February half term at the National Maritime Museum

Drag aerobics

Shows begin at 11am and 2pm and last 30 minutes | Find us in the Rethink Space | Suitable for all ages

Get ready for a maritime-inspired aerobics class with a twist, turn and a shimmy with Dolly Trolley! 

Drag Queen Storytime

Shows begin at 12pm and 2.30pm and last 30 minutes | Find us in the Learning Space | Suitable for all ages

Join H.R.H. Aphrodite I from our Queer History Club for a fun filled family storytime to remember!

Queer pier

11am-1pm and 2-4pm | Learning Space | Suitable for all ages

Head to the Learning Space to join in with a collaborative art build. Create a space special to you and add it to our pier.

Polar Explorers' sea chests

11am-1pm and 2-4pm | Learning Space | Suitable for all ages

What did polar explorers wear on their long voyages into the Arctic and Antarctic regions? Come and make your very own paper doll outfits in this drop-in craft session. 

Together we will explore examples of Victorian and Edwardian fashion – both civilian and seafarer clothing – as well as historical and more modern polar gear. 

We will also touch upon the role of drag and cross-dressing within the context of historical polar exploration. You will have a chance to practise your colouring skills with our pre-made paper doll outfits, as well as showcase your creativity and make brand new clothes for the paper doll sailors! 

Make your own merfolk

11am-1pm and 2-4pm | Learning Space | Suitable for all ages

Learn about merfolk myths from around the world in this creative workshop. You'll make your own merfolk using collage materials.

Pride peg dolls

11am-1pm and 2-4pm | Learning Space | Suitable for all ages

Dress up a tiny peg doll to take home. Make a mini you and express yourself, or create a character and take inspiration from some LGBTQ+ heroes with connections to the Museum and south-east London.

Ahoy matey!

11am-1pm and 2-4pm | Learning Space | Suitable for all ages

Did you know why pirates call each other ‘matey'? In the 17th and 18th centuries pirates would sometimes agree to something called ‘matelotage’ – kind of like a pirate marriage! They would promise to share their treasure and money, and vow to fight side-by-side in battle. Create your own ‘matey’ jigsaw necklace to share with your favourite person, ready to grant you and your matey good luck on land and sea.

Singing workshop

Sessions begin at 11am and 2pm and last 45 minutes | Rethink Space | Suitable for all ages

Join us to create your very own improvised a capella song! This performance is led by Trans Voices Young Company facilitators and is interactive and participatory. 

Trans Voices is the UK's first professional trans+ choir launched in 2022. Affiliated with world-leading alternative choir London Contemporary Voices, Trans Voices is a diverse group of over 20 trans+ vocalists.

Drag story time

11am, 1pm and 3pm | Learning Space | Suitable for all ages

We've heard whispers that Maneeta, the renowned pirate drag queen of the ship Dragged Around London, will be making a pit stop at the Museum this year. 

She's passionate about diversity in her crew and we've heard that she absolutely loves to read stories to kids that encourage them to feel accepted and included on board her vessel. We sent a missive to request her attendance, and we were overjoyed that she accepted the invitation. We're hoping that with enough doubloons she might even treat us to a little song... 

Re-draw the map

1pm - 3pm | Find us in the Rethink Space | Suitable for children aged 12+

Cut up, colour in, collage, paint and draw with old maps or create your own new ones. Redraw the lines and make a new world.

Participants will be able to colour in, cut up and collage or draw and paint on copies of historic maps from the National Maritime Museum, or draw new maps from their imagination. You could make new maps of this world or maps of new worlds you would like to live in. Your maps might not divided up by straight lines and right angles. They might have queer borders – or none! You might fill the land masses and seas with what you’d like to see there, make your own keys and write your own legends.

Polari zines

11am-1pm and 2-4pm | Learning Space | Suitable for all ages

Discover the colourful world of Polari, a secret language once used by sailors and the LGBTQ+ community, in this fun, family-friendly workshop. Create your own Polari dictionary zine, match words to their meanings, and invent your own secret language through drawing and play!

Sounding Waves

2-4pm | Find us in the Rethink Space | Suitable for all ages

Craft percussive watery DIY junk instruments using a variety of maritime themed ‘flotsam’. We’ll then use our instruments to create imaginative playful soundscapes, filling the museum with sound and music.