From Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 October, families visiting London Transport Museum in Covent Garden can discover how different types of public transport have shaped London’s environment over the last 200 years, from the early days of steam power to the engineering helping Londoners make greener journeys today.
Kids can take part in interactive STEM inspired activities and meet real-world engineers as they explore the technology powering London’s new ‘green’ buses and drop into a hands-on display about cycling in the city. Little ones can enjoy daily storytelling sessions, and the whole family can take part in a collaborative art installation celebrating the wildlife who call London home.
During half term at London Transport Museum families can:
- Follow a self-guided trail around the galleries to discover how London’s environment has been shaped by engineering innovations and new transport technology, from the first man-powered sedan chair, steam-powered Underground trains and electric trolleybuses of the past to the green solutions of the future. Best for 5 to 12-year-olds
- Get curious with an interactive STEM-inspired activity exploring the technology powering new ‘green’ buses and talk to a real-world engineer. Put your imagination to the test with a take-home activity as you step into the shoes of an engineer and think up your own solutions to help Londoners make greener journeys. Best for 8 to 12-year-olds.
- Drop into an interactive display inspired by cycling in the city. Best for 5 to 12-year-olds
- Listen to storytelling sessions to keep little ones entertained with tales of Yemi and his bus-driver dad. Join this adventurous pair as they explore the city and learn about small changes we can make to be more green. Sessions will run five times each day. Best for children 7 years and under
- Celebrate the wildlife that call London’s parks, railway tracks and green spaces home by helping to create a new art installation. Families can get creative as they draw the animals they find ‘living’ amongst the historic vehicles, from foxes to herons and hedgehogs, before adding their illustrations to a collaborative artwork about the city, its transport and inhabitants.
Tickets
Kids go free to London Transport Museum. Adult tickets cost £18.50 and offer free return daytime entry for a whole year. Timed entry tickets must be booked online in advance. Activities will run daily from 10:00 until 16:00. The latest information about coronavirus safety measures can be found on the Museum’s website.
The half-term activities are part of London Transport Museum’s Climate Crossroads programme. Supported by Mott MacDonald and Cubic Transportation Systems, this programme aims to ignite people’s curiosity to shape a greener future. It features school holiday family activities, After Dark events, thought leadership debates for business leaders and policy makers and skills and employability support for young people.
Sam Mullins OBE, Director of London Transport Museum, said: ‘As a city shaped by its public transport, it’s vital that we think about its role in creating a greener London. As the world turns its attention to COP26, our Climate Crossroads programme is encouraging families to be creative and curious about the part they can play in protecting our planet, from the journeys we make to how careers in engineering and transport help to shape the future.’
Neil Henderson FICE, Key Account Director, Mott MacDonald, said ‘London generates about one third of the carbon emissions in the UK. Transport is also the largest source of air pollution and therefore has a key role in helping London and the UK achieve carbon neutrality and improve the health of its citizens. The Climate Crossroads programme will help families think differently about how to make our city a greener place to live, and, inspired by the great engineering ingenuity of London’s past, will explore what innovations, skills and jobs we need to build this sustainable future.’
David Wear, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Cubic Transportation Systems, said: ‘Cubic Transportation Systems have been committed to working with mobility providers such as TfL to create greener and more sustainable transport for over 40 years. The Climate Crossroads initiative echoes our vision for ensuring planning and paying for public transport should be easy, accessible, and equitable for everyone, making it the mode of choice. Be it through cycle hire schemes or developing the latest technology for contactless payments.’
