Dinky Dragon’s Toddler Club

Calling all curious explorers aged 2-4 years old, bring your adult for a rip roaring adventure at the Weald & Downland Living Museum. Knucker, our resident dragon puppet will take you on a journey of discovery exploring a different theme inspired by the Museum each session. Expect stories, songs, ‘make and take’ crafts and plenty of hands-on, free range fun in the great outdoors!

The toddler club will run on selected Friday mornings, 10.30am to 12noon, during West Sussex term times. Each session has a different theme for the children to enjoy.

Dates and themes are as follows:

• 23^rd January – The Three Little Pigs – Join us for a busy morning where little builders construct a range of shelters and crafts using their big imaginations. Toddlers can explore straw, stick and brick and clay themed activities as they discover what materials can make a strong and sturdy home.
• 27th February – Fairies and Pixies – Get ready for a magical morning inspired by fairy stories from folklore. We will set of on a fairy hunt and see if we can find evidence of fairy folk living at the museum. We will then make wands, wings and crowns and decorate a fairy door to take home.
• 20th March – Little Red Hen – We’ll begin by listening to the traditional tale of The Little Red Hen, then try our own hand at turning wheat into bread. Children will visit the mill to quern their flour, before kneading and shaping their very own dough.
  Once it’s ready, the bread will go into the oven—and can be collected warm and freshly baked from the bakehouse at 1pm. A delightful, hands-on journey from grain to loaf!
• 24^th April – Spring has Sprung! – Let’s set off on a Springtime adventure and search for signs of the season in our historic gardens! We will then dive into a world of creativity- making fragrant flowery potions and floral themed crafts to take home.
• 15^th May – Busy Beaks – This special bird themed toddler group will challenge your little one to build their own nest, discover which birds call the museum home and set off in search for worms. We will finish the session by feeding the museum ducks.
• 26^th June – Traditional Toys and Games – Come and play at the museum and experience some old-fashioned fun! From hobby horses to cup and balls, spinning toys to stilts, you can experience a what play time was like in the past and then make some traditional toys of your own to take home!
• 17^th July- Splish, Splash, Splosh – Cool down in this water-based play session where we will be making bubbles, pouring in paddling pools, sending cork boats down a water chute and experimenting with which materials sink and float.
• 25^th September – Autumn Adventure – Along the way, we’ll make imaginative conker creatures, design unique journey sticks, and craft stunning creations using fallen leaves and natural treasures.
• 16^th October – Potion Commotion – A Halloween Special – Do you like stirring, chopping, mixing and pouring? Then this Halloween potion themed session is for you. Experiment with different materials to make a gruesome concoction.
• 20^th November – Stick Man – Who doesn’t love a stick? This Stick Man themed session will take inspiration from the wonderful story by Julia Donaldson. Together we’ll craft our very own stick men, build a cosy mini home for them using natural materials, and create beautiful artwork from leaves, twigs, and anything else we discover outdoors. Expect creativity, imagination, and maybe even a little bit of stickiness along the way!
• 11^th December – Dinky Dragon’s Christmas Party – Join this special festive-themed toddler group as we celebrate the season with joyful Christmas crafts. Decorate a gingerbread man for snack time, sing along to favourite Christmas songs, and enjoy a cosy morning filled with sparkle, creativity and seasonal cheer.

Tickets:

Tickets are priced at £9.50 per child, which includes an accompanying adult for free. Additional children can be added at £5.00 per child (Please note we have a maximum of 3 children to one adult per booking).

This also includes FREE admission to the Museum for after the session finishes. You are welcome to stay at the Museum and explore around the site for as long as you like.

Spaces are limited in number for each session, so book early to guarantee your space. Tickets will not be available to purchase on the day.

What to bring:

• Suitable clothing for all-weather session
• Own drinking water for story time
• We will serve bananas/apple and plain biscuits. Bring your own snack if preferred.

Book online today!

Information for Visitors

The Museum’s 40 acres site, historic gardens and buildings are fascinating places to learn about rural history. Visitors can purchase grain from the Museum shop and feed the hungry ducks on the mill pond. Whilst enjoying the great outdoors and fresh air, look out for our working animals, which can include the Heavy Horses, Sheep and Ducks. There are a number of lovely woodland trails, including a woodland play area for children to explore.

Why not enjoy breakfast, brunch or lunch at our waterside café?  Visitors can also bring a picnic as there are plenty of picnic areas available on site.  Takeaway refreshments will also be available from our seasonal Shepherd’s Huts located around the Museum.

Dogs on short leads are welcome and there is ample free parking. Please note that the Museum is a no-smoking site. Visitors with access needs are advised to read our accessibility page in advance of their visit.

All activities are subject to change.