EXPLORE THE PLAY EXPERIENCE
This summer, explore the joy of play at the Museum of Somerset, where you’ll discover a variety of playful experiences. This interactive exhibition invites you to get hands-on—create, explore, and rediscover familiar toys and games. Share memories, spark your imagination, and enjoy playful moments for all ages.
Kids go FREE, Adults £4 online/£5 on the door
Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10.00 am – 5.00 pm, 25 July – 10 October
Explore Four Exciting Play Zones for All Ages
In the Game zone, discover games from prehistory to Pokemon
Mix it up with Nintendo and classic games of chess, draughts and noughts and crosses. See prehistoric tokens and early 20th century games from Ludo and Snakes and Ladders to Happy Families.
Role play and see your childhood toys on display, in the Imaginative zone.
Dress up, role play and strike a selfie in front of the costume wall. Where will you go and who will you see on your adventure? Reminisce about your favourite childhood toys – did you have a He-Man, Polly Pocket, Furby or Hornby train?
Be inspired, make some noise and leave your mark in the Creative zone.
Create a character out of magnets and leave your mark on the giant collective artwork. Play the Sound Game, and giggle at the unexpected noises made by toys!
Spark your next adventure in the Outdoor zone.
Re-discover the simple pleasures of hula hoop and hopscotch. See old-fashioned scooters, wooden rackets, spinning tops and sticks from years gone by.
Activities & Workshops
- PLAY FOR FAMILIES
- PLAY FOR GROWN UPS
Play Events for Families
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Family Aardman Model Making Workshops
- Saturday 25 July, 11.00 am – 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm
- £15 pp, Booking required
Book NowExperience the art of model making in these hour long, hands‑on clay modelling workshops. Guided by an expert model maker from the renowned Aardman studio, you will be given step‑by‑step guidance on how to make your very own Aardman character. Choose from Gromit, Feathers McGraw or Morph.
Once you’ve made your character, then you can really start your imaginative play at home!
Your ticket also includes entry to the Play experience.
Suitable for ages 8 years +.
Everyone attending needs to book a ticket (children and adults.)
No unaccompanied children.
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Drop in, Make & Play
- 28 July – 27 August, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
- £3 per child
28 & 30 July – Puppets
Get creative and design your very own puppet.
4 & 6 August – Biff Bat
Create a classic bat-and-ball game to decorate, take home, and enjoy outdoors.
11 & 13 August – Create a Board Game
Design your own board game using clay pieces, and decorate a box to store your creation.
18 & 20 August – Teddy Bear Crafts
Enjoy some teddy bear-themed crafts.
25 & 27 August – Flying Toys
Build and decorate a flying plane or bird, then test it out and take it home to enjoy!
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Craft a Game from the Past Workshop
- Wednesday 29 July and 26 August, 10.30 am – 12.00 pm
- £20 per child, Booking required
Book NowDiscover the fascinating origins of board games and how they travelled across the ancient world. Explore historic gaming artefacts from Somerset, then get hands-on by crafting your own version of Nine Men’s Morris—and learn how to play it.
Your ticket also includes entry to the Play experience.
Suitable for ages 7–14 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
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Trails Everyday
- 25 July – 2 September, 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
- £2, drop in
Enjoy boardgame-themed trails everyday in the summer holidays.
Snakes and Ladders themed Museum trail (25 July – 8 August)
Connect Four themed Museum trail (11 August – 2 September)
Play Events for Grown Ups
Play is for everyone! Rediscover the joy of play this summer, at creative workshops and gaming events.
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Aardman Model Making Workshops (adults only)
- Saturday 25 July, 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm
- £15 pp, Booking required
Book NowThis session is for ages 16+ only.
Experience the art of model making in these hour long, hands‑on clay modelling workshops. Guided by an expert model maker from the renowned Aardman studio, you will be given step‑by‑step guidance on how to make your very own Aardman character.
Will you make Morph, Gromit or Feathers McGraw? You can make your character, take home and really start your imaginative play!
Your ticket also includes entry to PLAY.
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Art with Abandon: Messy Play for Grown Ups
- Saturday 15 August, 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
- £15 pp, Booking required
Book NowRelax your mind. Experiment freely. Embrace the joy of making a mess.
Art with Abandon is a one-hour immersive messy play session designed just for adults (ages 18+), with no rules, no pressure, and absolutely no expectations. This is your invitation to step away from perfectionism and reconnect with pure, unfiltered creativity.
Finger paint, splash, smear, layer, and explore. Whether you haven’t picked up a brush in a while or you’re simply craving a new kind of release, this session is about the process, not the product.
Come as you are. Leave the inner critic at the door.
The session is run by Art Psychotherapist Stacey Kiely.
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No experience needed, there is no “right way” to create. Just an hour to play, unwind, and rediscover the freedom of art without expectation.
Wear something you don’t mind getting messy—and bring your curiosity.
Your ticket includes entry to PLAY.
The session is run by Stacey Kiely. Stacey trained at Goldsmiths College, London and has been an Art Psychotherapist for over 15 years.
PHOTO: Jacob Lund
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Watch the Skies: Second Sight
- Sunday 27 September, 9.30 am – 5.00 pm
- £45 pp, Booking required
Book NowAliens are coming. The world is watching. You decide humanity’s fate. Experience playing an epic large-scale game in the truly unique setting of Taunton Castle’s Great Hall, hosted by SW Megagames.
Players will come together to shape the outcome of a fast-moving, high-stakes scenario. Part strategy game, part roleplaying experience, you are right at the centre of the action. This game is set in a world very much like our own—so aliens aren’t your only problem. You’ll also need to respond to human events, managing real-world crises alongside the growing extraterrestrial threat. As the aliens’ mysterious activities become greater and more frequent, how will humanity respond? What do the aliens want? Will the Earth survive? Nothing is certain, except that the aliens are coming – so be sure to ‘Watch The Skies!’
No experience necessary, every player has a role to play. Expect a truly unique immersive experience, and a genuinely fun, unforgettable day.
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Please visit WTS Second Sight – Roles Guide for information about the various roles and groups and let us know your preference on the booking form. If you are booking as a group (max of 9), please let us know on the booking form. We will send out a Watch the Skies: Second Sight briefing notes and rules a couple of weeks before the event.
- Important information:
A minimum number of players is required for the event to run. If this isn’t met, we will contact you and issue refunds.
Your ticket also includes entry to the Play experience.
Recommended for ages 18+.
The Courtyard Cafe will not be open. You are welcome to bring lunch or pop out (the Museum is located in the centre of town).
