Our EYFS programme uses exploration and discovery-based learning to support the development of our littlest learners and help them to enjoy the Museum.
Our lively workshops focus on improving speaking and listening skills, introducing children to new vocabulary and encouraging social interaction, collaboration and imagination through storytelling, outdoor learning and practical hands-on activities.
Self-Guided Visits
The Museum offers a stimulating and inspirational environment for early learning. Our historic buildings, natural environment and animals can be used to inspire creative, literacy and numeracy learning with lots of opportunities for exploration and active communication.
A self-guided visit allows you to explore in your own time and our Resources page has materials to help you prepare as well as activities to support a visit.
How to Book
Visit our Plan & Book page for all the information you need to organise and book a visit, including prices.
Online booking formNeed More Information?
Please email schoolbookings@wealddown.co.uk or call us on 01243 811459
Onsite Workshops
Three Little Pigs Mini Builders Workshop
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: £50
This lively, interactive workshop brings the tale of the Three Little Pigs to life. Though hands-on, investigative activities children learn about materials and their properties and how to build a house strong enough to keep the Big Bad Wolf out.
They visit houses to discover the chimney he came down in an interactive story.
What will they do?
- Hear and have the story of The Three Little Pigs brought to life
- Take part in hands-on activities investigating and building with the three materials – straw, sticks and bricks – to test their strength and suitability for building
- Visit a house made from bricks, sticks and straw to find the chimney used by the Big Bad Wolf
How to book
Please complete our Online Booking Enquiry Form
Alternatively, call us on 01243 811459 or email schoolbookings@wealddown.co.uk
Time Travellers: Homes in the Past
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: £40
Take your group back in time to discover how people lived in the past. What were their homes like? Where did people sleep, wash and cook? And what about the toilet?
In this workshop, children explore our historic houses to discover the differences with homes today. Along the way, they will take part in hands-on activities and experience demonstrations to enhance learning further.
What will they do?
- Investigate and find out about the differences between homes past and present
- See and handle real artefacts
- Visit homes from the past
- Try on replica clothes
How to book
Please complete our Online Booking Enquiry Form
Alternatively, call us on 01243 811459 or email schoolbookings@wealddown.co.uk
Little Red Hen
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: £40
Based on the story of Little Red Hen, this workshop is designed to give younger children an understanding of where food comes from and how it is made.
They become the Little Red Hen’s helpers by planting wheat, visiting the mill, grinding flour and kneading dough to make bread. There will also be a chance to meet some of the Little Red Hen’s chicken friends.
What will they do?
- Visit a farmyard and working mill
- Sow grain and grind flour
- Knead and make bread rolls to take home
- Handle artefacts and tools from the Museum’s collection
- Have a chance to see and get up close to real chickens
How to book
Please complete our Online Booking Enquiry Form
Alternatively, call us on 01243 811459 or email schoolbookings@wealddown.co.uk
Knucker the Dragon
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: £40
Discover the story of Knucker the Dragon and how a boy called Jim helped him find a new home.
In this fun-filled, interactive session, children join in the story by exploring the woods, completing tasks and working together to find Knucker’s new home and get it ready for him to live in.
This session is designed to stimulate children’s interest in the landscape, helping them to understand that it has always been a home shared by many different creatures.
What will they do?
- Take part in an interactive storytelling session outdoors based on a legend from Anglo-Saxon Sussex
- Explore areas of the site and woodlands
- Take part in wild play and woodland art and craft activities
How to book
Please complete our Online Booking Enquiry Form
Alternatively, call us on 01243 811459 or email schoolbookings@wealddown.co.uk
Nature School: What’s in the Woods?
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: £40
Help little ones discover the great outdoors and the wildlife that lives there.
This multi-sensory adventure takes them on a journey into our magical woodland where they will use all their senses to explore woodland life. Along the way, they search logs and leaves in a woodland bug hunt, listen to and explore trees and collect fallen leaves, feathers, sticks and stones for a nature-themed collage.
What will they do?
- Explore the woodlands on a multi-sensory tour
- Look for mini beasts on a woodland bug hunt
- Take part in activities that engage the senses and promote wellbeing
- Create a nature-inspired collage
How to book
Please complete our Online Booking Enquiry Form
Alternatively, call us on 01243 811459 or email schoolbookings@wealddown.co.uk
Old MacDonald’s Farm
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: £40
What was Old MacDonald’s farm like and how did he look after the animals? During this lively session children will take part in rhymes and songs, visit the farm area to see the animals and discover what they eat, feed the ducks and complete farm chores to help Old MacDonald get his work done for the day.
What will they do?
- Take part in songs and rhymes associated with farm animals
- Have a chance to explore the barns, farmyard and farmhouses
- See the animals, discover where they live and what they eat
- Feed the ducks
- Have a go at simple farm chores
How to book
Please complete our Online Booking Enquiry Form
Alternatively, call us on 01243 811459 or email schoolbookings@wealddown.co.uk
