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London landscapes: Creative kids engineering academy
24 July to 29 August 2010
From Saturday 24 July families can join in London Transport Museum's Kids Engineering Academy. Using a variety of materials including construction straws, nuts and bolts, spaghetti, balloons, giant building bricks and water, discover how scientists and engineers have assisted London's ever-changing landscape as we help answer the questions what is engineering, what is an engineer and what do engineers do? With this new knowledge, budding builders and engineers are invited to help re-construct London's miniature Capital filling it with the tallest towers, strongest structures and brilliant bridges.
Every week we will explore a new theme and experiment; this programme of activities forms part of Capital Science, a celebration for the 350th Anniversary of the Royal Society.
To take part in any of the sessions listed below simply drop in to the museum between 12.00 and 15.00.
Week 1: Strongest structures
24 July to 1 August 2010
Are triangles stronger than squares? Participate in the spaghetti strengthening challenge, house of cards and triangle versus square experiments then build a platform that holds the weight of a model London Overground station.
Engineering Workshop suitable for ages 5+
Week 2: Tallest towers
2 to 8 August 2010
Tall towers and buildings have to withstand high wind force. Test this theory with Jenga, soft bricks and construction straws. The largest crane in the UK was used to build the new London Overground line. Reconstruct this magnificent machine with the use of everyday house-hold objects.
Engineering Workshop suitable for ages 5+
Week 3: Build a better bridge
9 to 15 August 2010
Engineers are creative problem solvers. This weeks experiment is the fabulous arch bridge, which can take the weight of a small child. Can you build a bridge across a model River Thames which will hold the weight of a tiny London bus?
Engineering Workshop suitable for ages 5+
Week 4: Rainy days
16 to 22 August 2010
Engineering is essential to our daily lives. Test out waterproof materials, trial roof shapes and be amazed at the moving water experiment. Nobody likes waiting for a bus in the rain; help us construct a miniature bus shelter that will keep three toy passengers nice and dry.
Engineering Workshop suitable for ages 5+
Week 5: Full to capacity
23 to 29 August 2010
Float, sink, submerge? Learn how to make a boat that will take the weight of a small passenger. Take your boat home and test it at bath time.
Engineering Workshop suitable for ages 5+
Sing along: Build it up with sticks and stones
Wednesdays and Fridays
11.30 & 16.00 (sessions last 20 minutes)
Budding baby builders can listen to transport tales and railway rhymes then sing-along to the old children's favourite London Bridge is falling down. These action-packed story telling sessions will help our littlest visitors understand the science behind engineering.
Storytelling, suitable for under 5s
Admission to the Museum is free to accompanied children under 16. Adults £10.00; Senior Citizens £8.00; Students £6.00.
Be Safe Week: 23 to 27 August 2010
Upon arrival, collect your Be Safe Passport and start collecting stamps from the Museum's Safety & Citizenship team and guests who will conduct practical demonstrations for young people about travelling on the Capital's transport networks and keeping safe and environmentally savvy.
Be safe week suitable for all ages
Hands-on Galleries
In addition to hands-on exhibits, we have two galleries purpose built for our younger visitors:
Interchange
Gallery supported by the Luke Rees-Pulley Charitable Trust.
Children aged from 7 to 11 can explore the Museum's collection in this interactive hands-on area. They can discover the range of people who have worked on public transport in London over the last 200 years, try on replica costumes and guess the origins of our mystery objects. The highlight of a visit to the gallery is a chance to drive our Optare bus.
All aboard!
Gallery supported by the Luke Rees-Pulley Charitable Trust.
Children under 6 can let their imaginations run wild as they climb aboard our fun versions of a bus, train, Tube and taxi. They can take the wheel, becoming a driver for the day, or bump around with the other passengers in the back. They can also explore our miniature London, taking control of the transport system, moving buses and trains around London's most famous landmarks.
Free downloadable trail
Track it down!
Test your detective skills with our Track it down trail! Amusingly illustrated by Guardian cartoonist Stephen Appleby this free trail helps families track down key exhibits and get the most from a tour of the galleries.
Down load the Track it down trail
Family friendly facilities
- Baby change room
- Baby feeding room
- Picnic area
- Ramp/ lift access to all galleries
Museum floor plan