The water themed play area includes brand new soft play equipment plus organised activities such as painting and modelling. The equipment and activities have been designed with help from a family-friendly audit (taken from Kids in Museums) to offer additional facilities and learning experiences to younger audiences. The play area will also be available for hire by small groups and children's parties.
John Inch, general manager, National Waterways Museum said: “We are delighted to open these new facilities for our younger visitors and already parents have told me they will be bringing their kids here for years to come. I am also delighted to announce that our very popular soft play boat for 5 to 11 year olds is next in line for refurbishment fully completing our children's area.”
Organised activities
Helen Evans, education co-ordinator for the Trust adds: “Opening the play area is the first stage of our education programme and we are now set to develop a family guide, part of our Canal & River Explorers learning programme, specially designed to help children discover the history, geography and wildlife of their local canal or river.
“We would like to take the opportunity to thank: Tony Hales, chairman of the Canal & River Trust for funding the project; the Portside Children's Centre who helped advise us; Sharon Vernon who represents the local schools partnership, Annette Simpson the Trust's Education & Interpretation manager, along with museum staff and volunteers.”
