Childhood Through Time – Summer Holiday Activities
A Summer of Play, Discovery & Nostalgia
Step away from the everyday and journey through the centuries with Childhood Through Time, a summer holiday adventure packed with hands-on activities, interactive experiences, and family fun.
Discover what life was like for children in the past as you explore different eras, play traditional games, tackle historic chores, and experience a lesson in a notoriously strict Victorian-style schoolroom. From medieval entertainment to Tudor pastimes and Victorian inventions, there’s something to captivate visitors of all ages.
Join us throughout the summer holidays for a programme filled with storytelling, puppet shows, crafts, trails, games, archery, interactive talks, and much more.
Summer Holiday Highlights – Available throughout the holidays
Toys Through Time Trail
Follow our family-friendly trail and discover how toys and games have changed through the ages. Can you spot all the clues and uncover the stories behind childhood play from the past?
Play Zone
Let imaginations run wild in our indoor and outdoor play areas. Enjoy traditional toys, hands-on games, and outdoor fun among the hay bales as children experience play the way it used to be.
Nature Bags
Explore the grounds with one of our Nature Bags and discover the natural world around you through fun family activities and challenges.
Travel Through Time: Weekly Activities
Over the six weeks school holidays we will have varying activities each week, Tuesday to Thursday, which focus on a different period in time.
Medieval Times – week one: 21 – 23 July, week two: 28 – 30 July
Step back into the Middle Ages and experience childhood in medieval times.
- Medieval Knucker Puppet Show
- Traditional medieval toys and games
- Themed storytelling and activities
Tudor Times – week three: 4 – 6 August, week four: 11 – 13 August
Enter the fascinating world of the Tudors and discover how children lived and played during one of England’s most famous periods.
- Tudor Tabletop Jousting
- Tudor toys and games
- Hands-on family activities
Victorian Times – week five: 18–20 August, week six: 25 to 27 August
Experience the age of invention and industry through activities inspired by Victorian childhood.
- Victorian trains
- Build your own cardboard houses
- Victorian-themed family fun
Additional special activities and encounters:
Have-a-Go Archery – Tuesday and Wednesday on selected dates:
28 & 29 July, 4 & 5 August, 11 & 12 August, 18 & 19 August
Take aim and test your skills with our popular archery sessions. £3.50 per child
Suitable for children looking to try something new and challenge their accuracy in a safe and supervised environment.
Victorian Schoolroom
Would you survive a lesson from a strict Victorian teacher? Find out as you step into the classroom and experience education from a bygone age.
What a Chore!
Discover the daily tasks children once had to complete before modern conveniences existed. Roll up your sleeves and have a go at some truly terrible chores!
Interactive Talks
Meet knowledgeable presenters and hear fascinating stories about childhood throughout history, from medieval times to the Victorian era.
Storytelling with Dawn ‘The Bard’
Gather round for enchanting storytelling sessions inspired by the medieval, Tudor, and Victorian worlds. Perfect for young imaginations and history lovers alike.
Craft Activities – Tuesday to Thursday each week
Get creative with themed craft sessions inspired by different historical periods. A wonderful opportunity for children to make and take home their own creations.
I Spy in The Artefact Store – dates to be confirmed
Become a history detective and search for clues among fascinating objects from the past.
A Great Day Out for the Whole Family
Whether you’re building cardboard houses, watching a puppet show, learning archery, or discovering the toys that entertained children hundreds of years ago, Childhood Through Time offers a summer packed with learning, laughter, and hands-on fun.
Come and make memories together as history comes to life through play, stories, and adventure.
Activities take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout the summer holidays. Some activities are included with admission, while selected activities may carry an additional charge. Check back regularly for newly announced dates and programme updates.
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Information for Visitors
Discover 40 acres of history, nature, and countryside charm at the Weald & Downland Living Museum near Chichester, West Sussex. Explore our collection of historic buildings, working farm animals, and heritage gardens, and experience what rural life was like in centuries past.
Come Rain or Shine You Can Explore and Enjoy
Stroll through our beautiful open-air museum, where you can see authentic period homes, workshops, and barns set within the stunning South Downs landscape. Enjoy peaceful woodland walks, spot wildlife, or visit the woodland play area — perfect for children to explore and learn through play.
Meet Our Working Animals
Look out for our Heavy Horses, Sheep, and Ducks, who help bring the Museum to life. Visitors can even feed the ducks on the mill pond — grain can be purchased in the Museum shop.
Relax and Refuel
Take a break at our waterside café, serving delicious breakfast, brunch, and lunch options. You’re also welcome to bring a picnic, with plenty of scenic spots around the site to enjoy. During the warmer months, Shepherd’s Hut kiosks offer takeaway drinks and snacks around the Museum.
Useful Visitor Information
- Dogs on short leads are very welcome across the site.
- Free parking is available for all visitors.
- Please note: the Museum is a no-smoking site.
- Visitors with accessibility needs can find detailed information on our Accessibility page.
Please note that all activities and demonstrations are subject to change and may vary depending on the weather or season.
