Families heading over to London Transport Museum this October half term can fuel their artistic imaginations with fun activities for the creative and curious, centred on posters, art and design. The Perfect Posters family activities take place between Saturday 21 and Sunday 29 October. They are inspired by the Museum’s brand-new Global Poster Gallery and its blockbuster exhibition, How to Make a Poster, which opens on Friday 20 October. The exhibition will explore the poster making process behind some of the twentieth century’s most influential commercial art and design. More than 110 poster artworks and posters from London Transport Museum’s collection will be on display.
A jam-packed nine days full of arts, creativity and hands-on children’s activities will encourage families to discover poster art through the ages, uncovering the long history of Transport for London’s pioneering use of artistic styles and bold design. A lively museum-wide family trail, have-a-go workshops, and a poster-inspired puppet show, are all part of the fun and will fire up children’s imaginations by revealing the connection between art, design and the day-to-day posters all around us.
Across the half term, visitors can:
Join the Puzzling Poster Trail and work as a team to crack the codes and uncover co-ordinates on this challenging family quest. Solve the puzzles to reveal mystery Transport for London posters, encountering fun facts and fascinating objects along the way. (All ages. Running daily)
Sharpen both pencils and your mind at the Making a Message workshop. Design your own poster and learn how to think like an artist. Explore how words and pictures combine to convey powerful information and create your own inspirational poster. (Recommended for children aged 7 – 14 years. Sessions take place Monday – Friday at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm)
Flex your festive drawing skills and create an eye-catching seasonal poster for entry into a Festive Poster Competition. The winner will receive a special prize and the opportunity to have their poster displayed in the Museum. (All ages. Daily drop-in sessions)
Get hands-on in Canvas Corner and learn more about the brilliant artists behind London’s transport posters, past and present. Try out different drawing materials, techniques and styles, and contribute to a collage wall to produce a giant image. (All ages. Daily drop-in sessions)
Enjoy an immersive interactive puppet show with songs, movement and games at the Out of the Frame Puppet Theatre. Little ones can sing along with Charlie the Copper, Pebbles the Penguin and Simran the Seamstress – characters come to life from their iconic posters – and help them find their way back home. (Recommended for families and children aged 7 years and under. Sessions daily at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2.00pm and 3.00pm)
Whilst at the award-winning London Transport Museum in Covent Garden families can also:
Visit the new Global Poster Gallery set over two floors, this permanent gallery dedicated to the history of poster art and design will showcase a new temporary exhibition called How to Make a Poster. An exploration of poster commissioning and creativity in the pre-digital age from 1900, the exhibition includes the Underground’s very first pictorial poster titled ‘No need to ask a p’liceman’ by John Hassall, dating from 1908
Climb aboard historic trains, trams and buses – including an iconic red Routemaster and vintage 1938 stock Tube train
In the All Aboard play zone, little ones can also play conductor on a bus, repair a mini-Tube train with toy spanners, and work in the ‘Lost Property Office’
Visit the Legacies exhibition to hear the stories of Caribbean people who have shaped London’s transport history and culture
Learn to ‘drive’ an Elizabeth line train in the Future Engineers gallery and get hands-on with interactive exhibits
Grab a bite to eat at Canteen, the Museum’s café bar, while enjoying views over the Covent Garden Piazza
Browse the Museum’s shop and choose from its exclusive range of transport-inspired toys, gifts, homeware and vintage posters.
The Global Poster Gallery at London Transport Museum is sponsored by Global, one of the UK’s leading outdoor media providers. Global’s outdoor advertising network includes London’s Tube and bus network as well as the UK’s largest network of buses in major towns and cities across the UK.
London Transport Museum is also grateful to the Wolfson Foundation for a major grant toward developing the gallery and to the Finnis Scott Foundation for their support.
Ticket information
Timed tickets to visit London Transport Museum can be booked online in advance. Adult tickets are £24 and allow free return day-time entry for a whole year. Plus, kids go free! https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/family-events/october-half-term-perfect-posters
