School holiday fun at the National Maritime Museum

by Shirani Aththas on 1 Jul 2008
From learning to become 18th century sailhands to making a rubber-band propelled toy boat inspired by 19th century toys, there’s plenty happening at the National Maritime Museum these holidays to keep children of any age entertained.

Endeavour Recruits: Weekdays during the holidays
Captain Cook has returned to the museum and instructed his officers to look for new recruits for the voyage to England on board the HM Bark Endeavour.

Kids are invited to join in the Captain’s challenges and see whether they have what it takes to become an 18th century sailor on Cook’s vessel of discovery.

The 30 minute sessions will run each Monday to Friday during the school holidays (7-11 & 14-18 July) at 11 am, 12 pm and 1 pm. The Holiday Fun Ticket is $7 per child and includes entry to both Endeavour Recruits and Kids Deck). Adults free.

Kids Deck: Bateaux Jouets: 6 – 20 July 2008
Every day of the winter school holidays kids can make their very own toy paddlewheel boat, with elastic band propulsion, to take home and try out in the bath tub – they do float!

Then take on their friends in our custom-built wooden 'pond' maze…which boat will be the first to make it to the centre of Paris? There’s even a selection of French-themed period costumes to dress up in as you race.
Themed around the museum’s current major exhibition Bateaux Jouets – toy boats from Paris 1850-1950, the hourly Kids Deck sessions will run daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Entry is included in the Holiday Fun Ticket at $7 per child, adults free. Recommended for children 5-12 years old.

Free Bastille Day : Battle of the Bateaux: Monday 14 July 2008
Celebrate Bastille Day in French style by seeing Bateaux Jouets and then taking on your friends or family in our remote-control boat bonanza.

This free interactive, on-water spectacle will see young and old competing throughout the day as they race remote-controlled laser yachts and speedboats to the finish line.
The racing yachts and speedboats are the very latest in remote control technology, with many of the boats scale models of existing yachts.

The Battle of the Bateaux races will run from 11 am to 3 pm on Monday 14 July. Entry is free.

Entry to the museum’s exhibitions, including Bateaux Jouets – toy boats from Paris 1850-1950, is free. A Holiday Fun Ticket is $7 per child or free with any other purchased ticket. Adults free. Admission charges apply to visit the museum’s vessels including the HMB Endeavour replica.

The National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, is open daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm. All inquiries, (02) 9298 3777 or visit www.anmm.gov.au.