a bit of a mess and a lot of movement.

This is part of the wider Mini-Museum Explorers programme run by the Portsmouth Museum Service, which holds these sessions throughout the year. If you've been to one before, you'll know the format: a mix of listening, singing, and making, all kept to a scale that works for toddlers and preschoolers. This particular one just swaps the usual museum focus for the creatures living in the waters right on our doorstep.

It costs £3 per child, and it's free if you have a leisure card. You do need to book your place in advance by calling 023 9283 4779. If you've got questions before you sign up, you can email mvs@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or ring the same number, 023 9283 4779.