Learning Event for all ages
Playday in the Garden
Join us in the museum’s Dame Sylvia Crowe Garden for a festival of play, creativity and design for children and families, exploring gardens and the creatures that inhabit them!
What to expect
It’s National Playday, and to celebrate, we’ll hold an afternoon of creative activities for children here in our leafy museum garden.
Play is a way to engage with and understand the world around us. Playful drop-in activities will take children on a journey through our Dame Sylvia Crowe Garden, exploring its plant and creature life, and learning about design and wildlife in the process.
Children will encounter the garden’s biodiversity – from bees, butterflies and birds, to worms and creepy crawlies! Through playful and creative activities, children will learn how we can use design to benefit other animals and insects.
Design a mini garden, become a bee or a butterfly, learn how sticky worms nurture the soil, create a bird eatery and more!
Playday is aimed at children between 4 and 10 years old. Please note that the workshops of this event are not suitable for toddlers.
This event takes place outdoors and will go ahead in the case of light rain. Please dress accordingly.
Share your favourite moments at the museum with @designmuseum using the hashtags #Playday #DesignMuseum
Photo: Richard Heald for the Design Museum
Facilitator
Katie Rose White
Katie is a Play Artist and Founder of The Best Medicine. She facilitates practical workshops, interactive talks and teambuilding days, teaching people about the benefits of laughter and playfulness. Katie also designs and delivers Play Trails for families and children at museums and gardens across the UK. Katie uses a combination of games, improvisation, playful prompts, mindfulness and nature connection to harness unique connections, educate and inspire. Visit Katie's website.
Book Online
Booking information
Adult: £5
Child/Young person: £5
Student/Concession: £5
Members: £5
Carer: Free (proceed to checkout to add a carer ticket to your booking)
• Pre-booking is required as spaces are limited
• Suitable Age 4+. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible, ticket-holding adult
• Please ensure you only book if you plan to attend, and please cancel your booking in advance if your availability changes
Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Visit our Terms & Conditions page for further information.
National Playday
From just a couple of events in 1987, Playday grew to around a dozen in London by 1989, went national in 1991 and is now the biggest celebration of children’s play in the UK. Taking place on the first Wednesday in August, Playday is a celebration of children’s right to play, and a campaign that highlights how play is fundamental to their health, wellbeing and development. Coordinated by Play England, in partnership with Play Wales, Play Scotland and PlayBoard Northern Ireland.
What's On
Background image: Richard Heald for the Design Museum