Plenty of fun on offer at Swindon’s museums this half-term
An abundance of activities are available at the STEAM Museum and Museum & Art Swindon this February half-term.
Published: Friday, 13th February 2026
The Swindon Borough Council-owned museums are keen to welcome children of all ages (and their families) to explore the history of the town as well as its deep connection with the Great Western Railway.
A variety of drop-in activities will be taking place at STEAM throughout the week, all included in the price of admission.
As part of the Festival of Tomorrow, the team are also running an engineering activity – Be an Engineer! – in the Great Western Hall. Taking place between 11am and 3.30pm on Wednesday, 18 February, it will test attendees’ engineering skills with bridge challenges, using special Polydron kits, as well as competitions against the clock and other participants.
A number of activities are also taking place at Museum & Art Swindon in the Civic Offices, Euclid Street.
On Saturday (14 Feb), drawing workshops focussing on fantastical worlds, inspired by the Henry Orlik Surrealism exhibition, will be available at 11am and 2pm, at a cost of £5 per person.
Attendees can try out different drawing materials, from charcoal and pastels to paint pens and drawing pens with the Learning Team on hand to show how to create a range of effects and design their own fantastical world or mythical beast.
On Tuesday (17 Feb), Fossil Hunters storytelling, fossil handling and fossil making will be taking place between 2pm to 3.15pm costing £5 per person. Booking in advance is advised to avoid missing out.
Dive into Jurassic seas with professional storyteller Kirsty Hartsiotis as she spins tall tales of sea dragons, devil’s toenails and other fantastical beasts. Relax on bean bags in the Fossil Hunters exhibition while listening to tales of fossil hunters and the secrets beneath the earth. Attendees will also be able to hold real-life fossils from 150m years ago and make their very own clay fossil to take home.
Wednesday (18 Feb) and Saturday (21 Feb) will also see some creative drop-in sessions available for free, inspired by the Henry Orlik and Fossil Hunters exhibitions.
Taking place between 10.30am and 4.30pm, visitors will be able to design their own fantasy world or beast and create a magical landscape on the museum’s giant magnetic story board. Guests will also be able to make an adventure story dice or chatterbox to take home.
During half-term a dedicated Museum Explorer and Art Explorer trail will be running throughout the museum where those who complete the trail will receive a certificate (and some well-earned knowledge of Swindon!)
As a special treat, the Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Fay Howard, is also hosting a pancake decorating session at the Mayor’s Parlour on Shrove Tuesday (17 Feb).
Pancake makers can explore the Civic Chambers with the Mayor and decorate their own pancake to eat. The free activity is taking place at 3.15pm. While the event is free, it must be booked in advance with an earlier slot already sold out.
More information about the events, and future activities happening at either museum, can be found on the STEAM or Museum & Art Swindon websites.