Shorelife Mount Stewart Free Activities

Calling all little explorers! Join us for an exciting adventure as we Look Closer and Discover Nature! Watch five episodes of BBC/CBeebies Tiny Wonders on the BIG screen, and then dive into hands-on exploration in our Mini Lab Zones. Led by scientists from Queens University Belfast Marine Lab, kids will get to use real microscopes and take a closer look at fascinating little curiosities from nature.

Join Jenni from Born in a Field for a hands-on natural fibre craft experience inspired by the landscape of Strangford Lough. Using willow and colourful wool fibres, you’ll learn how to make your own traditional-style God’s Eye, combining natural materials, colour and pattern to create a unique piece to take home. A lovely opportunity to slow down, get creative and create something rooted in the beauty and spirit of the Lough.

A fully facilitated, hands on bushcraft experience delivered through rotating one hour sessions for families and children. Participants will learn traditional outdoor skills including shelter building (natural & man made), fire lighting, knot tying, camouflage, environmental awareness and leave no trace principles finishing with campfire smores.

Join us for a fascinating journey into the deep past of Northern Ireland. With a geological collection encompassing fossils, minerals, rocks, and meteorites - hear the captivating stories drawn from millions of years of Earth’s history.

Join artist Imogen Donegan for some drop-in printmaking, inspired by our coast and the natural environment. Throughout the day, Imogen will be printing an exclusive bespoke Shorelife design, giving you the chance to create your own unique piece to take home. Bring along your own T-shirt or tote bag to print, or choose from a selection of second-hand T-shirts available to purchase on the day for a cash donation to Oxfam.

A storytelling journey inspired by the shores, waters and wild places around us. Through stories led by local Author and Storyteller Marianne McShane, children will be invited to look closely at the world on their doorstep: the creatures that live in the water, the habitats along the shore, the plants and wildlife on land, and the birdlife that connects them all.

Enjoy a special selection of archive footage celebrating Strangford Lough and its surrounding communities. Featuring boating, sailing, swimming, local outings and everyday life from decades past, these fascinating moving images offer a glimpse into the Lough’s rich heritage and changing landscape.