Nominate National Civil War Centre for Kids In Museums Award

The prestigious award recognises museums, galleries and heritage sites that provide a great experience for children, young people and families. It is the only museum award to be judged by families.

The museum has lots of activities for children and young people, so you can take the whole family on a trip to the 17^th Century. Dress up in civil-war armour and costume for a unique family photo, hunt for mystery objects and play our new gallery games in the National Civil War Centre. Newark Museum has many exciting objects which are sure to stimulate kid’s imaginations, from a Roman skeleton to a mammoth’s tooth! From the moment they walk in, children can help themselves to a goodie bag and enjoy fun and games in all our galleries. There is even an HD cinema which brings history to life for the whole family.

Our stories and collections really help children’s imaginations fly. Find out about the dog who rode into battle with the dashing Prince Rupert of the Rhine and take him for a walk around our gallery.

Our fun-packed programme of family events includes Family Saturdays on the first Saturday of the month with crafts, special family trails and activities. On Thursday mornings our toddler group, Mini Museum, sees the museum galleries filled with play.

This month’s family Saturday is May the Fourth be with you, on Saturday 4 May from 10am to 4pm. Everyone is familiar with the tale of a son who fights in a civil war against his father, an army of soldiers who are experts in wielding weapons and a queen who goes on a dangerous mission. Families can travel through time, if not space, in the Civil War Gallery for a look at seventeenth century weapons with the Civil War Centre’s learning officer.

Then on 1 June, Jitterbug June celebrates the 80^th anniversary of D-Day as guests are invited to look at 1940s objects in the galleries and decorate cakes for the victory tea party as they swing into the 1940s with dance sessions in the Tudor Hall.

In July, Family Saturday takes inspiration from our beautiful Dandelion Exhibition, celebrating the power of plants to support our wellbeing.

August celebrates Lord Byron and his daughter Ada Lovelace. Join us for ‘Marvellous Mathematical Museum’ including Family Five tours of our galleries with a maths and engineering theme and creative and mathematical activities in our learning space.

Newark’s civil-war history spills out of the museum and threads through the streets of the town so why not make a day of it and join one of our Saturday tours which bring the town’s history to life. There’s a family friendly one on 3 August, which introduces Newark Through Time.

The National Civil War Centre is now appealing for families to share their experiences of visiting the museum with Kids in Museums to support its application for the award in the best small museum category.

Councillor Rowan Cozens, Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council said: “We were delighted to be shortlisted as best Family Friendly Museum last year. This year our family friendly offer is even stronger.

"If you have enjoyed a visit with your family, we would be grateful if you could send your experience to Kids in Museums to give us the strongest possible application.  Our wonderful team at the Centre work incredibly hard and Newark is so lucky to be able to showcase a National Museum to families, both locally and nationally.  It would be an honour for them to receive yet a second nomination for such a prestigious award, so please pop along and see the Centre for yourself!”

To nominate The National Civil War Museum for the Family Friendly Museum Award, visit the Kids in Museums website and fill in the online form: www.kidsinmuseums.org.uk/awards.

You’ll also find a feedback form where you can put down what makes the museum so family friendly.

The deadline for nominations is 5pm on 3 June 2024.

In June, an expert panel will whittle down the nominations to a shortlist. Undercover family judges will then visit each shortlisted museum and assess them on how well they meet the Kids in Museums Manifesto. Their experiences will decide the winners. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October 2024.