Expert led Early Years events for babies and toddlers in Newcastle and Gateshead

Want to introduce your baby to the wonders of an art gallery or inspire your toddler at a museum?

Museums and art galleries in Newcastle and Gateshead offer a variety of free and low cost expert led sessions for under 5s where parents and guardians can meet new friends too.

All Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums’ venues have baby changing facilities, are accessible for buggies, have spaces for packed lunches or child-friendly options in the cafes, and they are all breastfeeding friendly too.  

Little Artists at Laing Art Gallery
Ages 1 - 5 years 
Mondays 16, 23, 30 January; 6, 13, 27 February; 6, 13, 20 & 27 March 
Discover the Laing with your little ones and support their early development in a fun and relaxed way, exploring a different theme each week. Each session involves a warm up with movement and motion, gallery exploration with fun interactive activities, a practical art activity with various materials and a short story time. More details on Little Artists.

Crafty Kids at Shipley Art Gallery
For ages 2 - 5 years but younger welcome too. 
Tuesdays 24, 31 January, 7, 14 & 28 February, 7, 14, 21 & 28 March, 18 & 25 April
Crafty Kids is a fun-filled session led by our friendly Early Years specialists. Each session is based around a theme found in the artworks, such as colour, texture, line and animals. More details on Crafty Kids.  

Tiny Sparks at Discovery Museum
For ages 3 – 5 years
Wednesdays 11, 18, 25 January 1, 8 & 15 February  
Spark your child’s imagination with stories about science and curious objects. This is an opportunity for tiny engineering, inventing, discovering, designing and investigating. More details on Tiny Sparks. 

Museum Mice at Great North Museum: Hancock
Under 5 years
Fridays 3, 10 & 17 February
Museum Mice is a play and exploration session for under 5s and their adults. It is the perfect place for little ones to socialise and make new friends whilst discovering the wonders of the museum. More details on Museum Mice. 

Nurture Nest at Great North Museum: Hancock
For pre crawling babies 
Friday 3 February 
A chance for young babies to engage in tummy time as a group, learn songs, make new friends, and explore the senses whilst discovering some of the curious museum objects and exploring their sensory environment. More details on Nurture Nest.

Curious Crawlers at Great North Museum: Hancock
For babies who are crawling, or pre-walkers who are moving
Friday 10 February
An opportunity for early movers to be curious, with den spaces and a selection of toys provided for babies to explore and move between at their own pace. More details on Curious Crawlers.

Hartbeeps Disco at Discovery Museum
For little ones walking confidently. Younger siblings can attend for free 
Friday 24 February
Bring your babies for a boogie in the spacious Great Hall on the 4th floor. Brought to the museum by Hartbeeps, award-winning storytellers and creators of multi-sensory play for babies and young children. Expect puppets, bubbles and lights all around. More details on Hartbeeps Disco. 

Discover a Story: The Cat, the Mouse and the Runaway Train at Discovery Museum
For ages 3 - 5 years
Wednesday 22 February
Join early years’ specialist Amy for stories and crafts. Small children of preschool age can listen to a story and then get crafty, as they design and decorate wonderful creations, inspired by the story! More details on Discover a Story.